Download our printable children’s message based on Luke 17:11-17, when Jesus healed 10 men with Leprosy. It’s a powerful reminder for kids (and adults in the congregation) that God wants us to show gratitude for all that he has done for us. Then watch the object lesson teaching video below so you’ll be prepared for this Sunday.
About this Children’s Message / Pastor Appreciation?
This teaching is all about the importance of mercy, gratitude, and appreciation. It falls on Pastor Appreciation Sunday 2019, so it would be a great time for the children’s department to show honor to the clergy in your church too!
Main Objective: The story of Jesus and the ten lepers communicates some important truths, and it can be a fun one to share with young children. In this story we see Jesus performing an amazing miracle, but we also see a surprising lack of gratitude. It is a contrast that can emphasize to students the importance of expressing thanks. During a special time like Pastor Appreciation Month, this story is a great way to remind kids to appreciate and thank ministry leaders.
Law/Gospel Theme: All that we have is made possible through the mercy of Christ. He knows our needs before we even ask. In grateful appreciation for His grace, we should live our lives giving thanks to God and living to serve one another.
Optional Materials: Thank-you card; small treats
Bible Passage: Luke 17:11-19 The Ten Lepers
Lectionary Reference: Proper 23 (28) Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year C. October 13, 2019
Bonus Ideas:
- Our website posts new object lesson children sermons every week along with video teaching examples.
- Watch the video teaching example of this children’s sermon
- Download our printable “Thank You” card coloring pages
- See the full Luke 17:11-19 Sunday School lesson
- Download our pastor appreciation coloring pages
Children’s Message (Luke 17:11-19) Object Lesson
(As always, use what best suits your students and circumstances….)
Greet students and offer a special treat…
Hello, children of God! How are you today? So I have a special something for you here…who’s ready for a treat? Well, before you can have it, I need you to do something…how might you ask? (Wait for kids to politely ask using “please”; then give each student a treat)
Great. There you go! (Now wait and see how many kids offer thanks for the treat…if they do, let them know how glad you are that they gave you gratitude.)
Oh, I am so glad you remembered to say thank you! That lets me know you appreciate the gift. I am so glad you’re happy with your treat. You know, God likes it when we say thank you. In the Gospel lesson today, Jesus did an amazing miracle. There were ten people who came to him, who had a disease called leprosy. Leprosy made your skin yucky, and sometimes even made parts of your body come off!
These men came up to Jesus and asked if He would heal them. Jesus told the men to go and show themselves to priests at the church, which was normally what you’d do after being healed. The lepers went, and along the way to the church, they realized they were healed. How amazing! They must have been so excited, don’t you think? But guess what: there were ten men who got healed. Do you know how many of them came back to Jesus and said “thank you”?
Only ONE.
Just one man said thank you to Jesus! The Lord was glad this man came back, but I’ll bet He felt a little sad that none of the others said thank you. Now, Jesus is full of mercy, so He didn’t put leprosy back on the other guys or punish them for forgetting to show gratitude…but He was certainly happy that the one man did!
And you know, it’s easy for us to think this is sad, or assume that we would do the right thing and say thank you if it was us that Jesus healed. But how often do we forget to say “thank you”? God gives us great things in our lives every day.
Every blessing we have, and every breath we have, comes from Him. We should say thank you all the time, every day, but sometimes we forget. We might be more content if we reminded ourselves to tell God thank you for every good thing—and even the not so good things. The Bible tells us to pray and give thanks in ALL circumstances.
And not only should we give thanks to God, but to others around us, too. God gives us friends and family, and He also gives us pastors to help us. Did you know this is Pastor Appreciation Month?
That means we should show some extra gratitude and appreciation for our ministers and the work they do in our lives. Pastors work so hard every day, and they don’t always here positive words.
So why don’t you take some time to tell the pastor thank you and remind him that you appreciate the job and hard work he does? You could also write a thank you note or draw a picture!
Meanwhile, let’s take a moment to tell GOD thank
you for all He does…
Children’s Prayer Moment
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for all of your blessings
Thank you for the words of the Bible
Help us to remember that every good thing comes from you
And to bless one another
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
Thank you for Jesus
In His name, Amen!
Luke 17:11-19 NIV – Jesus Heals Ten Men with Leprosy
On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and 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.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” -Luke 17:11-19 NIV
Very helpful.may God bless you abundantly.