Single lesson
Jesus Washes Feet: Serving Others
John 13:1–17
In this lesson, children explore how Jesus used a simple action to teach humble service. John 13:1–17 shows that the Lord and Teacher cared for his disciples and told them to follow his example.
Before you teach
This passage takes place before the Passover feast and during supper. Jesus knows he came from God and is going to the Father. In that setting, he gets up, takes a towel and basin, washes the disciples’ feet, and then explains what his action means.
Children will be able to explain that Jesus, the Lord and Teacher, gave an example of humble service and name one practical way to serve someone else.
Welcome: Notice what Jesus does
5 minBegin by asking children to listen for two things in the passage: what Jesus does, and what he says his disciples should do. Explain that this story is about Jesus showing love in action. Point out that the passage says he loved his own "to the end", which helps us read the whole scene carefully.
John 13:1, John 13:15
Read and explain: Jesus washes feet
8 minRead John 13:1–5 aloud. Explain that Jesus gets up from supper, takes a towel, pours water into a basin, and washes the disciples’ feet. Then read John 13:12–15 and note that Jesus later explains this action himself: he is their Teacher and Lord, yet he served them and gave them an example.
John 13:4, John 13:5, John 13:12, John 13:13, John 13:14, John 13:15
Discuss: Peter’s reaction and Jesus’ words
6 minRead John 13:6–11. Peter is surprised and first refuses, then asks for more than his feet to be washed. Jesus tells Peter that he does not yet understand, and says, "If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me." Keep the focus on what the text says, and help children see that Peter needed to receive what Jesus was doing.
John 13:6, John 13:7, John 13:8, John 13:9, John 13:10, John 13:11
Make and respond: Helping hands choices
7 minChildren make a simple helping-hands reminder and choose one act of service to do this week. Explain that Jesus says, "you also ought to wash one another’s feet" and "I have given you an example". Encourage practical, ordinary service such as helping at home, sharing, tidying, or assisting someone kindly.
John 13:14, John 13:15, John 13:17
Closing: Knowing and doing
4 minFinish by rereading John 13:16–17. Explain that Jesus does not stop at knowing the lesson. He says, "blessed are you if you do them". Invite each child to say one service action they plan to do. Close by reminding them that Jesus, their Lord and Teacher, chose humble service.
John 13:16, John 13:17, John 13:13
Questions to explore
What does Jesus do with the towel and basin in this passage?
Look closely at the action words in the story, then connect them with Jesus’ later explanation that he gave an example to follow.
John 13:4, John 13:5, John 13:15
Why is Peter shocked when Jesus comes to him?
Notice Peter’s words and Jesus’ reply that Peter does not understand yet, then discuss why this action may have felt surprising coming from the Lord.
John 13:6, John 13:7, John 13:8, John 13:13
According to Jesus, what should his disciples do after seeing his example?
Read the verses where Jesus explains the meaning of the foot washing and pay attention to the words "ought" and "do".
John 13:14, John 13:15, John 13:17
Make, think or respond
Helping Hands Service Reminder
What you’ll need
- plain paper
- pencils or markers
- safety scissors
- tape or glue
Try it together
- Trace each child’s hand on paper and cut it out, or draw a hand shape if preferred.
- On each paper hand, write one practical way to serve someone this week.
- Add a short phrase from the lesson such as "Jesus gave an example" or "serve one another".
- Take the hand home and place it somewhere visible as a reminder to do the chosen act of service.
This craft links to Jesus’ command to follow his example and helps children plan one real act of humble service from John 13:14–17.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer two or three simple service choices and let them draw pictures instead of writing full sentences.
- For older children, ask them to compare knowing and doing in John 13:17 and write one sentence explaining why actions matter in this passage.
An optional closing prayer
"Lord Jesus, thank you for showing humble service. Please help us not only to know your example, but to do loving and helpful things for others. Amen."
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
John 13
1 Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God,
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.
6 Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”
7 Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”
8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”
11 For he knew him who would betray him; therefore he said, “You are not all clean.”
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 should also do as I have done to you.
16 Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him.
17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.
