The Gospel Project Unit 22:1 Jesus Healed Ten Men
Today’s Bible Lesson is from Luke 17.
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem when He stopped in a village. He was approached by ten men who had leprosy. The men didn’t get too close because according to Jewish law, their disease meant they were unclean. Leviticus 13–14 details the law regarding skin diseases such as leprosy. A person had to go to a priest for a diagnosis, isolated himself from others, and then—after healing occurred—returned to the priest to be examined, cleansed, and restored to the community.
The men cried out to Jesus for mercy, and He commanded them to go and show themselves to the priests. As they went, Jesus miraculously healed them. This healing gave the men a new beginning. They would be able to return to their friends and family members. One of the men—a Samaritan among Jews—seeing that he was healed, returned to Jesus.
Luke tells us how this man responded: “He … gave glory to God. He fell facedown at [Jesus’] feet, thanking him” (Luke 17:15-16). This humility and gratitude were evidences of faith. The man’s response shows an understanding of God’s mercy and goodness. Jesus declared, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you” (v. 19). This man was healed not just physically but spiritually.
The Bible says all of us have sinned. Our sin makes us unclean, but we can cry out to God like the men with leprosy: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” God hears our prayers and answers. (See Ps. 51:17.) The gospel welcomes everyone who turns from sin and trusts in Jesus.
As you teach kids, emphasize that when we trust in Jesus by faith, He heals us from something greater than a disease; He saves us from our sins. We can give Him thanks and worship Him for making us new.
Big Picture Question:
Why did God create people? God created people to worship Him, love Him, and show His glory.
Key Passage:
Isaiah 53:4-5- Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Worship ideas that connect with today’s lesson:
- Oh What Love- Be Exalted by Watoto Children’s Choir
- The Blessing (KIDS) featuring kids from different nations
- One (Ephesians 4:4-6) by Seeds Family Worship
Questions to discuss with your kids after watching the lesson:
How many men did Jesus heal of leprosy? (ten, Luke 17:17)
How many returned to praise Jesus and thank Him? (one, Luke 17:15-16)
Why did Jesus say the one Samaritan was saved? (because of his faith, Luke 17:19)
Do you feel more like the man who thanked Jesus, or the nine who did not? Encourage kids to share their thoughts and try to answer honestly. Be prepared to share your own experience of times you honored God for His goodness and times you struggled to. Help kids to see that our sinful hearts often take God’s goodness for granted. We expect only good and forget that God can use hard times for His glory.
How do you show God you are thankful to Him? Guide kids to discuss the different ways we can give thanks to, glorify, and honor God. Help them see that we can worship God in our words and with our actions. Remind them that obedience to God, parents, and teachers is a great way to show God you trust and love Him. We can also show His love to others.
When might it be difficult to show God you love Him and are thankful? Help kids see that when we are in the midst of difficult times, such as when we are sick or in pain, we might find it difficult to see God’s work around us. Encourage kids that everything God does is for His glory and our good, even in the middle of difficult or sad circumstances.
TAKE AWAY • Jesus healed ten men, and one was saved. The man who was saved had faith in Jesus and glorified God for what He had done. We can glorify God too.