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

Jesus healed ten men with leprosy, and only one came back to say thank you (Luke 17:11-19). This free preschool lesson teaches little ones to thank God for His kindness to us.

Use this one-hour lesson with preschoolers in Sunday school, at Thanksgiving or any week. It has a counting song, the Bible story read in three short parts, “Thank you, Jesus” in sign language, a chase game and a thank-you placemat craft. You need construction paper, a hole puncher, ribbon and crayons.

Where Is the Story of the Ten Lepers in the Bible?

The story is in Luke 17:11-19. Only Luke tells it. Jesus was traveling between Samaria and Galilee. Ten men with a skin disease called out to Him for pity. Jesus told them to show themselves to the priests, and they were healed on the way.

The key verses for kids are Luke 17:15-16. One man saw he was healed, came back, praised God in a loud voice and thanked Jesus. He was a Samaritan.

Ten Lepers Preschool Lesson at a Glance

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: “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.” Luke 17:15
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.

How to Teach the Ten Lepers to Preschoolers

1. Sing “Ten Little Lepers” to welcome the children.
2. Read Luke 17:11-19 in three short parts and stop to talk after each one.
3. Teach “Thank you, Jesus” in sign language and pray.
4. Play the Breakthrough Game.
5. Make thank-you placemats for Thanksgiving dinner.

> > > > Basic Teaching Plan < < < <

Opening Song: Ten Little Lepers

Introduction: Greet each child and welcome them to class.  Open by singing “10 Little Lepers” to the tune of the counting song “One Little, Two Little, Three Little.”

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.

 

Tell the Story: Jesus Heals Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)

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?

Ten Lepers Activities for Preschool

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 Placemats

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.

Ten Lepers Videos for Teachers

Watch our children’s sermon on Luke 17:11-19, then our craft ideas video for more thank-you crafts.

Close with a Thank-You Prayer

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 to be like the one leper who came back and thanked Jesus.