In this story Jesus meets a group of 10 men with leprosy. Because of their disease, lepers were considered "unclean" and were required to keep a distance from others. Only after being declared healed and "clean" by a priest could a leper re-enter society. At least one of ten was a Samaritan - whom Jews generally despised as ethnic and religious half-breeds.

1. When it comes to thank you notes are you:
   a. Miss Manners,
   b. Sir Sometimes,
   c. Father Forgetful ?

2. What was it like to be a leper? What would healing mean for them?

3. Why did Jesus send the lepers to the priests rather than healing them on the spot?
   a. He was tired,
   b. He didn�t want to get too close,
   c. He was testing their obedience,
   d. He wanted them to exercise faith themselves,
   e. He wanted to show that healing doesn�t always happen instantly.

4. As one of the nine, how would you rationalize not going back to Jesus to say thanks?

5. What was significant about the man who did return to thank Jesus?

6. Which of the following can you relate to?
   a. the pain of a physical condition,
   b. the pain of social barriers,
   c. being more interested in what God can do for me than in God himself,
   d. neglecting to say thanks.

7. How do you express your gratitude to Jesus?

1. Why should you sing a new song: don�t the old ones apply?
   2 Peter 1:5-11 � make every effort to add to your faith � if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ�

2. When was the last time you changed a long time opinion?

3. Do you expect God to do new things in your life? Or do you think a lot about how God should change the next person? What new thing would you like God to do in your life?

4. Has God ever surprised you with a creative alternative (new song) to an impossible situation?

5. Do you ever "cut loose" in joyful expression? Or do you sing your songs to God like a quiet ballad?

6. Can creation praise God, or is this just a poetic metaphor? (v. 7-9)