Zacchaeus meets Jesus

Transcription

1 Session 3 Spring 2019 Early Childhood Zacchaeus meets Jesus LUKE 19:1 10 prepare PRAYER Dear God, your inspiring words teach us, your warm welcome makes us glad, and your abundant grace renews us. Thank you. Amen. PURPOSE STATEMENT To see Jesus as a friend who cares STORY SUMMARY Zacchaeus was a wealthy chief tax collector in Jericho. Many people despised him, seeing him as greedy, dishonest, and disloyal. When Jesus came to Jericho, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree in order to see. Jesus stopped by the tree and said he would be coming to Zacchaeus home. Jesus welcoming love had a profound effect. Zacchaeus said he would share half his possessions with the poor and repay fourfold any money he had taken dishonestly. teaching tips for early childhood This is the third in a set of eight stories about Lent and Easter. In this story, Jesus showed care for Zacchaeus, someone other people wanted to leave out. In response, Zacchaeus showed kindness to people he had been unfair to. In the story, children can see what friends do they include others and act in kind and fair ways. For storytelling in this session, a small container, such as a clay pot with play dough in it, forms a base for a tree (a small branch held up in the play dough base). This simple visual will help children connect with the events of the story. Before the session begins, you may wish to prepare the puppets on page 3 of the Early Childhood leaflets and to precut the two slits on the story scene on pages 2 3 of the leaflets. Go to to find tips for working with younger children. Decide which Explore options to offer. Check Supplies and To do throughout this session to see what needs to be prepared. 18 / 3 Zacchaeus meets Jesus March 17, 2019

2 dig deeper The familiar story of Zacchaeus [Za-KEEuhs] encapsulates some of Luke s most important theological emphases, such as salvation and faithful use of wealth. Zacchaeus quest Zacchaeus is a character who does not fit easily into expected categories. First, he is a tax collector, an occupation almost universally despised. Not only did he take money from people already economically vulnerable, but he did so on behalf of Rome. In Luke s Gospel, however, Jesus consistently befriends tax collectors and holds them up as positive examples (such as 18:9 14). Second, Zacchaeus is at the top of the ladder in his occupation a chief tax collector and therefore a man of some influence. Third, Luke emphasizes that he is wealthy. The job of collecting tolls, customs, and duties was contracted out to the highest bidder, who would then increase fees to make a profit for himself, a system that was open to abuse and fraud. The fact that Zacchaeus is wealthy suggests he was very good at his job, and Luke s Gospel is consistently critical of those who amass wealth at the expense of the poor (such as 16:19 31). Fourth, the crowd regards Zacchaeus as a sinner and grumbles when Jesus, a religious teacher, goes to stay with him. Finally, Zacchaeus is short. In ancient literature, short stature was often associated with smallmindedness, greed, and ridicule. As a grown man with social and economic power, he exposes himself to more shame and ridicule when he climbs a tree to see Jesus. At the end of the story, though, Jesus says that Zacchaeus, too, is a son of Abraham, a legitimate and full member of God s covenant people. In the end, it is Jesus evaluation of him that matters. Like other characters in Luke s Gospel, Zacchaeus encounters an obstacle while on a quest. In overcoming the obstacle, Zacchaeus becomes a positive model for discipleship. Like the blind beggar in the previous story (18:35 43), Zacchaeus seeks to see Jesus (19:3). However, at the end of the story we discover that Jesus LUKE ACTS 19: by Sheila Klassen-Wiebe is actually the one doing the seeking, for he has come to seek and to save the lost (19:10). Salvation today Salvation is an important theological theme in Luke s Gospel. Luke is the only Gospel to explicitly name Jesus as Savior (2:11), and the beginning of the Gospel is crowded with salvation language (1:68 71; 2:30 32; 3:6). Zacchaeus story is about someone released from the captivity of wealth, a story of salvation (19:10). Although the crowds and religious leaders typically grumble when Jesus eats with tax collectors (5:29 30; 15:1 2; 19:7), Jesus mission is to search for the lost, as the parables in Luke 15 vividly illustrate. Luke s Gospel emphasizes that salvation is for the present, not just for the future; thus, Jesus tells Zacchaeus that today salvation has come to this house (19:9, emphasis added). Finally, salvation stories in Luke are infused with joy (such as 2:10 11; 15:6 7); Zacchaeus also responds to Jesus invitation with joy (19:6). The Gospel of Luke contains more teachings about wealth and poverty than any other Gospel; its message is that Jesus came to lift up the poor and oppressed and that disciples must share generously. In 18:18 27 a rich ruler is dejected when Jesus tells him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow him. Zacchaeus is evidence that, even though it is harder for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God, with God nothing is impossible. Zacchaeus responds to Jesus gracious invitation by giving to the poor; he is the camel that got through the eye of the needle. John the Baptist exhorted religious leaders to bear fruit worthy of repentance and not rely on Abraham as their ancestor (3:8); Zacchaeus is a son of Abraham precisely because he demonstrates repentance with the fruit of generosity. And he does so joyfully. Zacchaeus response of giving away his wealth is not a heavy ought but a joyful response to Jesus gracious welcome. Luke 19:1 10 / 19

3 Shine Early Childhood Music CD CD player resource pack Bible memory poster (Luke 18) to do Decide whether to be seated or to stand for the prayer in Spiritual practice. media connections Have a Great Day! The Story of Jesus and Zacchaeus by Patricia L. Nederveld Jesus and Zacchaeus painting by Soichi Watanbe (Internet) Zacchaeus and Jesus by Dandi Daley Mackall Zacchaeus from Little Clay Bible (YouTube) gather BUILD COMMUNITY Sit in a circle, making sure everyone has a place. Say the following words to greet the children: I look around the circle, and who do I see? (Shade your eyes and look around.) Children whom God made wonderfully! I look around the circle, and who do I see? Friends of Jesus, just like me! (Extend your hands out and then point to yourself.) WORSHIP TOGETHER Sing Ni Hao, Jambo, Hola (Hello, Hello, Hello) from the Shine Early Childhood Music CD, track 2. Sing I ve Got Peace in My Fingers from the CD, track 18. Song lyrics are at the back of this guide. SPIRITUAL PRACTICE Pray with body actions. You can do this prayer while standing up or, if it works better for your group to remain seated, while seated with feet on the floor in front of you. You may wish to repeat the words two or three times so children can become used to the prayer. Dear God, Your love is above us. We praise you! (Raise your hands up.) Your love is all around us. (Stretch your arms to the sides.) Your love is below us. (Stomp your feet.) We love you too. Amen. (Clasp your hands together.) Bible memory March in place as if you are walking toward Jesus. Say the Bible memory passage, a few words at a time, as children also march and repeat the words after you. But Jesus called for them and said, Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Luke 18:16 20 / 3 Zacchaeus meets Jesus March 17, 2019

4 experience SHARE THE STORY Place the green story backdrop on the floor in front of you. You will be adding people figures to this scene. You will need figures for Jesus, Zacchaeus, and a few townspeople and friends. You will also need the tree you prepared before the session. Show the children where the book of Luke is found in the Bible. Say: This story comes from the Bible. It is a story of Jesus and his love for his friends. The Bible story is found on the back of the story picture in the resource pack. Follow the instructions there for movement of the props. WONDER AND REFLECT Take a few minutes to think about the story together with these wondering questions. (Touch the tree. ) Imagine climbing a tree so you could see Jesus! (Touch the Zacchaeus story figure.) I wonder how Zacchaeus felt when Jesus looked right at him. I wonder what it was like for Zacchaeus and Jesus to visit together at Zacchaeus home. I wonder what you liked best about this story. Use the story scene and puppets from pages 2 3 of the Early Childhood leaflets to retell the story. PEACE NOTES Look at the Jesus is a friend! poster from the resource pack. Read the section for session 3. Say that Jesus showed Zacchaeus how to be a friend who cared for other people. Zacchaeus promised to treat the people fairly and to make the wrong things he had done right again by giving back even more than what he took. Cross your arms and then extend them out, palms up, as you say the following words. When our friend is sad (cross your arms), we can say kind words. Friends care. (Extend your arms.) When we hurt someone (cross your arms), we can say sorry. Friends care. (Extend your arms.) When our friend needs help (cross your arms), we can help our friend. Friends care. (Extend your arms.) Zacchaeus meets Jesus Luke 19:1 10 Bible Early Childhood leaflets Scissors Wooden craft sticks Packing tape storytelling props Green storytelling backdrop Jesus story figure Zacchaeus story figure Townspeople and friends story figures Small clay pot with play dough in it as a base for a tree (a twig with some branches) resource pack Story picture Jesus is a friend! poster to do Gather props for storytelling. Practice telling the story with the props a few times to become comfortable doing so. Prepare the story puppets and story scene from pages 2 3 of the Early Childhood leaflets. Luke 19:1 10 / 21

5 explore CREATE Make coin rubbings by placing coins under paper. Remove the label from a crayon and use the side of it to rub on the paper and make an imprint of the coins. With a marker, write a message on the paper to help children remember the story, such as Zacchaeus shared with others. Paper Peeled crayons Coins Marker MOVE Give one person a natural item to hold, such as a twig or pinecone. Play a favorite song about the love of God, such as Give Light from the Shine Early Childhood Music CD, track 20, and move about the room to the music. Stop the music occasionally. When the music stops, everyone should hold still. The person holding the item goes to someone who is holding still and gives that player the object, saying Hello, friend! Then the music starts again, and that player holds the object until the music stops again. That player then chooses someone to give it to. Continue until everyone has had a turn to be chosen, as Zacchaeus was. Shine Early Childhood Music CD CD player Twig or other natural object RETELL Give children a set of materials to work with by themselves or with a partner to retell the story, including figures to represent Jesus, some townspeople, and Zacchaeus. Children can set up a tree like yours by placing a small branch in a jar partially filled with play dough, and can make a home for Zacchaeus out of blocks. If desired, provide toy coins so Zacchaeus can give coins to the townspeople. Branc hes propped up in jars of play dough Coins Jesus, townspeople, and Zacchaeus figures Blocks Toy coins (optional) DISCOVER Learn more about what sycamore trees are like. Go online to watch a short time-lapse video showing what a sycamore tree is like through all the seasons of the year and look at images of sycamore trees. Inter net-connected device A Year in the Life of a Sycamore Tree time-lapse video from The Woodland Trust (YouTube) Internet image search for sycamore tree other ideas Bring in a small, stable ladder. Supervising closely, give each child a chance to climb the ladder and see the room from up high! Place all eight Interlocking Lent cards from the resource pack on the box lid or tray and allow children to build short and tall structures with them. Look up videos or images online of animals climbing trees, such as uzoo s video of bears climbing trees. 22 / 3 Zacchaeus meets Jesus March 17, 2019

6 bless Sing Peace Be with You from the Shine Early Childhood Music CD, track 29. Lyrics are at the back of this guide. Before you send the children home, tell them words of blessing, looking at each child and briefly giving them your full attention. Jesus cares about you, (name). resource pack Interlocking Lent cards Make sure to send leaflets home with the children. A Spanish version of the For families page is available as a free download on the Shine website. he to do Print copies of the For families page in Spanish from (optional). Ea rly C hi ld ho od te ac Dear God, you make everything right. You help us to make things right too. Amen. de Gather the group for a blessing. Show the session 3 Interlocking Lent card from the resource pack. Read the card and add it to the cards from sessions 1 and 2 on the tray. Fit the three cards together on the slits, forming a small structure. Pray: Early Childhood leaflets For families leaflet page in Spanish (optional) Shine Early Childhood Music CD CD player Tray gu i SEN D r's PRAY leader s closing prayer Give thanks to God for the gift of forgiveness. SA M PL E Dear God, you give second chances, and you invite us to do the same. Thank you that we can make amends. Thank you for making us new. Amen. It s always interesting talking to children about God. They are still forming ideas about everything, and they often ask questions and make comments about the most basic truths that are both simple and profound. At times, the faith of a child is quite refreshing for a teacher. Joe Stouffer Sinclair Ottawa, Ontario looking ahead If you know someone who has coins from other countries that they could show the children, invite that person to come and share during the next session. Luke 19:1 10 / 23