Rotation.org Writing Team

JESUS HEALS TEN LEPERS

SCIENCE WORKSHOP

PASSAGE

Story: Luke 17:11-19

Key/Memory Verse: Luke 17:14; Psalm 136:1

PURPOSE

See Bible background.

Objectives for Rotation

See Bible Background.

Objectives for Science Workshop

God gave Moses many laws to govern the life of the Israelites. This lesson looks at three of the laws, found in Leviticus, that are specifically related to health. Students will apply this information to the story of “The Ten Lepers.”

Students will be able to locate the book of Leviticus.

Students will understand the role of priests in Hebrew medicine.

Students will understand the reasons for the Laws of Moses.

Students will understand the concept of cleanliness as a good health practice.

Students will understand that Jesus is concerned about our physical health but is more concerned about our spiritual health.

PREPARATION

Read the Bible background.

Materials List

• Bibles
  
• Chalk or markers
  
• Chalkboard or newsprint pad
  
• Hand lotion
  
• Paper towels
  
• Sink with running water
  
• Soap
  

Advance Preparation

Print the following on a chalkboard or on a piece of newsprint: The Sabbath, Laws regarding edible foods, Sanitation.

PRESENTATION

Open – Introduction

The laws of Moses are the first records of preventative medicine. They are based on observation and practical experience. They firmly state that illness is not caused by evil spirits. They say that good health is a gift from God and that sickness is the result of our sinful nature.

The laws are found in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. They are part of the Pentateuch -- the first five books of the Old Testament.

There are seven sections of the law, but we will think about three of them today: The Sabbath, Laws regarding edible foods, and Sanitation.

Because the Hebrews considered health a gift from God the logical person to go to for “medical” information was the spiritual leader or priest. God gave the priest the responsibility of maintaining individual and public health. Eventually we read about physicians who gave some hope of relief from sickness using aromatic antiseptic resins and gums. By the second century BC they felt that God had given gifts of healing to men and had provided medicines they could use to bring cures.

The man who wrote today’s story is Luke. He is called the “beloved physician” in Colossians 4:14. He often used medical terms in his writings.

Most importantly, we will study how Jesus understood sickness.

Dig – Main Content

Read Luke 17:11-19 aloud.

Ask: Which verse in the story is about the Law of Moses? [Verse 14]

Read and discuss Leviticus 13:1-8 and Leviticus 14:1-3a.

Which verse is about how lepers lived? [Luke 17:12-13]

Read and discuss Leviticus 13:45-46.
Let’s look at the Laws of Moses.

Read and discuss Exodus 31:13-17 and Exodus 23:12, the Sabbath. Note that adequate rest is necessary for good health.

Read and discuss Deuteronomy 14:4-20, which is about meat that may carry disease that transmits to humans.

Read and discuss Deuteronomy 23:12-13, that instructs people to control air born and fly born illnesses.

Ask which verses tell us how Jesus treated the people with leprosy? [Luke 17:14,19]

Ask what tells us that Jesus knows many things without asking any questions?

We talked about the Law of Moses being rules for keeping the Hebrew people healthy.

What is something that we do every day to keep ourselves and those around us healthy? Let’s go to a sink and talk about controlling the spread of infection while we wash our hands.

Note that hands, faucets, and soap dispensers are dirty. Demonstrate the proper procedure for handwashing.

Turn the faucet on with your elbow or a paper towel.

Use a paper towel to push the button on the soap dispenser.

Use water, soap, and friction on all parts of your hands and wrists.

Hold your fingers down as you rinse so the dirt goes down the drain not up your arm.

Wipe you hands.

Use the towel to turn off the water.

Use a second towel to get your hands completely dry.

Apply hand lotion to prevent chapped skin or cracks in your skin where bacteria can grow.

Discuss how they feel when the see someone who does not wash his or her hands after using the bathroom or before eating.

Reflect – Closure

Offer a closing prayer such as:

Heavenly Father, thank you for our health. Thank you for health rules so we do not get sick. Thank you for telling us that being sick is not punishment, just part of being human.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS

Adaptations - Older Children

Note that a product like Purell is an alcohol based product used to "clean" hands when washing hands is not convenient. Do you think using Purell completely replaces washing hands? Why?

Older children might appreciate a demonstration or video of surgical staff doing a ten minute scrub before surgery.

SOURCES

This lesson is based on the following articles in The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible: healing/health, disease, and medicine.

CONTRIBUTOR: Carmen Peter