The 12 Minute Family Devotion

The Story of Zacchaeus

Welcome to the Story of Zacchaeus family devotional. Zacchaeus was a tax collector who charged people more than they actually owed so that he could keep the extra amount. Because of this, he was hated by just about everyone.

One day, Jesus was passing by and Zacchaeus (a short man) climbed up into a tree to see Him. As Jesus drew near, He called for Zacchaeus to come down. Later, Jesus had dinner at Zacchaeus’ house and explained to Zacchaeus how to live a godly and truthful life. Zacchaeus repented of his sins and promised to repay everyone!

Family Bible Reading 
Luke 19:1-10(NIV) 
 
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Discussion Questions
After you have watched the Bible video and completed your family Bible reading discuss the following questions. 
 
1. Have you ever been bullied? 
 
2. Why would Jesus have dinner with a sinner like Zacchaeus?
 
3. What does it mean to repent? 
Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you that you came to help us and save us from our sins. When we sin, help us to be quick to repent and ask for forgiveness. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.