It started simply by having kids throw wadded paper toward a bucket. Most of them fell short of the goal. Then we studied a guy in the Bible whose name is Zacchaeus. He was actually short and climbed a tree to see Jesus in a crowd. Jesus saw Zacchaeus and he shouted to him, "Quick, come down! For I would like to be a guest in your home today!" Zacchaeus wanted to get a look at Jesus that day - but then Jesus found him. Zacchaeus was a tax collector who took more money from people than he was supposed to take. That was sin.
We talked about what sin was. Then read this verse from the Bible that says, "All have sinned and all fall short of God's glorious standard" - Romans 3:23. That means ALL of us have fallen short of God's standard. Romans 6:23 tells us that "the wages (or what we earn) for sinning is death - but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
The bad news = when sinners die, they are separated forever from God
The good news = God sent His son to live on this earth, died and rose from the dead to forgive Zacchaeus' sins and all of our sins as well.
All we have to do to receive this gift is:
A - Admit that we have sinned
B=Believe that Jesus died for us
C=Commit to follow Jesus
At the end of devotions, we gave the kids an opportunity to receive Jesus as their Savior and friend. Many of them prayed this prayer: "Dear God, I know I am a sinner. Thank You for sending Jesus to die and pay for my sins. Please forgive my sins and wash them away.I receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for making me Your child forever. In Jesus' name. Amen."
