Purpose: Run a complete Bible TEFL lesson using the Scripture Text PDF and the Bible Lesson PDF as the student reading material.
Recommended Level: A2–B1 | Lesson Length: 30–45 minutes
1) Lesson Overview
- Theme: seeking Jesus, repentance, restitution, salvation, generosity, and changed life.
- Skills: Reading, listening, vocabulary building, discussion, speaking practice, and personal reflection.
- Outcome: Student can retell the story of Zacchaeus and explain how meeting Jesus changed his heart and actions.
Tutor Tip: Read the Scripture text first. Then read the Bible lesson, A Heart Prepared to Meet Jesus. Help students see the movement from Zacchaeus seeking to see Jesus, to Jesus calling him by name, to Zacchaeus receiving Jesus joyfully and promising to make restitution.
2) Suggested Lesson Flow
- Open with warm-up questions.
- Read the Scripture handout.
- Ask the student to summarize the story in simple English.
- Read the Bible lesson, A Heart Prepared to Meet Jesus.
- Review vocabulary.
- Use comprehension, discussion, and speaking questions.
- Finish with a writing activity.
3) Warm-Up Questions
- Have you ever tried hard to see or meet someone important?
- Why do people sometimes judge others by their job, money, or past mistakes?
- What does it mean to make things right after doing something wrong?
4) Vocabulary
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Tutor Prompt |
|---|---|---|
| chief tax collector | A leader among tax collectors; often disliked because many collected money unfairly. | Why did people dislike Zacchaeus? |
| rich | Having much money or many possessions. | Was Zacchaeus rich or poor? |
| small in stature | Short in height. | Why did Zacchaeus climb the tree? |
| sycamore tree | A tree with branches strong enough to climb. | What did Zacchaeus do so he could see Jesus? |
| hurry | To move quickly. | What did Jesus tell Zacchaeus to do? |
| receive joyfully | To welcome someone with happiness. | How did Zacchaeus respond to Jesus? |
| grumble | To complain quietly or unhappily. | Why did the crowd grumble? |
| defraud | To cheat someone or take money unfairly. | What did Zacchaeus say he would do if he had cheated anyone? |
| restore fourfold | To pay back four times as much. | How much did Zacchaeus promise to restore? |
| salvation | God's saving work in a person’s life. | What did Jesus say came to Zacchaeus’ house? |
| seek and save the lost | Jesus came to find and rescue sinners. | What does Luke 19:10 teach about Jesus? |
5) Bible Text Comprehension
- Where was Jesus passing through?
- Who was Zacchaeus?
- Why could Zacchaeus not see Jesus?
- What did Zacchaeus do so he could see Jesus?
- What did Jesus say when He came to the tree?
- How did Zacchaeus receive Jesus?
- Why did the crowd grumble?
- What did Zacchaeus promise to give to the poor?
- What did Zacchaeus promise to do if he had defrauded anyone?
- What did Jesus say had come to Zacchaeus’ house?
6) Bible Lesson Discussion
- According to the lesson, how may Zacchaeus have been prepared to meet Jesus?
- Why was Zacchaeus' willingness to make restitution important?
- What does giving to the poor show about Zacchaeus' changed heart?
- Why did Jesus call Zacchaeus a son of Abraham?
- How did Zacchaeus show his faith with both words and actions?
7) Speaking Practice
- Retell the story of Zacchaeus in your own words.
- Describe what the crowd saw and heard that day.
- Explain why Zacchaeus climbed the tree.
- Explain what restitution means using Zacchaeus as an example.
- Tell how Jesus showed love to someone the crowd disliked.
8) Writing Task
- Option A: Summarize Luke 19:1–10 in 6–8 sentences.
- Option B: Write a paragraph explaining how Zacchaeus changed after meeting Jesus.
- Option C: Write about a time when someone made a mistake and tried to make things right.
Fluency Tip: Encourage students to use sequence words such as first, then, after that, when, because, and finally when retelling the story.
9) Wrap-Up
Wrap-up: Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but Jesus also came seeking Zacchaeus. When Zacchaeus received Jesus joyfully, his faith became visible through generosity, repentance, and restitution.
Final Question: How can a changed heart lead to changed actions?