Game | See Jesus: Younger-Age Picture Challenge
Lesson Topic: Zacchaeus, Seeking Jesus, God’s Love, and Welcoming Others
Main Point: Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus so badly that he found a way around the crowd blocking his view. When Jesus reached the tree, He called Zacchaeus by name and welcomed him. Jesus knows us personally, loves us, and wants us to seek Him with all our hearts.
Scripture: Luke 19:10: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Bible Passage: Luke 19:1–10
Activity Overview
Help children experience a little of what Zacchaeus faced when he tried to see Jesus through a large crowd! This simple interactive Bible activity uses a picture of Jesus holding an “I Love You” sign and a cardboard obstacle to demonstrate how Zacchaeus’s view was blocked.
As the teacher moves the picture into view, children will discover how Zacchaeus overcame the obstacle by climbing a sycamore tree. More importantly, they’ll learn that Jesus noticed Zacchaeus, called him by name, and wanted to spend time with him.
After the demonstration, children can color their own picture of Jesus as a reminder that He loves them and wants them to have a relationship with Him.
This activity works especially well for younger Sunday School classes because it combines a simple visual demonstration, audience participation, and an easy coloring activity.
Supplies Needed
- Picture of Jesus holding a sign that says “I Love You”
- Low cardboard screen or movable visual obstacle
- Sturdy picture support or an adult to hold the picture
- Copies of the picture for each child to color
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Masking tape for a floor marker
- Bible
Preparation
Before class, prepare a picture of Jesus holding a large sign that reads “I Love You.” Make sure the picture is large enough for children to recognize from several feet away.
Place the picture behind a low cardboard screen or another movable obstacle so it is initially hidden from view.
The teacher should be able to raise the picture or lower the obstacle to reveal Jesus without moving the children.
Use masking tape to mark a viewing spot on the floor where children can stand during the demonstration.
Prepare enough coloring sheets for every child. These can feature the same picture of Jesus holding the “I Love You” sign or a simple illustration of Jesus calling Zacchaeus down from the tree.
Teacher Tip: Keep the demonstration at floor level. Children should never climb chairs, tables, or other furniture to imitate Zacchaeus. The teacher can create the effect of gaining a better view simply by raising the picture or lowering the cardboard obstacle.
How to Teach the Activity
Step 1: Zacchaeus Wants to See Jesus
Begin by telling the children the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19.
Explain that Zacchaeus lived in Jericho and worked as a chief tax collector. He was wealthy, but many people disliked tax collectors because some were dishonest and took more money than they should.
One day, Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was passing through town. He wanted to see Jesus, so he hurried to the place where the crowd was gathering.
But there was a problem!
Zacchaeus was short, and there were so many people standing in front of him that he couldn’t see Jesus.
Ask: “Have you ever been somewhere with a lot of people and couldn’t see what was happening because everyone in front of you was taller?”
Allow the children to respond.
Say: “That’s exactly what happened to Zacchaeus! He wanted to see Jesus, but the crowd was blocking his view!”
Explain that Zacchaeus didn’t give up. He ran ahead of the crowd and climbed into a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when He passed by.
Step 2: Can You See Jesus?
Invite one child to stand on the marked spot on the floor.
Position the cardboard obstacle between the child and the picture of Jesus so the picture cannot be seen.
Ask: “Can you see the picture of Jesus?”
Allow the child to respond.
Explain that the cardboard obstacle represents the crowd standing in front of Zacchaeus.
Say: “Zacchaeus had the same problem! He wanted to see Jesus, but there were too many people in the way.”
Ask the rest of the class: “What did Zacchaeus do so he could see Jesus?”
Encourage the children to answer that he climbed a tree.
Explain that climbing the tree gave Zacchaeus a better view over the crowd.
Now slowly raise the picture of Jesus above the cardboard obstacle or lower the obstacle until the picture becomes visible.
Ask: “Can you see Jesus now?”
Allow the child to respond.
Say: “There He is! Zacchaeus climbed high enough to see over the crowd, and finally he could see Jesus!”
Repeat the demonstration with several children, allowing each one to experience the blocked view and then see the picture revealed.
Step 3: Jesus Notices Zacchaeus
Explain that Zacchaeus may have thought he was simply going to watch Jesus walk by, but something wonderful happened.
When Jesus reached the tree, He stopped, looked up, and called Zacchaeus by name!
Read Luke 19:5: “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.”
Say: “Can you imagine how surprised Zacchaeus must have been? Jesus knew his name! And Jesus didn’t just wave at him and keep walking. He wanted to go to Zacchaeus’s house!”
Explain that Zacchaeus quickly came down from the tree and joyfully welcomed Jesus.
Point to the picture of Jesus holding the “I Love You” sign.
Say: “Jesus loved Zacchaeus even though other people didn’t like him. Jesus knew who Zacchaeus was, and He wanted to bring salvation to his house.”
Remind the children that Jesus knows their names too. He knows everything about them, and He loves them.
Step 4: Zacchaeus’s Life Begins to Change
Explain that the story doesn’t end with Zacchaeus climbing down from the tree.
When Jesus went to Zacchaeus’s house, some of the people complained because Jesus had chosen to visit a man they considered a sinner.
But Zacchaeus’s encounter with Jesus led to an important change in his life.
Read Luke 19:8: “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.”
Explain that Zacchaeus declared he would give half of his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he had cheated four times what he had taken.
Say: “Zacchaeus didn’t just want to see Jesus anymore. He wanted to do what was right! His actions showed that something had changed in his heart.”
Explain that when we truly turn to Jesus, we should be willing to change the way we live. If we’ve done something wrong, we should admit it, ask for forgiveness, and make things right whenever possible.
Remind the children that Jesus came to seek and save people who were lost in sin.
Read Luke 19:10: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Step 5: Color the “I Love You” Picture
Give each child a coloring sheet featuring Jesus holding the “I Love You” sign.
Allow the children to color the picture while reviewing the story.
Ask: “Who wanted to see Jesus but couldn’t because of the crowd?”
Encourage the children to answer, “Zacchaeus!”
Ask: “What did Zacchaeus climb so he could see Jesus?”
Allow the children to answer, “A sycamore tree!”
Ask: “What did Jesus do when He reached the tree?”
Help the children remember that Jesus stopped, called Zacchaeus by name, and told him to come down because He was going to his house.
Explain that the picture they’re coloring is a reminder that Jesus loves them just as He loved Zacchaeus.
Encourage the children to take their pictures home and share the story with their families.
Bible Connection: Seeking Jesus and Welcoming Others
Remind the children that Zacchaeus made an effort to see Jesus. He didn’t allow the crowd to stop him from doing what he wanted to do.
Explain that we should also make an effort to seek Jesus.
We can seek Him by listening to His Word, praying, attending church, and obeying what the Bible teaches.
Say: “Sometimes there are things that try to distract us from spending time with Jesus. Maybe we’d rather play a game than pray, or maybe we’re too busy doing other things to read our Bible. But just like Zacchaeus made an effort to see Jesus, we should make an effort to draw closer to Him!”
Explain that Jesus also gave us an important example of how to treat other people.
Many people didn’t like Zacchaeus, but Jesus didn’t ignore him. He stopped, called him by name, and welcomed him.
Ask: “What can we do when someone new comes to Sunday School and doesn’t know anybody?”
Allow the children to suggest ways to help, such as saying hello, inviting the child to sit with them, or including them in an activity.
Remind the children that we should never make someone feel unwanted or unimportant.
Point to the picture of Jesus one final time.
Say: “Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but he discovered something even more wonderful. Jesus already knew him and wanted to spend time with him! And Jesus knows you too. He loves you, and He wants you to follow Him!
