Thanksgiving Bible lesson for kids, by age
One Bible story, four age groups. Teach "Where are the other nine?" from Luke 17 on the Sunday before Thanksgiving (22 November 2026).
Updated 1 November 2026 · How we pick resources
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday 26 November 2026, so most churches teach their Thanksgiving lesson on Sunday 22 November. The story of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11–19) works for every age: ten men are healed, but only one comes back to say thank you.
The story in brief
Jesus was travelling to Jerusalem along the border between Samaria and Galilee. Ten men with leprosy stood at a distance and called out, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" Jesus told them to go and show themselves to the priests, and on the way they were healed. One of them, a Samaritan, came back praising God, threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?" (Luke 17:17).
Memory verse: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 107:1)
Preschool (ages 3–5): say thank you
- Opening (5 min): Pass round a small gift bag. Each child takes out a picture (food, a house, a family, a pet) and says "Thank you, God, for…".
- Story (10 min): Use ten paper people or ten fingers. Tell the story simply: ten sick men, Jesus makes them well, nine run home, one comes back. Fold down nine fingers and wiggle the one that came back.
- Activity (10 min): "Come back and say thank you": children walk to the far wall when you say "Go!", and run back to you shouting "Thank you, Jesus!" when you ring a bell.
- Craft (10 min): Trace each child's hand as a turkey; on each finger feather draw or write one thing they're thankful for.
- Prayer: "Thank you, God, for…", with every child adding one word.
Kids (ages 5–11): where are the other nine?
- Hook (5 min): Ask: "What's the best present you ever got? Did you say thank you?"
- Read (10 min): Read Luke 17:11–19 aloud. Let ten children act it out as you read; nine walk off and one comes back.
- Talk (10 min): Why did only one come back? What might the nine have been busy doing? Why does Luke tell us the thankful man was a Samaritan, someone others looked down on?
- Activity (15 min): Thankful prayer chain. Each child writes or draws thank-yous on paper strips; staple them into a chain and hang it in the room. Count the links together and see if you can beat ten.
- Review (10 min): Play a few rounds of the Thanksgiving trivia questions on our Thanksgiving Bible games page.
Preteens (ages 11–14): gratitude when life is hard
- Read: Luke 17:11–19 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ("give thanks in all circumstances").
- Discuss: Is it possible to be thankful in every situation without being thankful for every situation? What's the difference?
- Bible search (10 min): In pairs, find a time each of these people gave thanks or praised God in a hard situation: Daniel (Daniel 6:10), Jonah (Jonah 2:9), Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25).
- Response: Each student writes a short thank-you note to God, or to someone in the church who's helped them, and you deliver the church ones that week.
Teens (ages 14–18): thanks that changes you
- Read: Luke 17:11–19, then Colossians 3:15–17.
- Big idea: All ten were healed; only one was told "your faith has made you well" (Luke 17:19). Gratitude turned a healing into a relationship with Jesus.
- Discuss: Why do we find it easier to ask than to thank? What does constant comparison (social media, grades, sport) do to gratitude?
- Challenge: A seven-day gratitude log: three specific things each day, shared in the group chat or next week.
A review game for any age
Our Thanksgiving Bible game show has separate question sets for ages 5–11, 11–14 and 14–18, so the whole Sunday school can play the same game at their own level. There's also a free 10-question version.
Bible Showdown: Thanksgiving
A click-to-play Bible game show on gratitude in the Bible: the ten lepers, Psalm 100, manna in the desert and more. Kids, preteens and teens each get their own questions plus a Final Round, all with Bible references. Plays in any web browser with automatic scoring, or as a PowerPoint, with printable cards.
Free: Bible Showdown Thanksgiving Sampler
Try the game show format free: 10 questions at each of three age levels, automatic scoring for 2–4 teams, a timer and a Final Round. No sign-up needed.
Lessons and printables we recommend
Children's Ministry Deals Holidays
Why we picked it: A Thanksgiving series and free holiday games, useful if you want more than one week on gratitude.
Seasonal curriculum series for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, plus free holiday games and minute-to-win-it packs.
Ministry-To-Children
Why we picked it: Free Thanksgiving lessons and colouring pages, with plenty of options for small churches.
Thousands of free Bible lessons, sermons, games, coloring pages and crafts from a veteran children's pastor; includes a dedicated Bible games section and 300-question trivia bank.
Sunday School Works
Why we picked it: A free weekly lesson and children's sermon that follows the church calendar, including Thanksgiving week.
A free weekly Bible lesson and children's sermon, ready to print, following the church calendar — a free ministry of The Sunday School Store.
See also: Thanksgiving Bible games and trivia and, for the following Sunday, Advent week by week.