Note to parents:
Each day lately has brought with it newness. Each day the world changes a little bit and we must change our lives to meet these new challenges. Some days we face the challenges with joy and hope, other days we are less able to meet these changes with grace. Please know you are not alone. We are parenting in difficult days. We will succeed so long as we choose to lean into the Lord.
Today’s lesson: Jesus a Servant Leader
PrayPick a song or two to sing together to open your time today.
Explain you are going to play a game before the story: Play Follow the Leader
The Story:
Being a leader can be really fun. Have you ever been a leader? When you’re a leader you get to pick how to do things. You get to be the boss. Everyone listens to the leader. Right? What do you think a leader is or does?
Our story today comes from John 13. This story is about Jesus and the 12 disciples. We have read many examples of Jesus leading the 12 disciples and many others around as he was preaching the good news about God. This story takes place during Passover; the celebration of when God saved the Israelites during Moses’ time. At Passover, many Jews would meet and have a large meal together to remember what God had done for them. Jesus and the disciples met together to have dinner.
Tables during Jesus’ time were a little different. They were usually shorter. You usually sat on pillows or the floor. Jesus and the disciples did not wear tennis shoes. They wore sandals.
How do you think their feet looked after walking a long way in sandals? Not good, right? How do you think they would smell? Smell your foot. It probably doesn’t smell too bad. If it does… it’s time for a bath. Do you think you would want those stinky dirty feet near the table where all the food was? NO, me either!
During Jesus’ time a servant usually cleaned people’s feet. There was not a servant at the dinner with Jesus and the disciples. Who do you think cleaned everyone’s feet?
It was Jesus. Jesus cleaned everyone’s stinky dirty feet. But Jesus was the leader! Jesus knew that to be a good leader you have to show people what to do. Jesus was teaching the disciples that they were no more important than anyone else. They needed to know that no one is more important than any other person. Jesus was showing them how to serve each other so that they could show God’s love. “Real love puts others first and never seeks power for its own sake.”
Now, lots of other things happened during this story. Your adult can read you more in John 13 if you want to know more.
Here are a few video links that you may find helpful in teaching this lesson.
K-2nd Grade https://youtu.be/bv5ajWNrnt4
3rd-5th Grade https://youtu.be/L11aniUYocw
