The Story
Read aloud Luke 17:11-19.
Ideas for Discussion
- People who had leprosy were supposed to stay away from other people, so they weren’t allowed to come into towns. (See Leviticus 13:45, 46.) The lepers saw the Lord when He entered a village, but they were standing “afar off.”
- What did the lepers do to get the Lord’s attention? (They called to Him, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”)
- What did the Lord do? (He told them to go show themselves to the priests, and they were healed as they went on their way.)
- It was the law that lepers who were healed must go to the priests to be examined (see Leviticus 14). Nine lepers did as the Lord told them.
- What did one of the lepers do that was different? (When he saw that he was healed, he came back to the Lord and fell down on his face before Him. With a loud voice, the leper thanked the Lord and “glorified” Him.)
- What did the Lord say to the leper who thanked Him? (“Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”)
- Imagine that you had a serious illness, and then the Lord healed you. What do you think you would do? How could you thank the Lord?
- Like the one leper who thanked the Lord, we can give glory to Him. This means acknowledging the Lord and worshiping Him by living according to His commandments (see Apocalypse Explained 678:3; 874).
Read more about the story
- The Healing of the Ten Lepers by Arne Bau-Madsen (ages 4-6)
When we take the time to think about what the Lord does for us and then thank Him for these things, we are like the leper who took the time to thank the Lord. - The Key to Feeling Grateful by Eric H. Carswell (ages 15 and up)
Feeling grateful does not arise from a conscious decision. Most likely the last time you felt grateful it was because you felt cared for. We all have times when we do not feel grateful to the Lord, and we need to recognize when this is our state of mind. - The One Who Gave Thanks by Grant H. Odhner (ages 18 and up)
We can't be aware of all that the Lord does for us. But He wants us to periodically recognize the extent of our need for Him, so that we welcome His help and healing. - The Ten Lepers by Hugo Lj. Odhner (ages 7-14)
When we turn to the Lord in His Word, He can help cure our minds and cleanse our hearts.
Projects and activities for all ages
- Stopping to Thank the Lord Play (ages 8-12)
Dramatize the miracle of the Lord healing ten lepers. - Having Leprosy and Being Healed (ages 4-8)
Use this project to retell the story of the Lord healing the leper, by pulling a strip of paper behind the cut out of a hand so it is leprous and then healed. - The Lord Heals Ten Lepers (ages 8-14)
Color the scene and the figures, then assemble to make a diorama of this miracle. - One Healed Leper Is Grateful to the Lord Coloring Page by Jacqueline S. Bostock
- Picturing the Leper Who Thanked the Lord (ages 4-8)
Picture the leper smiling as he looks at his hands and sees that the leprosy is gone. The Lord has made him well! You may also want to show the leper coming before the Lord to thank him. - One Leper Thanks the Lord Coloring Page by Marguerite L. Acton
- Call upon Me Journal Prompt (for teens and adults)
When we are troubled by spiritual illness, the Lord assures us that He will help us if we call on Him. One way to approach the Lord and seek His help is to read the Word, looking for truths that can help us in our time of need.
Conclusion
During His life on earth, the Lord healed many who came to Him or called out to Him. The Lord can heal our spiritual illnesses when we acknowledge His power to heal us and our need for His help. Remembering to thank Him for what He has done, helps open us up to further healing as we continue on our spiritual journey.
Sign up to receive notification when new highlights like this are published. Subscribe.