Few people mind being served. And in the eyes of our culture, having people who serve you means you’re a person with stature or power or influence. But in John 13, Jesus flips the script on the idea of serving others. In examining this Scripture, we discover a powerful picture of what it means to follow him. This lesson will help teenagers follow Christ’s example and cultivate the habit of serving others as he has done.

Lesson Objectives

1. WHAT: Jesus is our role model for serving others.
2. WHY: Teenagers can build the habit of serving others and represent Jesus in powerful, tangible, meaningful ways.
3. HOW: Students will talk about ways they can represent Christ through practical acts of service.

Primary Scripture: John 13:11-15

Secondary Scriptures: Matthew 25:31-45

1. Jesus is our role model

Give us an example of one thing you’ve learned in life from a role model—something that a person has very specifically taught you.

Look at verse 14—do you think Jesus wanted his disciples to literally wash each other’s feet? Or was he talking about something else? Tell us what you think.

What have you learned from Jesus’ example of servanthood?

What is one thing you know for sure about Jesus, based on just this Scripture?

Who has modeled servanthood like Christ in your life? Give us a specific example.

How have that person’s acts of servanthood shaped or challenged you?

Jesus doesn’t ask us to do something that he has not already shown to us. When he washed his disciples’ feet, it was a powerful example of what it means to be his followers. As you follow Jesus, remember that serving others is a way of imitating him.

2. Jesus didn’t play favorites

Judas Iscariot—the disciple who would betray Jesus—was still at the meal when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and spoke these words. Why is that significant?

What might Jesus say to a person who doesn’t want to serve certain individuals or groups, or doesn’t want to serve in certain parts of town?

How does service change your attitude toward people you might ignore or overlook?

Jesus chose to wash the feet of the guy who would betray him. Jesus didn’t make that choice to avoid an awkward situation—“Um, Jesus, why didn’t you wash Judas Iscariot’s feet?”—but because he wanted to show the power of serving. Jesus challenges us to serve everyone so that people will know of his great love—and so that we will remember that he loves everyone, not just us.

3.  Serve with a good attitude

Talk about an act of service you really wouldn’t want to do—and why.

Tell us about a time you served with a bad attitude—but then your attitude improved by the time you were done. What happened inside of you?

When you serve others, what does a “good attitude” look like?

How has serving other people drawn you closer to Jesus?

How does prayer help you have a good attitude about serving others?

What are some “wrong” or “bad” reasons to serve other people—or are there any? Tell us what you think.

Pursuing a spiritual habit like service isn’t about trying harder or attempting to make Jesus love us more—it’s about making choices that draw us closer to Jesus and help us become more like him. When we serve, we don’t do it because we feel guilty or obligated—we serve because Jesus served, because we love other people, and because we want to represent Jesus well in this world.

BGroup Questions

1. What are some specific ways you can serve our community?
2. What are some specific ways you can serve your school?
3. What would it look like to turn service into a habit, not just a one-time or occasional thing?
4. How do you want Jesus’ help in having a better attitude when you serve?

TAKE ACTION: Memorize this Scripture this week! “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done for you” (John 13:15).

**Leaders, leave 3-5 minutes for prayer at the end of your group time.