Saturday's Scripture
Story for the Week

Jesus at the House of Zacchaeus

Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

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

8 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.”

9 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.”

Pondering Point

Re-read the story from Luke 19:1-10. We visited this story Tuesday looking from the vantage point of Jesus’ mission with Zacchaeus – to bring salvation to his house.

Zacchaeus hosted Jesus and saw his life changed; we too host Jesus, not just in our homes, but in our hearts. How is He inspiring change in your life? Don't drift past this question; pause and ask Him what impact He is (should be) having.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I am Your host in this temple of my body. May I also host You in the midst of my home, within my relationships and in the center of my life choices.
In Your name Jesus I pray. Amen.

Hook Questions

(for use with your group when you are using Bible stories as central to your time together)
Who was welcomed to your house or apartment as a last-minute surprise?

Bible Storying's Core Questions

What did you like (or learn new) about the story?
What did you not like (or not understand) about it?
What are the various people doing in the story? With whom do you identify within the story?
What is God doing in the story?
What might God be asking of you triggered by this story? How is He challenging you?

I give everyone and everything to You God;
I give everyone and everything to You.