Dear Parents,
This week we are learning about the 10 men with leprosy and the one who gave thanks (Luke 17:11–19). Leprosy was a serious disease during Jesus’ time. It causes a loss of sensation in the limbs. Leprosy was thought to be highly contagious, so lepers had to live outside the community. Often lepers had no means of making a living and became beggars. Leprosy was a terrible fate!
Ten men with leprosy knew that Jesus was nearby and that He could heal them. When they saw Him, they called out, “Jesus, save us!†Jesus took pity on the men and told them to go and show themselves to the priest. The men knew that Jesus was actually saying that they would be healed because only a priest could pronounce that a person was free from the disease. The 10 men immediately left for the temple to show themselves to the priest.
On the way to the temple, all 10 of the lepers were healed. One of the men, upon discovering that he was completely well, turned back to thank Jesus. Jesus commended the man for his faith, but asked where the other nine men had gone. Only one man ever returned to thank Jesus.
Similar to the nine who did not return to thank Jesus, children today can take blessings for granted and fail to be thankful. They can develop the mindset that they are entitled to receive things and should not need to express thanks. As parents, you can influence your child’s attitude toward one of gratitude and appreciation.
By saying thank you to those who serve you, such as waitresses and clerks, you are modeling behavior that your child will copy. Thank your child when you see him or her helping or demonstrating a good attitude.
Thank you for helping your child to learn the Bible truth!
Things to talk about at home:
- Tell some things that you, as a parent, are thankful for. Share these things with your child.
- Why is it important to say thank you?
- How does knowing that everything comes from God make a difference in your life?
© Bible Preschool