This is a new song and lesson that I wrote.   After the song, I created a ready to use lesson plan.  This would work great for Sunday School teachers, Children’s Church leaders, Awana leaders, Homeschoolers, Road trips or just something to help bring this story to life.  The lesson is ready to teach, just follow along.  No extra work involved unless you want to.  This could be used as a full lesson or a filler if you need 10-15 minutes or more.

STORY CLUE: Man-Disliked-short   Who do you think we are going to learn about today?

Lyrics: These can be used to teach the children the song or can be used as a bible story for younger children or as a poem.

VERSE
As Jesus passed by that way

Through Jericho is what they say

A short little man who wanted to see

As Jesus passed by a Sycamore tree
CHORUS
Out on a limb for Jesus

He went out on a limb to see

Out on a limb for Jesus

A short little man called Zacchaeus
VERSE
Jesus stopped and said to him

Don’t you worry about them

Come on down to Me

It’s time for lunch you see

CHORUS
Out on a limb for Jesus

He went out on a limb to see

Out on a limb for Jesus

A short little man called Zacchaeus
VERSE
So he came on down in a hurry

Went to his house in a flurry

His meeting with Jesus he told

To his entire household
ENDING
So Friends how long has it been

Since you went out on a limb

Just to see Him

OUT ON A LIMB SONG

Bible Story: Zacchaeus

Scripture Reference: Luke 19:1-10

Memory Verse: So, he made haste and came down and received Him joyfully. Luke 19:6

Luke 19:1-10

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. 5 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.” 6 So he made haste and came down and received Him joyfully. 7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.”8 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.”9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus would have told him Don’t you worry about them?  Zacchaeus was the Chief Tax Collector who was disliked. Verse 2
2. Why was Zacchaeus in a tree? He wanted to see Jesus but was too short to see above the crowd.  Verse 3
3. Who was Zacchaeus? He was the Chief Tax Collector, lived in Jericho, was very rich. Verse 1-2
4. Why did Zacchaeus hurry down from the tree?  Jesus told him to make haste. Verse 5
5. What exciting things happened because Zacchaeus climbed the Sycamore-fig tree?  He met Jesus and his entire household was saved. Verse 5, 9

Down the Rabbit Hole (Fun facts to ponder)

*A Sycamore-fig tree has large limbs that spread out close to the ground so it would have been easy to climb.

*Jesus knew Zacchaeus by name, and He knows our names too

*Jesus Knew where Zacchaeus was (in the tree).  He knows where we are too.

*Jesus stayed at his house-wow how exciting that must have been

*Number of men mentioned in the Bible named Zacchaeus: 1 which makes the fact that Jesus called him by name even more important.

*The sycamore fig tree, scientifically known as Ficus sycomorus, is significant in biblical literature. It is distinct from the common fig tree and is characterized by its large size, broad leaves, and small, edible fruit. The tree is mentioned several times in the Bible.

*In biblical times, sycamore fig trees were common in the Middle East, providing shade and sustenance. The fruit was a staple food for the poor, and the wood was used in construction. The tree’s ability to thrive in warm climates made it a vital resource for communities.

Discussion Points

*Climbing a tree was considered undignified or not very cool especially for the Chief Tax Collector.  So the news about Jesus must have made a huge impact on Zacchaeus for him to climb a tree in a crowded public place.

*How did Zacchaeus respond when Jesus called him?

*When and how have you or can you go out on a limb for Jesus?

*Has anything exciting happened to you because you went out on a limb for Jesus?

*Is Jesus worth going out on a limb for?

SUGGESTED ACTIVITES

*As kids are listening to the song, you can have them think of different hand motions as the story unfolds.  Example: *When the song says he went to his house in a flurry, the kids could run in place. *When the song says wanted to see, the kids could act like they are trying to see something.

STORY CLUE REVIEW: OK kids, now that we have finished the lesson, does the Story Clues make sense?  Can anyone explain the Clues and why those clues were given. (Man-Disliked-short)

Does anyone have any questions about the story?

Picture of A Sycamore-fig Tree

CREDITS: The Womans Study Bible, Who’s Who and Where’s where in the Bible (Stephen M. Miller), The Complete People and Places of the Bible (Pamela L McQuade), The Ultimate Bible Character Guide (Gina Detwiler).  Song written by Robin McMullen Produced by AI program (Suno.com) (AITubo.com) PICTURE CREDIT https://johnbaptistchurch.org/biblical-meaning-nature/sycamore-tree