Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
John 13:1-17 New Testament PrincipleServing others
At supper the night before He died, Jesus got up, wrapped a towel around His waist and washed His disciples' dirty feet. That was a servant's job! Peter didn't want Jesus to wash his feet, but Jesus said, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me." Jesus served us first, so we serve others.
Jesus, the King of everything, came to serve us and wash away our sin. Because He served us first, we gladly serve others.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.”
John 13:15 BSB
The Big Story · Redemption
Sin makes us want to be served and to be the greatest. Jesus, the greatest of all, came to serve and to wash us clean by giving His life on the cross.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: The basin and towel
- Bible Kitchen (taste the story): Serve one another
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Towel pass
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
Jesus served me. I can serve!
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Towel helpers, Color Jesus serving
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, with brothers and sisters
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
At supper, Jesus got a towel and a bowl and washed His friends' dirty feet. That was a servant's job! Peter said no at first. Jesus said, "Unless I wash you, you can't be with Me." Jesus served us first, so we serve others.
Start here
Ask, "What's the yuckiest job you can think of?" Let a few kids share. Say, "In Bible times, one of the yuckiest jobs was washing dirty feet. Guess who did it?"
Bible story 6 min
It was the night before Jesus died. Jesus and His friends ate a special supper.
They had walked on dusty roads. Their feet were dirty. But no servant was there to wash them.
Jesus got up from the table. He took off His coat. He tied a towel around His waist.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Act it out 10 min
You’ll need: A basin, Towels
- Choose Jesus, Peter and John. Everyone else is a disciple.
- Act out the skit. Jesus pretends to wash feet with the empty basin and towel.
- Switch so more kids get a turn.
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3rd – 4th grade
Knowing that God had put all things into His hands, Jesus picked up a towel and washed His disciples' feet, a servant's job. When Peter refused, Jesus said, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me." Jesus serves us first by washing away our sin, and then He sends us to serve one another.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The towel and the cross, Towel pass
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at school, in sports and games
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
On the night of His betrayal, while His disciples argued about greatness, Jesus, knowing all things were in His hands, took a towel and washed their feet, even Judas's. The foot washing pictures the cross. Jesus first cleanses us, then calls us to serve one another as He served us.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Laid aside, taken up, Pick up the towel
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: with friends, online and on screens, at home
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Serving others
The same principle in other Bible stories.
