Washing Feet

 John 13:3-17

Our true story is found in at part of the Bible called the Gospel of John. John was one of the friends and helpers of Jesus. And the word "Gospel" means "good news!" 

We begin with Jesus. It was the night He had all His friends, the disciples, with Him at dinner. His friend John was there, and Matthew, and Peter. They were all at the table.


Then Jesus took a towel and He knelt down. Do you know what Jesus was about to do? He was about to wash His friends’ feet! His friends had walked around dusty roads all day in sandals, and their feet were DIRTY!


Talk about a stinky job! Jesus got a bowl and then filled the bowl with water. Then Jesus washed His friend’s feet. Can you believe it? Jesus is SO important. He is God’s Son. Why would someone so important wash His friend’s feet?


Because Jesus wanted to show His friends that He loved them. And you’re never too important to love others by doing something for them like washing their feet.


Jesus is a good friend. Let’s think for a minute. If we wanted to be a good friend like Jesus, what could WE do to show love to the people around us?


What if you’re playing outside, and your neighbor friend wants to play on your favorite scooter? Do you let them? YES! You share your favorite scooter. That is being a good friend!


What if there’s a LOOONNNG line to get a turn in the bouncy house. But there’s a little kid behind you who’s really excited to bounce? Do you let them go in front of you? YES! You let them go in front of you. That is being a good friend.


You already know LOTS of ways to be a good friend. So, start your engines, and let’s go, go, go and love people like Jesus did! Let’s be good friends.






Bible Paraphrase: “Love each other as I have loved you.” —John 15:12, NIV

Text Truth: When you love like Jesus, you can be a good friend.



Family Devotional

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
—John 13:12-15

Jesus did something with feet in our Bible story. He didn’t hop on them, though. What did Jesus do with feet in our story? Jesus washed His friends’ feet to show them what it looks like to love people the way He loves us. Jesus put His friends first. 

When Jesus was done washing His friends’ feet, He told them to go and love others the way He has loved them. That’s why we’re learning the Bible verse.

“Love each other as I have loved you.” —John 15:12, NIV

Jesus washed His friends’ dirty feet to be a good friend and show them He loved them. With your family, make a list of things you can do for your friends to show them you want to be a good friend.

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, tell God you want to be a good friend and love others the way Jesus loves you. Ask God to help (family member's name and what they listed) and (family member's name and what they listed)... (continue with the rest of the family)... so you all can be good friends and love others the way Jesus loves you. Thank God for His love and tell God that you love Him, too. Close your prayer, "In Jesus' name, amen."

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Some story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported licence.

Some story illustrations are in the Public Domain.
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