In this lesson, children learn that Jesus came to seek and save people who are lost, and that he loves them even when they have done wrong. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, a discussion, and a short activity.
Big Idea
Jesus came to look for people who are lost, and he wants to be friends with everyone, even people others think are bad. When Jesus finds us, our lives can change for good.
Memory Verse
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
(WEB)
Teach the verse with a motion. Cup both hands together like a little search light, sweep them slowly left and right as if looking for something, then open your hands wide when you say “save.” Let children copy the motion until they can say the words with it.
The Story: Luke 19 for Kids
Jesus was walking through a town called Jericho, and a big crowd was following him. In that town lived a man named Zacchaeus. He was a tax collector, and he had become very rich by taking extra money from the people around him. Many folks did not like him at all.
Zacchaeus was short, and he wanted badly to see Jesus. But the crowd was too thick, and he could not see over anyone. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree. From up in the branches, he had a perfect view of the road.
When Jesus reached that spot, he looked up and called out, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! I must stay at your house today.” Zacchaeus climbed down quickly and welcomed Jesus with joy. Some people in the crowd grumbled, saying that Jesus had gone to visit a man who had done wrong.
Zacchaeus stood up and told Jesus he would give half of his belongings to people in need. He said that if he had cheated anyone, he would pay each person back four times as much. Jesus told everyone that salvation had come to that house that day. He explained that he came to look for people who were lost and to save them.
Later, Jesus told a story about a nobleman who gave ten servants some money and asked them to use it wisely while he was away. Some servants made the money grow, and the king rewarded them. One servant was afraid and did nothing with it, and he lost what he had been given. The story teaches that faithfulness matters, even with small things.
Then Jesus rode toward Jerusalem on a young donkey that no one had ridden before. People spread their cloaks on the road, and they shouted with joy about the King who comes in the name of the Lord. When Jesus saw the city, he wept over it. He went into the temple and made room for people to pray, because the temple was meant to be a house of prayer.
Read It Together
Luke 19:1-4
1 He entered and was passing through Jericho. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, and couldn’t because of the crowd, because he was short. 4 He ran on ahead, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was going to pass that way.
(WEB)
Point out how Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus so much that he climbed a tree. Ask children what they would do to get a good look at something exciting, and remind them that Zacchaeus was willing to try something new.
Luke 19:5-7
5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6 He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully. 7 When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.”
(WEB)
Show how Jesus called Zacchaeus by name and chose to visit his home. Note that some people complained about it, while Jesus showed kindness to someone others had left out.
Luke 19:8-9
8 Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.
(WEB)
Point out the change in Zacchaeus. He chose to give back what he had taken and share with others. Explain that when Jesus changes a heart, people want to make things right.
Talk About It
- How do you think Zacchaeus felt when Jesus called his name from the tree?
- Why do you think some people in the crowd complained about Jesus visiting Zacchaeus?
- What is one way you could show kindness to someone others sometimes leave out?
- What did Zacchaeus do after he met Jesus, and why do you think he wanted to make things right?
- When you think about being lost, what does it mean to you that Jesus came to find people?
Activity Ideas
Zacchaeus Tree Craft
You will need brown paper, crayons, glue, and a few green paper leaves. Have each child draw a tall tree trunk with branches, then glue on leaves. Ask them to draw a small person high in the branches, and talk about how Zacchaeus climbed up to see Jesus.
Hide and Seek Game
Choose one child to hide a small toy somewhere in the room while the others close their eyes. Let the group search, then cheer when they find it. Explain that Jesus came to seek and save people who are lost, and that he never stops looking for us.
Coin Reminder at Home
Place a few coins in a small jar and ask your child to count them. Talk together about how we can use what we have to help others, the way Zacchaeus shared and the servants used what they were given. Encourage your child to choose one coin to give to someone in need this week.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that Jesus seeks out people whom others have written off, and that his grace leads to real change. Zacchaeus did not earn his welcome. Jesus offered it first, and the change in Zacchaeus grew out of that love. Adults can see here that repentance is a response to grace, not a price paid for it.
Avoid suggesting to children that God rewards good behavior with stuff or that they must give money to be loved. Keep the focus on Jesus seeking and saving, and let the generosity of Zacchaeus be a natural response to being found.
A Prayer to Close
Jesus, thank you that you came to find us when we were lost. Help us to be kind to everyone, even when others leave them out. Help us share what we have and do what is right. We love you. Amen.
