The Man Who Was Too Little III

VOLUNTEER PREPARATION IN ADVANCE:

• READ: Luke 19:1-10 and spend some time meditating on Jesus’ particular love and care for Zaccheus. What do you notice about how Jesus treats Zaccheus?

• PRAY: Ask specifically that God would give you a heart like Jesus’ heart for Zaccheus. Pray over the children in your room by name.

• ROLES: Determine who will lead the lesson and activity.

8:45 AM/4:45 PM WELCOME

• Play music from the bluetooth speaker, connecting to one of the linked Mission Kids playlists (found on the back of the binder), or playing soft, calm music.

• Set up a tabletop activity: playdoh, puzzles, craft supplies.

• Families drop off children. One volunteer greets each child at the door by name.

• Engage with the children as they sit at the table or free play. Having an activity for them to participate in right when they enter the room can be a really helpful way to transition into the space.

9:15 AM/5:15 PM TRANSITION AND CLEAN UP

• To signify transition, lead in the following song…

• When clean up is over, say loudly: “The Lord be with you!” and children will respond, “And also with you!

9:20 AM/5:20 PM MUSIC TIME & EXPECTATIONS

• Gather the children on the carpet in a circle. We want everyone to see each other’s faces as this is the first day in our new classrooms! Use the “Golden Rules” document as a visual and discuss expectations.

• Sing 2-3 of the songs from below (found on “Mission Kids Sing Along”). Turn to the lyrics tab for lyrics for the songs.

9:40 AM/5:40 PM STORY TIME

• To signify transition, lead in the following finger play…

• SAY: Hello everyone! It’s so good to be with you here today.  This week, we’re going to continue to learn about Jesus and how he cares for people, especially one man named Zaccheus.  

• ASK: Do you remember anything about our story about Zaccheus from the last couple of  weeks? (he couldn’t see Jesus, so he climbed a tree, and Jesus saw him and invited himself over for dinner.)

• SAY: That’s right! Zaccheus was a man who wanted to see Jesus when Jesus came to town, so  he climbed up a tree to get a good look at him. Last week, we focused on how kind it was of Jesus to want to spend more time with Zaccheus - and how excited Zaccheus was to have Jesus over for dinner.  Let’s read our story together one more time to learn more about Zaccheus and Jesus.

• READ: “The Man Who Was Too Little” from Read-Aloud Bible Stories Vol. 1. Pause for questions and engagement while reading.

• ASK: What did Jesus say to Zaccheus when Zaccheus was in the tree?

• SAY: Jesus invited himself over for dinner! He said, “Zaccheus, come down, I want to come over and eat with you.”

• ASK: How do you think Zaccheus felt when Jesus asked to come over for dinner?

• SAY: Zaccheus could hardly believe that Jesus wanted to talk to him, let alone sit down for a whole meal with him. It was a huge honor for Zaccheus to get to sit down for a meal with Jesus. Zacchaeus was so happy that Jesus came to his house! Something inside him changed. He wanted to live in a new way — to share what he had and to be fair to everyone.

• ASK: How do you think Zacchaeus felt after Jesus came over?

• SAY: When we know that Jesus loves us, we start to love others, too! Zacchaeus learned that following Jesus means caring for people and helping make things right.

• ASK: What are some ways we can share or be kind like Zacchaeus?

9:50 AM/5:50 PM PRAYER TIME

• PRAY: Get into a posture that is comfortable for you to pray - bowing your head, closing your eyes, etc. Include any requests that were mentioned in response to the lesson’s question) Dear God, thank you for the example of Zaccheus, and how much he wanted to meet you. We love you. Amen.

• SAY: Let’s all say the Lord’s Prayer together if you remember! (Slowly pray through the Lord’s Prayer.) Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen!

9:55 AM/5:55 PM ACTIVITY TIME

• DO: ART: A Lovely Dinner

• Pass out table cutouts, writing each child’s name on the back with a Sharpie.
• Pass out glue-sticks, stickers, and paper scraps.
• Children will then decorate their tables with “food” for Jesus and Zaccheus.

• DO: MOVE

• If you’d like to lead a group game or movement activity, turn to the end of the lesson for options available.

10:20 AM/6:20 PM(ish) CHECK-OUT

• Before children leave, communion or blessings will be given to each in attendance.

• Children should put on shoes and art creations should be gathered.

• Parents will arrive at the room to pick up children. Ensure that all belongings are taken by the parent as they leave.

CLASSROOM CLEANING CHECKLIST

• Return Mission Kids cart with all belongings and all supplies to St. Joseph’s Children’s Chapel. Make sure everything has a lid so it does not dry out!

• As this is a shared space, it is important that we are good stewards of each room and clean up before leaving. Return all toys and supplies to shelves and wipe down high-touched surfaces/toys with a sanitizing wipe.

• Vacuum floors and set trash bags in the hallway, if needed.