Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
This fun craft uses real suds, yet stays completely dry and mess-free (as long as the baggie stays closed). Thank you Lord for the idea! <3
When Jesus began to wash His disciples' feet at the Last Supper before He went to the cross, they were surprised. Washing a guest's feet was customary in Bible times, but it was done by a servant, usually one who was more lowly in rank. Here was their Master and Rabbi humbling Himself to do it!
We can explain to the kids that Jesus did this to help us remember that we're never too good to serve someone else. If the King of Kings and Lord of Lords humbled Himself as a servant, how much more should we!
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. ~ John 13:14-15
This craft is very simple, so to keep them from finishing their coloring in about 2 seconds so they can get to the fun part, I have them really make a good effort at coloring their page. While they're coloring I go over the basics of the lesson.
THEN when they're ready, they have to "earn" their bag of bubbles by answering a question or two!
Some typical questions could be:
At what special event did today's story take place? (The Last Supper/Lord's Supper or Passover or the disciples' last dinner)
What big event was about to take place the next day? (Jesus was going to the cross)
WHY did Jesus wash His disciples' feet? (As an example, to show them they should serve each other too)
Did He do it before or after the meal? (After)
Which disciple asked Jesus why He was doing what He was doing? (Peter)
MATERIALS NEEDED:
White copy paper or card stock
Crayons or markers
Snack-size baggies (but you could make the regular size work)
Blue food coloring
Foaming hand soap (dish soap and a tiny bit of water works too)
Double-sided tape is helpful
This looks like a drop, but it's just a speck. A whole drop is too much! :)
DIRECTIONS:
BEFORE CLASS, Put ONE drop of blue food coloring on a non-porous surface. Using a toothpick or other tool, put the TEENSIEST SPECK of food coloring inside of each baggie. I must emphasize that it should be SO TINY! Otherwise the suds will be a fakey blue color. One drop ought to be enough for about 10-12 baggies.
Copy coloring page onto card stock (pref.) or regular paper.
Have the children color their papers.
Bubble time! Put about 3 squirts of foaming hand soap into their baggie and RESEAL IT COMPLETELY, pressing out excess air. (They can pump the soap, but you should close the bag for them.)
Let them squish the suds around and work the food coloring throughout.
Using tape loops or double-sided tape, fasten the baggie over the washtub in the picture. (I put the seal facing down just to keep it out of the way.)
WOO! Squishy, soapy fun with NO MESS!
...And even if the bag does accidentally open, it's not the end of the world!