Read Together: John 13:1–20

The beginning of John 13 records the well-known story of Jesus’ washing his disciples’ feet. Jesus’ action is a powerful picture of humble, loving service. It functions as another example from the life of Jesus that none of us are above any act of genuine service to others, no matter how “lowly” we might view it to be.

Also, notice three things about the background of the foot-washing. First, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet in light of what is coming—the time of his death was on the doorstep (13:1). Second, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet as an action that reveals his immense, persevering love for his disciples (13:1). Third, Jesus’ position and power as having come from God and receiving all things from the Father didn’t stop him from humble service (13:3).

From this background and Jesus’ own words, we learn that Jesus’ act of humbling himself to wash his disciples’ feet is an intentional picture of his humiliation and death on the cross that makes his followers clean. And so, first and foremost, this story summons us to come to Jesus to be made clean through his sacrificial work on the cross. Jesus’ death on the cross is our only hope of forgiveness and cleansing from sin.

But Jesus is also clear that his humble act of service is an example to his disciples: no loving service is below Christ’s people. If our Lord so served us, we must serve one another. We are called to serve one another with a persevering love, humbling ourselves as our Lord and Savior humbled himself to make us clean.

Discussion Questions

1. Why does Jesus wash his disciples’ feet?
2. What does Jesus’ humble act of service teach us?
3. What are some ways we can humbly serve others?

Ideas for Younger Kids

• Read the first half of “The Servant King” in The Jesus Storybook Bible (pages 286–89).
• Gather the following items: a bowl of warm water, a towel, and a washcloth. Read the story from the chapter in The Jesus Storybook Bible or consider reading John 13:3–17 in the NIrV.
• Use the bowl of water and the towels to “act out” Jesus’ washing his disciples’ feet (whether you actually wash your children’s feet is totally up to you!).
• Talk about how this was something that no one wanted to do, but Jesus was willing to serve his disciples in this way. It teaches us how he came to make us clean on the inside and that we should serve one another.      

Memorization: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1–2)

Song: Reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and listen to See the Destined Day Arise (by Matt Merker, performed by Kenwood Music—the lyrics are based on an ancient hymn from the 500s).  

Pray Together

•  Praise God for the love of Christ that never ends!
• Confess before God the pride and selfishness that often leads us to serve ourselves and not others. Confess your need for Jesus to make you clean.
• Give thanks to God that Jesus has come to make us clean!
• Pray that God would make you clean through Jesus and that he would give you strength to serve others in humility and love.

Go Together

• Choose one intentional way to serve others and make it practical and helpful. Here are some ideas to get you started: find a church member or neighbor who needs help raking leaves and offer your help on a Saturday, bake some cookies together and take them to a neighbor who doesn’t know Jesus (sharing the gospel is a crucial way we serve others as Jesus has served us!), or as a family, each choose one different way you will serve one another (like taking charge of doing the dishes, cleaning, or other chores someone else normally does for the month).