Lord's Supper and Foot Washing

TEXT: Mark 14:22-26; John 13:2-5, 12-17

OBJECTIVE

The students can relate what happened during and following the Lord's Supper, and tell why we should follow the example the Lord set at that time.

BIBLE LESSON OUTLINE

Introduction: Draw a large-circle smiling face on a chalkboard, or prepare and cut one out ahead of class time. Tell your students that today you are going to talk about something that God promises will make us happy. Review the memory verse, emphasizing the phrase, "happy are ye if ye do them."

1. Jesus introduced the Lord's Supper to the disciples in the upper room.
2. He took bread and broke it into pieces, blessed it and said, "Take, eat: this is my body." He meant that the bread represented His body.
3. Jesus took a cup of grape juice, blessed it and they all drank of it. He said, "This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many." The juice represented His Blood.
4. After the Lord's Supper Jesus took a towel, poured water into a basin and washed the disciples' feet.

Climax: Jesus set an example for us to follow as He introduced the Lord's Supper and Foot Washing to the disciples.

Conclusion: We should observe the ordinance of the Lord's Supper and Foot Washing. We will be made happy if we do.

Response: The students will be able to relate what happened at the Lord's Supper and Foot Washing and tell why we should follow the Lord's example.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

When the Children of Israel left the land of Egypt, God instituted the feast of the Passover. The ordinance was to be a perpetual statute commemorating the passing of the Lord over the Children of Israel when He smote the firstborn of the Egyptians.

However, the Children of Israel went into idolatry and failed to keep the Passover as instructed, and God brought severe judgment upon them. When King Hezekiah began to reign, he immediately opened up the House of the Lord. He had the priests cleanse and sanctify themselves and the Temple with its vessels, and then offer sin offerings. When all was done it was too late to have the Passover on the first month, so the king, the princes, and all the congregation agreed to hold it the fourteenth day of the second month. Hezekiah sent out letters to all of Israel and Judah requesting them to join with those at Jerusalem for the Passover. Some mocked the messengers and laughed them to scorn, but many came and God blessed the people who did.

In Jesus' time, the feast of the Passover was just a formality. God has always demanded a heartfelt worship. Even through the prophet Isaiah, God said that His soul hated their appointed feasts (Isaiah 1:11-17). God told them to cease to do evil and do good and then He would have respect unto their offerings.

This was the last time that Jesus and His disciples were able to partake of the Passover, as Jesus was soon to return to Heaven. It was here that Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper and Foot Washing. People today should be warned to examine themselves (1 Corinthians 11:28) because God will judge those who partake unworthily. God has no more pleasure in formality today than He did in Isaiah's time.

IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES

• Teach the day's lesson, then review by making statements, some true and some false. If the statement is true, have the class make a thumbs-up response; if false, a thumbs-down response. For example, Jesus had Peter wash His feet (thumbs down). Jesus took bread and blessed it (thumbs up).
• Give each child a copy of the "Happy Are Ye" fold-out (see Patterns). Let them color the designs on the right and left sides which represent the Lord's Supper and Foot Washing. Then have them write their memory verse on the lines provided in the center section.
• Bring a small piece of unleavened bread and some grape juice to class. Also, bring a small basin, water, and a towel. Using these, explain what takes place at an ordinance service. Emphasize that we feel joy and happiness because of our obedience to God, but this is not a "party"! (Do NOT serve the Lord's Supper to your class!)
• Talk about things that help us remember events in the past. Bring photo albums, birthday cards, baby memory books, etc. Liken these to the ordinance service which Jesus instituted to help us remember Him and the sacrifice He made for us.

Special Instructions for Unit 31: Refer to Lesson 7c for additional ideas.

QUESTIONS

1. Why does Jesus want Christians to take part in the Lord's Supper?
2. Why did Jesus want to eat His last supper with His disciples?
3. What did the bread represent?
4. What did the wine (juice) represent?
5. How do you think the disciples felt as Jesus told them that it was time for Him to die?
6. Why do you think Jesus washed Peter's feet?
7. Why did Jesus want the disciples to wash each other's feet?
8. Why do we still wash each other's feet?
9. What does example mean?
10. Why is it important to simply obey even when we don't understand?

PRE-SCHOOL SUGGESTIONS

• These children might like to make the thumbs up/down motion described under In-Class Activities.
• Have paper cut-out plates and glasses. The children can color the juice in the glass and draw on the plate what Jesus gave to the disciples.
• The preschool presentation for this lesson should not go into much detail regarding the specifics of the text. Rather, emphasize that we are happy when we obey God. Use pictures and books on obedience to stress this point. Small dolls and other props can be used to present current-day stories on this theme.
• To illustrate the thought of "happy are ye if ye do them," ask each child to do one task for you, such as pass out stickers, or hand you something. Talk about how good they feel when they obey.

REVIEW IDEAS‍

Adapt the In-Class activity using photo albums, birthday cards, memory books, or other items illustrating ways we help ourselves remember. You could use slide pictures from family gatherings as a means of illustrating this.

Dramatize a personal story or an imaginary incident showing obedience and the happiness it brings. For example: a child's being told to clean a room and not wanting to do so, but then obeying. Later a cousin calls and because he has done such a good job on his room, his mother lets him go to the zoo with the cousin.

Make 14 copies each of the foot and the smiley face cards (see Patterns). Write each of the Apostles' names on a foot and a face (one name on each). On the remaining feet and faces write ME on one set and YOU on the other set. Lay these upside down on several different chairs in the assembly area just before your review. When the children assemble, tell them to hold their card until you ask for it. First have the students who are holding the face cards that have the names of the 12 Apostles on them come to the front. Let them read off the names on their cards. Briefly relate what Jesus told them about the bread and wine. After that group of students returns to their seats, have the students who are holding the feet cards that have the names of the 12 Apostles come to the front. Let them read the names on their cards. Again briefly relate the details of the Foot Washing and ask the children if they know the promise Jesus gave to them. After that group of students returns to their seats ask if that was all there was to the Lord's Supper and the Foot Washing. Were the 12 Apostles the only ones to be included in that special event? At this time ask if there are any other face cards or feet cards that were not already brought to the front. Have the last four students come forward and read their cards. Conclude with the explanation that all who truly love Jesus are included in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper and Foot Washing.

SUPPORT MATERIAL

• The Bread and the Wine — Arch Book