Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

A Soap-Making Art Workshop

Summary:

Children will make soap as they re-enact and remember a key moment at the Last Supper when Jesus washed Peter's feet as a example of the kind of humble servanthood he expects from his disciples.

Scripture Reference:

John 13:1-17

Memory Verses:

John 13:1-17 “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

Materials List:

• Clear Glycerin soap block
• Fragrances (citrus is popular)
• Dixie cups
• Craft "popsicle" sticks (optional)
• Paper clips (to hold the stick upright in the cup)
• A heating source to melt the glycerin (hotplate, stove, or microwave)
• 9X14 cake pan
• Ice.
• Hand-sanitizer
• Bowl of water and a towel
  
  Note: There are many "how to make glycerin soap with kids" online. It's simple.

Lesson Plan

Opening:

Greet the children and introduce yourself explaining what they'll be doing today and what you hope they will learn. As you say these things, wash each of their hands with some hand-sanitizer.

Study:

Our Bible story this month is from the gospel of John. Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. Disciples who were all wearing sandals and had been walking down dirt roads. Can you imagine someone like Jesus washing dirty feet? Would you do it?

Tell the story, or read the story from the Bible, then proceed to the soap making activity so that it has some time to harden.

To Help Us Remember Jesus' Lesson, We're Going to Make Our Own Soap

Soap Recipe:

• Unscented, clear glycerin soap block
• 1/4-teaspoon fragrance oil
• Optional: Food coloring (They also make colored glycerin drops)
• Craft sticks if you want to make soap on a stick, otherwise, use them to stir the soap
• Paper clips (if using the sticks)
• Plastic knives to cut the soap block
• Dixie paper cups or other molds, such as silicon molds
• Baggies, or plastic wrap to carry the soap home in
• You’ll also need a flat bottom 3" deep pan you can fill with ice water to set the soap. If the soaps harden completely within the time span of the workshop, the children can un-mold them, or simply tear off the paper cup, otherwise, have them take the soap home in the cup for additional hardening.
  
  STEPS:

1. Have children help cut the glycerin soap into small cubes, about 2 ounces each.
2. Melt 2 ounces at a time in a small saucepan over very low heat or microwave in a glass cup.
3. You may wish or need to melt several different batches, each of which can have a different color.
4. Add fragrance oil and 2 drops of food coloring. Stir gently and pour into Dixie cup. Put a stick into the cup, using the paper clip to hold the stick in the middle of the soap. (Alternately, you can use a small piece of aluminum foil placed over the stick to hold it in the center of the cup.
5. Put the soap-filled Dixie cups into a cake pan filled with ice water. Remove from cup molds when soap is hardened. Store in plastic bags with a ribbon or twist tie.

While the Soap Hardens

Pull out a towel and bowl of water and announce, "OKAY, WHO WANTS TO BE JESUS AND WHO WANTS TO BE PETER AND GET THEIR FEET WASHED?"

If there is hesitation, say, "Ok, who wants to get their hands washed (again)?" This will loosen them up.

Now hand the towel and bowl to a willing student and ask 'who is brave enough to let "our Jesus here" wash their foot?"  (Don't expect everyone to do this, the point is to create a memorable moment and opportunity to discuss the significance of what Jesus was teaching them. If there's still hesistation, say, "how about an ankle?" A nose?)

Jesus was teaching his disciples to be HUMBLE, to not be afraid to act like a servant. He was also teaching us not to be afraid of letting others care for us! That may seem strange to you, but some people try to push others away or don't think they need any help ever!

Ask: "What are some things that SERVANTS DO"?  ...and write them on the board.   (What does a maid do? A plumber? A waiter?  What kind of "unsung" and small but helpful things do you do to care for your family? a brother or sister? a friend? a homeless person? Think of quiet and thankless acts of service and love.)

Write these on the board as they are shared.

Ask and Say: Do you think Jesus means we ACTUALLY have to go wash everyone's feet?  (No)  What was he teaching us then?

Closing:

With the chilling soap in front of everyone or ready to unwrap, remember Jesus' message to us and some of the ways we came up with to be humble and serve others. Challenge each student to find something they can do to serve another within the next hour or two. Encourage them to "explain their soap" to others and use it as a reminder of Jesus' example to us.

Close with a prayer and prepare the soap to go home.

EXTRA:

Wrap extra soap and tie it with a tag that has the memory verse "Do as I have done." Give these gifts to others.

A lesson based one posted by the Chicago Rotation.org Roundtable Group