Because, I actually witnessed two wonderful women in ministry argue on the following topic this.this lesson was born. Their question, Did Jesus wear sandals? Yes, but they were not flip flops! Sandals in Greek was: na’alayim. According to their history, sandals were made of leather. The sandal was created solely to protect the feet from the rugged terrain. (Genesis 14:23, Isaiah 5:27). No one, in this time era wore sandals in the house nor in the sanctuary. (Exodus 3:5 and Joshua 5:15). Only the poorest of people would walk the streets without sandals. (Deuteronomy 25:19) or of mourning (2Samuel 15:30 and Ezekiel 24:17,23). In addition, Jesus in fact wore sandals! Read the following text and record “why” in the space provided!
John 1:27
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The night before Jesus was taken He washed the feet of his disciples. The disciples were also questioning His actions. All the disciples knew that the ones who washed the feet of others were the lowest forms of servants. This was a position no one wanted in their society. Just as I would not like to have the occupation as a restroom attendant. Smells do not bother me. It’s all the risks involved. Plus, I hate do any kind of scrubbing. The people in Jesus’s day used all natural cleaners. It is a great idea for us to use the all natural cleaners to purify our environment.
What are some of the all-natural cleaners used during Jesus’s day? ______________________________________________________________________________
What are some of the all-natural products we can use to purify our environment? ______________________________________________________________________________
The top five essential oils I use in my home are as follows: Lavender, Lemon, basil, thyme, peppermint, orange, and melaleuca. According to the research, God’s people would have had access to lavender, basil, thyme, eucalyptus, peppermint, and melaleuca.
Lavender fights fungus. I used lavender to wipe off my kitchen countertops and basins. I also use lavender on my dyer balls that I place in the dyer as fabric softener.
Lemon, basil, and Thyme cuts through grease and grime. I regularly use lemon, basil, and thyme in my fish recipes, but I also use these oils to clean my silverware.
I use peppermint oil in a scrub to clean my cookware and sink.
Eucalyptus essential oil increases its power when combined with baking powder and I use this formula to clean my mattress. Eucalyptus is also a fragrant floor cleaner.
Orange is my favorite essential oil for cleaning. I use orange to shine my floor and in my furniture polish.
Melaleuca can be an antibacterial cleaner. We use melaleuca to clean surfaces to fight germs that causes the flu and other illnesses. Mixed with olive oil, we clean the door jams of the shower door and this fights mildew.
During Jesus’s last dinner he asked the disciples (and us) to do two things. One was to take communion and one was to perform foot washings. Some ministers thank that the preacher should perform Jesus’s request, but it’s my opinion that all the church members should complete Jesus’s request. The best time to have a foot washing service would be around our Passover or during Easter services.
Read John13:1-11 and determine for yourself if foot washing should be done and to whom should do it. In the space record your answer. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Complete the chart below to help you answer the above question!
The difference between Ought and Should.
Ought Should
Luke 18:1
Acts 5:29
Eph. 5:28
1 John 4:11
John 13:15
(Note to for the teacher: Copy and cut out the following scripture. Before class, give them to good oral readers. Complete the above chart with the class)
Luke 18:1 1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
John 13:15 15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
1. 1 John 4:11 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Acts 5:29 29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Ephesians 5:28 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Note that in John 13:4 that Jesus took off his garment. In Jewish history that left only a small covering of his garment. This garment was only wore by the slave or the servant. What would this action have created in the minds of the disciples? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This was a loving act of humility. This action represented Jesus laying aside his life for us. When we take part in a foot washing ceremony we are showing our ability to also lay aside our life, our time, and our desires. The action of kneeling in front of a brother or sister in Christ portrays our willingness to serve one another as Christ served us.
Locate the following verses in the scripture. These verses portray foot washing in a certain light. What does foot washing represent?
Genesis 18:4 _____________________________________________________________________________
Genesis 24:32 ______________________________________________________________________________
2 Samuel 11:8 ______________________________________________________________________________
The next thing I would like to point out to you is in verse 27. Jesus even washed the feet of Judas. Jesus knew that Judas was a true enemy of Christ; however, Jesus still washed his feet. Notice that Judas had not committed the sin yet in time, but Jesus already knew it. So, was Judas an enemy of Christ in that moment? ________________________________________________
Rather we believe he was not yet an enemy or that Judas was an enemy is not my point. The point is Jesus our Redeemer stilled loved even Judas. How many times have we been the enemy? – But Jesus still loves us. What does this say to your heart? ____________________________________________________________________________ Should we also love the enemy? ___________ Should we also humble ourselves? ____________
In John 13:13-14 Jesus himself explains why he washed their feet. We probably had an answer right up front. Why is that? This is because we have the Holy Spirit guiding our thoughts and understandings. Jesus calls us to freely serve Him, God, and mankind.
What does 1 John 3:17 ask us to do? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Finally, why does Jesus call us to foot washing? John 13:15 ______________________________________________________________________________
What is our reward? John 13:17 ______________________________________________________________________________
In John 13:1-3 Jesus washed the feet of his disciples after dinner; therefore, a foot washing church service should come after communion. I admit, during my bible study classes we often do not observe communion before foot washing. I do ask everyone to come with clean feet! The fact Jesus washed their feet after dinner eliminates the idea that Jesus washed dirty feet. In the Jewish society, the disciples would have washed their feet upon arrival. If you re-examine the following verses- note when they were expected to wash their feet.
Genesis 18:4 _______________________________________________
Genesis 24:32 ______________________________________________
2 Samuel 11:8 _____________________________________________
The next thing to consider when having a foot washing ceremony for your class is to explain that they need to come with easy access to their feet. In others words, do not wear panty hose or paints you can’t roll-up. The week before class I have everyone to complete a questionnaire to determine if they have any aliments to their feet. I have included my survey for your convenience. Please feel free to modify as you see fit.
Name: ______________________________ Address: __________________________________ Phone: ______________________________ Email: ___________________________________
1. Do you suffer from Athlete’s feet? __________________ yes or _________________no
2. Do you have blisters on your feet? ___________________yes or __________________no
3. Do you currently have a bunion? _____________________yes or __________________no
4. Today, do have any calluses? ______________________ yes or ______________________no
5. Do you have club feet? _______________________ yes or ____________________no
6. Do you currently suffer from corns? ___________________ yes or ___________________no
7. Do you have sore achy feet? ___________________ yes or ____________________no
8. On a scale of 1 to 5 how willing are you to do what Jesus requested? 1—-2—-3—-4—-5
9. Do you want to be the giver or the receiver? Giver _____________ or Receiver ___________
10. Please list any items you may be able to bring to use for the foot washing. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Needed items: Foot basins, Water pitchers, towels, wash clothes, Epson salt, foot bathe, and soothing socks.
11. Will you be supplying your own oils? __________ yes or no___________
12. Please see me if you want to order your own essential oils.
Bursitis: grounding blend, white fir, and basil (alternate cold and hot packs every ten minutes)
Blisters: lavender, geranium, melaleuca, cleansing blend
Bunion: cypress and juniper berry
Calluses: oregano
Corns: clove, peppermint, grapefruit, invigorating blend
Sore Achy Fee: lavender, eucalyptus, ginger, and cypress
Swollen Feet: rosemary, eucalyptus, and lavender
Dry Feet: Lavender and melaleuca
As in all other lessons I always begin with prayer. Below are two statement I read before the lesson.
The first one is the most important one:
We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we do know the God who does. God owns the reserves of the world and He regulates their employment. He is a God of design, purpose, and order. Our mission and passion is to uncover the debts of the riches found in God’s backyard and to suggest these findings to other Christians. Hopefully, to improve the health and welfare of all!
Now for the second one Legal requires:
The following statements in this book and in this lesson, have not been approved by the FDA. The products recommended including the essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Pregnant or lactating mothers and persons with medical problems should consult their doctors.
After prayer and the reading the requirements. I begin with thanking who ever invited me and for those who came. I then do any introductions needed. Followed by a group discussion on John 13. You may go over the first few pages of this lesson for your discussion. Next, I place the folks receiving the foot washing where they need to go. Then, I hand out their pre-bagged prescription. Be careful not to invade anyone’s privacy. Prayer is in perfect order. After, the foot washings are complete, I invite my guests to enjoy some snacks. (Don’t forget to say grace) And we talk about the experience and the effectiveness of the oils.
At the end of any lesson a gift is always nice! Below, I have provided you with some awesome bath salt recipes. I like to give everyone a formula to use. Sometimes, before we actually have the service we allow everyone an opportunity to create the recipes that they think will help. I usually, have a lady’s fellowship class and actually allow the women and children of the congregation prepare the mixtures. I love this, because it gives me an opportunity to introduce Jesus and essential oils to the ones who would not attend the feet washing ceremony.
Note: When I’m shopping online I usually google glass trinket boxes rather than just glass jars, but I get more of a variety of products and websites.
A great all-purpose bath salt is made with 2 parts Epsom salt, 2 parts kosher salt and 1 part baking soda. The salts contain minerals that are absorbed through the skin to help ease muscle soreness and relieve tension. The baking soda helps prevent the bath from being too irritating to the skin. Adding essential oils to bath salts helps boost the healing power. Depending on the blend, the essential oils will aide in better relaxation, better sleep, clearing the mind, rejuvenation and even relief from symptoms.
Scented Wellness Feet Salts
Scented Wellness Feet Salts
Ingredients
1 cup Epsom salt
1 cup kosher salt
½ cup baking soda
20 drops essential oils
Weird glass trinket box/jar
Label
Scripture: Matthew 5:13 Jesus said that we are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. Being salt and light is not optional. Jesus did not say you can be…or you have the potential to be…He said you are. Everyone who has trusted Christ for salvation and is born again is the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Instructions
Combine salts and soda in a jar.
Stir in desired essential oils, if using.
Store in cool, dark place.
Use about ¼ to ½ cup per bath.
Notes
10 drops eucalyptus + 10 drops peppermint – clears sinuses
10 drops lavender + 10 drops bergamot – relaxation
10 drops lemon + 10 drops rosemary – clear your mind
10 drops sage + 5 drops mint + 5 drops tea tree – balancing
5 drops geranium + 10 drops lavender + 5 drops rose – calming
5 drops orange + 5 drops clove + 5 drops cedarwood + 5 drops lemon – uplifting, strengthening, stress relief
