Jesus Found a Thief in a Tree Help Children to Repent Father, we thank you that you love us so much. You came to save us even when we were lost sinners. You forgave us, and you fill us with joy, because of your forgiveness. We always want to thank you and show you our gratitude. We want to show you our love by loving other people, too. Choose among these activities those that fit the children’s ages and needs. 1. Older child or teacher: read the story of Zacheus in Luke 19:1–10. It tells how a man who had stolen money repented when he met Jesus. Ask: (Answers appear after each question.) · What job did Zacheus have? · Why did Zacheus climb a tree? (Verse 3) · How did Jesus show that he forgave Zacchaeus for being a thief? · (Verse 5. Jesus went to his house to eat.) · How did Zacheus feel when Jesus talked to him? (Verse 6. He was glad.) · Zacheus knew that Jesus had forgiven him. What did he do in gratitude? (Verse 8) · Whom did Jesus come to save? (Verse
10)
2. Draw a picture of a bag of money, and let the children copy it. Change the “$” symbol to that of the local currency. Children may like to copy or to colour the picture found at the end of this lesson. Let them show their pictures to the adults during worship, and explain that this illustrates how God changes our hearts, so that loving him becomes more important than money.
3. Dramatize the story of Zacheus. Arrange
with the worship leader for the children to present this brief drama
during worship. · Older children or adults act these parts: Narrator. Summarize the story and help the children to remember what to say and do. Jesus. Zacheus. Hold a bag of stones or paper representing coins. · Younger children portray
People.
Narrator:
Tell the first part of the
story (Luke
19:1–6). Then say, People:
(Some
say) “Jesus is coming!” Zacheus: Climb up on a chair. Jesus:
Look up
and say, Narrator:
Tell the second part of the
story (verses 7–10). Then say, Zacheus:
Come
down from the chair and say, Jesus:
“This is
the kind of person I have come to save. People:
(Some say)
“Look at the money Zacchaeus gave me!” Narrator: Thank the children and anyone else who helped with the drama. 5. Ask the children: “What are other examples of ways that we show our gratitude to God for his forgiveness?” (Let the children give examples.) “Come
now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, Let three children each recite one of the verses from Psalm 51:1, 7 and 13.
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