Children's Liturgy Guide

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

The One Who Said Thank You

Reading: Luke 17:11-19

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

Jesus healed ten men who were very sick, but only one came back to say thank you. That one man knelt down at Jesus' feet and praised God because he was so grateful for what Jesus did.

Key Points

  • Jesus healed all ten lepers, showing his love and power to everyone
  • Only one of the ten returned to thank Jesus and praise God
  • The one who returned was a Samaritan, someone others might not expect to come back
  • Jesus noticed that nine did not return and asked where they were
  • Saying thank you to Jesus shows we recognize that good things come from God

Background

This Gospel contrasts the response of the grateful Samaritan with the nine who received healing but did not return. The Samaritan's gratitude went beyond social courtesy: he glorified God and prostrated himself at Jesus' feet, recognizing Jesus as the source of divine mercy. Theologically, the story illustrates that salvation is offered to all, including those considered outsiders, and that authentic faith includes grateful acknowledgment of God's gifts. The Samaritan's faith, expressed through thanksgiving, is what Jesus commends. For children, emphasize the simple but powerful act of coming back to say thank you to Jesus, and how that shows we know our blessings come from God. Set aside the complex social dynamics between Jews and Samaritans.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and taking care of us every day. Help us remember to always come back to you and say thank you for all the good things you give us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Can you tell me about a time when someone did something really nice for you and you said thank you?

Example: My grandma made me my favorite cookies for my birthday and I gave her a big hug and said thank you so much because it made me feel really special and loved.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so good when someone does something kind for us, and saying thank you lets them know we noticed and we care. In today's reading, we will hear about ten men who were very sick, and Jesus did something amazing for them. Let's listen to find out how many came back to say thank you.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. How many sick men did Jesus heal in this story?

    Example: Jesus healed ten men who were sick. They all asked him to help them and he made them all better.

  2. What did the men have to do, and what happened when they went?

    Example: Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests, and while they were walking there they were healed and their sickness went away.

  3. How many of the healed men came back to Jesus, and what did he do?

    Example: Only one man came back to Jesus. He said thank you in a loud voice and he got down on his knees right at Jesus' feet.

  4. Why do you think Jesus asked where the other nine men were?

    Example: I think Jesus was a little sad because he helped all ten of them but only one remembered to come back and say thank you to him.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How do you think the one man felt when he ran back to thank Jesus?

    Example: I think he felt so happy and excited inside that he just had to go back and tell Jesus how thankful he was for making him better.

  2. What are some ways you can say thank you to God for the good things in your life?

    Example: I can say a prayer before bed and tell God thank you for my family and my home and for all the fun things I got to do today.

  3. This week, who is someone you could remember to thank for something they do for you?

    Example: I could thank my mom for making my lunch every day because she works really hard and I do not always remember to say thank you.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus healed ten sick men, but only one came back to say thank you. That one man knelt at Jesus' feet and praised God. Jesus wants us to remember to thank him too, because everything good comes from God.

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For all the people who help us every day, that we may remember to thank them and thank God for them, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

Right before we receive Communion, we pray words of thanks and praise. After Communion, we have a quiet moment to say thank you to Jesus for coming to us, just like the one man came back to thank Jesus for healing him.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for all the gifts you give us. Help us to be like the man who came back, always remembering to praise you and say thank you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

The One Who Said Thank You

Luke 17:11-19

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

H D D P R A I S E Y K N B E A
F N M Z M I F D U G C L X M L
V P P C B X G L B T E N P A C
W X C V F K G Q H S M G O D B
H M G R C M F Z S T H A N K U
P Q R E W S E E D R J E O M I
J F A T X H D B J V W X O P X
F A T U O H M Q D R L N L N Z
I I E R T D Q A H U Z J E H N
J T F N W E H P N V L U P N U
A H U E Y L M Q S W G W E V H
U K L D E A D D U Y Q V R E X
U Y D Y O E P T S B O B S A E
L E E N K H D R E H X E G C D
F M D Q P Z P K J G Z C L J Q

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • thank
  • healed
  • grateful
  • praise
  • lepers
  • returned
  • faith
  • blessed
  • God
  • kneel
  • ten

ChildrensLiturgy.org