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Kid’s Conversation Starters:
Communion
Give time for each family member to talk about The Who, what, and why of Communion. What is communion? Why do we celebrate communion? Who is communion for?
Have a fun discussion together! Celebrate communion as a family together!
Here is a quick video resource for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_figUoohQw
“Proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes”
1 Corinthians 11
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and … he took the cup, … For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. —1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Each time believers come to the Lord’s Table, these beautiful words invite us to the mystery of the gospel: Christ Jesus “bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1Pet 2:24). In perfect self-giving sacrifice, Jesus’ body and blood were given for His people in every age.
In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul echoes the words Jesus spoke at the last Passover meal (Mt 26:20-30; Mk 14:17-26; Lk 22:14-23). They had feasted on lamb, all the sides, unleavened bread and wine. But then, “while they were eating” (Mk 14:22), Jesus suspends time and allows the disciples to peer into eternity. Jesus took the bread, broke it and passed it around to the disciples. “Take and eat; this is my body,” he said to them.
At the end of the meal, he held up a cup of wine and he passed it to them telling them that each of them should drink. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Mt. 26:28).
The significance of Jesus’ actions and words, the gravitas, the gospel of the crucified Christ, had not fully sunk in for the Corinthian church. They were gathering for table fellowship just as the disciples had enjoyed with Jesus. But the factions and dissensions that Paul has criticized throughout the epistle reveal themselves in their table fellowship as well.
Wealthy members of the church had both means and leisure to bring a feast to the common meal, to arrive early, and to immediately begin to enjoy the party. First-come first-served. Poorer members of the church who worked until shops were closed, and had little to contribute to the common meal, arrived later to an empty table.
Paul says, “So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk” (1Cor 11:20-21). Their eating and drinking did not bring love and unity to the church. Their eating and drinking did not honor the significance of the Lord’s Table and the body and blood of the Passover Lamb. Their eating and drinking did not reflect the perfect self-sacrifice of Jesus who died “for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
May all who come to the Lord’s Table do so humbly rejoicing in the Lamb who was slain.
Consider —
In chapter 11 the “haves” and the “have nots” are once again in contrast, this time around the table fellowship of the church. As we approach Thanksgiving and Advent, who are the “have nots” within your circle of influence? Where do you see those who seek to serve the “have nots” among us? Share ways that you might serve others in this season.
The Lord’s Table is a sacred privilege that Jesus has invited his people to share. Prepare for this privilege by asking the Lord to “Search and know me. Test and try me. See what evil lies within me and lead me into the everlasting way” (Ps 139:23-24).
Father, Son and Spirit, we thank you that we are invited to the Lord’s Table. In your mercy, help us to partake worthily and to worship you in Spirit and truth. Amen.