Single lesson
The Ten Who Were Healed: Giving Thanks
Luke 17:11–19
In this lesson, children read how Jesus cleansed ten men who were lepers and notice that only one returned to thank him. They will compare the different responses and practise saying thank you clearly and thoughtfully.
Before you teach
Luke 17:11–19 says Jesus was travelling on the borders of Samaria and Galilee on his way to Jerusalem. In a village, ten men who were lepers called out from a distance for mercy. Jesus told them to go to the priests, and as they went, they were cleansed.
Students will be able to identify that all ten men were cleansed, but only one returned to thank Jesus and glorify God.
Welcome: Notice the difference between receiving and thanking
5 minAsk the children to think of a time someone helped them or gave them something. Explain that today’s story is about ten men who asked Jesus for mercy and were cleansed, but only one came back to thank him. Tell the class they will listen for what all ten men did and what only one man did.
Luke 17:13, Luke 17:14, Luke 17:15, Luke 17:16
Read and explain: Ten men call out, and Jesus cleanses them
8 minRead Luke 17:11–16 aloud. Point out that the ten men stood at a distance and called Jesus “Master” and asked for mercy. Jesus told them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed. One man saw he was healed, turned back, glorified God, and thanked Jesus at his feet.
Luke 17:12, Luke 17:13, Luke 17:14, Luke 17:15, Luke 17:16
Discuss: What was the same, and what was different?
6 minHelp children compare the men’s responses. All ten called out to Jesus. All ten obeyed and went. All ten were cleansed. But only one returned, glorified God with a loud voice, and gave thanks to Jesus. Notice too that the passage says this man was a Samaritan, and Jesus calls him a foreigner.
Luke 17:13, Luke 17:14, Luke 17:15, Luke 17:16, Luke 17:18
Make and respond: Create a thank-you card
7 minChildren make a simple thank-you card for someone who has helped them, such as a parent, carer, teacher, friend, or church helper. Encourage them to write one specific reason for their thanks. Explain that the card is not part of the Bible story, but it helps us practise the thankful response shown by the one man who returned.
Luke 17:16, Luke 17:18
Closing: Hear Jesus’ question and remember the lesson
4 minRead Jesus’ questions in verses 17–18 and his words in verse 19. Ask children to say in one sentence what made the one man different from the nine. Finish by reminding them that this passage highlights both cleansing and the thankful return to Jesus, giving glory to God.
Luke 17:17, Luke 17:18, Luke 17:19
Questions to explore
What did the ten men ask Jesus to do?
Look at their exact words and notice they called him “Master” and asked for mercy.
Luke 17:13
When were the men cleansed?
The text says they were cleansed as they went to do what Jesus told them.
Luke 17:14
What did the one man do that the other nine did not do?
Find the actions named after he saw that he was healed: he turned back, glorified God, and thanked Jesus.
Luke 17:15, Luke 17:16, Luke 17:17, Luke 17:18
Make, think or respond
Thank-You Card for a Helper
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or pens
- crayons or coloured pencils
- stickers if available
Try it together
- Give each child a piece of paper folded into a card.
- Ask them to think of one person they want to thank for a specific kindness or help.
- Write or draw a message of thanks inside the card.
- If time allows, invite children to read their message aloud or explain who will receive it.
- Encourage them to give the card during the week.
This activity gives children a practical way to practise gratitude, reflecting the one man who returned to Jesus and gave thanks.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, let them draw a picture and dictate one sentence of thanks for an adult to write.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to include two parts in the card: what the person did and why they are thankful.
An optional closing prayer
Suggested prayer: “Lord Jesus, thank you for your mercy and help us to be people who remember to give thanks and glorify God.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Luke 17
11 As he was on his way to Jerusalem, he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee.
12 As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance.
13 They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.
16 He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus answered, “Weren’t the ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
18 Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”
19 Then he said to him, “Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.
