Watch it

Read it

Luke 19:4-9

Zaccheus ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycomore tree to see Jesus, who was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to that place, he looked up and said to Zacchaeus, “Hurry down, Zacchaeus, because I must stay in your house today.” Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed him with great joy. All the people who saw it started grumbling, “This man has gone as a guest to the home of a sinner!” Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Listen, sir! I will give half my belongings to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times as much.” Jesus said to him, “Salvation has come to this house today, for this man, also, is a descendant of Abraham. The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Quiz it

  • If you could have any famous person round to your house for tea, who would you invite and why?

Jesus got a reputation for spending time with bad people. He was nicknamed “the friend of sinners.”

  • Why did the people of Jericho hate Zaccheus so much?

Zaccheus was also very short and no doubt got teased because of it.

  • Have you ever been teased for something you couldn’t change?

Jesus is the kind of friend who is not put off by what we have done or what we look like. That is why he is the best friend we will ever have!

  • What embarrassing thing did Zaccheus do to try and see Jesus?

  • Why do you think he was desperate to see Jesus?

Of all the people in Jericho, Jesus stopped to speak to Zaccheus.

  • What was so surprising about what happened next?

All the people who saw this started grumbling. They thought Zaccheus was a bully, thief and cheat.

  • Do you know someone who is like this?

  • How does it feel to know that Jesus wants to be their friend too?

After Jesus had spent time with him in his home, Zaccheus made some radical choices.

  • What did he do?

When Jesus comes into our lives things change for good.

  • What positive choices is Jesus inspiring you to make? How could you put things right and make a new start?

Pray it

Dear Jesus,

Thank you that you are the best friend we will ever have. Thank you that you’re not put off by what we’ve done or what we look like. You love us just the way we are. Please help us to put things right and become more like you.

Amen

Do it

Go climb a tree and thank Jesus for being the best friend you will ever have.

Place it

Finally - have a look at the back of your card. What does it say? You can now place your card onto your story line.