WHENEVER- You Take Communion 

 

Ice Breaker:  Do you have something, an object in your life that provokes memories of someone, or something positive that happened in your life? 

 

Pastor Dave shared the meaning of the cups in the Passover meal. 

 

Pastor Dave reviewed the Passover meal as a symbolic reminder of everything God had done in the history of Israel, His purpose in Israel, and their expectation of the coming of Elijah, (the forerunner of the Messiah) as well as the Messiah.  The Messiah, Jesus, changes this symbolism from expectation of His appearance to remembrance of His finished work on the cross. 

 

1.What was the original purpose of the Passover? (Exodus 13:8-10) 

 

 

 

Exodus 13:8–10 (NIV) 8 On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. 10 You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year. 

 

2. How does the history of the Passover in Israel play into communion?   

 

 

 

3. How does this change your understanding of Communion?  

 

 

 

4. How much do you think His disciples understood what Jesus was saying at the first communion? (1 Corinthians 11:23-30) 

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 11:23-30 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

 

 

 

5. What is the significance of remembrance in these passages? (Exodus 13 and 1 Corinthians 11)

 

 

 

6. How do we practice remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice? 

 

 

 

7. What is the caution or admonition given in 1 Corinthians 11:27-30? 

 

 

 

8. What are the “unworthy manner” (v. 27) practices Paul is addressing?  (1 Corinthians 11:17-22, Matthew 5:23-24)

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 11:17-22 17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 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. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter! 

Matthew 5:23-24 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.  

 

9. What would a worthy communion look like? 

 

 

 

10. What does 1 Corinthians 11:30 indicate about how seriously God takes this issue of communion?  

 

 

 

11. 1 Corinthians 11:26 Says that we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.  Why are we proclaiming the Lord’s death? 

 

 

 

 

 

From Prime, Derek. Opening up 1 Corinthians. Leominister: Day One Publications, 2005. Print. Opening Up Commentary.  

  • We should look back—in remembrance (vv. 24, 25). 
  • We should look up—in thanksgiving to God (vv. 24, 25). 
  • We should look round—to make sure we are in a relationship of fellowship and love with God’s people (vv. 17–22). 
  • We should look in—in self-examination (vv. 27–34). 
  • We should look forward—to our Lord’s coming again (v. 26). 

  

Pastor Dave said: ”Do not have your children take communion, until they place their faith in Jesus, and understand His sacrifice”.  Communion does not remove sin, Jesus’ death on the cross does that. Communion does not take sin away from us, or promote salvation.  Communion is not a medicine to make us feel better. 

 

12. What should we teach our children about Communion? 

 

 

 

13. How would you describe communion to an unbelieving person to share the gospel? 

 

 

 

14. What is a take-away for you from this discussion of communion?