Sunday School Teacher – Humility

The story of Jesus washing the disciples feet provides a good opportunity to the Sunday school teacher to teach the concept of humility to her 9-11 year old class.  Role playing gets everyone involved.

Bible Story:

Read the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.  Ask for volunteers to read the verses, or go around the room with each child in turn reading one verse.

John 13: 1-17

Discussion 1:

What is this bible story about?  Why is it important?

Discussion 2:

In what ways do people imply that they are better than others?  How do we feel when someone makes us feel that they are better than us?  What can we do so that we don’t make others feel that way? 

Activity:  Role play

In pairs, have the students first of all create a short conversation where one of them is bragging about being better or having something better than the other.  Then have the other person show how they can turn that conversation into one that shows humility in action. – these should be performed in front of the class. Be prepared to offer a few scenarios if the students can’t think of any themselves.

For example:

Conversation 1

Student A:  Oh you’ve got a new MP3 player?
Student B:  Yeah, it’s the latest one.  It’s got a huge memory so I can put all my favorite songs on it – at least 100 – let’s see yours.
Student A: (shows their MP3 player) My mom did some overtime last month so she could buy it for me.
Student B: (glances quickly at the shown item) Oh, it’s only a cheapy one. I bet it doesn’t have any of the super-duper features that mine has.  I bet that mine will last much longer than yours!  Did I tell it’s the top of the range latest MP3 player?  Most expensive one in the store daddy said so. 
Student A: quickly stuff the MP3 player back into pocket before the other student can say any more.

Conversation 2

Student A:  Oh you’ve got a new MP3 player?
Student B: Yes, my daddy bought it for me.  It plays a lot of songs.
You’ve got one already haven’t you?  Can I see it?
Student A:  (shows their MP3 player) My mom did some overtime last month so she could buy it for me.
Student B: You’re lucky, my mom doesn’t know what an MP3 player is! 

After each role play situation, ask the rest of the class to identify the lack of humility in the first situation and then where the humility was shown in the second.
 

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Category: Childrens Church Activities, Sunday School Lessons