Celebrate Communion

Duration:

  • 20 Minutes

What You’ll need:       

  • Bread

  • Juice (preferably grape juice or red wine, if you are so inclined)

  • Bible

  • Candles

  • Cell phone

Preface

Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, is simply obeying Jesus when he told his disciples “do this in remembrance of me. (1. Corinthians 11:24).  This is a time to remember the terrible price that had to be paid to secure our forgiveness because of the righteous demands of a Holy God.  The cup reminds us of this.  It’s also a time to be reminded of the great love that Jesus has for us.  The bread reminds us of this. 

We encourage you to celebrate communion in the evening, using only candle light.  This will help to create the atmosphere of the Upper Room where Jesus was with his disciples.  If you choose, you can also use a low table and lay around it on the floor, resting on your left side with your head and shoulders towards the table.  This is how Jesus and his disciples would have eaten this meal.

One last thought:  if you are celebrating as a family (and are comfortable with this) consider using a common cup and one piece of bread.  Pass the bread from one person to the next and as you do so, simply say “The body of Christ” to them.  Do the same with the cup and simply say “The blood of Christ” when you pass the cup.

Experience

Suggested order for a small group or family (if you are alone, take time to reflect on each of the steps):

  • Read John 19:16-30 — Ask each person to identify one thing from the passage that moves them deeply.

  • Read Isaiah 6:3 and Hebrews 9:22 — Discuss why the shedding of blood is necessary for the forgiveness of sin.

  • Read 1. Corinthians 11:27-29 — Take time to reflect on sins that need to be confessed to God, relationships that need to be reconciled (if you are celebrating communion as a family, this could be a time to talk about and forgive any ongoing issues in the family).

  • Pray together, thanking Jesus for his death on the cross.

  • Pass the bread to one another.

  • Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 — After reading this, eat the bread. Pause for a moment, then say “Amen”.

  • Pass out the cups or, if you are going to use a common cup, place it in front of the one reading scriptures.

  • Read 1 Corinthians 11:25-26.

  • Drink together or pass the cup from person to person.

  • Pause for a moment and then say, “Amen.”

  • Sing a song such as “Jesus Paid It All” (you can find the words or words and music on the Internet) in closing.