Unit 2: Faith and Salvation
An Attitude of Gratitude | Bible Background • LEVITICUS 13-14; LUKE 5:12–16; 17:11-19 | Printed Text • LEVITICUS 13:45–46; LUKE 17:11–19 | Devotional Reading • ISAIAH 56:1-8
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of this lesson, we will EXPLORE reasons only one of ten healed lepers turned back to Jesus in thanksgiving, SENSE the need in our lives for increased expressions of gratitude to God, and DEVELOP a plan for showing thanksgiving to God and others on a daily basis.
IN FOCUS
Diane listened to the soloist at her church sing “My Tribute” by Andraé Crouch, and began to weep. Her 30th birthday was Monday and she reviewed all the major events of her life. Diane grew up taking care of her mother until cancer finally took her life. Diane, at the tender age of 15, held her mother’s body until she breathed her last breath.
Diane married out of high school and got pregnant right away. Soon, she watched her 3-day-old infant die in her arms, from a rare disease attacking the child’s heart. Her young husband, George, struggled with the baby’s death and ended up on medication for depression. Several times Diana spent long days sitting with him in the mental health facility after he had threatened suicide. Eventually, he got his medication regulated and slowly recovered, but it had been a long, hard road. Diane delivered two more children, but at the end of her last pregnancy, her doctor discovered a tumor in her breast. She had gone through the surgery and chemotherapy, now considering herself a cancer survivor in remission for almost five years. “To God be the glory …” The song spoke to her heart. She had been through so many difficult challenges in life and she was thankful that God carried her through.
God has done so much for us and gratitude is the best response. What are you thankful for right now?
FOCAL VERSES
KJV Leviticus 13:45 And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean.
46 All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.
Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.