Objective
Students will see how Jesus modeled love and humility through servanthood, and be challenged to follow His example by serving others in everyday ways.
Warm Up
Role Reversal – Have students partner up. Each person writes down a chore or task they dislike doing (like dishes, laundry, mowing the lawn, or taking out the trash).
Then, partners trade lists and share one idea for how they could help the other with that task this week.
Encourage them to think of practical and realistic ways they could actually serve.
After a few minutes, invite a couple of pairs to share what they came up with.
Discuss:
- How did it feel to imagine serving someone else in something you don’t enjoy?
- Why do we usually want to avoid those kinds of tasks?
- How does helping someone in small, practical ways show love?
Transition
In Jesus’ day, washing feet was one of the lowest tasks a servant could do. Yet in this scene, we see Jesus kneel down and do it for His disciples. He turned the world’s idea of greatness upside down. Let’s watch the clip.
The Clip
Play “Jesus Washes Disciples’ Feet” from Season 5, Episode 7 of The Chosen.
Discuss:
- What emotions did you notice on the disciples’ faces as Jesus washed their feet?
- Why do you think Peter resisted at first?
- How does this moment change the way we think about leadership?
- How would it feel if Jesus knelt in front of you to serve in this way?
Transition
This scene shows us that real love is willing to kneel, to serve, and to give – even when it feels uncomfortable or beneath us. Let’s look at how the Bible explains the heart behind Jesus’ actions.
Bible Study
Read John 13:1-10
Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, and Peter resists.
- Why do you think Peter didn’t want Jesus to wash his feet?
- How does his reaction mirror the way we sometimes resist being served – or resist God’s grace?
- What does Jesus’ response teach us about letting Him cleanse and lead us?
- Why is it sometimes harder to receive than to give?
Read John 13:12-17
Jesus explains His example.
- What does it mean when Jesus says, “You also should wash one another’s feet”?
- How does this redefine what leadership and greatness look like?
- What does verse 17 mean for us?
- What’s one specific way you can follow Jesus’ example of servanthood this week?
Read Philippians 2:3-5
Paul calls us to imitate Christ’s humility.
- What makes it hard to “value others above yourselves”?
- How does humility strengthen relationships and communities?
- Why is humility essential to real love and servanthood?
- How can you adopt “the mindset of Christ” in your school or family life?
Wrap Up
When Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, He showed that love is not about status, power, or position – it’s about humility and service. The greatest One in the room chose to be the servant of all. Peter resisted at first because it felt upside -down for the Messiah to take the role of a servant – but that’s exactly the point.
We often resist God’s call to humility or hesitate to serve when it feels uncomfortable. Yet Jesus reminds us that real love is willing to kneel, to serve, and to give. He calls us to do the same: to love by serving, to lead by kneeling, and to point others to Him through our actions.
Challenge
This week, look for one practical way to serve someone in your life – a classmate, a teacher, a family member – without expecting anything in return. Do it quietly, with humility, as if you were serving Jesus Himself.