2 Crafts to Teach About Jesus Washing the Disciples’ Feet

Here are two crafts you can use with kids to teach them about when Jesus washes the disciples’ feet.

Kids design serving trays as they learn how Jesus showed his disciples how to serve others.

What Kids Will Need:

• aluminum pans,
• white paint,
• paintbrush,
• tempera paint,
• paper plates,
• rubber craft stamps,
• rickrack,
• craft glue,
• marker,
• snacks.

A few days before this activity, paint each aluminum pan white. On the day of the craft, squeeze a little paint onto several paper plates, and place these within children’s reach.

What Kids Will Do

Give each child a white aluminum pan. Write each child’s name on the bottom of his or her pan. Guide children in lightly dipping rubber stamps in paint and then pressing the stamp once or twice on a paper plate to remove excess paint. Let children stamp designs on the white pans. To trim pan edges, children may glue rickrack around the perimeter. As children work, let them brainstorm ideas for using their trays.

While trays dry, ask children to assist you in cleaning up and putting away craft supplies. Open your Bible to John 13:1-17, and tell the story of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Then ask:

• What does it mean to serve someone?
• Why do you think Jesus washed the disciples’ feet?
• What do you think Jesus hoped the disciples would learn about serving?

Say: Jesus washed the disciples’ feet to show them how much he loved them. He wanted his disciples to learn to serve and love others too. Jesus wants us to serve and love people, just like his disciples did. We can show love by serving and helping others.

Let the children serve each other snacks, using the trays they just made.

Action Aprons

Kids make aprons to remind them to serve others.

What Kids Will Need:

• 9×12-inch pieces of white felt,
• hole punch,
• yarn,
• tempera paints,
• paper plates,
• sponge shapes,
• scissors

Pour a thin layer of paint onto several paper plates. Use the hole punch to make holes (about 2 inches apart) across the longer side of each piece of felt. Set out all other supplies where children can easily reach them.

What Kids Will Do

Give each child a piece of white felt and a 4-foot length of yarn. Direct children to lace yarn through the holes, creating apron “strings.” Allow children to dip the sponges in the paint and stamp patterns on their aprons.

When children have finished, ask them to help you collect the craft supplies. Discuss the John 13:1-17 account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.

Ask:

• Can you name some things you can do to put this apron “into action”?
• When you serve others, how do you think it makes them feel?
• How does serving someone else make you feel?

Say: We can grow in love by serving others. Jesus was a servant; he came to take away our sins and show us God’s love. Jesus set an example for us to follow. We can be like Jesus and serve others with love.

Wows That Work

Let children don their aprons and launch into cleaning their meeting room. Toys should be put away, floor can be swept, and furniture may be dusted. Small toy brooms actually do “work,” and socks worn over hands make fun dusters.