Lesson 11: Jesus Heals Ten Men of Leprosy

Welcome

            Thank kids for coming.

            Just for fun, have preschoolers give someone a “round” of applause by clapping in a circle in front of a friend.

            Make announcements.

            Introduce new kids.

            Celebrate birthdays by teaching preschoolers to do a “happy birthday” wave.

            Collect the offering.

Introduce the Lesson

            Say: Today we’ll learn about some people who Jesus helped in a big way. We’ll learn how one of them thanked Jesus and that we can thank Jesus, too. Jesus deserves our thanks!

Share

            Tell about a friend you’re thankful for.

            In leader-led small groups, have preschoolers tell about friends they’re thankful for. Accept any examples preschoolers give, even if preschoolers talk about imaginary friends, pets, or family members.

            After kids have discussed, ask adult or teen helpers to share with the whole group what they talked about in their groups.

Summarize

            Open a Bible, and say: There are so many people and things that we feel thankful for! We can even be thankful for the Bible. The Bible isn’t like other books; it’s special. The Bible is one way God talks to us. God is here right now, ready to talk to you. Let’s look at the Bible and explore why Jesus deserves our thanks.

            Pray, thanking Jesus.

Tips

• If you purchased a DVD prior to June 2018, it may not include "God of Great Wonders" (Psalm 77:14). You can still access the video at the link provided, or you can call our customer support team at 1-800-447-1070 with questions. 

Sing Songs to God

            Sing the three songs in any order.

Make a Tambourine

            Say: Jesus deserves our thanks, and one way we’ve thanked Jesus today is by singing! Lots of times when we sing, we sing along with music. So let’s make a fun musical instrument called a tambourine that we can use to celebrate and thank Jesus! Show preschoolers the sample craft.

            Give each child two paper plates, and distribute crayons. Have children turn both paper plates upside down and color the bottom side of the plates. Then preschoolers can add stickers, foam shapes, or any other craft supplies you have on hand.

            When preschoolers have finished decorating the outsides of the plates, have them turn one of the plates over, and help them tape the lengths of streamers or ribbon around the inside rim of the plate. Then help children add a small handful of beads to the center of the plate. Remind preschoolers not to put any beads in their mouths.

            While children are working, point out how many fun, bright, different colors they are using to decorate their craft. Ask preschoolers each what their favorite color is, and point out that God made that beautiful color.

            After preschoolers have taped streamers and added beads to one of the plates, help them place the second plate on top of the other, creating a slight dome shape with the decorated sides of the plates facing out. Then staple the rims of the plates together so that no beads fall out.         

Musical Praise

            Say: Music and singing are a great way to say thank you to Jesus. Let’s thank Jesus now by singing and using our tambourines to make fun music!

            Have preschoolers sing the following to the tune of “Ten Little Indians” while playing with their tambourines.  

            Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jesus.

            Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jesus.

            Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jesus.

            You deserve our thanks!

Repeat a few times.

Show Thankful Actions

            Say: Jesus loves us so much, and he does so much for us. We can thank him. He deserves our thanks! Today we’ll hear about a man who was thankful to Jesus, and he made sure that Jesus knew. Before we hear more about that man, let’s think about being thankful.

            Share a couple of things you thank people for, such as a gift, a special treat, or help when you can’t do something by yourself.

            Ask: • What are some things you thank people for? Help children think of ideas. They might say that they’re thankful when people give them gifts on their birthdays or at Christmas; they’re thankful when friends do nice things for them, such as sharing; or they’re thankful when their older brothers or sisters help them do something they can’t do, such as tying their shoes.

            Say: Those are all things we can be thankful for! And when we’re thankful, it shows on our faces. When we’re thankful, we might smile really big. Lead the children to show their biggest smiles. Let’s practice doing some of the things that show we’re thankful.

            When you get a great gift, you might clap to show you’re thankful! Lead the children in clapping.

            When you fall and hurt yourself but your mommy picks you up, you might hug her to say thank you. Lead the children in giving hugs to others.

            When someone holds a door open for us, we might say thank you! Lead the children in saying “thank you!” with enthusiasm.

            When your friend invites you over to play with fun toys, you might be so thankful that you jump up and down. Lead the children in jumping.

            When your teacher says he’s going to give you a yummy treat, you might make a really excited face to show you’re thankful! Lead the children in showing a very excited face.

            Say: Those are all ways we can show that we’re thankful, and we can say thank you to Jesus by doing things like that to him.

Clean Skin

            Say: One of the men in today’s Bible story knew how to show Jesus that he was thankful. Let’s hear what happened.

            Show the Bible. Say: Jesus was walking to a city called Jerusalem, and he saw 10 very sick men. The men had sores all over their skin. Place a red dot on each child’s hand. Have adult and teen helpers help you, if needed.

            Say: Their skin hurt so bad. It was itchy and achy, and some of the men even had skin that was falling off! Lead the children to pretend to be the men with the skin problem by rubbing their arms and legs and groaning.

            Say: The men said to Jesus, “Have mercy on us!” They wanted Jesus’ help. They knew that Jesus is amazing. They knew he could do something for them. So when the 10 men asked Jesus for help, Jesus told them to go to a place like our church. And the men went. Lead the children in a walk around the room.

            Say: And all of a sudden they were better! They weren’t sick anymore. Think of a time you were really sick and someone helped you feel all better. Pause. That’s a time we can be thankful. Lead the children in doing a few of the things that people can do to show they’re thankful, such as smiling, clapping, jumping, or saying thank you.

            Say: These men definitely had something to thank Jesus for. And so do we! Point to a red dot sticker. Remember, these red dots helped us think about the sores on the men’s skin. Let’s take off our red dots while we thank Jesus for something. Lead children in taking off their red dots. As they do, help children share things they’re thankful for. Preschoolers can thank Jesus for his love and how he takes care of us by giving us food to eat, a place to live, people who love us, and friends to play with. Invite older children to say things they thank Jesus for. Younger children can simply say, “Thank you, Jesus.”

            Collect the stickers, and throw them away.

Take Turns Being the One

            Say: Jesus has done a lot that we can thank him for. Jesus deserves our thanks. Jesus deserved a thank you from all 10 of the men he helped.

            The Bible says that only one of the 10 men went back to thank Jesus. Lead the children in counting to 10 with all their fingers, and then have them fold over all their fingers except for one.

            Say: Jesus deserved thanks from all of the men. But only one of them said “thank you.” That man was so excited that he shouted to Jesus. He said, “Praise God!” and he fell to the ground by Jesus’ feet. Let’s take turns being the one thankful man.

            Lead children in making a circle, and then toss the ball to various kids. When a child gets the ball, have him or her jump up and say, “Thank you, Jesus!”

Sing to Thank Jesus

            Say: Like the man thanked Jesus, we can thank him, too. Jesus deserves our thanks. We’ve practiced a lot of ways to say thank you today. Another great way we can thank Jesus is to sing to him. Let’s sing a thankful song now.

            Lead the children in doing the motions and singing this song to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

            If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, then Jesus wants your life to show it!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, smile big!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, smile big!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, then Jesus wants your life to show it!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, smile big!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, jump around!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, jump around!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, then Jesus wants your life to show it!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, jump around!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, give a hug!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, give a hug!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, then Jesus wants your life to show it!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, give a hug!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, shout “thank you!”

            If you’re thankful and you know it, shout “thank you!”

            If you’re thankful and you know it, then Jesus wants your life to show it!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, shout “thank you!”

            Let the children think of other things to do as time allows.

            Say: We sing like this because Jesus deserves our thanks. He loves us and cares for us, and he’s always with us! Thank you, Jesus!

Tip 

Discuss and Watch “The Ten Men With Leprosy”

            Say: Our Bible story today shows that Jesus deserves our thanks. When Jesus helps us, we can thank him the way the one man who came back did! Let’s see firsthand what it was like when that happened!

            Watch “The Ten Men With Leprosy.”

            Say: Before the men were healed of leprosy, they had different things they missed. One missed pizza a lot! (Okay, maybe that part wasn’t in the Bible…)

            Ask: • What would you miss the most if you had to live far away from everyone else?

            • Tell about something you’re thankful for. Share your own example first.

            • What are some things the men with leprosy could’ve been thankful for—even before they were healed?

            Say: The men with leprosy had lost a lot of things. But there are always things we can thank Jesus for. Once the men were healed, they could get their old lives back! That’s definitely something to be thankful for. Jesus deserves our thanks in good times and bad.

Tip

• Before printing, turn on page numbering in Word to keep the pages in order (or simply hand-number each page after printing). You may also find it helpful to highlight your part and set the script on a music stand nearby during the skit.

Leader: It’s time for our puppy friend, Theo, to come for a visit. Let’s call him to our class with a “woof, woof.” Ready? (Leads kids to bark until Theo is brought into view.)

Theo: Hi, friends! (Pants.) My back is so itchy today. Would you scratch my back? (Circulates among kids so each child can pet him.)

Leader: Thanks for giving Theo a warm welcome, kids!

Theo: You deserve a great big hug of thanks for those amazing back scratches! (Gives each child a hug.)

Leader: Do you know who else deserves thanks, Theo?

Theo: Who?

Leader: Jesus deserves our thanks.

Theo: Yeah, he does! Can we make a thank you banner for him?

Leader: That sounds like a great idea. What supplies do you think you’ll all need?

Theo: We’ll need a huge piece of paper. (Stretches his arms out as wide as he can.) What do you kids think? (Leads kids to ask for markers and other craft supplies you have on hand.)

Leader: (Brings out the supplies.) Would you like me to write something on the banner before you decorate it?

Theo: (Looks to kids.) What do you think we should write to let Jesus know we’re thankful? (Leads kids to a short sentence, such as “Jesus, you deserve our thanks” or “Thank you, Jesus.”)

Leader: (Writes the sentence across the banner, while asking Theo and kids what craft supplies they most like to decorate with. Then lets kids decorate.)

Theo: (Leads kids in adding lots of decorations to the banner to make it beautiful.) I think this is a great way to thank Jesus.

Leader: He does deserve our thanks!

Theo: (After the banner is finished, leads kids to take a step back and admire the work they did for Jesus.)

Leader: Great idea, Theo!

Theo: Thank you! (Jumps as if startled.) I hear my mom calling, I’m going to go!

Leader: Okay, Theo! Let’s give Theo a “woof, woof, goodbye”! (Leads kids in a “woof, woof, goodbye,” and then places Theo out of sight.)

Keep the Colors Separate

            Gather children together.

            Say: Today we’re learning about how Jesus met 10 men who were sick. Their skin was covered with many sores. Since other people didn’t want to get sores on their skin like the men had, the 10 men had to stay away from everyone else. Let’s do something to help us think about that.

            Set out one bottle filled with blue water and one bottle filled with yellow water. Explain to kids that even though the liquids are different colors, both bottles are filled with water. Place a playing card over the mouth of the bottle filled with yellow water. Hold the card in place and turn the bottle upside down and rest it on top of the bottle with the blue water. The bottles should be positioned so that they’re mouth to mouth with the card separating the liquids. Keep paper towels close by in case of spills. Carefully slip the card out from in between the two bottles while holding on to the top bottle as you remove the card.

            Point out to kids that the two colors don’t mix even without the card in place. Allow time for them to look at the two bottles.

            Ask: • Tell about a time you didn’t get to be with someone you love.

            Say: The colors stayed separate from each other, kind of like how the 10 men with sores on their skin had to stay separate from other people. The Bible says that when the 10 men talked to Jesus, they even stood far away from him. Show the children what you mean by standing across the room from them. The 10 men stayed away from Jesus and the others who weren’t sick just like our two colors of water are doing.

Mix Up the Colors

            Say: But when Jesus made the men better, he made it so they didn’t have to stay apart from their friends and families anymore. He made it so those 10 men could live with and be with other people again.

            Take the other bottles of blue and yellow water. This time, place the index card on top of the bottle with blue water before flipping it upside down to rest on the bottle with yellow water. Again, carefully remove the index card and allow time for kids to watch as the two colors of water mix.

            Point to the bottles with the colors that aren’t mixing. Say: This reminds us of how the 10 men had to stay away from people because they were sick. Point to the bottles with the colors that are mixing. Say: This reminds us of how Jesus made the men better so they could be with all the other people. They didn’t have to stay separate anymore. And that made one man so happy that he ran back to Jesus and thanked him! Jesus deserves our thanks!

Talk About It

            Ask: • Remember the person you love who you thought of earlier? Tell what you did when you finally got to be with that person.

            Say: Jesus didn’t just make the 10 men feel better when they were sick. He made it so they could be with the people they loved. That’s why the one man came back to Jesus to thank him. And Jesus deserved his thanks. Jesus helped him in a big way! Jesus deserves our thanks, too. Jesus loves us and takes care of us every day!

            Pour the colored water into a nearby basin for cleanup.

Say Thank You in Different Languages

            Say: Today we’ve been learning that Jesus deserves our thanks because he does so many good things for us! We’ve practiced some ways to thank Jesus, like smiling, clapping, hugging, and singing a song.

            Let’s practice some more ways to tell Jesus thank you! We use the word thanks, but in other places, people use different words and speak in different languages. The language we speak is called English.

            Another language people speak is called Spanish. People who talk in Spanish use different words from people who talk in English. If we want to say thank you in Spanish, we would use the word gracias (pronounced GRAH-syahs). Have kids say gracias with you a few times.

            If we were in a place called Hawaii, we would use the word mahalo (pronounced ma-HA-lo) to say thank you. Have kids say mahalo with you a few times.

            And if we were in another place called France, we would use the word merci (pronounced mare-SEE) to say thank you. Have kids say merci with you a few times.

            We can also use our hands to say thank you. Some people who can’t hear words use their hands to talk instead. To say thank you with our hands, we would do this. Touch the fingers of your dominant hand to your mouth; then keeping your hand flat, move your hand forward and down. Have kids repeat the motion with you a few times while also saying “thank you” to help them connect the motion to the meaning of the sign.   

            Say: There are lots of different words that people can use to tell Jesus thanks!

Draw a Picture

            Say: Jesus deserves our thanks, and another way we can thank him is by drawing him a picture. Let’s do that now! You can draw him a picture of people you’re thankful for, like your family, or you can draw a picture of your favorite place to go, like the pool or park. Or you can even draw a picture of your favorite foods that you’re thankful to Jesus for! Draw a picture for Jesus of anything you’re thankful for!

            Give each child a sheet of construction paper and distribute crayons. Allow a few minutes for preschoolers to color. As kids are coloring, ask them to talk about what they’re drawing that they are thankful to Jesus for.

            Say: Great job on your pictures, friends! We thanked Jesus by coloring him a picture and saying “thank you” in different languages. Jesus deserves our thanks, and there are so many different ways to thank Jesus for everything he does for us!

Tip

• If you used the Music Video block, consider repeating the songs from today’s lesson during the game. You can find the album here.

Recommended for 6 or more kids.

Gather for a Group Hug

            Ask: • What’s something you like to do with your friends or family?

            • How do you feel when you can’t be with your friends or family?

            Say: Today we heard how 10 sick men yelled to Jesus. They asked Jesus to help them. They couldn’t get close to their friends and family who weren’t sick, so they had to yell to Jesus. Let’s play a game to help us think about that. When I say “go,” run to one of the corners in our room. Point to each of the corners. I’ll close my eyes. Then if I point to the corner you’re standing in, follow my directions to come to me.

            Say “go,” and remind the children to choose a corner in the room to run to while you close your eyes. After a few seconds, open your eyes and make sure every child is in a corner. Then say: If I point to the corner you’re standing in, pretend you’re like the sick men in our Bible story—so you can’t touch each other. Point to a corner of the room, and encourage the children to come to you while they pretend they’re sick. When they reach the center, tell them they’re all better and gather them for a hug. Encourage kids to say “thank you” before heading back to their spot. Then choose another corner and another action. As the other children wait, encourage them to shout “Help me!” like the 10 men shouted to Jesus. If you’d like, play music while kids play. Here are some actions you can have kids do as they come to you:

            • crawl

            • wiggle

            • hop

            • run

            • walk backward

            After a few minutes, choose kids in multiple corners to come to you. End the game by calling for the kids in all the corners to come to you. Once everyone has joined the group hug, say: I can only imagine what it must have been like to be separated from everyone else like the 10 men were just because they were sick. Jesus helped the men in a big way! But even though all 10 men were healed, only one man remembered to come back to thank Jesus.

            Jesus deserves our thanks! He’s done so much for us!

Tip

• If you used the Music Video block, consider repeating the songs from today’s lesson during the game. You can find the album here.

Complete Challenging Tasks

            Gather kids together. Have children stand facing you.

            Say: Today we’re learning about how Jesus helped 10 men who were sick with sores all over their skin. They weren’t sick for only a day or a week; they were sick every day. It must’ve been hard to be sick and never get better! Let’s play a game to help us think about how hard it must’ve been for them.

            Call out the following challenging tasks one at a time. Encourage kids to keep going and push through even when the task gets hard for them.

• Stand on one leg for 30 seconds.
• Crabwalk from one side of the room to the other.
• Hop in place for 20 seconds.
• Sing “Jesus Loves Me” while holding your tongue.
• Hold your arms straight out from your sides for 60 seconds.

            If you’d like, play music as kids play the game.

Talk About It

            Say: Wow, those were some hard things I asked you to do. I’m so glad I don’t have to hold my tongue all the time when I talk! And I’m glad I don’t have to try to hop on one leg everywhere I go. The 10 men had to be sick all the time. They didn’t get to stop being sick even though it was hard. That’s why they were so happy when Jesus made them well!  Jesus helped them in a big way, and he deserved their thanks! Jesus helps us in big ways, too, and he deserves our thanks!

Sing

            Say: Jesus is the best! He deserves our thanks. Let’s sing one more time to Jesus about how thankful we are.

            Lead the children in doing the motions and singing this song to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

            If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, then Jesus wants your life to show it!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, clap your hands!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, smile big!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, smile big!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, then Jesus wants your life to show it! 

            If you’re thankful and you know it, smile big!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, jump around!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, jump around!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, then Jesus wants your life to show it!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, jump around!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, give a hug!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, give a hug!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, then Jesus wants your life to show it!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, give a hug!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, shout “thank you!”

            If you’re thankful and you know it, shout “thank you!”

            If you’re thankful and you know it, then Jesus wants your life to show it!

            If you’re thankful and you know it, shout “thank you!”

Pray

            Say: We can say thank you to Jesus, or we can sing it or clap it. There are so many ways to thank Jesus for how great he is! Lead the children in a short closing prayer, and then let them know that you hope to see them back in the future.

           Distribute a copy of the “Dig In @ Home” handout to kids as they leave, or email it to parents during the week.