Lesson

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet Sunday School Lesson for Kids

Free Jesus washes the disciples' feet Sunday school lesson (John 13:1–17) in four age levels, preschool to preteen, with a game, story, questions and take-home.

Preschool–Grade 6

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet Sunday School Lesson for Kids

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Ages: Preschool (3–5), Early Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5), Preteen (5–6)
Time: 20–60 minutes (depends on the age level)
Scripture: John 13:1–17
Bible story: Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

What you need

A Bible (mark John 13:5 and John 13:15)
Bibles for the kids to look up verses (3rd grade and up)
A hand towel (memory verse game, kindergarten to 2nd grade)
A bowl and a towel to show the class (no water needed)
A snack and napkins to serve (3rd to 5th grade, optional)
A whiteboard or large paper and a marker (3rd grade and up)
Paper and pencils (3rd grade and up)
Printed take-home sheets, one per child
Printed Jesus washes the disciples' feet word search and crayons for early finishers

This free Jesus washes the disciples' feet Sunday school lesson teaches kids to serve one another, like Jesus did. At supper, Jesus "took a towel, and girded himself," poured water into a bason and began to wash the disciples' feet (John 13:4–5). Then He said, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" (13:15). It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families. Everything is in the order you teach it.

Choose your age level

Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 2 pages: a Little Helpers game, a short story with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines, three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("I have given you an example") with a copy-me game, and a drawing of the bowl and the towel.
Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: a Helper to the Rescue game, the story in simple words, five recall questions with answers, the Pass the Towel memory verse game, and Serving Hands.
3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: the teacher serves the class, kids look up verses in their own Bibles during a fuller story ("Lord, dost thou wash my feet?", "Master and Lord," "The servant is not greater than his lord"), five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: students read John 13:1–17 out loud themselves, then discuss serving when you know who you are, letting others serve you, serving people who are hard to serve, and knowing versus doing. Six discussion questions, a journal page, and two memory verses (John 13:15 and John 13:17).

Lesson at a glance

Bible passage: John 13:1–17
Main point: Jesus served His disciples, and He wants us to serve one another too.
Memory verse: John 13:15 (KJV), with John 13:17 added for preteens
Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

Opening game: a short game about helping and serving others.
Bible story: Jesus loved His own to the end (John 13:1), rose from supper and took a towel (13:4), poured water into a bason and washed the disciples' feet (13:5), Peter said "Thou shalt never wash my feet" (13:8), then "not my feet only" (13:9), and Jesus said, "I have given you an example" (13:15). Every fact has its verse reference so you can check it.
Questions to ask: with answers, at the right level for each age.
Memory verse: a game or motion to help kids learn John 13:15.
What this means for us: serve one another, the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a challenge for the week.
Activity: the word search, crossword, maze, worksheet, the Jesus washes feet craft, Serving Hands, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
Prayer.

Tips for teaching Jesus washing the disciples' feet

Bring a real bowl and towel to show. Kids remember what they see, and the towel and the bason are the heart of the story (John 13:4–5).
Explain why Peter was so surprised: washing feet was a servant's job (1 Samuel 25:41), and Jesus is the Lord and Master (John 13:13).
Judas is in this passage (John 13:2, 13:11). The younger lessons leave him out; each level has a short note if a child asks.
Keep the challenge practical: one helping job every day this week. "Happy are ye if ye do them" (13:17).
Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.

Frequently asked questions

How long does this Jesus washes the disciples' feet lesson take?

It depends on the age level. The preschool lesson takes 20 to 30 minutes, the kindergarten to 2nd grade lesson about 45 minutes, and the 3rd to 5th grade and preteen lessons 45 to 60 minutes. For a short class, do the story, three questions and the memory verse.

What is the main point of Jesus washing the disciples' feet for kids?

Serve one another, like Jesus did. Jesus is Lord and Master (John 13:13), and still He took a towel, poured water into a bason and washed His disciples' feet (13:4–5). Then He said, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" (13:15).

Why did Peter say Jesus should never wash his feet?

Peter was surprised that his Lord would wash his feet: "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?" (John 13:6). Then he said, "Thou shalt never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me," and Peter said, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head" (13:8–9).

Does this lesson talk about Judas?

Only a little, and only for older kids. John 13:2 and 13:11 say Jesus knew that Judas Iscariot would betray Him. The younger lessons keep the focus on Jesus serving, and each level has a short note for the teacher if a child asks.