Gratitude. Based on Luke 17.11-19. Jesus heals a man with Leprosy
3 - 8 years old.
1. The Opening Prayer: "Dear God, through Jesus' life you teach us to say Thank You for all good things that happen to us. Thank you for your presence in our homes. Amen".
2. Introduction. We are surrounded by God's many blessings and today Jesus teaches us to be grateful. First, let's think about our favourite breakfast... Let's say thank you. Let's think of our school and teachers as we are approaching the end of the year... Let's say thank you. Do you have a pet? Favourite flower? Let's say thank you. Name one thing that you really like.... what is that? Let's say 'thank you' to God for that little thing. In today's story we will hear about ten sick men who were healed by Jesus, and one of them came back and said "Thank you". He is the example of gratitude.
3. Let's watch together the story from the Gospel:
4. This story reminds us that gratitude is so important in our life. In our prayers let's give thanks to God and Jesus for good things in our life.
- Lord Jesus, thank you for presence in our homes, in our families.
- We thank you for our St Mary's school and all teachers. We thank you for another year of learning.
- We thank you for our beautiful Town: Twickenham and all people who live here.
- We thank you for our St Mary's Church and all our teachers.
- We also pray for all who are not well, who are in hospitals. We ask you Lord for your healing touch.
5. We say the Lord's Prayer: Our Father...(words at the bottom of the post)
6. We may colour this illustration (see the attachment)
8+ years
1. The Opening Prayer: "Lord Jesus, in today's story you remind us the importance of gratitude. Help us to thank you for all good things that happen to us in our daily life. Amen".
2. Introduction: in the center of our reflection is GRATITUDE, but what is a gratitude? What comes to our mind when we think "let's be grateful for...". Let's share some examples. Gratitude helps us not to take many things for granted. The recent and current experience of lock-down highlights those things we took for granted. What have you missed the most in the recent months?
3. Let's read today Gospel of Lk 17.11-19.
Luke 17:11-19 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Heals Ten Men With Leprosy
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[a] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
What is going on? Who were the lepers? Who were the Samaritans? What this story is telling us?
4. Let's watch together:
5. Our prayers:
Inspired by the Gospel's story and the importance of gratitude we now offer our prayers:
Lord Jesus, thank you for ongoing blessing and inspiration.
- We thank you for this academic year, especially for all our teachers.
- We thank you for our local community in Twickenham, we pray for those who need you help: homeless and elderly people
- We thank you for our spiritual home St Mary's Church. We ask you for your blessing of re-ordering.
- We also pray for all who are not well, who are in hospitals. We ask you Lord for your healing touch
- We pray for all departed: receive them into your kingdom.
6. We conclude with the Lord's Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.