Luke 17 teaches children that Jesus loves to hear thank you, and that God gives us the faith we need when we ask for it. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a memory verse, a Bible story, and a short activity.
Big Idea
Jesus cares about us, and when we say thank you to God, we are showing that we trust and love Him. Our little faith can grow bigger as we keep trusting Jesus.
Memory Verse
Luke 17:17
Jesus answered, “Weren’t the ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
(WEB)
Put your hands on your heart, then open them wide like you are giving a present to Jesus. Say the verse together while you do the motion, and repeat it three times as a group.
The Story: Luke 17 for Kids
Jesus was walking toward a town called Jerusalem. As He came near a village along the border between Samaria and Galilee, He met ten men who had a sickness called leprosy. In those days, people with leprosy had to live apart from others, and they could not go close to their families or friends. These ten men stood far away and called out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
Jesus looked at them with love. He told them to go and show themselves to the priests, which was the way people showed they were healed. As the men walked away, they noticed their skin was clean and well again. What a happy surprise that must have been!
One of the men stopped right away. He turned around and came back to Jesus, shouting praise to God as loudly as he could. He fell down at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him. This man was a Samaritan, and most people did not expect someone like him to be so thankful.
Jesus asked a question that made everyone think. “Weren’t ten men healed? Where are the other nine?” Then He said to the thankful man, “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has made you well.” Jesus was pleased that this man came back to say thank you.
Later, the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Lord, please help us have more faith.” Jesus told them that even a small amount of faith, as tiny as a mustard seed, can do great things when it is trusted in God. He wanted His friends to know that faith grows as we depend on Him.
Read It Together
Luke 17:11-14
11 As he was on his way to Jerusalem, he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance. 13 They 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.” As they went, they were cleansed.
(WEB)
Point out that the ten men called out to Jesus from far away, and that Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests. Ask the children what they think the men felt as they walked away with their skin healed.
Luke 17:15-16
15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. 16 He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.
(WEB)
Show how the one man turned back and praised God with a loud voice. Explain that he fell at Jesus’ feet to say thank you, and that children can thank Jesus too, in their own words and their own ways.
Luke 17:5-6
5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” 6 The Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, ‘Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
(WEB)
Point out that the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith. Explain that Jesus said even a small faith can do amazing things, so children do not need to feel they have to be grown-ups to trust God.
Talk About It
- Why do you think the one man came back to Jesus to say thank you?
- How do you think the nine other men might have felt when they got healed?
- What is something good God has given you that you could thank Him for today?
- How can you show Jesus that you trust Him, even when you feel like your faith is small?
- What did Jesus teach His friends about growing their faith, and how can you grow your faith this week?
Activity Ideas
Thank You Handprint Craft
You will need construction paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child trace their hand on paper, cut it out, and write one thing they are thankful for on each finger. Glue the handprint onto a sheet of paper and let the children share one thing from their list with the group.
Mustard Seed Growing Game
Gather a few small objects such as dried beans or pebbles to act as seeds, and a blanket or large towel as a “field.” Have the children crouch small like seeds, then slowly stand up tall like plants as you read the lesson’s teaching about faith growing. Repeat the movement a few times, saying “Faith grows when we trust Jesus” each time they rise.
Thankful Jar Take-Home
You will need a clean jar or cup, slips of paper, and a pencil. Give each child a few paper slips and a jar to take home. Encourage them to write one thing they are thankful for each day during the week and place it in the jar, then read the notes together at dinner to remember how good God is.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter reminds us that God gives mercy to all people, including those who were outsiders in the culture of Jesus’ day, such as the Samaritan who returned to thank Him. Jesus values gratitude and sees faith not as something we earn, but as trust placed in Him, which He can strengthen and expand over time.
Avoid overstating to children that they will always get what they ask for if they have enough faith. The chapter teaches trust and thankfulness, not a formula for guaranteed results, so focus on Jesus’ love and faithfulness rather than on the amount of faith a child feels they have.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving us and for making us well. Help us remember to say thank you for all You give us. Help our faith grow as we trust You every day. Amen.
