Page 7 - TIJ ~ Confirmation - First Eucharist

Together JesusJesus Gathers People TogetherObjective (15 minutes)• The children will listen to, explore, tell, and dramatize how eating with Jesus changed Zacchaeus.Gather the children around the Bible. Explain that today they are going to hear a story from the Bible. Remind them that since this is a story about Jesus, it is found in the part of the Bible called the Gospels. These were written by four of Jesus’ followers. Recall with them that during the Liturgy of the Word at each Eucharist, we listen to stories about Jesus and remember that he is the one who has gathered us together.Ask: What are some ways that people change? They grow bigger; they become more helpful; they listen and understand.Explain that in today’s story someone changes because he shares a meal with Jesus.Distribute Lesson 5. Ask the children to describe the picture at the top of the page. People seem to be listening. Someone is in a tree, and he seems to be listening, too. Ask: To whom do you think they are listening? Help the children nd the Jesus sticker and apply it in the appropriate space. Explain that now we know whom the people are listening to: Jesus. Jesus is telling the people about God and about how they should be.Read the Gospel story aloud as found on page 1. Ask: Who was Zacchaeus? What does Jesus say to Zacchaeus?Ask: What is happening in thesmall illustration? Jesus is eatingwith Zacchaeus. Refer to each of the questions at the end of the story. How does Zacchaeus change in the story? He gives half of his money to the poor;4019 Conf-Euch_SE_ENG_L5_PRESS.indd 1he wants to be more like his new friend, Jesus. Why does he change? Because Jesus shared a meal with him and befriended him. How does eating together help people become friends? They share stories and their lives. They eat the same food as they talk about what is important to them. They have time to think about what is being said.Have the children close their eyes for a moment and imagine that they are Zacchaeus.• What do other people think of Zacchaeus? Show with your bodies and faces how Zacchaeus feels about what other people think of him.• What would he feel as he waits for Jesus to come? Show with your faces and bodies what Zacchaeus feels.• What does he think as he listens to Jesus from the tree? Show with your faces and bodies what he might be thinking.5/25/17 5:02 AMLesson 5: Jesus Gathers People Together l 39CONFIRMATIONFIRST EUCHARIST 5Jesus Gathers People TogetherZacchaeus Welcomes JesusOne day a man named Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming to his town. Zacchaeus was a tax collector. Zacchaeus had no friends because he cheated people. He always collected extra money for himself. Zacchaeus could not see Jesus when he came by.The crowd was too big, and Zacchaeus was too short. Zacchaeus climbed a tree so he could see Jesus. “Come down,” Jesus said, when he saw Zacchaeus up in the tree. “I want to eat at your house today.” After that Zacchaeus gave half his money to thepoor. He wanted to be more like his newfriend, Jesus.Based on Luke 19:1–10Find the Jesus sticker. Put it here.LESSONHow does Zacchaeus change in the story?Why does he change?How does eating together help people become friends?