DEVOTED TO THE BREAKING OF BREAD—COMMUNION, THE LORD’S SUPPER:

1 Corinthians 11:17–33 … 23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25In 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.” …

1. AS A CHURCH, WE TAKE COMMUNION (THE LORD’S SUPPER) EVERY WEEK. WHY?

• This was the practice of the early church. It was called “the breaking of bread” and the “love feast.”
• The Lord’s Day in Revelation 1:10.
• Jesus modeled it Luke 22:19.Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.
  See also 1 Corinthians 11:20

  2. WHY DID JESUS SETUP THE PRACTICE OF MEETING AND TAKING COMMUNION?

• God knows what we are made of—we forget easily.
• In the Old Testament, God set up practices that provided physical and spiritual strength. (Exodus 13:9)

o Celebrations yearly with weekly spiritual and physical breaks o Designed to gather a group of people into a new community o Shared stories, celebrations, and practices

1 Corinthians 11:24 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.”

Hebrews 3:12–13 12See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

3. WHAT WE DO MAKE COMMUNION WHAT GOD INTENDS:

• Remember • Repent
• Reflect
• Rejoice

1 Corinthians 11:26–33 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27So 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. 28Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world. 33So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together.

COMMUNION IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REMEMBER THE BAD NEWS.

Ephesians 2:1–7 1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

THE GOOD NEWS: JESUS GAVE HIMSELF FOR US; HE PAID THE PRICE.

• God provided the sacrifice.
• We receive it, internalize it.COMMUNION IS IN THE FORM OF FOOD. WHY?

• Physical food = physical energy
• Spiritual food = spiritual energy (Matthew 4:4)
• We were made to do, but we need strength to do it.
• We were made for work, but once we understand who and what we are and what God did for us, we do His workwith His energy.
• They (the early church) partook (ate) together.WE (ALL OF US) PARTICIPATE IN THE ONE LOAF. WE’RE DEVOTED TO FELLOWSHIP AS A PART OF EVERYTHING IN THE

  CHRISTIAN FAITH. (See 1 Corinthians 10:15-17)

  • Membership
  • Dis-member-ship • Re-member-ship

  QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

  Passages to consider: Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:7-22; 1 Corinthians 11:17-33

1. Think about the sermon. What resonates and what challenges from what you heard?
2. Read Luke 22:13-20 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. From these passages, what promises and reminders are a partof communion? What instructions do you find?
3. What role does communion to play in the community of Christ-followers?A) What, if any, questions do you have about communion?
4. What are some of your first memories or experiences about taking communion?A) How may your understanding be different at this point in your life?
5. Think about things associated with communion: repentance, remembering Jesus’ death which gives a new covenantof forgiveness and reconciliation, celebrating His work for us, proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior, partaking in the life He offers, identifying with what He has done and His body, the promise of His return… Which of these is

   something you usually focus on? Is there a new facet of communion you want to focus on?

   A) How might taking communion impact you not just at a church service but throughout your week?

6. What is your response to what God is showing you about participating in communion? With whom can you sharewhat you are learning?

NOTE: You may consider partaking in communion as a family or a small group together. Check out the App or www.reallifeministries.com/lgresources for tips and what that could look like!