Years ago we did a foot washing ceremony during a short-term mission trip. It was one of the most powerful moments of the trip, and it was a power image of biblical servanthood. It quickly became a staple of our annual summer mission trip. We’ve done this ceremony yearly for nearly 15 years, and in that time we have come up with a mostly seamless process for pulling off this ceremony. This process works best with a group smaller than 20. When I have had larger groups I split into groups smaller than 20, and I place a leader in each group to begin the ceremony.
You will need:
- Music. I have used a worship mix from an ipod and speakers, and I have used a live musician.
- A Bible
- A chair for each participant.
- A plastic (waterproof) shoebox sized box for each participant
- A bottle of water for each participant.
- A small travel sized tube of shampoo or soap for each participant.
- A small washcloth for each participant.
- A bit of darkness and candles help the mood.
The set up:
I set all the chairs in a circle facing inward leaving a bit of space between each chair. Under each chair I put a shoebox sized plastic box. Inside each box I put a water bottle, shampoo or soap, and a small washcloth.
Introduction:
Before walking the teens to the place where the ceremony will be, I instruct them that this ceremony is to be done reverently and in silence. Once all are seated I grab my Bible and stand in the middle of the circle. I instruct the teens to take off their socks and shoes.
“Tonight we are going to have our foot washing ceremony. This ceremony goes back to the time of Christ, and Christians throughout the centuries have continued to do this. It would be very easy to giggle and make light of this time, but do you best to take it seriously. Also I know some of you are uncomfortable with people touching your feet, or maybe if you are like me you are ticklish. To you all I can say is suck-it-up. You will be blessed by doing so. I will wash the feet of a person in this circle. When I am finished I will give that person a hug, and they will wash someone else’s feet. This will continue until the last person washes my feet.”
Next I grab my Bible and begin reading aloud John 13:1-17
Scripture:
1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
The foot washing:
Once I have finished reading the scripture I have a leader hit play on the ipod. I put my Bible in my chair and walk to one of the youth.
- I kneel in front of the youth
- I pour water from their water bottle into their plastic box
- I take their first foot, and I place it in the water.
- I use the soap to wash their foot. I set an example to the group by washing their foot very well.
- I rinse the soap off of their foot
- I use the washcloth to dry their foot.
- I do the same process for the second foot.
Once I am finished I stand up and hug the student. Then I sit in their chair and they go to the next teen.
When every person has had his or her feet washed the last person will wash my feet. After my feet are clean and I hug them I grab my Bible again. I stand in the middle of the group, and read John 13:12-17
John 13:12-17
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
“You may now leave this area. Please go in silence.”
http://thejoeyphillips.blogspot.com/
About Joey Phillips
Joey is a husband to his beautiful wife (Heather) and father to three wonderful boys (James, Nolan, and Levi). He is a youth ministry veteran of 18 years. He spends his time ministering to teens, playing with his children, playing video games, and generally having a good time.
Welcome Youth Worker, Youth Pastor, Youth Director, Youth Minister, Youth Guy, or whatever other creative name your church has come up with....
