Jesus heals 10 Lepers (Luke 17:11-19) Preschool Lesson

This free lesson plan is based on the events of Luke 17 when Jesus healed 10 men of leprosy. It highlights the theme of thankfulness to God, especially for the mercy Jesus shows for us. Children will learn that we should always say “thank you” to God for his kindness. Use it the Sunday before Thanksgiving: it is a preschool lesson for a one-hour class with a song, three short Bible readings, a sign language activity, a chase game and a placemat craft. The supplies are paper, a hole puncher, ribbon and crayons.
Lesson Title:   Saying Thank You to God
Bible Reference:  Luke 17:11-19
Target Age Group: Pre-school
Learning Context: Sunday School
Target Time Frame: One Hour
Memory Verse: “When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice.” Luke 17:15 (BSB)
Gospel Connection: This lesson focuses on giving thanks to God for all that He has done for us.  In the gospel of Luke we read the story of the 10 Lepers who were healed by Jesus.  One of these men returned and thanked Jesus for healing him, but the other nine forgot.  We know that God is worthy of our praise now at Thanksgiving and all year. This lesson will encourage children to thank God for all that He has done for them.
Learning Aim: 

1. Children will learn that we should continually give thanks to God for all that he has given us.

Basic Supply List:

1. Bible (verses below provided in NIRV)
2. Construction Paper
3. Hole Puncher
4. Ribbon
5. Crayons

Note: In the teaching plan below the words in italics are meant to be read aloud. The regular text is simply directions for the teacher.
> > > > Basic Teaching Plan < < < <
Introduction: Greet each child and welcome them to class.  Open by singing “10 Little Lepers” to the tune of “10 Little Indians.”

Ten Little Lepers

One little, two little, three little lepers

One little, two little, three little lepers

One little, two little, three little lepers,

Ten little leper men.

The lepers said, “Jesus come heal us.”

The lepers said, “Jesus come heal us.”

The lepers said, “Jesus come heal us.”

And that is what He did.

Just one man came back to thank him.

Just one man came back to thank him.

Just one man came back to thank him.

Always remember to thank him.

 
Preschool Lesson on the Ten Lepers
Begin by reading Luke 17:11-14 (NIRV)

¹¹ Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. He traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he was going into a village, ten men met him. They had a skin disease. They were standing close by. ¹³ And they called out in a loud voice, “Jesus! Master! Have pity on us!”
¹⁴ Jesus saw them and said, “Go. Show yourselves to the priests.” While they were on the way, they were healed.

Say, The ten men in this story have leprosy.  This is a disease that affects their skin.  Many people did not want to be around people with leprosy.  So when the lepers saw Jesus, they knew that being healed could save their lives.  Jesus was not like other people.  When he saw the lepers he had pity on them and healed them.  Jesus didn’t have to heal them, but he did because he loved them. 
Next read verses Luke 17:15-16. (NIRV)

 When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back. He praised God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan.

Say, Once the lepers were healed, only one man came back to tell Jesus thank you.  Can you believe that?  They were healed by the power of God, and they still forgot to say thank you.  I’m sure that you forget to say thank you sometimes too.  But, God has done many wonderful things for us and He deserves our praise now and always. 
Next read verses Luke 17:17-19. (NIRV)

 Jesus asked, “Weren’t all ten healed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Didn’t anyone else return and give praise to God except this outsider?” ¹⁹ Then Jesus said to him, “Get up and go. Your faith has healed you.”

Say, Jesus was not happy that the nine other men forgot to come back and praise God.  In our lives we should be like the one who thanked God.  What types of things can you do to help you remember to always thank God?

Object Lesson – Ten Crayons

Hold up ten crayons, one for each man in the story. After you read Luke 17:11-19, lay the crayons on the table and say, Jesus healed all ten men. Who came back to say thank you? Pick up one crayon and walk it to a sheet of paper that says “Thank you, Jesus.” Leave the other nine crayons behind. Ask, What could the other nine have said to Jesus? What can we say to him today? Then give each child a crayon and let them name one thing they thank God for.

Activity – Thank You Jesus in Sign Language  

Teach the children how to say “Thank you, Jesus” in sign language.

• To say thank you, start with one hand in front of your face, vertical, with your fingertips touching your chin.
• Then move your hand down and out in front of you, keeping your palm flat.
• To say Jesus, begin with your hands open in front of you, palms up. Keep one hand still and use the middle finger of the other hand to touch your open palm.
• Repeat with the other hand.  Ask the class to say some things that they are thankful for, then lead them in prayer and have them use their new sign language skills to say thank you to Jesus.

Breakthrough Game

In the story, one leper returned to Jesus to thank him while the other nine did not.  This game is like reverse tag.  One person will be like the leper who returned to Jesus.  All of the other children will be trying to catch the leper.  The leper will have to get from the start line to the finish line without being caught.  The other kids will stand in the playing area.  They will chase the leper, but they may only take three steps at a time.  After they take three steps they must freeze and count to ten, then they are allowed to move again.  Play several rounds so that different kids get to be the leper.

Craft – Thank you Place mats: 

For this craft you will need construction paper, hole puncher, ribbon, and crayons.  Each class will create a placemat that they can use when they have Thanksgiving dinner.  Before class, use a hole puncher to make holes around the edges of the construction paper.  Write “Thank you, Jesus” in the middle of the placemat and have the children draw things that they are thankful for around the words.  Give each child some ribbon and have them lace around the edges of the placemat.  Help them tie a bow at the end when they have finished lacing.

Review Questions

1. What did the ten men ask Jesus to do?
2. What did the one man do after he was healed?
3. Why do you think Jesus asked where the other nine were?
4. What can you thank God for this Thanksgiving?

Ready for Sunday: Saturday-Night Prep

• Punch the holes around the edges of the construction paper and cut one length of ribbon for each child.
• Practice the sign for “Thank you, Jesus” once so you can show it slowly.
• Mark the three Bible readings in your Bible.
• Count out ten crayons for the object lesson and put the rest in a cup.

Small class or mixed ages? Keep everyone together. Let older children help the younger ones lace their placemats. With only a few children, a teacher can be the leper who comes back while the children chase, three steps at a time.
Conclusion:  Close wishing the kids a Happy Thanksgiving and reminding them to always be thankful for their blessings.  Pray with them, giving thanks to God for them and reminding them to be like the one leper who came back and thanked Jesus.