Session 17: Love Serves – Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet & William and Catherine Booth

Scripture: John 13:1–17
Mission Focus: William and Catherine Booth (England → the world)
Key Verse: 1 John 3:18
Series: Missions: Big World, Bigger God

Lesson Overview

What does loving service look like?

In this session, children discover how Jesus willingly took the place of a servant and washed His disciples’ feet. They then meet William and Catherine Booth, who shared the Good News and served people experiencing poverty, hunger, homelessness, and rejection.

Together, these stories teach children that Jesus loved and served us first. Because of His love, we can notice people’s needs and respond with humble, practical service—without seeking attention or praise.

What Children Will Learn

• Jesus willingly took the servant’s place.
• We need the cleansing and love that only Jesus gives.
• We serve others because Jesus loved and served us first.
• No loving act of service is unimportant.
• Love notices people and responds to their needs.
• Our words and actions should work together.
• Serving with others helps us meet needs we could not meet alone.

📖 Bible Focus: Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

This session begins with Jesus and His disciples gathered for a special meal.

Children discover how:

• Jesus wrapped a towel around His waist and washed His disciples’ dusty feet;
• their Lord and Teacher willingly performed a servant’s job;
• Peter first refused to let Jesus wash him;
• Jesus showed that we need the cleansing only He can give;
• Jesus told His disciples to follow His example.

Jesus said:

“I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.”
John 13:15

The story helps children understand that serving does not earn Jesus’ love. We serve because He loved, cleansed, and served us first.

Following His example means being willing to notice a need, take the servant’s place, and complete even ordinary jobs with love.

🌍 Mission Story: William and Catherine Booth

Children are then introduced to William and Catherine Booth, the founders of the movement that became The Salvation Army.

They’ll discover how:

• William saw the effects of poverty while working in a pawnbroker’s shop;
• Catherine studied the Bible and cared deeply about families harmed by poverty and alcohol;
• William took the message of Jesus into the streets when poor people were made to feel unwelcome in church;
• they combined preaching with food, shelter, nursing, and practical care;
• they trained teams of men and women to serve others;
• the Salvationists continued helping people even when crowds mocked and attacked them.

Catherine Booth said:

“What does God want with us? He wants us just to be and to do. He wants us to be like His Son and then do as His Son did.”

Their story shows children that Christian love does more than speak. It listens, notices, and acts.

🎥 Watch the Story Videos

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet – Bible Story

William and Catherine Booth – Short Biography

William and Catherine Booth – Full Story

Lesson Resources

Everything you need to teach this session in one printable pack:

• Step-by-step teaching guide
• Illustrated Bible and missionary stories
• Colour and black-and-white story pages
• Group games and discussion questions
• 1 John 3:18 memory verse activities
• William and Catherine Booth missionary focus cards
• Soup-counting activity
• Design a Helper’s Hat activity
• True-or-false worksheet
• Colour-by-number page
• Hallelujah bonnet craft
• Washing feet basin craft
• Salvation Army timbrel craft
• Colouring pages
• Five-Minute Helper take-home challenge
• Printable reward badges
• Answer page

Printable Story Booklets Optional:

Includes fully illustrated stories about Jesus washing His disciples’ feet and William and Catherine Booth. Ideal for take-home use, lesson review, and helping children retell what they have learned.

FREE DOWNLOAD

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