Washing Feet

John 13:3-17

Our true story comes from a 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’ friends, the disciples. The disciples were about to have a special dinner with Jesus. But there was a problem. The disciples’ feet were super-dirty!


Why? Well, their feet were dirty because back then, they didn’t have cars. They didn’t have buses. So, if they wanted to go somewhere, how would they travel? They had to walk! 


And the roads were very dusty and dirty. After walking on dusty roads, the disciples’ feet were very dirty. They needed to wash their feet before they ate dinner.


But . . . guess what happened? Someone wanted to wash their feet for them! Can you guess who wanted to wash the disciples’ feet? Jesus wanted to wash His friends’ feet!


Why would Jesus, God’s Son, who is SO super-special, want to wash His friends’ dirty feet?


Jesus’ friend Peter said, “No Jesus, don’t wash my feet!”


Peter knew Jesus was SO special and didn’t think Jesus should be doing a job like washing feet. But Jesus explained that if Peter was going to follow Him, he would have to let Jesus wash his feet. 


So, then Peter REALLY wanted Jesus to wash his feet.


Jesus loved His friends and put them first. Jesus showed them how they could love others and be a friend like Him.


Do you think Jesus is a good friend? YES! Jesus is such a good friend! And Jesus wanted to show us how to be a good friend too. So, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. WOW!


Jesus is such a good friend. And we can be good friends too. You can be a good friend by sharing your toys.


You can be a good friend by letting someone else go first on the slide.


You can be a good friend by giving someone else the biggest cookie.


You can be a good friend by helping clean up, even if you didn’t make the mess.


Every time we think of others, and when we put them first, we’re being a good friend like Jesus. And Jesus is the best! I’m so glad Jesus wants to be our friend forever! So, when someone asks you, “Who wants to be your friend forever?” You can say, “Jesus wants to be my friend forever!”






Bible Paraphrase: “I have called you friends.” —John 15:15, NIV

Text Truth: Jesus is 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

In our Bible Story, Jesus did something with His friends’ feet. What did Jesus do? Jesus washed His friends’ feet. Jesus washed His friends’ feet to show them how to be a good friend. And when we put others first and love people the way Jesus loves us, we are a good friend like Jesus! Jesus is the best because Jesus wants to be our friend forever!

“I have called you friends.” —John 15:15, NIV

Jesus wants us to be a good friend like Him. So, with your family, take a piece of paper and make a list of ways you can be good friends. Have each family member write town a way they can be a good friend. Suggestions include: Pray for a friend; make a get-well card; let a friend go first in line; share food/toys; say kind words; give a hug; etc. And make sure each family member writes down their name next to their way to be a good friend.

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, say, “Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to show us how to be a good friend. Help us to love others the way Jesus loves us and do things like (read the list your family made). We want to be a good friend, like Jesus. We love You, God. 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.

All story illustrations are the property of their various owners.
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