Resources
Items Needed:
- Chairs
- A small bell
- A teen or adult volunteer
- A Louisiana map
- A paper grocery bag for each child
- Green construction paper
- A TV monitor/computer
1. Opening Activity
Have enough chairs for each child. Arrange the chairs in two lines with the chairs arranged so each chair faces another chair. Distance the chair pairs far enough from each other so that the children will be able to hear their partner well.
Explain the activity this way. Say, “I’m going to ask a question and I want you each to take turns answering it. When I ring the bell, change to another seat so that you talk to someone else.”
Use these questions for the activity:
- What is the most exciting trip you’ve ever taken?
- What is the best gift you’ve ever been given?
- What’s your favorite thing about living in Louisiana?
- What do you think a missionary does?
- If you could travel anywhere to tell someone about Jesus, where would you go?
Note: You may not need to use all these questions. The most important ones are the ones at the end.
2. Read Luke 19:2 (CSB)
There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.”
So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.”
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord.
And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.”
“Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
3. Story Telling
Have the teen/adult volunteer read or act out the following monologue of Zacchaeus:
It’s true, you know, I am short. But there’s something worse than being short, and that’s being a short tax collector. Having money often makes you want more money! You reach a certain status of wealth; you buy things, lots of things; and it’s just not enough. You want more and more. There’s just no end to it. Some of you know what I mean. I can see it in your eyes. Some of you scrape and save for that special thing that caught your eye. You finally buy it, and then you feel empty. It’s not enough. No matter how much money I collected, I wanted more. Money was power! The more I had, the more power I felt! Having power is like having money, you want more! I didn’t think anything in the world could be as powerful as my money.
But I was wrong. I’d heard about Jesus from a six-year-old kid in the street. He looked down at me . . . Don’t laugh! He looked down at me and said that the Miracle Worker was coming.
“The Miracle Worker?” I asked.
“Yes, Jesus!” The kid exclaimed. I didn’t know much about Jesus, but the title “Miracle Worker” caught my attention, especially when it came from a kid. I’d never seen a miracle.
I climbed that tree expecting a magician, but I saw something very different. He was just a man, an ordinary man. I know this sounds strange; but when I saw Him, I saw love in His eyes. My heart stirred within me. As He moved through the crowd, His look of joy and compassion flooded my lonely life. I may sound odd, I know, but I know of no other way to describe how I felt. I felt like I was the loneliest man alive, and this Man was so different.
He mentioned something about staying at my house. I just fell out of that tree! Before I had the chance to change my mind, I blurted out: “Lord, I give half of my possessions to the poor; and to those I have cheated, I will repay four times!”
I thought to myself, “Did I just say what I think I said?” Before I knew it, I said it again! I rushed to my house, opened up my savings, and well, you know the rest of the story. Those were the happiest moments I had ever known up to that time. I gave and gave and gave.
Do you understand the happiness of giving to the Lord? He’s still here. He still wants to bless you with a happiness that’s hard to explain. He can break the chains of selfishness and loneliness if you are willing. God loves someone who happily gives to others!
Ask: Why do you think Zacchaeus was so happy?
4. Creative Option
Divide the group into smaller teams as ask each team to create a pantomime of the Zacchaeus and Jesus story.
5. Discussion
Why do you think it’s so important to give?
Explain that every time we give to God through our offerings, including the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering, we get a chance to experience the happiness of others finding out about Jesus and how much He loves them.
6. Missions Story:
Using a map of Louisiana, show the children where Reserve, Louisiana is located.
Read (or in your own words) share the story of Robert and Madison Roussel:
Robert and Madison grew up in the town where they live now – Reserve, Louisiana. He had no idea that one day he would pastor the First Baptist Church there. They’ve had many challenges, but one of the biggest challenges happened whenever Hurricane Ida came and destroyed so much of the town. Everyone in the town was very sad because of all they had lost. Robert knew this was a time to help people. He began to work with other leaders to rebuild homes and help families. They organized home Bible studies because the church had lots of damage from the hurricane. One thing that was a big help to Robert and First Baptist Church was the Disaster Relief teams that came to Reserve. Robert didn’t know the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering helped the Disaster Relief volunteers help them. As we give, we help provide for the needs when other problems like hurricanes and floods come to Louisiana.
7. Video
Choose a video story from the GBO website.
Ask the group who were some of the heroes in the video. Remind them that because of people all over Louisiana giving through the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering, people are helped and people get to find out about Jesus.
8. Craft
Create a sycamore tree with a brown paper bag. Draw the roots and trunk of the tree beforehand and then cut out and glue leaves using green construction paper. Feel free to add other elements to this craft idea, like creating a background by gluing the trees onto a cardboard square.
During the craft activity, remind them of the story Zacchaeus. Ask them to imagine the story and the view he had from the tree.
Items Needed:
- Monopoly money
- Large Map or outline of Louisiana
- Post-it notes
- Pens
- Bibles
1. Discussion Starter
As the students enter, give each student a random amount of Monopoly money.
When you’re ready to begin the session, ask the students to share how much money they have.
- If this was real money, what would you do with it?
- If you had to give the money away, where do you think Jesus would want you to spend it?
- If you had this amount of money, how would you make it eternally valuable?
Divide the students into subgroups. Ask them to total up their money and create a project that would help the state of Louisiana know Jesus better. After a few minutes invite them to share their ideas.
Say: When we have money, even if we have the intention to help, there is a limited number of things that we could do. But if we work together our options increase and the influence multiplies.
2. Read Luke 19:2 (CSB)
There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.
3. Explain:
Tax collectors were hated by the communities. They were often considered shady and unjust. Tax collectors were treated as the lowest class of sinners. Socially, they were rejected and many thought of them as the worst of traitors. Most people thought they had left the faith. Tax collectors were the villains.
Given the status of tax collectors in Jewish society, it is remarkable that Jesus reached out to tax collectors like Zacchaeus.
4. Ask:
- Who comes to mind that might be viewed as modern-day tax collectors?
- What negative impact can wealth have on people today?
5. Read Luke 19:3-10 (CSB)
He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.”
So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.”
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.”
“Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
6. Discuss:
- How did Jesus’ kindness change Zacchaeus?
- What do you think the people in the town thought?
- What emotions would they have? (Examples: joy, skepticism, shock, etc.…)
Explain that there are many types of outcasts. Some are outcasts because they are poor or because of their opinions or past decisions. Zacchaeus was rich, but he was still rejected and an outcast.
Ask: Who are some of the people in our world that are outcasts like Zacchaeus?
All over Louisiana there are people who could be considered “Zacchaeus people”. They are outcasts because of their past. Dustin Turner, the pastor of Vintage Church, provided a peek into one day at their ministry: “In one Saturday, I was able to pray with someone who had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, someone whose husband was addicted to Meth, someone who had had COVID pneumonia for 8 months, and more.”
Ask: How would Jesus want us to respond to the needs of people with different addictions, problems, and hurts? Do you think He would reject someone because of their past? Do you think there is hope for those who have made a mess of their lives?
Say: Jesus came for all people, and He calls us to go out into our communities to reach all people.
7. Video
Choose a video from the GBO website to share.
8. Read
The following poem is a parable of a church that focused on their building more than the people in their community and world.
Paint on the Wall
by Matt Tullos
There once was a church upon a hill
where everything was fine until
the paint inside was getting old
and peeling in some spots, I’m told.
The pastor called a business meeting.
And after the preliminary meeting,
The deacons cried, “Come one! Come all!
What color should we paint each wall?”
They gathered in the sanctuary,
each determined and contrary.
Sister Gail said, “What do you think
about a very chartreuse pink?”
Brother Dave said to the crowd,
“Isn’t that a bit too loud?
I prefer a subtle blue.
It makes the walls look clean and new.”
Six women rebuked, “We wanted gold!”
It seems much warmer. Blue’s too cold!”
A man in the back began to bellow,
“Yellow! Yellow! Yellow! Yellow!
The pastor said, “I’m here more than all of you.
I agree with Dave. The walls should be blue.”
From that point on their voices grew stronger.
Each emotional plea became longer and longer.
Then a voice of strong and stern love
silenced the church as it spoke from above.
“You wonder why you can’t hear My call
when your greatest struggle is paint on the wall.
Paint your church the pale color of skin,
for you let no other races come in.
Paint your church a wealthy green,
for you ignore starvation that you’ve seen.
Paint it white and clean as uncalloused feet,
for you refuse to share My joy in the street.
I agree that your walls could be painted in blue,
for your hearts so cold are given to few.
You give many renditions of church as a game,
but you fail to give water in My Holy Name.
You pray using eloquent thees and thous,
and yet you forget about the heres and nows.
You struggle to be an earthly saint,
but My love must not be covered in paint.
9. Define Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering
Many churches, including ours, give to international missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas offering and to North American missions through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. The Georgia Barnett Louisiana Missions Offering goes to spread the gospel across Louisiana through missions and ministries like disaster relief, church planting, multi-media evangelism, and more.
10. Create a Prayer Wall
Place a large map or outline of Louisiana on the wall. Give each student several sticky notes, a printed copy of the prayer guide, and a pen. Ask them to write short prayers for a person, town, or ministry from the prayer guide. They may also choose to pray for a town (not theirs) that they are somehow connected to through relatives, visits, or events they have attended (like a field trip or concert).
Invite students to use their phones to search other churches in the region they chose and write short prayers for them as well.
11. Wrap-up
Read the GBO Theme Scripture Jesus replied, “We must go to the nearby towns, so that I can tell the good news to those people. This is why I have come.” Mark 1:38 (CEV)
Ask: What is the good news that Jesus is talking about in this verse?
Explain the plan of salvation in your own words. Mention we cannot only give; Jesus has also called us to share the good news that He saves.
12. Pray
Ask a student or another leader to conclude the time in prayer.
Items Needed:
- Old AM/FM Radio
- Video Monitor/Computer
- Bibles
1. Discussion Starter
An old AM/FM radio could serve the introduction to the group experience.
Turn on the radio to the AM band and turn up the volume. Slowly tune the radio so that you hear the static and different radio stations. Comment that this was the closest thing to the internet that we had before the internet! Invite the group members to share what their favorite radio stations were growing up – the style of music or radio personalities they remember such as Paul Harvey, Casey Kasem or pop, country, talk radio, etc.
Say: To hear what we want to hear on the radio, we must be on the right frequency. We have a choice in what we choose to tune into. Some people tune in to their friends, the TV, or the news. Others are so confused by life and its meaning, all they hear is static. Long before radio there was a man who finally got tuned into the right frequency. His name was Zacchaeus.
2. Read Luke 19:2 (CSB)
There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.
3. Explain
Tax collectors were hated by the communities. They were often considered shady and unjust. Tax collectors were treated as the lowest class of sinners. Socially, they were rejected. The people in towns thought of them as the worst of traitors. Most thought they had abandoned their faith. Tax collectors were the villains.
Given the status of tax collectors in Jewish society, it is remarkable that Jesus reached out to tax collectors like Zacchaeus.
It’s safe to say that if tax collectors were on a frequency in Jesus’ day they would have been canceled!
4. Ask
- Who in our society might be comparable to tax collectors?
- What negative impact can wealth have on people today?
5. Read Luke 19:3-10 (CSB)
He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.”
So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.”
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.”
“Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”
Ask: How did Jesus get Zacchaeus on the right frequency?
Ask: Why is it often difficult for us to connect with people who are on a different spiritual frequency?
6. Discuss
Like Zacchaeus, we all have a backstory. In other words, a hidden or unhidden story in our lives that defines us and speaks into our own identity. Sometimes it’s a tragedy, sometimes a blessing. Our stories are shaded by where we grew up, who our parents were, or the school that we attended. It’s important to realize that everyone we encounter has a backstory. Once we understand the backstory, we can help others realize a new story in Christ.
Ask: Who are some of the people in our world that are outcasts like Zacchaeus?
Ask: Can you share a story of someone you’ve known or met who had a complete turn-around?
Read Mark Mitchell’s story from the prayer guide:
One attender who came to the church was a 20-year drug user. She was desperate. She needed ministry and hope. She attended a church plant and accepted the gospel. Now she’s living a life drug-free, worshiping, and honoring God. Another story provides a view from a different part of the spectrum. Another attender with great political ambitions attended a Bible study with a fellow politician. After hearing the message, he was convicted, repented and committed to following Christ. Later he married and is now serving as a pastor in another church.
Say: Although these are amazing stories, there are similar stories happening all over Louisiana because of the work we are doing to win Louisiana for Jesus. Mark Mitchell is just one example of the missions and ministries we support through the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering. Jesus came for all people, and he calls us to go into our communities and our state to reach all people.
7. Video
Choose a video from the GBO website to share.
8. Read Luke 19:5 (CSB)
When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.”
Say: In order for Zacchaeus to enter into a new story, he had to come down literally and figuratively. Of course, he had to come down from the tree, but he also had to humble himself and be willing to enter this new story. He needed to change his frequency.
Share the following quote from Dwight L. Moody:
“A man does not get grace till he comes down to the ground, till he sees he needs grace. When a man stoops to the dust and acknowledges that he needs mercy, then it is that the Lord will give him grace.”
Say: We need to be willing to come down from our lofty attitudes and our crowded agenda to reach those like Zacchaeus in our state. Like Zacchaeus, we have been given an opportunity to give back and bless people with the greatest blessing they would ever receive.
9. Define Georgia Barnette Offering
Many Louisiana Baptist churches give to international missions through the Lottie Moon Christmas offering and to North American missions through Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. The Georgia Barnett Louisiana Missions Offering goes to spread the gospel throughout Louisiana and supports missions and ministries like disaster relief, church planting, multi-media evangelism, and more.
10. Wrap-up
Read the GBO Theme Scripture.
Jesus replied, “We must go to the nearby towns, so that I can tell the good news to those people. This is why I have come.” Mark 1:38 (CEV)
Ask: What is the good news that Jesus is talking about in this verse?
11. Share
Take a couple of minutes to share your story of how you came to follow Jesus.
12. Pray
Ask a group member to conclude the time in prayer.
