This lesson teaches children that Jesus showed love by serving his friends, and that we can serve others the same way. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus loves us so much that he washed his friends’ dirty feet, so we should help and serve the people around us. Love is shown by what we do, not only by what we say.
Memory Verse
John 13:14
If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
(WEB)
Have the children rub their hands together like they are washing them, then bow a little and hold out one palm as if offering help. Do this together while you say the verse slowly, so the motion becomes a reminder of serving.
The Story: John 13 for Kids
One evening, Jesus and his friends gathered to eat supper together. Jesus knew that his time on earth was almost over, and he loved his friends very much. Even though he was their teacher and Lord, he was about to show them something surprising about love.
Jesus stood up from the table and took off his outer clothes. He wrapped a towel around his waist, poured water into a basin, and began to wash his disciples’ feet. Imagine kneeling down to clean the dusty, tired feet of your friends! That was a job usually done by the lowest servant in the house.
When Jesus came to Peter, Peter was shocked. He said, “Lord, are you really going to wash my feet?” Jesus gently told him that he would understand what was happening later. Peter did not want Jesus to serve him that way, but Jesus showed him that letting others help is part of being close to him.
After he finished washing their feet, Jesus sat back down and asked his friends if they understood what he had done. He told them, “I have given you an example, so you should also wash one another’s feet.” In other words, Jesus wanted his friends to serve each other with the same humble love he had shown them.
Later that night, Jesus also told them about a new commandment. He said, “Love one another, just as I have loved you.” He wanted everyone to know that his followers are known by their love.
Read It Together
John 13:4-5
4 Arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus got up from the table and chose to do a servant’s job, even though he was the Lord. Ask the children to notice that serving others can be a choice we make with humble hearts.
John 13:12-15
12 So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
(WEB)
Show the children that Jesus asked whether they understood what he had done, then gave them a clear example to follow. Help them see that serving each other is something Jesus wants his followers to practice every day.
John 13:34-35
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(WEB)
Explain that Jesus gave his friends a new commandment about love and said that love would show everyone they belonged to him. Talk about how our kindness at home, school, and church can help others see Jesus.
Talk About It
- What did Jesus do for his friends that surprised you the most?
- Why do you think Peter did not want Jesus to wash his feet at first?
- What is a job at home that you could do to help someone, like a servant would?
- How did Jesus show that he loved his friends, even when they did not understand him?
- Who is one person at school or church you could serve this week, and how could you do it?
Activity Ideas
Towel and Basin Drawing
Give each child a piece of paper, crayons or markers, and a picture of a towel if you have one. Ask them to draw Jesus kneeling beside a basin with a towel around his waist, and then draw one person they could help this week. Let them show their drawing to the class and say how they plan to serve.
Servant Relay Race
Set up two cups of water and two small towels at one end of a room, and a row of empty cups at the other end. Children take turns carrying a damp towel or sponge to the far cups without spilling, then return it to the next player. Afterward, talk about how serving others sometimes takes patience and care, just as Jesus showed his friends.
Take-Home Helper Card
Cut index cards or plain paper into small squares and let each child write or draw one way they will serve someone at home, like setting the table or folding laundry. Help them tape the card to the refrigerator or bathroom mirror. Encourage the family to check in during the week about how the helping went.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that Jesus, who held all authority, chose the humble work of a servant to demonstrate love. Christian service flows from knowing that we are loved by God, and we are called to imitate Jesus by caring for others in practical and humble ways.
With children, avoid suggesting that serving others earns God’s love or makes us clean before him. Jesus’ act of washing feet points to his love and grace, and it is best presented as a loving example to follow rather than a rule to perform perfectly.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and showing us how to serve. Help us to be kind and humble, and to help the people around us just like you helped your friends. Show us who needs our help today, and give us willing hearts to serve them. Amen.
