Reply to "MUSIC and "OTHER" Workshops, Resources and Ideas for Last Supper, Foot Washing"

Foot Washing and "Servant Seed Bomb"

Mission/Service Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:
Students will make “seed bombs” (a clump of compost, clay, and seeds) that will beautify an area that needs some vegetation for pollinators (bees and butterflies) and as a way of honoring God's world and its creatures. By looking at the story behind various feet, they will realize that Jesus wasn't "against" dirty feet, he was showing respect and care for their owners, and so should we.

Scripture Reference:
John 13:1-20

Leader Preparation:

Create cards explaining the project to send home with Seed Bombs to families. Editor adds: Cards should include -- Allow for the balls to dry for a few days. Throw your seed bomb onto an appropriate spot. (Not your neighbors yard or in to the street.) Make sure the spot you choose has sufficient soil, moisture and sunlight.
Gather the materials.

Materials List:

Family Story Bible or NRSV Bible
wax paper
(optional) string to tie up the seed ball package
compost
clay
wildflower seeds (Editors note: do not use large seeds as this will cause the balls to crack when drying)
paper to cover the table

Lesson Plan

Opening :

Gather your students and explain what they'll be doing and learning about today.

Pictures of Feet

Collect and show various pictures of feet. We've attached MANY to this lesson! Feet can tell a story. They are not the most "honored" or beautiful part of the body, but serve an important purpose. At the Last Supper, the disciples and Jesus observed the ritual of "washing" ones feet before reclining at table. Keep in mind that they wore sandals and walked dirt roads. But the washing was more than just a sign of being "clean," it was a sign of respect to each other and to God whose table they were joining.

Get reactions from your students. Have them decide "what the story is" behind each picture (it doesn't matter what the real story is, rather, that they begin to see something "ugly" and "dirty" in a new way -- like Jesus sees us.

In Romans 10:15, Paul announces, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." In other words, Jesus values us in different ways than the world values us.

Click the images to enlarge and save them. Find your own as well.

What stories might these feet be telling?

What makes a foot truly "beautiful" to God?

How does "caring for the least beautiful" reveal our true hearts?

Read the Story of Jesus Washing Peter's Feet

Use a Bible or storybook with illustrations (preferred) to get the visual impact of this part of the Last Supper story.

Making Pollinator Flower Seed Bombs:

Explain that today, just like Jesus, we’re going to get our hands dirty in order to bring forth something beautiful and helpful to God's world. NO... We’re not going to wash each other’s feet exactly, but we are going to get our hands dirty so that we can serve God's world.
Explain the idea of a “seed bomb” (a clump of compost, clay, and seeds that will beautify an area that needs vegetation). Often it's a way to plant flowers where people don't expect them, which is kind of like what happens with God's kingdom...it shows up where we don't expect, and we can work for God's kingdom--just like we can make seed bombs, but it's really God that makes the kingdom...and the flowers...grow).
Seed "bombs" are also a way to grown flowers for "pollinators" like bees -- the "least of these" insects that make a big impact on the land's ability to grow food.
Show the kids how to mix the seeds and the soil to form it. (There are some pretty straightforward instructions from this website: https://www.instructables.com/howto/seed+bomb/ If link goes dead, search for "Seed bombs"
Let everyone make one, and then talk about how/where to plant them (obviously, nowhere with concrete…make sure it’s in a place that it’s okay for flowers to grow—not someone’s lawn, but maybe where the drainage ditch is, or in the median of the highway, or near the bike trail).
When they are finished, have them wrap their dirt bombs in a piece of wax paper and ask them where they think they might put theirs. Give each of them a pre-made card to put with their Seed Bomb so that their parents know what to do with their creation.

Discuss how making Seed Bombs is serving others.

For more info, watch this video:

Closing:

How can we make a "SERVING BOMB" ?? What would we put in it? What would be wrap it in? What are some places in the world that Jesus wants us to "throw" it?

To illustrate this idea, write answers on tennis balls or small rubber balls and wrap them in a piece of newspaper. Throw it high and watch it splatter and spread.