Week: Jesus' Friends & Family
Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
What a friend we have in You, Jesus. We’re ready for the new things that You want to show us and say to us about being friends with You, and with others too.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Asaph
Proverbs 17:17
Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
Proverbs 17:17 (MSG)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Jesus and His disciples had been walking along dusty roads all day and their feet were dirty. When they arrived at the house where they were meant to be eating, the disciples expected someone to come and wash their feet – that was what usually happened. But to their amazement, Jesus picked up a bowl of water and a towel and He began to wash their feet. Today, we’re REFLECTING on how they responded.
Read by Asaph
John 12:8-9,14
Peter said, ‘No, you will never wash my feet.’
Jesus answered, ’If I don’t wash your feet, you are not one of my people.’
Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, then wash not only my feet, but wash my hands and my head, too!’
Jesus said, ‘If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other’s feet.’
John 12:8-9,14 (NCV)
Can we imagine what it would be like if someone knelt down and washed our dirty feet after we’d been wearing sandals, walking in dust and other muck all day?
Peter didn’t like it. Perhaps he felt uncomfortable. Perhaps he felt embarrassed. He definitely felt like it wasn’t right. Jesus was his friend, yes, but Jesus was also his rabbi – his religious leader. Jesus was important so why was He doing this unimportant, humble job? This was a servant’s job!
But that was Jesus’ point. ‘If you want to follow me,’ he said, ‘you must serve like I serve.’
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When was the last time we were really dusty or dirty and really needed a good wash?
Jesus washed his friends’ feet as a way of serving them. Who might Jesus be asking us to serve today?
Loving God, we ASK You to bring someone to mind, and show us how we can serve them.
Let’s wait quietly for a moment and listen for God to speak to us.
The picture of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet is beautiful, and it demonstrates the way that power should be used – to serve others, instead of expecting to be served.
Humble Jesus, we ASK that people in positions of power or leadership would learn to love better, by serving others in every possible way.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
John 12:8-9,14
Peter said, ‘No, you will never wash my feet.’
Jesus answered, ’If I don’t wash your feet, you are not one of my people.’
Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, then wash not only my feet, but wash my hands and my head, too!’
Jesus said, ‘If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other’s feet.’
John 12:8-9,14 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Jesus, You are the Son of God, Creator of the whole Universe, and yet You chose to demonstrate Your love by humbling yourself and serving others. We say YES to following Your example by choosing humility and by serving others too.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Proverbs 17:17
Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
Proverbs 17:17 (MSG)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
Unathi lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and 5 kids; and has a passion for seeing families thriving.
You’ll most likely find her homeschooling the tribe, reading, writing, or dreaming about the next DIY project.
She also loves good coffee, dark chocolate and hiking.
Asaph is 9 years old. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his younger sister Adelina, father and mother. He enjoys riding his bike, camping, reading, playing flag football and watching Bible Project videos. Asaph is kind and smart and loves hanging out with friends!
