This lesson teaches children that Jesus came to seek and save people who are lost, and that he wants to be friends with everyone, even people others have left out. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
Jesus loves everyone and came to find people who are lost. He even chose to spend time at the house of a man nobody liked.
Memory Verse
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
(WEB)
Have children hold both hands out in front of them, then slowly bring them together as if they are gathering something up. Say “seek and save” with each motion so the words and the gesture stay together.
The Story: Luke 19 for Kids
Jesus was walking through a town called Jericho, and a big crowd followed him. There was a man named Zacchaeus who worked collecting taxes, and he had become very rich. Many people did not like him because he often cheated them out of their money.
Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but he was short, and the crowd was too thick for him to see over. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree. He did not care who saw him up there. He just wanted to get a good look.
When Jesus reached that spot, he looked up and called Zacchaeus by name. Jesus said he wanted to come to Zacchaeus’s house that very day. Zacchaeus climbed down quickly and welcomed Jesus with joy.
Some people in the crowd complained. They said Jesus had gone to stay with a man who was a sinner. But Zacchaeus stood up and told Jesus he would give half of everything he owned to the poor. He also promised to pay back four times anything he had taken unfairly from people.
Jesus told everyone that salvation had come to that house that day. He said he came to find and save those who were lost. Then Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, where he would soon ride in on a young donkey while people cheered for him.
Read It Together
Luke 19:5
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.”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus called Zacchaeus by his name and said he wanted to visit him. Ask children how it feels to be called by name by someone who is happy to see them.
Luke 19:8
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.”
(WEB)
Show children how Zacchaeus changed his actions after meeting Jesus. Explain that his promise to be generous came from his new friendship with Jesus, not from fear.
Luke 19:38
Saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!”
(WEB)
Point out the crowd of people shouting praise to the King who comes in the Lord’s name. Talk about the different ways we can praise God with our voices and our lives.
Talk About It
- What did Zacchaeus do when he wanted to see Jesus, even though he was short?
- How do you think the people in the crowd felt when Jesus went to Zacchaeus’s house?
- What changed in Zacchaeus after he spent time with Jesus?
- Why do you think Jesus wanted to be friends with someone people did not like?
- Who is someone you know who might need to hear that Jesus loves them?
Activity Ideas
Sycamore Tree Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask children to draw a tree with branches big enough for a small person to climb. Then have them draw a small figure up in the branches and a larger figure of Jesus below. Let them add the crowd and any color they like. Talk together about why Zacchaeus climbed the tree.
Seek and Find Game
You will need a few small toys or paper hearts and a room with places to hide. Hide the items around the room while children wait outside. Let them come in and search, calling out “found” when they discover one. Explain that Jesus came to seek and find people who are lost, just like they searched for the hidden items.
Take-Home Kindness Card
You will need a sheet of paper folded in half and a pen or pencil. Have each child write or draw one way they can share with someone this week, the way Zacchaeus shared with the poor. Ask them to bring the card home and put it somewhere they will see it. Encourage the family to pray about the idea together.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that Jesus does not wait for people to become respectable before he reaches out to them. Zacchaeus was an outsider who had made money in unjust ways, yet Jesus invited himself into his home. The change in Zacchaeus was a response to grace, and his generosity flowed from that relationship.
Be careful not to suggest to children that they must earn Jesus’s love by giving money or making things right. Zacchaeus’s actions came after Jesus welcomed him, so emphasize that love comes first and changed behavior follows.
A Prayer to Close
Jesus, thank you for coming to find us when we are lost. Help us to notice people who feel left out and to be kind like you. Teach us to share what we have and to tell others about your love. We pray this in your name. Amen.
