Primary
Lesson 21: Jesus Christ Heals Ten Lepers

“Lesson 21: Jesus Christ Heals Ten Lepers,” Primary 7: New Testament (1997), 69–71

“Lesson 21,” Primary 7: New Testament, 69–71

Lesson 21

Jesus Christ Heals Ten Lepers

Purpose

To encourage each child to thank Heavenly Father for the many blessings he or she receives.

Preparation

  1. Prayerfully study Luke 17:12–19 and Doctrine and Covenants 59:7. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account. (See “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)

  2. Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.

  3. Write a short thank-you note to each child, to be used during the lesson, expressing your gratitude for something the child has done or for some characteristic he or she exhibits.

  4. Write on a card for each child the words Remember to Thank Heavenly Father.

  5. Materials needed:

    1. A Bible or a New Testament for each child.

    2. One or more copies of the Doctrine and Covenants.

    3. Picture 7-23, The Ten Lepers (Gospel Art Picture Kit 221; 62150).

Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Give the thank-you notes you have written to each child. After they have read the notes, discuss with them how we feel when people express gratitude to us. You may want to share an experience when someone made a special effort to thank you and describe how it made you feel. Invite the children to share any experiences they have had.

Scripture Account

Displaying the picture The Ten Lepers, teach the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers as found in Luke 17:12–19. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.) Remind the children that leprosy is a terrible skin disease. People at that time thought it was highly contagious. In Jesus’ time lepers were not allowed in the cities and could not get near other people.

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading the references with the children in class will help them gain insights into the scriptures.

  • What did the lepers do when they saw Jesus? (Luke 17:13.) Do you think they knew who Jesus was and believed in him?

  • What did Jesus ask the lepers to do to be healed? (Luke 17:14.)

  • How many lepers returned to thank Jesus? (Luke 17:15–16.) What did Jesus say about the lepers? (Luke 17:17–19.)

  • Why do you think nine of the lepers did not return to thank Jesus?

  • How would you feel if you helped ten people and only one returned to thank you?

  • What things should we thank Heavenly Father for? Read or have a child read Doctrine and Covenants 59:7. Why is it important to thank Heavenly Father for specific blessings we receive?

  • How can we express our gratitude to Heavenly Father?

Give each child one of the cards you have prepared. Invite the children to tell some of the things they can thank Heavenly Father for. You may want to summarize their responses on the chalkboard.

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

  1. Help the children memorize Doctrine and Covenants 59:7. Have them write this scripture on the back of their “Remember to Thank Heavenly Father” cards, and encourage them to put this card where they can see it every day.

  2. Write Gratitude on the chalkboard. Have the children name things they are thankful for that start with each letter of this word. Help them realize that we depend on the Lord for everything we have and are.

  3. Draw a diagram similar to the following on the chalkboard:

    Gratitude

    Tell

    • Parents

    • Friends

    • Food

    • Clothing

    Show

    • Obey Commandments

    • Serve Others

    • Pray

    Have the children name specific things they can tell Heavenly Father “thank you” for. List them under Tell. Then have them decide ways they can show him their gratitude for these blessings. List these under Show. Stress the importance of both telling and showing gratitude.

  4. Show pictures of beautiful scenery and wildlife. Review the Creation and help the children understand how grateful we should be to Heavenly Father and Jesus for the earth and for everything they created for us.

  5. Give the children each a piece of paper and a pencil and have them write a thank-you note to someone, such as a parent, a friend, a neighbor, a teacher, the bishop, and so on. Encourage the children to deliver the notes, or offer to help deliver them if needed.

  6. Read Mosiah 2:19–24 and discuss what King Benjamin said. Help the children understand that we can never repay Heavenly Father for all he does for us; he deserves all the gratitude we could ever give him.

Conclusion

Testimony

Express the gratitude you feel toward Heavenly Father and Jesus. Also express your gratitude to the children for the privilege of being their teacher and helping them learn the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Suggested Home Reading

Suggest that the children study Luke 17:12–19 at home as a review of this lesson.

Invite a child to give the closing prayer.