Another Spin:
And here is MY spin on this game. I didn't want to mess with a bunch of lumber, so I thought about using a balance scale (like the ones you see in the statues of justice). Of course, I thought of this the day before class, so there was no way I would be able to find one in a store and order one online. So then I Googled "How to Make a Balance Scale" and found numerous ideas. This one seemed the easiest: http://kidsactivities.about.co...er-Balance-Scale.htm
In a nutshell, you use a notched hanger as your crosspiece. I adjusted the instructions a little. I took 2 plastic cups and used an awl to punch the holes (the hole punch didn't work since my cups had lips). I put a picture of Zacchaeus in one cup. In the other cup I put some coins (since money/cheating was a big issue with him). Since the coins are heavy, they lift him up high in the tree.
In the lesson, I say that Zacchaeus is up in the tree. Jesus had called him by name and invited himself to Zacchaeus' house that day. We need to help Zacchaues get down from the tree. Every question that you answer correctly will help. We put beads in the Zacchaeus cup for every correct answer, Eventually, the beads will outweigh the coins and the cup with Zacchaeus will come down.