Zacchaeus: Marshmallow and Spaghetti Tree building Challenge

If you want to offer an absorbing and challenging way for children to explore the story of Zacchaeus, then look no further.  This is a great way of helping them to think about the determination of Zacchaeus to see Jesus, because it will take some determination to complete the task!!

You will need: Dried spaghetti, mini marshmallows and a plastic Easter Egg

Challenge the children to build a 'tree' with the spaghetti and marshmallows, that will support and hold a plastic Easter egg (real eggs are way too heavy for what they are likely to build!)

Talk about:

How easy was it to build the tree?

What difficulties did you encounter?

What difficulties do you think Zacchaeus encountered in the story?

What lengths would you go to to see one of your heroes?

What lengths do others go to in order to be Christians?- think about the persecuted church

When do you sometimes have to be determined?

Do you ever have to use your determination in order to live as a Christian and to get to know Jesus better?

Pray:

Pray that weather people will have the determination to get to know Jesus better, even when it's hard. Draw or write prayers on a slip of paper and put them inside the plastic egg.  Put the egg back on top of the 'tree' and give your prayers to God