Luke 17
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Ten men stood far away. Very far away. They were sick. So sick, no one came near them. They saw Jesus walking by. They called out loud, "Jesus! Have mercy on us!"
Jesus heard them. He always hears. He said, "Go. Show yourselves to the priest." So they went. And while they walked, look! Their sickness was gone. All gone! Their skin was clean. Clean and smooth.
Nine men ran off, so happy. But one man stopped. He turned around. He ran back to Jesus, shouting, "Thank you! Thank you God!" He fell down at Jesus' feet.
What Does This Mean?
Jesus looked around. He asked, "Where are the others?" Only one came back to say thank you. Just one, out of ten.
Jesus was not angry. But He was asking. Did the others forget? The one man remembered. He remembered who healed him. He came back to say thank you, with his whole heart.
The Common Thread
Jesus makes sick people well. Only Jesus can do that. He also said something else, that day. He was going to Jerusalem. There, hard things would happen to Him. He would be pushed away. He would suffer. But Jesus kept walking there anyway. He walked toward it, for us.
Jesus also said, "Ask, and your faith can grow, even faith as small as a tiny seed." A tiny seed, so small you could lose it in your hand. But it can do big things, when God is in it.
For You
Think of something good that happened to you today. Maybe the sun was warm on your face. Maybe someone gave you bread, and it smelled so good. Did you say thank you?
The one man turned around. He did not run off like the others. You can turn around too. You can say, "Thank You, God," right now.
Talk About It
Why do you think only one man went back to say thank you to Jesus?
What is something good that happened to you today, that you can thank God for?
Praying Together
Dear God, Thank You for today. Thank You for the sun, and my food, and my family. Thank You most for Jesus. Help me remember to say thank you. Amen.
Questions about Luke 17
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Luke 17 about?
What does Luke 17 say?
What does Luke 17 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Luke 17?
Why is Luke 17 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance." They knew the rule. Unclean people kept back. But distance never silenced them. They raised their voices from where they were.
If shame keeps you standing far off today, notice that Jesus heard them exactly there. Call out from the distance. He listens.
The Pharisees wanted a date, a sign, something to put on the calendar. Jesus told them, "God's Kingdom doesn't come with observation." It was standing right in front of them, asking the question back. I wonder how much I scan the horizon for God while missing the quiet way He has already come near today.
They will tell you, 'Look, here!' or 'Look, there!' Don't go away or follow after them." Notice what Jesus asks: stay. Don't chase the next voice promising a shortcut to God. When he comes, you won't need a guide pointing at the sky. So what has you running lately, hunting for something you already have?
Jesus answered, 'Weren't the ten cleansed? But where are the nine?'" He counted. He was still waiting while nine walked off with clean skin and a whole future. Their healing worked. They just never came back to the One who gave it. Is there an answered prayer you never returned to thank him for?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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