STUDY GUIDE: SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 03 September 28, 2008
Zacchaeus and St. Francis
September Theme: Transformation
Theme Verse: “Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2
Readings: Luke 19:1-10
Memory Verse: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24 (Pre-K to grade 3)
NOTES: Both Zacchaeus and St. Francis are freed from love of money and transformed.
Jericho a lush, green oasis in dessert climate
Zacchaeus was rich and important (a chief tax collector) (They were usually very corrupt.) He was short! and wanted to be big and important. He was drawn to Jesus. He was so hungry to see him he forgot his dignity and RAN and CLIMBED A TREE!
He climbed a sycamore tree to see and hide but you can’t hide from Jesus. Jesus knew he was there. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. (Luke 19:2) A word received: There is a choice you can make: looking at the outward man or seeking the inward man. Outwardly Zacchaeus was successful; inwardly he was hungry for me.
Jesus always sees and responds to spiritual hunger and invites himself in. Jesus doesn’t pull away from a sinner, he seeks him out. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. (Luke 19:3) A word received: When you seek me, you will find me. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was going to pass that way. (Luke 19:4) A word received: I long for the adults and children to seek me as Zacchaeus did. Jesus befriends the lonely and the lost and the poor (in spirit), the despised and rejected. (Who are we drawn to? Who do we choose to spend time with? Who is Jesus asking us to spend time with?
(lunch room rejects? Bubbas? those who look or act different? the guys at the Mission? people we may not have a lot in common with? etc.) Transformation comes when we walk where Jesus walks.
Jesus calls Zacchaeus by name. (Jesus knows your name!) Zacchaeus came down immediately. Jesus’ call requires immediate response.
Jesus is just passing through but decides to stay at Zack’s house, and Z welcomes Jesus gladly. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” (Luke 19:5) A word received: I want to come into every home in Christ Church. Zacchaeus welcomed me when I asked. I want you to do the same. So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. (Luke 19:6) A word received: I want you to receive me joyfully into your hearts and your homes. To others Zack is just a tax collector and a sinner. (Why would Jesus associate with someone like that!) But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” (Luke 19:7) A word received: Notice, they were complaining about me. Remember how I spoke of this generation wanting me to dance to its tune. (Matthew 11:16-19) That has not changed. Neither do I change: I will welcome anyone who comes to me with a heart hungry for me. Jesus calls him a “son of Abraham”. (a title of honor. Jesus elevated him.) Jesus’ mercy on Z leads Z to have mercy on those he has cheated.
Jesus told Z to “come down” that he was going to stay at Z’s house that day. Jesus spoke with authority and Z responded gladly. The choice to spend time with Jesus brings heart transformation. We see the proof of that transformation in vs 8.
Zacchaeus changed. He was going to give to the poor and restore anything wrongly taken. Money is no longer his master and security, but a tool. Jesus is the one he obeys and serves. Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” (Luke 19:8) A word received: Zacchaeus loved me more than money. That is what I want for you as well. Jesus says, “Today, salvation has come to this house.” This is who Jesus is, the one who has come “to seek and save the lost.” Same change in St. Francis. He turned his back on family wealth to follow Jesus.
Song: Point of Grace
All our mind’s attention, all our heart’s affection,
Every heart-cry, every rhyme
Everybody’s worshipping something
‘Cause that’s what we were made to do.
CHORUS: And I choose You. All my attention, affection
And all my devotion’s something
I choose You.
Before I chose You, You first chose me.
I worship You. You alone are worthy.
What is it look like to serve God? different kingdoms.
eternal kingdom temporal (worldly) kingdom
Lord is my shepherd money is my shepherd
Jesus is my savior money is my savior
God provides money provides
Jesus is my peace money is my peace
Other scriptures: the rich young ruler (Luke 18: 18-29) wanted to follow Jesus but he was unwilling to surrender his money as Jesus asked him to. Jesus knew what he was clinging to in his heart. Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! Indeed it is easier for a camel to go thru the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Jesus also said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” (What are some other kinds of worldly riches besides money that people might cling to?)
How to teach word received: Pray for my people to see the power of my invitation to Zacchaeus. I want them to see what can happen when they make someone welcome at Christ Church.
