Lesson 9
October 15, 2025
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​Where Are the Nine?

Luke 17:17 (ESV) 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?​

Adapted from Polishing the Pulpit, Branson 2025, presented by ​Joe Wells
Class Overview
Where Are the Nine?

Where Are the Nine? (Luke 17:17)

  • Being at the "feet of Jesus" is associated with gratitude, humility, peace, devotion, and worship.
  • Faith is shown by acting in obedience before the blessing is fully realized.
  • True discipleship combines faith with gratitude, moving beyond just receiving blessings to active worship.
  • Faith without gratitude fails to reach true worship, as gratitude reflects a disciple's overflowing love for God.
Jesus' question, "Where are the nine?" is less about a physical location and more about a spiritual response. It challenges us to examine whether our faith is accompanied by a deep, worshipful gratitude.

The Setting: A Journey of Healing

The story unfolds as Jesus travels between Samaria and Galilee, a region marked by tension between Jews and Samaritans. He encounters ten men with leprosy who, in their shared affliction, have found a common ground that transcends cultural divides. In obedience to Old Testament law, they stand at a distance and cry out for mercy.

The Significance of the Samaritan

After Jesus heals all ten, only one—a Samaritan—returns to give thanks. This is profound for several reasons:

  • He Glorified God: His first response was to praise God for his healing.
  • He Acknowledged Jesus' Authority: He called Jesus "Master," a title recognizing His power and position.
  • He Prioritized Gratitude over Ritual: While the other nine likely went to fulfill the ceremonial law, the Samaritan prioritized a heartfelt response directly to the source of his healing.

Faith, Gratitude, and Discipleship

This narrative provides deep lessons on the nature of faith. The lepers demonstrated initial faith by obeying Jesus' command to go to the priests *before* they were visibly healed. However, true discipleship goes a step further. It is the combination of this initial faith with a deep sense of gratitude that leads to worship. The sermon challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes using a simple analogy:

  • The "Dog": Represents those who respond to love and care with unwavering devotion and thankfulness.
  • The "Cat": Symbolizes those who are content to receive blessings without reciprocating with devotion or seeking closeness.

The ultimate question is whether we are content merely to be blessed, or if our blessings drive us to the feet of Jesus in worship and thanksgiving.

Study Game and Interactive Study Questions
Quiz: Where Are the Nine?

Quiz: Where Are the Nine?

At the Feet of Jesus (Matching Game)

This game focuses on a key section of the lecture where the speaker lists what "being at the feet of Jesus" represents, citing different scripture examples . Users must match the concept (e.g., "Peace & Calm") with the correct biblical event or person.
At the Feet of Jesus Matching Game

At the Feet of Jesus

Match the concept on the left with the correct biblical example on the right.

Faithful as a Dog or a Cat? (Sorting Game)

This interactive sorting game is based on the central analogy of the lesson. Users must drag and drop attitudes and actions into the correct category: the "Dog Attitude" of grateful faith or the "Cat Attitude" of consumer faith. This helps reinforce the application-focused part of the message.
Dog or Cat Faith Sorter

Faithful as a Dog or a Cat?

Drag each phrase to the correct category based on the lesson's analogy.

□ Dog Attitude (Faith with Gratitude)

□ Cat Attitude (Consumer Faith)

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