ZACCHAEUS CHOOSES RIGHTEOUSNESS
Luke 19:1-10; Jer 23:6; Is 45:8
ON ROUTE TO CLASSROOM:
- Stop at the life-size tracings in the hallway. Each child stands in front of his/her poster. Using their pointer fingers, review the 6 parts of the ARMOR OF GOD.
- We are talking about the Breastplate of Righteousness today. Jesus ALWAYS did what was RIGHT and He will help us do what’s right, too. When we hold onto His hand and listen to Him, we will be safe and protected from that sneaky lying snake.
- Teach ASL for RIGHTEOUS (doing what is right; following God’s Laws)
- Each student labels their armor with THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS sticker pdf
PRAISE GOD IN THE GATES (BEFORE ENTERING THE CLASSROOM DOOR):
- Today’s story is about a man named Zacchaeus. Nobody liked him because he stole money from them. But Zacchaeus heard Jesus was coming to town. More than anything, he wanted to see Jesus. Jesus ALWAYS did what was RIGHT. Maybe Jesus could help Zacchaeus do what was right, too!
- Let’s declare together: THE LORD MY RIGHTEOUSNESS
WORKTABLES: student worksheets pdf / step-by-step guide
- Printing: THE LORD MY RIGHTEOUSNESS
- Drawing: Jesus and Zacchaeus
SONGS AT CIRCLE:
- Transition: Criss Cross Applesauce
- Call to worship: I Hear the Blowing of the Shofar
- Year Theme Song: God Covers Me in Armor
- Righteousness Song: You Heavens, Rain Down Righteousness! / words and actions pdf
BIBLE STORY PREPARATION:
- Song: Holy Spirit Teach Us / Tune only / Lyrics and Actions
- Find the story in one of the student Bibles. Encourage the children to read the story with their families at home.
BIBLE STORY:
- VIDEO PRESENTATION OF THE ZACCHAEUS STORY (Start the video at 1:35 minutes).
CHALLENGE: TRUTH vs LIE / RIGHT vs WRONG THINKING: pdf
PRAYER: pdf
FREE PLAY IN CENTERS:
Release children one at a time, with their play cards, to choose a center.
- DRY TABLE:
- TRAIN TABLE: Cars/Trucks and Roadway
- KITCHEN: Standard Foods
- PLAY DOUGH: Assorted Playdough Colors / Shape Cutters
- EASEL: Zacchaeus coloring page pdf
- :Call students 1 at a time to work on the BREASTPLATE project / sponge-paint letters on prepared shirt
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
CLEAN-UP:
Students must tidy up the centers where they were playing when the timer rang. Teachers/Helpers oversee this activity. Students learn to sort and return items to their proper place. In so doing, they are learning to take care of the classroom. It also helps them be prepared for dismissal. Once the centers are tidy, students move to the BOOK NOOK and quietly look at books.
FEATURED GAME:
- If parents have not arrived after 5 minutes of quiet reading, lead the children in a game (such as Bean Bag Toss, Duck Duck Goose, Doggie Doggie Who Has My Bone, I Spy, etc). Featured game for the month of March: Marbles.
DISMISSAL:
Assign an adult to greet parents/guardians.
Call students ONE AT A TIME when families arrive. Prompt the remaining student to call out, “GOODBYE (student’s name).”
Families ckeck mailboxes. Today’s TAKE HOME: Zacchaeus worksheet / Zacchaeus narrative pdf