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God Loves Me


This week's lesson focuses on God's love for us, and how we should show love to others. Even kids can wrestle with self worth and feelings of instability. It's close to my heart to let them know that no matter one, this one thing is true. God loves you. Explore the story of Jesus washing the disciples' feet, the concept of serving others, and the love God has lavished upon them.

Circle Time: 
Bible Verse - Discuss 1 John 3:1. "See what great love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" Talk about how families love each other unconditionally, and how God is a Father who cares for us every day. Be careful not to limit the discussion to how our earthly fathers love us, since not every child's family situation is the same and the parents may not be present in their lives.

 Songs - Choose a few songs to sing about God's love for us. This could be as simple as Jesus Loves Me, but I've started singing It's You I Like from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood in our music time. I love using this as an opportunity to talk with the kids about how God loves them no matter what, and that I love them too. For older kids, the song Hello My Name Is by Matthew West is based on the Bible verse for this week. 

 Stretch - Discuss how God's love is so great, that it covers all our sins, all our mistakes, and the whole wide world. Place your hands about a foot apart, and ask "Is this how big God loves me?" Stretch out your arms as wide as you can and ask again. Line everyone up and have the whole class stretch into one long line and ask again. The answer is still no! God loves us so much, we could never even see how big it is. 

 Bible Story: 
This story can be found in John 13. Here a version I condensed and adapted from the ICB version. 
It was almost time for the Passover Feast, and almost time for Jesus to leave this world and go back to the Father. He had always loved those who were his own in the world, and he loved them all the way to the end. Even his close friend Judas, who would betray him. Jesus and his followers were at the evening meal.

During the meal Jesus stood up and took off his outer clothing. Taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers’ feet. He dried them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Jesus came to Simon Peter. But Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus answered, “You don’t understand what I am doing now. But you will understand later.”
Peter said, “No! You will never wash my feet.” 
Jesus answered, “If I don’t wash your feet, then you are not one of my people.” 
Simon Peter answered, “Lord, after you wash my feet, wash my hands and my head, too!” 
Jesus said, “After a person has had a bath, his whole body is clean. He needs only to wash his feet. And you men are clean, but not all of you.” Jesus knew that Judas would turn against him. That is why Jesus said, “Not all of you are clean.” But even knowing what Judas would do, he cleaned his feet and showed him kindness anyway. 
 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and sat down again. Jesus asked, “Do you understand what I have just done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ And this is right, because that is what I am.  I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet. So you also should wash each other’s feet. I did this as an example for you. So you should do as I have done for you. 
For younger children: Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
For older children: Jesus Washes Feet // Message

 Object Lesson: 
Bring a shallow plastic tub and several towels. Invite the children to sit and let you wash their feet just like Jesus did. For some groups it may be easier to bring baby wipes and clean their feet that way. Or if you're concerned about hygiene, bring plastic dolls and let the children wash the doll's feet. 

 Craft: 
Trace each child's foot onto cardstock and let them color it in. You may want to wait to do this after you've washed and dried their feet. You could even try letting everyone try to hold the crayon between their toes and color with their feet! 

 Additional Resource: 
Today and Always, This Is True, God Loves You by Holley Gerth
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