Celebrating the Joy of Communion

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Lisa Nagle

Participating in the Joy of Communion

Focus: Christ and Community

Goal: To prepare a child or youth to effectively examine their life in order to participate in communion with the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 11:27-28, the apostle Paul wrote, “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. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.”

Scope: One week learning experience.

Day One

Parents ask the child: “Think about a memorial you have visited. It could be a gravestone or a marker by the side of a road memorializing a life that was lost by a car accident. What do you think about when you see that memorial? How does the memorial make you feel? Why do we visit memorials? Parents can explain that memorials put life into perspective. They symbolize the price of freedom or a life that was lost. Explain that Communion is a memorial. It’s a reminder of the blood that was shed, the price paid by God for the salvation of all people who believe. It reminds us to put our life on earth into perspective and encourages us to have an eternal perspective and the eternal life won for us on the Cross!

Pray together as a family.

Day Two

Together read: Matthew 26:17-30.

Then ask: Why do Christians observe Communion? Possible answers:

•  Jesus knew how easy it was for us to forget!
•  Jesus taught us to observe Communion whenever believers gather in His name.
•  In the context of the bond we have with one another it is a powerful way of remembering Jesus.

Parents talk to your child about what Communion means to you personally. When has it been especially meaningful to you and why?

Pray together as a family.

Day Three

Read together: John 6:48-58.

Discuss why taking Communion is so important. Possible answers:

•  V. 51 says the Bread was given for the life of the whole world.
•  V. 53-55 says that we don’t have any life if we don’t partake of the living Bread – Jesus.
•  V. 57 says that we need to “feed” on Jesus to live forever.

Explain to your child that taking Communion is a symbolic act in honor and remembrance of the Bread of Life and His salvation work in us. “Feeding” on Jesus by faith means that we take His indwelling presence with us from the Communion service into the world, our relationships and everything we do. All that we do and say should reflect Jesus’ presence within us.

Each parent can tell a personal story about a period when you went for a long time without taking Communion. What was it like? You may also tell about a time you took Communion in an unusual place or circumstance. Get your child to ask questions!

Together as a family, think about three people in your local church to “interview” about their communion experiences. Ask each person how they prepare themselves to participate in Communion.

Day Four

Read together: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Discussion Question: Why do we keep on taking Communion? Isn’t once enough?

Possible answers: God wants us to stop and reflect on His Son’s sacrifice for our victory over sin. For this reason we should regularly examine our own lives, ask forgiveness and remember His death until he returns.

As a family meet with your church pastor to discuss this passage and pray together for God’s Spirit to continue to transform the children into His likeness.

Day Five

Materials: Get a connector of some kind – either a connector of electrical wires or to pieces of chain.

Read together: Exodus 12:21-30; Hebrews 7: 23-28

Discussion Question: How is participating in Communion like the Old Testament practice of offering a sacrifice?

Possible answers: Show your child the connector and explain that the Lord’s Supper connects us with the Passover, bringing the Old and the New Testaments together. Explain how the Lord’s Supper came out of the elements of the Passover which was established in the Old Testament. Further explain that the Old Testament sacrifices were offered endlessly throughout the entire year – year after year. But the New Testament Communion service reminds us of the once for all sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on our behalf. Jesus was the perfect Lamb of God.

Discussion Question: What is the sacrifice aspect of the Communion Service? Turn to Hebrews 13:15.

Family Worship: Based on the Hebrews verse, offer your praise and thanksgiving to God for the sacrifice Jesus made for us! Take a long while for this worship. Let the child experience family worship in gratitude for God’s great sacrifice.

Day Six

Materials: A spray bottle of cleaner

Pray as a family asking God to help you understand the fullness of this sacrament.

Read Together: 1 Corinthians 10:21; 1 Corinthians 11:27-28; 1 John 1:9.

Discussion Question: How should I prepare myself for Communion?

Possible answers: Use the spray bottle of cleaner as your prop. Share with your child that we must reflect on our life and do a self-examination before we participate in Communion. The apostle Paul tells us that we should examine ourselves before participating in Communion. Why? To make sure that our attitudes and motivations are right. This fulfills 1 John 1:9. Take some time to talk about how we can do this on a daily basis. We can come before God day by day to ask forgiveness for our sins.

Parents should take some time to model for the child what “self-examination” looks like. Make it real and practical. Pray out loud so that your child can hear you confess before God. Possible ideas for self-examination could be a journal of confessions or focus on a song that might be played during the Communion time.

Day of the Child’s First Communion

The child should partake of Communion with your local church body in whatever ways that your church has designed. Make it memorable!