A short Bible story about saying thank you
This Thanksgiving Bible story for preschoolers tells how one man came back to thank Jesus. It is a short retelling of Luke 17:11-19, written for adults to read aloud to children ages 3-5. You can use it at home, in preschool or in Sunday school, at Thanksgiving or any time of year.
The man who came back to thank Jesus
Jesus was traveling toward Jerusalem. Near a village, ten men stood far away. They had a skin disease called leprosy.
The men called out to Jesus and asked him to help them.
Jesus saw the men. He told them to go and show themselves to the priests.
The men went. On the way, they were healed!
One man noticed that he was well. He turned around and came back. He praised God in a loud voice.
The man bowed down at Jesus' feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked about the other nine men. All ten had been made well, but this man had come back to give glory to God.
Jesus told the man to get up and go. He spoke about the man's faith.
The man remembered to say thank you. We can remember to thank God, too.
This is a simplified retelling in our own words, not a word-for-word Bible quotation. Read the complete account in Luke 17:11-19.
Three questions to ask your preschooler
- How many men did Jesus heal? Count to ten together.
- How many men came back to thank Jesus? Hold up one finger.
- What would you like to thank God for today?
If a child needs help answering, offer a simple choice: “Did one man come back, or did all ten?” Let them point or hold up a finger instead of speaking.
A five-minute thank-you activity
- Give each child a large piece of paper and chunky crayons.
- Ask them to draw something they are thankful for, such as a friend, a meal or someone who cares for them.
- Let them describe the drawing. An adult can write a short thank-you sentence underneath.
- Finish by saying a simple prayer together.
For a ready-made picture, choose Thank You God Coloring Pages for Preschoolers. The Jesus Heals Ten Lepers Coloring Pages also offer scenes connected with the Bible account; an adult can choose the simplest picture for their group.
A simple thank-you prayer
Dear God, thank you for loving us. Thank you for the people who care for us. Help us remember to say thank you. Amen.
This prayer is an example you can adapt to your family. It is not a quotation from the Bible.
Notes for parents and teachers
Explain leprosy simply as the skin disease described in the story. Avoid calling people “dirty” or suggesting illness means someone has done wrong. The account says all ten men were cleansed while they were going to the priests. It does not say that thanking Jesus was a condition for their physical healing.
The man who returned was a Samaritan. If children ask about that word, explain that he belonged to a different community from many of the people around Jesus. Keep the preschool lesson focused on what the account says: he returned, praised God and thanked Jesus.
Thanksgiving here means giving thanks to God. This Bible account is not a story about the origin of the American Thanksgiving holiday. The same lesson works throughout the year.
More ways to explore thankfulness
- Thanksgiving Bible Verse Coloring Pages for an adult-led coloring and reading activity.
- Browse preschool coloring collections for more simple designs.
- Bible Verse Tracing Worksheet Maker for children who are ready for letter practice.
