Is it just me, or are the taps in your house constantly running for handwashing too? Especially now during the covid-crisis! So why not use these moments as discipleship opportunities? Use the mundane to train (see what I did there?) in the Lord. Here are 3 ways you can use handwashing to teach your kids some cool stuff.
1. Wash sins away
One of the images the Bible uses for the removal of sin, is that of washing.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:2 King David in repentance, after committing adultery with Bathsheba
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptised and wash your sins away, calling on his name. Acts 22:16 The conversion of Saul (we know him as Paul)
Chat to your kids about how important it is to get your hands clean. What the germs can do. But you know what is worse? Sin. Imagine your heart being dirty with sin! Wow – we really need that cleaned. But guess what? Soap can’t clean sin off our hearts. There is only one thing that can do that. Blood. Jesus’ blood. Check out this verse from Jeremiah:
“Although you wash yourself with soap, and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me,” declares the Sovereign LORD. Jeremiah 2:22
[edit] 2 days after writing this blog, Josh Goscombe posted this fun video on fb
2. Pilate’s abhorrent gesture
Do you remember what Pilate did right before he condemned Jesus to die? Right before he gave the command for him to be flogged, humiliated and crucified? He washed his hands. He washed his hands! Now for those of you playing at home, this was code for: I don’t think he’s guilty and so I don’t want to be responsible for his death, but I’m worried about what this Jewish mob will do, so I will condemn this innocent man to death. What a crazy injustice! What a weak and cowardly leader! How unjust that Jesus died. He didn’t deserve to die. This trial was a farce. And yet – it was his plan to die for us out of love. Chat to your kids about that horrible handwashing.
3. Love your neighbour
As the health authorities tell us, hand washing is one of the most critical things we can do in disease prevention. We can help to keep other people free from sickness if we do our bit and wash our hands. Don’t just wash hands because it’s good for you. Don’t just wash hands because you’re told to (although that is a good enough reason!). Wash your hands to love others, like Jesus did. He actually did so much more. Surely we can do this little loving thing.
I hope these 3 ideas have been helpful! See here more instalments of the 100.