God s Unfolding Story. Arrival

New Testament Unit 6: Jesus Shared His Love Lesson 4: Jesus Washed the Disciples Feet God s Unfolding Story Suggested Schedule: Bible Story: Jesus Washed the Disciples Feet (John 13:4-5, 12-15) Bible Phrase: Serve one another through love (Gal. 5:13). Bible Truth: Jesus wants me to love and serve others. 1. God created everything. 2. People disobeyed God. 3. God chose a special people. 4. God sent Jesus to help us. 5. Jesus began the Church. 6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us. Arrival Centers 25 minutes Clean-up Time 5 minutes Bible Story Time 15 minutes Craft Time 10 minutes Snack Time 10 minutes Game Time/Dismissal Hour A Unfolding God s Story for Teachers Have you ever wanted to be the greatest at something or to be famous for a skill or talent? I must confess that when I was younger, I wanted to be a Christian recording artist. I could just see myself touring the world singing for Jesus! Probably planted firmly at the bottom of that desire was a need to feel I was worth something, to be set apart and noticed for something I could do. While singing for Jesus was a worthy passion, the underlying motive was about me. Some of the disciples had a desire for greatness. In Luke 22:24-27, we read about an argument of who would be the greatest among the disciples. Some scholars believe it was this conversation that prompted Jesus later in John 13:4-5, 12-15 to demonstrate what true discipleship was all about. God had given all things into the hands of Jesus, yet He took into those hands not a crown or scepter but a pitcher and basin and washed the disciples feet. Jesus demonstrated that true greatness consisted not in where someone sits but how he or she serves. Jesus asked His disciples if they understood what He meant by His actions. Probably not completely, but do we understand what Jesus meant by His actions? True greatness is not achieved by title or ability. As in the first century, humility is not a virtue that society highly regards. Jesus made humility not something to be despised but a badge of discipleship. We all must be willing to humble ourselves before the Lord to receive His cleansing that was made possible through the submission of His death. Therefore, by submitting to Christ s total cleansing, we also must reflect the love that has been so sacrificially given to us and be willing to wash one another s feet. Foot washing was the job of a lowly slave during the first century. We individually must ask the Father how that looks today. Preschoolers are egocentric. They do not yet have the ability to be other-focused. They see from one point of view. However, through our actions they can observe serving others. They can be helped to understand how serving others looks, thus, laying a foundation for humility. Lesson Plan Arrival Greet children at eye level and express how happy you are to see them. Be sure each child has a name tag and the security measures of your church are followed. Label all coats and personal belongings. Strongly encourage children who have brought items from home, such as toys and books, to place them on a shelf while they are working with other materials. Assure children their items will be safe and they can take them home at the end of the session. Help each child make a choice where he or she would like to begin his or her Center Time. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT06 Lesson 4 Hour A Page 1

Block Center Build with Blocks Wooden blocks Small cars and trucks What to Do: Provide a small carpet if possible. Blocks are best located in a corner of the room away from the traffic flow. Link to the Bible Story: As children build, listen for opportunities to share the Bible Phrase or tell a part of the Bible story. Home Living Center Wash the Baby Doll Small rocking chair, sink and stove unit and small table and chairs; plastic dishes, child pots and pans, plastic food items; and doll items such as baby doll, doll bed, doll bag, blanket, clothes, bottles and diapers. Dishpan, mild soap, towels, clean baby doll clothes What to Do: Fill the dishpan with a small amount of warm water and soap. Invite children to give the baby doll a bath, dry off the baby and dress in clean clothes. Link to the Bible Story: As children play, comment that in today s Bible story, Jesus washed the disciples feet to show that He loved them. Center Time Art Center Watercolor Paint White construction paper Blue painter s tape Watercolor paints, cups and brushes What to Do: Print today s Bible Phrase on each sheet of paper. Invite children to place several strips of painter s tape as a design or object on the paper. Next, instruct the child to paint over the entire sheet with the watercolors. Comment on color choices and designs rather than expressing judgment on a child s work. A statement such as, You chose pretty colors, rather than I like your painting, gives value to the child s choices rather than a critique of his work. When the child has completed the watercolor, assist with removing the tape to reveal an interesting picture. Link to the Bible Story: Express to children that in today s Bible story Jesus showed His love to His disciples by washing their dirty feet. Read the Bible Phrase. Comment that Jesus wants us to serve others with love. Bible Learning Center Finish a Picture Copies of Activity Page Jesus Showed His Love/I Can Show His Love (Reproducible) Crayons or washable markers Optional: Tempera paint and sponge brush What to Do: Assist children in either tracing around their hands or making a handprint with the paint on the right side of the picture. Invite children to color their handprints if they were traced. Ask children to color the Bible story pictures on the left side of the page. Link to the Bible Story: Talk about the Bible story pictures and explain the different ways Jesus showed His love. Comment that Jesus wants us to serve others with love. Talk about ways we can use our hands to serve others. Puzzle Center Work Puzzles Offer a variety of non-fantasy wooden or cardboard puzzles for children to work. What to Do: Encourage children to finish a puzzle before leaving the center. Give guidance rather than doing the puzzle for the child. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, look for opportunities in conversation to say the Bible Phrase or briefly tell the Bible story. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT06 Lesson 4 Hour A Page 2

Clean-up Time Encourage preschoolers to help at clean-up time. Assign specific tasks for preschoolers to do such as placing all the crayons in the basket, throwing away the trash, gathering all the glue sticks, etc. Guide children to the Bible Story Time area. Bible Story Time Bible Teaching Picture Jesus Washed the Disciples Feet (Reproducible) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Reproducible/Cardstock) Introduction Show the God s Unfolding Story Cube. Point to each symbol and tell God s Unfolding Story. (Refer to page 1.) Encourage children to say the story with you. Comment to boys and girls today s story is from the segment God sent Jesus to help us. (Point to that symbol on the cube.) Express the following: Today s Bible story is about something Jesus did for His disciples to show them how much He loved them. Jesus did something very unusual. Listen to hear what Jesus did. Bible Story Jesus Washed the Disciples Feet (John 13:4-5; 12-15) One night Jesus was having supper with His disciples. Jesus got up from the table, took off His robe, got a towel and tied it around His waist. Next, He poured water into a bowl and began to wash the feet of each disciple. After He washed each disciple s feet, He dried their feet with the towel tied around Him. The disciples were not sure why Jesus would do this. The men had walked all day on the dusty ground. Their feet were dirty, but why would Jesus take the time to wash their dirty feet instead of letting a servant do this for them? When Jesus finished washing their feet, He put on His robe and went back to the table. He asked His friends: Do you know what I have done for you? The disciples probably looked at each other because they were not sure why Jesus had washed their feet. Then Jesus said, If I, your Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another s feet. I have given you an example that you should do as I have done. Talk Time 1. Show the teaching picture for today s Bible story. Ask the following: What was Jesus doing in the picture? Did the disciples understand why Jesus was washing their feet? Why do you think Jesus wanted to wash their feet? 2. Read the Bible Phrase on the teaching picture. Say the phrase together. Explain to children that Jesus washed their feet to help them understand they were to serve others, even if it meant washing dirty feet. Continue saying Jesus wants us to serve others with love; whatever we can do to help is what Jesus would want us to do. 3. Close the Bible Story Time in prayer by asking God to help us serve others with love. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT06 Lesson 4 Hour A Page 3

Craft Time Make a Bible Phrase Butterfly Copies of Bible Phrase Butterfly (Reproducible) Crayons or washable markers What to Do: Give each child a copy of the Bible Phrase Butterfly. Ask each child to place one foot (shoes on is fine) between the wings of the butterfly. Trace around the child s foot. Invite each child to draw eyes and antennae on the body (foot outline) of the butterfly and then color the butterfly. Link to Bible Story: Read the Bible Phrase. Talk about ways we can show our love to others through serving such as being willing to clean our rooms without complaining, helping out with a younger brother or sister, carrying groceries from the car to the house, setting the table, raking leaves or helping with yard work, etc. Snack Time Be sure to wash hands or use hand sanitizer. Say a thank-you prayer to God for the snack. When snack time has ended, encourage preschoolers to help with cleaning up. Game Time/Dismissal How Can I Serve? Beanbag CD player and music What to Do: Ask children to form a circle around you. Talk about ways we can serve others with love such as cleaning our rooms, putting away our clothes, helping set the table, picking up toys in the yard or playroom, helping with a younger brother or sister, doing jobs for our grandparents or an elderly neighbor, etc. Begin playing the music and tossing the beanbag around the circle. At intervals, stop the music; whoever is holding the beanbag tells a way he or she can serve someone else. At the close of the game, emphasize that Jesus wants us to serve others with love. That means we serve with happy hearts. Dismiss children as parents arrive. Be sure to follow the security procedures of your church. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT06 Lesson 4 Hour A Page 4

Resources and Supplies New Testament Unit 6: Jesus Shared His Love Lesson 4: Jesus Washed the Disciples Feet Hour A Standard Art Supplies (Supplies that are generally in the room) Washable markers Crayons Child scissors Playdough and accessories Drawing paper Easel (optional) Glue/glue sticks Tempera paint, 4 colors Tape/masking tape Pencils/colored pencils Hole punch Teacher scissors Stapler/staples Permanent markers Watercolors Paintbrushes Yarn Standard Equipment (Equipment that is generally in the room) Small beanbag for Bible Story Time Assorted wooden/cardboard puzzles Set of wooden blocks Small cars and trucks Doll bed Baby doll (soft plastic) Stove/sink unit Play dishes/pots and pans Small table and chairs Small carpet for block area Play food items Storage shelf for blocks Tables and chairs for art, puzzles, and Bible Learning Center CD player/children s Worship CDs Reproducibles (Included with the lesson plan downloads) Activity Page Jesus Showed His Love/I Can Show His Love (1 copy per child) Bible Phrase Butterfly (1 copy per child) Teaching Picture Jesus Washed the Disciples Feet (1 copy per class) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock, 1 copy per class) Parents Connect Page (1 copy per child) Additional Art and Bible Learning Materials White construction paper (1 per sheet per child) Blue painter s tape Optional: sponge brush Additional Craft Time Materials Several Emergency vehicles Additional Home Living Materials Dishpan, Towel, Mild soap God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT06 Lesson 4 Hour A

Jesus Showed His Love I Can Show His Love Jesus Showed His Love/I Can Show His Love Instructions: Assist children in tracing around their hand on the right side of the picture. Children color their hand prints and the Bible story picture. NT06 Lesson 4 Hour A Center Time: Bible Learning Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com

Bible Phrase Butterfly Serve one another through love. Galatians 5:13 Bible Phrase Butterfly Instructions: One copy per child on cardstock. Assist children in tracing their foot between the wings of the butterfly. Invite children to draw eyes and antennae on the body. NT06 Lesson 4 Hour A Craft Time God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2013 - SundaySchoolZone.com