Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree to See Jesus - Group Digital...the throng of people who surrounded him and looked directly up into the tree at this seeker who wanted to see Jesus for himself.

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Lesson 12 Winter QuarterAdult

Lesson 12

�Bible Point Jesus accepts everyone.

Key Verse“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

Weaving Faith Into Life Adults will see that God loves them and others unconditionally.

Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree to See JesusLuke 19:1-10

E very Christian struggles in some degree to feel accepted by God. We tend to believe that if we would only live better, pray longer, serve harder, or preach stronger, God

would love and approve of us more. The truth is God couldn’t love us any more than he does now, nor could God love us any less. God’s very nature is to love. Where there is God, there is love. God’s love for us is not dependent upon our performance or our worthiness. Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus is a wonderful affirmation of this truth. Although we often acknowledge God’s love in our heads, many adults find it hard to truly feel loved by God in their hearts. Use this lesson to help adults see that JESUS ACCEPTS EVERYONE—no matter what their flaws may be.

LESSON WHAT ADULTS DO SUPPLIES EASY PREP

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Getting Started

Villainous Villains (about 10 min.) Play a trivia game as an introduction to today’s topic, and watch a clip of a movie that introduces today’s lesson.

Adult Handbooks or 1 copy per person of the “Villainous Villains” handout (at the end of this lesson), pens, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! cartoon (1966), video player

Cue Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! to 20:04, as the narrator says, “And the Grinch put a hand to his ear...”

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Bible Exploration

The Day a Grinch’s Heart Grew (about 15 min.)Read about the day Zacchaeus met Jesus, and discuss his dramatic transformation.

Bibles, construction paper, scissors, markers

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Lesson 12Winter Quarter Adult

LESSON WHAT ADULTS DO SUPPLIES EASY PREP

3

Weaving Faith

Into Life

Letting Love In (about 20 min.) Reflect on their ability to receive God’s unconditional love and acceptance and commit to show that acceptance to others.

Adult Handbooks or 1 copy per person of the “Letting Love In” handout (at the end of this lesson), pens

4

Lasting Impressions

Daily Challenges (about 5 min.)Discuss how to apply God’s Word.

Adult Handbooks or 1 copy per person of the “Digging Deeper” handout (at the end of this lesson)

Weaving Faith at Home(about 2 min.)Talk about how to dig deeper into the lesson all week long.

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BIBLe BACKGROUND FOR LEADERS

Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree to See JesusLuke 19:1-10

Chief of the Despised

Tax collectors are disliked today, but they were even more despised by the Jews of Jesus’ day because they represented Roman oppression. Zacchaeus was not only a tax collector, but also a chief tax collector, which meant that he dealt and contracted directly with the Romans. This would have made him the richest and the most despised of tax collectors. He would have been seen as a traitor and as someone who rejected the Hebrew faith and God. Few would’ve believed that Zacchaeus’ sins could be forgiven. Even the wives and children of such tax collectors would have been treated poorly by the Jews.

It was not mere chance that Jesus looked away from the throng of people who surrounded him and looked directly up into the tree at this seeker who wanted to see Jesus for himself. Zacchaeus didn’t even have to say anything when Jesus spotted him; Jesus already had a plan for Zacchaeus. An Unlikely Invitation

Jesus’ invitation to Zacchaeus surprised everyone. The people were stunned that Jesus would invite himself to the home of someone like Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was stunned for the same reason! Everyone would have expected Jesus to avoid association with a sinner such as this tax collector. But Jesus wasn’t concerned about people’s errant expectations. He was concerned about drawing sinful people to faith in him.

After spending some time with Jesus, Zacchaeus was apparently convinced that Jesus was who he said he was. Some question if Zacchaeus’ pronouncement that he would give away his riches indicates he was saved by his good deeds. However, we know that salvation is by faith alone. Thus, Zacchaeus’ decision to repay those he had cheated must have been a result of his trusting in God’s grace—a proof of a

changed heart. Jesus’ declaration that Zacchaeus had received salvation confirmed what had happened in Zacchaeus’ heart and the fact that God would accept even a despised tax collector if he placed his faith in Jesus!

The Jesus Connection

Read this week’s Key Verse, Revelation 3:20. Jesus stands at the door and knocks—and waits for us to open up our lives to him. How have you responded?

Think about the times when, like Zacchaeus, you’ve pursued Jesus even when others didn’t understand what you were doing. What kinds of reactions did you get? How did Jesus meet you? Then take some time to pray about how you need to see Jesus differently this week. You can write your prayer here.

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Villainous Villains Supplies

Adult Handbooks or 1 copy per person of the “Villainous Villains” handout (at the end of this lesson)

pensDr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! cartoon (1966)

video player

Villainous Villains Easy Prep

Cue Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! to 20:04, as the narrator says, “And the Grinch put a hand to his ear...”

GETTING STARTED

Villainous Villains

Tip In general, federal copyright laws do not allow you to use videos or DVDs (even ones you own) for any purpose other than home viewing. Your church can obtain a license from Christian Video Licensing International for a small fee. Just visit cvli.com or call 1-888-771-2854 for more information. Many movie clips are available at youtube.com. If you don’t have access to this movie or a player, read it from the book version of the story or search for the text online.

What You’ll Do Greet everyone warmly as they gather.

Have everyone find a partner. Have adults turn to page 91 of their handbooks or give each person a copy of the “Villainous Villains” handout and a pen. Give pairs only five minutes to fill in their answers on the handout. When time is up, read each question and invite pairs to give their responses. Here are the answers to the Famous Villains Trivia Contest:

1. The Grinch 6. Doctor Claw2. Catwoman 7. Cruella De Vil3. Darth Vader 8. The Sheriff of Nottingham4. Captain Hook 9. The Wicked Witch of the West5. The Abominable Snowman 10. Boris Badanov and Natasha

Give a round of applause to the people who got the most correct answers. Say: Our natural reaction to these villains in stories is to dislike them, to boo them, to relish the moment they’re defeated and get what’s coming to them. But what’s our natural reaction to “villains” in our lives? We usually want nothing to do with people like that. We view them with contempt, and maybe even hate them. Today we’re going to look at Jesus’ natural reaction to villains—and explore the idea that JESUS ACCEPTS EVERYONE.

To give you a picture of what I mean, I want to show a short clip from an animated Christmas special.

Start Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at 20:04, as the narrator says, “And the Grinch put a hand to his ear...” This is the scene in which the Grinch’s heart is transformed by the simple faith of the people in Whoville. You’ll stop the clip at 24:14, as the Grinch serves the roast beast to Cindy Lou Who.

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The Day a Grinch’s Heart GrewSupplies

Biblesconstruction paperscissorsmarkers

Talk With Adults Lead adults in this discussion. Participants can find these questions in their Adult Handbooks.

Ask: n How did you see a transformation of the Grinch’s heart in this clip? n What happens in people’s lives to make them become “Grinches”? n When has God transformed your heart to “grow three times” toward someone you normally wouldn’t have shown love to?

Say: Down in Whoville that day, an amazing thing happened. The Grinch encountered people who celebrated Christmas joyfully, even though all their gifts and decorations had been stolen. They changed his heart. When he returned to Whoville, he was accepted. JESUS ACCEPTS EVERYONE. Today we’re going to look at a passage about a “Grinch” in the Bible—and how Jesus’ love and acceptance changed him.

2 BIBLE EXPLORATION

The Day a Grinch’s Heart Grew

What You’ll Do Keep everyone in pairs. Give each pair a piece of construction paper, scissors, and a marker. Ask each pair to cut out a 4- to 5-inch heart and a 2- to 3-inch heart.

Ask for a willing person to read Luke 19:1-4.

Say: Think about the qualities you saw in Zacchaeus’ heart before he met Jesus. In your pairs, write those qualities on your small hearts.

Give pairs a minute to write, and then invite them to share what they wrote with everyone.

Ask for another willing person to read Luke 19:5-10.

Say: This time, think about the changes that occurred in Zacchaeus’ heart after he met Jesus, based on his actions. What qualities were there now? Write what you come up with on the large heart.

Give pairs another minute to write, and again invite everyone to share what they wrote with the whole group.

Say: Zacchaeus was considered a villain by many because of his profession. He was a chief tax collector, which meant he was the richest and most despised of tax

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collectors. He would have been seen as a traitor and as someone who rejected his own Jewish faith and his own God. Few people would’ve believed that Zacchaeus’ sins could be forgiven, even if he wanted to change.


Ask: n What was it about his encounter with Jesus that changed Zacchaeus’ life? n Of all of the “good” people that Jesus passed by, how fair was it for Jesus to reach out to someone like Zacchaeus? n What types of people do you have a hard time accepting? n Who do you think of as villains—people whose actions seem unforgiveable? n What does today’s passage suggest about Jesus’ attitude toward those people?

Say: One of the hardest things for us to grasp is the love and acceptance Christ has for us and for others, no matter what we or they have done. But JESUS ACCEPTS EVERYONE. There is so much freedom when we finally realize that God loves us unconditionally—and he does the same for everyone we come in contact with. Look at the freedom Zacchaeus experienced. We too can experience the freedom that comes from Jesus’ acceptance.

3 WEAVING FAITH INTO LIFE

Letting Love In

What You’ll Do Say: Today we’ve talked about how JESUS ACCEPTS EVERYONE. Jesus loves us unconditionally, no matter what we’ve done. Jesus calls us to love others in the same way. Let’s explore what that looks like in our lives.

Have adults turn to page 92 in their handbooks or give each person a copy of the “Letting Love In” handout and a pen. Invite group members to spend several minutes reading through the questions and writing ideas that come to mind. Allow about five to seven minutes for this quiet time.

Then form groups of four. Have each group discuss the questions and their responses on the “Letting Love In” handout. Be sure people know they only have to share what they feel comfortable sharing.

After seven to ten minutes of sharing, gather everyone’s attention and have them share highlights and insights of their conversations.

Letting Love InSupplies

Adult Handbooks or 1 copy per person of the “Letting Love In” handout (at the end of this lesson)

pens

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Ask: n What were the main things you’ve learned today about acceptance of others? n What was the most surprising thing you learned about how you are accepted by Jesus? n What’s one thing you can start doing to be more accepting of others?

Say: I encourage you to spend more time this week reflecting on these questions and on the life of Zacchaeus.

Say: Our Key Verse today is from Revelation 3:20: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” JESUS ACCEPTS EVERYONE. Because of his example, we can be accepting and loving of everyone as well. Think for a moment of someone you’ve had trouble accepting. It can be someone here at church, a relative, a neighbor, or maybe someone you work with.

Give everyone a moment to think about that person.

Say: One of the hardest things for us to grasp is the love and acceptance Christ has for us and for others, no matter what we or they have done. But there is so much freedom when we see ourselves and others through God’s loving eyes. Look at the freedom Zacchaeus experienced when he recognized Jesus’ acceptance of him! We can experience the same freedom, too, as well as extend it to those we have trouble believing God could love.

4 LASTING IMPRESSIONS

Daily Challenges

What You’ll Do Say: In this session, we’ve looked at how JESUS ACCEPTS EVERYONE. Let’s look at how we can apply that truth in our daily lives.

Have participants turn to the Daily Challenges section of their Adult Handbooks, or distribute the “Digging Deeper” handouts. Have everyone read the Daily Challenges and choose at least one to do this week. Have participants each turn to a partner and say what challenge they’ll do this coming week and the specific way they plan to follow through with it.

Daily ChallengesSupplies

Adult Handbooks or 1 copy per person of the “Digging Deeper” handout (at the end of this lesson)

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Weaving Faith at HomeSay: If you have kids in Sunday school, they should have a take-home paper from this week’s lesson to show you. It has their Daily Challenges for this week and ideas for weaving faith at home as a family. Please help your kids follow through with their Daily Challenges. If you don’t have kids in Sunday school, you can still use your handbook or your Digging Deeper page to further reflect on God’s unconditional love this week.

Close the group in prayer, asking God to help each of you follow through on your commitments and weave faith into your day-to-day life.

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Villainous Villains

! OK TO COPY© FaithWeaver NOW™ group.com.

1. Which villain stole the Christmas roast beast down in Whoville?

2. Which feline villain often said, “PPPPuurrhaps, Batman!”?

3. Who was Luke Skywalker’s archenemy in the older Star Wars movies?

4. Who was the villain you would never want to shake hands with in the Peter Pan story?

5. Which villain almost ate Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (in the animated Christmas tale)?

6. Which villain wanted to “retool” Inspector Gadget in the movie released by the same name?

7. Who was so dastardly she dared to steal 101 dalmatians?

8. Which villain was none too pleased when Robin Hood stole from the rich and gave to the poor?

9. Who almost destroyed Dorothy and Toto as they followed the Yellow Brick Road?

10. Who was the Pottsylvania couple that harassed Rocky the Squirrel and Bullwinkle the Moose?


See how many of these famous TV and movie villains you can name.

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Letting Love In


Permission to photocopy this handout from

FaithWeaver NOW™ Bible Curriculum for Adult

Leader Guide, Fall, granted for local church use.

Copyright © FaithWeaver NOW. group.com.

See how many of these famous TV and movie villains you can name.

1. What do you find yourself doing to try to earn God’s free gift of love and acceptance?

2. Do you find it easy or difficult to receive God’s unconditional love? Why?

3. How easy or difficult is it for you to accept people who have wronged you in some way or who are just not particularly lovable?

4. What, if anything, prevents you from receiving more of God’s love?

5. What do you think God is saying to you right now about his love for you? about your love for others?

Reflect on the following questions and how they relate to your life. Use the space after each question to journal your thoughts.

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Luke 19:1-10 ��Bible Point—Jesus accepts everyone.Key Verse—“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

DIGGING DEEPER

Daily ChallengesChoose one or more of these activities to do this week. n Pray specifically for someone you know who does not know the

unconditional love of Jesus yet. n Think of someone you’ve had trouble accepting. Reach out to this person

with kindness. Kindness is a great way to share the love of Jesus. n Have a private worship time that focuses on God’s amazing love and

acceptance. Read verses or listen to songs that talk about God’s love for everyone.

Through the WeekUse the following passages to explore additional biblical perspectives on God’s unconditional love.

Monday—Romans 15:7 n How has Jesus accepted you?

Tuesday—Psalm 6:9 n When have you known God heard your cry for mercy?

Wednesday—John 13:20 n How have you accepted Jesus?

Thursday—Matthew 18:5 n What kids can you show acceptance to?

Friday—1 Timothy 2:1-4 n When you think about the government, who are some people you can pray for?

Saturday—Luke 12:13-21 n Why is forgiveness an important part of acceptance?

Talk Topics

n Talk about the boundaries of Jesus’ unconditional love. If Jesus accepts everyone, does that mean everyone can do whatever he or she wants?

n Talk about what Jesus’ acceptance of everyone means for your church.

n Talk about how to handle the reality of rejection from others, in light of Jesus’ acceptance.

n What are some ways you need to be more accepting of people who are hard to love?


Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree to See Jesus - Group Digital...the throng of people who surrounded him and looked directly up into the tree at this seeker who wanted to see Jesus for himself.

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