By Betty Benson Robertson based on Luke 17:11-19
Preparation: Up to 10 bells of any kind for the lepers to ring; 1 eye patch; stick to use as a crutch; 15 copies of the skit. Perhaps older children who can read could present the skit for the younger boys and girls. (If doing a skit is not possible in your situation, the Bible story can easily be adapted for a storytelling presentation.)
Cast of Characters: 10 lepers (If possible, they should all have bells to ring; or at least some. Leper # 6 should have a patch over the eye; if possible, Leper # 7 should have a stick using it as a crutch; Lepers # 9 and 10 should limp); crowd (all remaining students); Jesus (played by an adult); narrator (teacher or another adult).
At Rise: Lepers are on one side of stage; crowd on opposite side.
Bible Story Skit:
Narrator: Lepers were people who had a horrible disease that made sores all over their bodies. Sometimes it crippled them. Sometimes they were blind. But always it made them lonely because leprosy was catching. They always carried bells to ring, warning others to stay away. They couldn't work or live with their families. All the lepers could only stand by the roadside or outside the gates of the city and beg. Then, one day, something happened that changed their lives!
(Lepers ring their bells softly so dialogue can be heard, but the bells ring all the time.)
Leper 1: Did you hear the good news?
Leper 2: What good news?
Leper 3: I haven't heard anything.
Leper 4: Me either.
Leper 1: Jesus is coming to town!
Leper 5: Wow!
Leper 6: Really?! I can't wait to see Him!
Leper 7: We'll never be able to get close enough.
Leper 8: Yeah, you're right.
Leper 9: We can't get near the crowd of people.
Leper 10: No, but we can shout!
Lepers 1,2,3: Jesus, have mercy on us!
(The adult playing the part of Jesus comes down aisle to center of stage while following dialogue takes place.)
Person # 1 in Crowd: Jesus is coming!
Person # 2 in Crowd: Look, there's Jesus with some of His disciples
Person # 3 in Crowd: I see Jesus!
(Crowd whispers "Jesus is coming" to one another.)
Lepers 4,5,6: Jesus, have mercy on us!
Lepers 7,8,9,10: Jesus, have mercy on us!
(Jesus looks at the lepers. Lepers look surprised with eyes wide open - mouths open.)
Leper 1: Jesus is looking at us.
Leper 2: Yeah, I know!
Leper 3: He's looking RIGHT at us!
(Jesus walks up to the lepers.)
Jesus: Go to the temple and show the priests that you are healed.
(Jesus leaves them and heads toward the crowd.)
Leper 4: What?
Leper 5: What does Jesus mean we are healed?
Leper 6: I still have all my sores.
Leper 7: Yeah, me too!
Leper 8: What are we supposed to do?
Leper 9: I don't know.
Leper 10: I think we need to do what Jesus said.
(Lepers leave stage and head down center aisle ringing their bells.)
Leper 1: Wait a minute!
Leper 2: What is it?
Leper 1: My sores are gone!
Leper 3: Mine, too!
Leper 4 (turning to Leper #5): Mine are gone and so are yours!
Leper 5: You're right! Wow!
Leper 6 (taking off eye patch): I can't believe it! I can see!
Leper 7: This is unbelievable! I don't need this crutch anymore.
Leper 8: My skin looks so healthy.
Leper 9: I don't limp anymore!
Leper 10: Jesus has healed us!
(Lepers # 1-9 walk fast and excited. Leper # 10 goes back to where Jesus is.)
Leper 10: Jesus! Thank You! Thank You for healing me!
Jesus: Stand up. Go on your way now. Your faith has made you well. But didn't I heal TEN lepers? Where are the other 9?
Narrator: How has Jesus helped you recently? Have you remembered to thank Him?