Bible Stories for Adults

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

John 13:1-20



Welcome and Announcements
    Next Week - Jesus Ascends into Heaven (Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11)
    Bible Words to Remember:
      I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:15

Opening Prayer


Jesus' Example (Philippians 2:5-8)
    What is the key message of today's lesson?
      Philippians 2:5-7
    How did Jesus fulfill the role of a humble, obedient servant?
      Philippians 2:8

An Example from Last Week's Lesson (Mark 6:31-44)
    How intent was Jesus in living His life as a servant?
      Mark 3:20-21, 31-34
    In last week's lesson, who was Jesus concerned about after learning of John's death?
      Mark 6:31-32
    How did Jesus react when this solitary place proved not to be so solitary?
      Mark 6:33-34

    How did Jesus again play the role of a servant as evening approached?
      Mark 6:35-37
    How did the great servant complete this example when His apostles gave up?
      Mark 6:38-44

The Example of Everyday Servants (Luke 17:7-10)
    How did Jesus illustrate the tireless service of an obedient servant?
      Luke 17:7-8
    Should we, as obedient servants, expect praise for our service?
      Luke 17:9-10

The Well-Taught Students (Mark 9:33-37)
    Did the apostles learn servanthood after a couple of years watching Jesus live as a servant?
      Mark 9:33-34
    Did Jesus clearly explain their calling as servants, or did they misunderstand a parable?
      Mark 9:35
    How did Jesus add an object lesson to make sure they understood?
      Mark 9:36-37

A Forgotten Lesson (Mark 10:13-16)
    Did the apostles take this lesson to heart?
      Mark 10:13
    How did Jesus restate His lesson of a few months earlier?
      Mark 10:14-16

Looking for Greatness in All the Wrong Places (Mark 10:32-41)
    How did Jesus again show His obedient servanthood a few days later?
      Mark 10:32-34
    Did the apostles recognize and understand what Jesus was doing?
      Mark 10:35-37
    Were James and John willing to work to earn these positions of honor?
      Mark 10:38-39
    Would they be given these positions of honor because they wanted them or were first to ask?
      Mark 10:40
    How did the other apostles feel about J&J's attempt to be the greatest?
      Mark 10:41

Greatness in the Lord's Kingdom (Mark 10:42-45; 1 Peter 5:1-6)
    How did Jesus explain that greatness in His Kingdom is different than greatness in this world?
      Mark 10:42-44
    What example could the apostles look at to see the greatness of servanthood in action?
      Mark 10:45

    How did one of the witnesses to this lesson later explain it to other church leaders?
      1 Peter 5:1-3
    What benefit is there in serving rather than ruling?
      1 Peter 5:4
    Is this message of humility only for leaders?
      1 Peter 5:5-6

A Servant to the End (John 13:1-3)
    With less than 24 hours to live, what did Jesus feel was most important to do?
      John 13:1
    How did this obedient servant show the full extent of His love?
      John 15:13
    Had Jesus' final hours begun to play out?
      John 13:2
    Could Jesus have stopped and changed the story at this point?
      John 13:3

The Servant Takes Off His Outer Clothing (John 13:4)
    How did Jesus take this final opportunity to show Himself as a servant?
      John 13:4
    The verb took off is also translated as laid down in John 10. Why is this significant?
      John 10:11, 15
    Why did Jesus take off His outer clothing?
      John 10:17-18

The Servant in Action (John 13:5-8)
    How did Jesus then show that we aren't just called to look like servants?
      John 13:5
    Was this a job for important or lesser servants?
      1 Samuel 25:40-41
    How was Jesus' action accepted by the apostles?
      John 13:6-8a
    What did Jesus mean by later you will understand?
      John 14:25-26

Clean Souls (John 13:8)
    How did Jesus respond to Peter's refusal to be cleaned by Jesus?
      John 13:8
    What part will those have who are washed by the Lamb?
      Revelation 7:9-10, 13-14
    Will these saved people live as servants or will they be served by others?
      Revelation 7:15a
    What joy can there be in an eternity of servanthood?
      Revelation 7:15b-17

Our Bath (John 13:9-10)
    How did Peter over-react as usual to this threat of being excluded from Jesus' kingdom?
      John 13:9
    How did Jesus use Peter's misunderstanding to teach them other lessons?
      John 13:10

    People didn't have baths in their homes, they had to wash at a public bath
      After washing, they would have to walk home on dirt roads
      People kept basins of water at their doors to wash street dirt off their feet
    What bath was Jesus referring to?
      Romans 6:4
    How are we to get the "street dirt" cleaned from our feet as we walk in this world of sin?
      1 John 1:9

Everyone is Invited to Bathe (John 13:11)
    What did Jesus mean in verse 10 that not every one of you are clean?
      John 13:11
    Why did Jesus also wash Judas' feet, knowing what he was about to do?
      1 John 2:1-2
    Could Judas truly have been forgiven for such a large sin?
      James 5:20

The Lesson Explained (John 13:12-17)
    After this great object lesson, how did Jesus make sure the apostles got the point?
      John 13:12-13
    Why did Jesus go through this whole routine rather than just saying this up front?
      John 13:14-17

The Final Exam (Luke 22:24-30)
    Did the apostles finally understand what servanthood is all about?
      Luke 22:24
    Did Jesus finally just give up?
      Luke 22:25-26
    What example did Jesus again offer?
      Luke 22:27
    What reward is in store for those who serve?
      Luke 22:28-30

Closing Prayer



Copyright © 1997 by Kurt Rosenhagen

Use of this material is provided free of charge for use in personal or group Bible Study, no permission needed.
The author reserves all rights for use in published material or in uses where fees are involved.
For permission, or to provide your comments, insights and feedback, contact the author at:

kurt@biblestoriesforadults.com


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