Trek FlagThanksgiving Series • Interactive Workshop

The Thankful Leper

Understanding the Importance of Gratitude
Welcome to the Thanksgiving Workshop! Explore the miraculous healing of the ten lepers in Luke 17. Discover why thanking God for His daily blessings and eternal salvation transforms our hearts—complete with multilingual starter games, storytelling decks, craftivities, and bilingual English & Hindi guides.
🌱 Beginners Trail: Ages 4–6
🎯 Primary Trail: Ages 7–15
BiblePassage: Luke 17:11–19 • 1 Thess 5:18
DurationSession: ~60 Mins
The Thankful Leper Cover
Goal Target

Trek Mission: What Trekkers Will Discover

Along this trail expedition, young trekkers will discover that:

Trail Discovery 1
God’s Faithful Provision
God lovingly provides us with everything we need each and every day—from yummy food and cozy clothes to families and safe homes.
Trail Discovery 2
Healed of Sin by Jesus
God has healed us of something far worse than leprosy—sin! Jesus gave His life on the cross so our hearts can be made completely clean and new.
Trail Discovery 3
Thanks in All Circumstances
We should remember to thank God at all times and in all situations, recognizing that giving thanks is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus (1 Thess 5:18).
Trail Discovery 4
Thanking Those Who Help Us
We should express gratitude to the people who help us. Saying thank you not only makes others happy, but it also pleases our Heavenly Father!
👇Select Your Age Group Track or Printable Resource Hub Below👇

🌱 Beginners Trail (Ages 4–6)

Complete Interactive Teacher’s Guide, Games, Memory Verse & Ice-Cream Stick Craftivity

⏱ ~60 Mins Session

1

Worship Time: Praising Jesus with Joy!

High-Energy Praise, Hand Actions, & Clapping Along

Begin with worship, lively actions, and singing aloud to Jesus. Help children follow simple actions, pick up the beat, clap their hands, or jump for joy as we prepare our hearts for God’s Word!

🎵 Teacher Tip: Sing upbeat praise songs focused on God’s goodness and thankfulness (e.g., "Thank You Lord for Making Me Me" or "Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart").
2

Starter Activity: Language Wizards!

Decoding the Universal Secret Message Around the World

Materials Needed:

  • A slide showing the word “Thank You” in different languages (refer to the presentation deck preview on the right).

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Slide Magic: Present the multilingual slide. Tell the kids that all these strange-looking words mean the exact same thing!
  2. Take Turns: Ask children to take turns being a “Language Wizard” and read out the words. If they have trouble reading, help them and ask them to repeat after you. Don’t worry if it sounds like a tongue twister—the fun is in the trying!
  3. Guess the Meaning: Now, here comes the exciting part! Ask them to decode the secret message.
Let’s Dive into Our Bible Adventure:"Yes, it’s ‘Thank You’! We just saw how people say ‘Thank you’ worldwide. We have lots to be thankful for every day, but sometimes we forget to say those two simple words when someone does something kind for us. In fact, that is exactly what happened in our Bible story today!"
Language Wizards Slide

🖼️ Presentation Slide 3: Language Wizards
3

Story Time: Jesus and the 10 Lepers (Luke 17:11–19)

The Miraculous Healing & The One Grateful Heart

Once upon a time, there were ten friends, and they had a special name—lepers. Do you know who a leper is? (Pause for kids to respond.) A leper is someone who has a terrible sickness called leprosy. It makes painful sores appear on their skin, and sometimes, it can even cause fingers and toes to fall off.

In those days, people with this disease were considered unclean. They had to live far away outside the town because everyone was terrified of catching their sickness. But one day, Jesus was walking through a village when He spotted these ten lepers standing far off. From a distance, they called out to Him with all their might:

“Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

They knew Jesus had the power to do something amazing! When Jesus heard their cry, He looked at them and gave them a surprising instruction: "Go show yourselves to the priest."

Back then, priests were the only ones who could inspect someone to declare them healed and safe to rejoin their families. Jesus told them to go to the priests even before they were healed! It was like Jesus was saying: "You are going to be all better soon, so start walking!"

As the ten lepers stepped out in obedience and headed toward the priest, something miraculous happened on the road! Suddenly, they looked down at their arms, hands, and feet—all the sores were completely gone! Their skin was smooth, healthy, and brand new! They were so overjoyed they started jumping, singing, and dancing in the streets!

But wait, there is more! One of the men, overwhelmed with gratitude, stopped in his tracks and ran all the way back to Jesus. Praising God in a loud voice, he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and cried out: "Thank You, Lord!"

Jesus smiled and asked:"Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Did that no one return to give praise to God except this foreigner?" (Luke 17:17–18).
Only one out of the ten remembered to return and say, "Thank You."

Just like those friends, God does countless amazing things for us every day—delicious food, warm clothes, fun families, and cozy beds. But do we ever forget to say, "Thank You"? Are we like the nine who took the gift and ran off… or like the one who returned to fall at Jesus’ feet in heartfelt gratitude?

We have even greater reason to thank Jesus: He has healed us of something far worse than leprosy—our sin! He loved you so much that He gave His life on the cross so we can be forgiven and live with God forever!

Jesus and 10 Lepers Story Slide

🖼️ Presentation Slide 6: Luke 17 Story Visual
4

Memory Verse Trek: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

God’s Will for Our Hearts in Every Situation
📖 Trek Memory Verse
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18
🎯 Help Kids Remember & Discuss:
  • Choral Repeat: Read the verse out loud together with rhythm—clap on "Give thanks", stomp on "all circumstances", and point upward on "will of God"!
  • What does "in all circumstances" mean? Does it mean only when we get ice cream and presents, or even when we have a bad day or feel tired?
  • Name Your Blessings: What are 3 things right now you can thank God for?
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Memory Verse Slide

🖼️ Presentation Slide 8: Memory Verse
5

Game Time: “Give Thanks Hot Potato”

High-Energy Circle Game Celebrating Daily Blessings

Teacher Hook:"So, are you ready to have some fun and thank God for all the amazing things in our lives? We are going to play a game called ‘Give Thanks Hot Potato’! Here is how it works:"

  1. Gather in a Circle: Form a circle with your friends and find a comfortable spot on the floor.
  2. Start the Music: Play some upbeat praise music. While the music plays, children pass a soft object (ball, beanbag, or toy leper) around the circle.
  3. Pass the Thanks: As you pass the object, think about something you are thankful for—your family, your friends, sunny days, or even your pet!
  4. Freeze! When the music suddenly stops, whoever is holding the object must quickly call out one thing they are thankful for!
  5. Repeat the Fun: Keep playing until every child has had multiple chances to share their gratitude!
🌱 Beginners Variation (Toss & Catch): Instead of kids passing to neighbors, the teacher gently tosses the beanbag to a specific child, asks them to shout out one blessing, and they toss it back. Continue until all kids participate!
6

Craftivity: Thankful Leper Bookmark

Two-Sided Transformation Craft: Sick to Healed & Grateful!

Materials Needed:

  • Popsicle / Ice-cream wooden craft sticks (1 per child)
  • Colored sketch pens or markers
  • Brown or black yarn for hair (optional)
  • Glue sticks

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Hand each child a wooden ice-cream craft stick.
  2. Front (Before Jesus): On one side, draw a sad face with red or brown spots/dots all over to represent the sick leper before he met Jesus.
  3. Back (After Jesus): Flip the stick over! On the other side, draw a beaming happy smile, a big heart, and write: "Give Thanks! – 1 Thes. 5:18".
  4. Hair & Details: Glue small yarn pieces to the top for hair, or draw cute hair with markers!
Craftivity Preview

🖼️ Presentation Slide 10: Craftivity Visual
7

Prayer Time & Take-Home Challenge

Surrendering Our Thanks to Jesus
🙏 Guided Closing Prayer:

“Father, thank You for all the good things You do for us every day. We are grateful for our families, our friends, and the unending love You give us. Help us always remember to say ‘Thank You’ for all the wonderful blessings You provide. Just like the one leper who came back to Jesus, we want to have thankful hearts. Guide us and help us to be grateful in all things. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen!”

🏠 Take-Home Challenge: Encourage the children to create a special thank you note or card for someone who helps them this week (mom, dad, teacher, or friend) to brighten their day and reflect God’s love!

🎯 Primary Trail (Ages 7–15)

Complete Interactive Teacher’s Guide, Deep-Dive Study, A-to-Z Game & Thank You Card Craftivity

⏱ ~60 Mins Session

1

Worship Time: Honoring the Gift Giver

Heartfelt Singing & Focus on God’s Gracious Character

Begin with intentional worship, inviting older kids to reflect on God’s faithfulness. Help them focus not just on singing the words, but genuinely turning their attention to Jesus with gratitude for who He is and all He has done on the cross.

2

Starter Activity: Language Wizards!

The Global Language of Gratitude

Present the multilingual slide featuring how people express thanks across 13 different global languages—from Korean (Gahmsahabnida) and Polish (Dzięki) to Greek (Efcharistó), Swahili (Asante), and Tagalog (Salamat).

Challenge the trekkers to pronounce the tongue twisters and deduce the underlying truth: across every culture and nation on earth, expressing appreciation is foundational. Yet, in our daily lives, how easily do we take God’s blessings for granted?

Language Wizards Slide
3

Bible Story & Deep-Dive: Physical Healing vs. Spiritual Wholeness

Luke 17:11–19 • Acknowledging the Gift Giver Above the Gift

Read Luke 17:11–19 with the students. Examine the social stigma, physical suffering, and isolation of leprosy in first-century Judea. When the ten lepers called out from a distance, Jesus commanded them to go show themselves to the priests. While on the road, as they obeyed, they were miraculously healed!

💡 Teacher’s Theological Insight:

Sometimes we can become completely enamored with the gift while totally forgetting the Gift Giver! All ten lepers received physical healing on their way to the priest, but only the Samaritan who returned to throw himself at Jesus’ feet was pronounced wholly restored (Luke 17:19). If we enjoy God’s daily benefits without acknowledging God Himself, our hearts quickly drift. Recognizing God as our ultimate Provider anchors our faith!

4

Memory Verse Trek: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Understanding God’s Sovereign Will in Every Circumstance
📖 Primary Trek Memory Verse
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Deep Reflection Question:

Does Paul say to give thanks for every circumstance or in every circumstance? How does trusting Jesus enable us to remain thankful even during grief, sickness, or trials?

1 Thessalonians 5:18
5

Game Time: The A-to-Z Gratitude Challenge

Rapid-Fire Alphabetical Praise Challenge

Materials Needed:

  • 26 paper chits with each letter of the alphabet written on them (placed in a bowl or spread face down).

Instructions:

  1. Have students sit in a circle or around a table.
  2. Each trekker draws a chit randomly.
  3. They must immediately name one specific blessing, gift, or truth about God that begins with that letter!
  4. Example: Letter “B” = "I’m thankful for my Bible!" • Letter “S” = "I’m thankful for Salvation in Jesus!"
  5. Continue rounds until all 26 letters are completed with creativity and praise!
6

Craftivity: Handmade Thank You Card of Appreciation

Designing & Delivering a Personalized Message of Gratitude

Teacher Cue:"God loves it when we say thank you to people who help us. Whether it’s a huge sacrifice or a quiet daily act of kindness, expressing gratitude honors God. Let’s design a beautiful, heartfelt thank-you card today to brighten someone’s day!"

Materials Needed:

  • Colored cardstock / construction paper (folded into cards)
  • Sketch pens, fine markers, crayons, or colored pencils
  • Decorative stickers or washi tape

Steps to Create:

  1. Choose a specific recipient (parent, grandparent, pastor, teacher, or friend).
  2. Design an eye-catching front cover with creative lettering and illustrations.
  3. Inside, write a heartfelt paragraph explaining why you appreciate them and how they reflect God’s kindness to you.
  4. Commit to delivering the card in person this week!
Craftivity Visual
7

Prayer Time & Shepherd’s Commission

Praying for Grateful, Redeemed Hearts
🙏 Guided Closing Prayer:

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for all the good and perfect gifts You bestow on us each day. We are grateful for our families, our health, and the eternal salvation You purchased for us on the cross. Forgive us for the times we take Your grace for granted. Like the healed leper who returned to worship at Jesus’ feet, give us watchful eyes and thankful hearts in all circumstances. In Jesus’ precious Name, Amen!”

📥 Printable Resources & Bilingual Guides

Download English & Hindi Teacher’s Guides, Presentation Decks & High-Res Visuals

🇬🇧 English Teacher’s Guides & Slides

Official lesson curriculum, active learning plans, and storytelling slide deck in English.

🇮🇳 हिन्दी शिक्षक गाइड (Hindi Curriculum)

कनिष्ठ एवं प्राथमिक बच्चों के लिए सम्पूर्ण हिन्दी शिक्षक गाइड (आभारी कोढ़ी)।