Luke 19:1–10 · Ages 3–9
Zacchaeus in the Tree
A short, unpopular tax collector climbed a tree to see Jesus — and Jesus invited himself over for dinner.
Big idea
Jesus sees the person the crowd doesn't.
Read-aloud
1. Too short to see
Zacchaeus was a tax collector — rich, but hated. When Jesus came to town, he wanted a look, but the crowd was too tall.
2. Up a tree
He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree. Grown-ups don't usually do that. He didn't care.
3. 'Come down'
Jesus stopped under the tree, looked up, and said, 'Zacchaeus, come down! I'm staying at your house today.'
4. A brand new heart
Zacchaeus gave half his stuff to the poor and paid back everyone he'd cheated four times over. Jesus said, 'Today salvation has come to this house.'
Memory verse
“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
— Luke 19:10
Talk about it
- Have you ever felt invisible?
- What did Jesus change about Zacchaeus's heart?
- Who would we invite over for dinner if Jesus was coming?
Family prayer
Jesus, thank you for seeing us. Change our hearts like you changed Zacchaeus's. Amen.
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