The Ten Lepers: Bible Story for Kids

The One Who Turned Around

Gratitude
Worship
Healing

Bible reference:: Luke 17:11-19
Ages:: 3-10
Reading time:: 6 minutes
Pages:: 32

The Ten Lepers, told by the one who turned back. Ten men stood at the required distance, shouting for mercy; ten walked away healed on the road. Nine kept running towards their old lives. One stopped in the middle of the road, turned around, and went back to find the One who had healed him.

Good for: Sick Day

Read the full illustrated story in the app

The story arc

Four moments that carry the story. Tap any Bible reference to read the passage.

1
The Distance
Ten men with a terrible skin disease are forced to stay far away from everyone. They shout to Jesus for pity.
Luke 17:12-13Read the Bible passage
¹²As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance. ¹³They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
Luke 17:12-13 (World English Bible, British Edition)
2
The Walk
Jesus simply tells them to go show the priests. As they obey and walk away, their skin is miraculously completely healed!
Luke 17:14Read the Bible passage
¹⁴When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed.
Luke 17:14 (World English Bible, British Edition)
3
The Split
Nine men are so excited about the gift that they run home. But one man stops. He realizes he needs to thank the Giver.
Luke 17:15Read the Bible passage
¹⁵One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.
Luke 17:15 (World English Bible, British Edition)
4
The Return
He runs back, praising God with a loud voice, and falls at Jesus's feet. Jesus tells him his faith has made him well.
Luke 17:16Read the Bible passage
¹⁶He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:16 (World English Bible, British Edition)

Core truths

WORSHIP

Gratitude is more than just polite manners; it is a profound act of worship that brings us intimately closer to God's heart.

THE GRATITUDE BADGE

Awarded for remembering to turn back and love the Giver more than the gift.

RELATIONSHIP

Jesus heals our bodies and solves our problems, but His ultimate goal is always a restoring, loving relationship with us.

Why it matters

Elevates the concept of "saying thank you" from a shallow behavioral rule to a deep, theological act of worship.
Teaches children that it is easy to get so distracted by God's blessings that we accidentally forget God Himself.
Shows that Jesus welcomes the 'outsider' (the Samaritan), proving God's grace is for absolutely everyone.

Let's talk and pray

Talk

The nine men were so excited to be healed that they ran all the way home. Why did the one man stop and go back?

Pray

Dear Jesus, You give me so many good things. Please forgive me when I act like the nine who kept walking. Help me to be like the one who turned around. Amen.