* The Kids Resource linked above is the same as Lord's Supper Part 1 feel free to use/adapt it if it's not easy to include kids in with the meal this week.
REMEMBER/ REFLECT/ RESPOND (90-120 min)
This week we will be sharing in a Meal to Remember and will include elements of ‘REMEMBER/ REFLECT/ RESPOND’ into aspects of the shared meal rather than moving through them chronologically.
The Lord’s Supper (Sharing a Meal to Remember): A Practical Guide
1 Corinthians 11:23-26: “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 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.” 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. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
Preparation for the Meal:
Find a place to host a meal and invite people.
Prepare the food or have guests bring food to contribute (potluck).
This could be facilitated as a gathering time without a meal, only sharing the bread and juice/wine if a space for the meal is not available.
Prepare the elements for the Lord’s Supper, a Large Loaf of bread or Matzah and enough juice or wine for those attending to each have their own glass.
Assign a facilitator or assign different movements of the meal to a few people ahead of time.
Set a table (or wherever you can accommodate eating together) with the wine/juice and bread in the middle
Starting the Meal and Sharing the Lord’s Supper:
One person begins the meal by giving a short introduction (facilitator).
The Lord’s Supper (or Communion/Eucharist) was given as a gift by Jesus to his disciples and the Church through the ages to remember his death, to symbolize a new covenant, to gather his body, the Church, around a table in fellowship and to anticipate the meal we will one day enjoy in his eternal presence.
“During this meal we will Remember Jesus together- looking in four directions”
Look Back to Jesus’ Death on the Cross (point backward, make cross)
You could also look back further in history to God’s redemptive plan from Creation and the fall through a promise to Abraham to bless all nations through a Messiah who would become our salvation as the Passover Lamb.
Look Up to Jesus Risen as King & High Priest (point up and make crown)
Look Around to Jesus’ Family (point around and make a heart)
Look Forward to Jesus’ Return and a Feast/Party (point forward and smile)
Facilitator Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26- Break the bread and serve each person a large piece and fill each glass with juice/wine.
Explain that we will slowly enjoy our food and fellowship as we partake together in the Lord’s supper.
Take time between the 4 movements of the meal to eat and ‘fellowship’ together. The person facilitating can gauge how long the spaces between each section lasts and will need to move on to the next movement of the meal.
Four Movements Of The Meal:
1. Look back and remember Jesus’ death on the Cross. (1Cor. 11:24)
Facilitator- “Let's look back together to remember Jesus’ death on the cross, the ultimate display of God’s love and salvation. At the cross God gave a new covenant of grace where we are forgiven, made righteous and brought into eternal relationship with the Father on the basis of Jesus' perfect life and sacrifice alone.”
Response- “Let’s spend time giving thanks for who Jesus is and what He has done on the cross. Remember moments where Jesus has encountered you personally with his love and share them together. “
2. Look up and remember that Jesus is the Risen King and great High Priest interceding for us. (Heb 4:16)
Facilitator- “Let’s look up together and remember that Jesus is our Risen King, a great high priest who intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. Jesus can sympathize with our weakness, being fully human just like us and has the power as the Risen King to help us. ‘Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16).’”
Response- “Let’s spend time reflecting on where we need Jesus in our lives and share with one another.” (This could also be a good time to take a minute of silence to allow for people to consider if there is any place where they are not submitted to Jesus’ loving lordship and if repentance is needed. If appropriate create space for confession)
3. Look around and remember that because of Jesus’ broken body and poured out blood we are now one family - the body of Christ. (1Cor. 10:16-17)
Facilitator- “Let’s look around and remember we are one family in Christ. ‘The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
Response- “Let’s spend time honoring one another. Speak blessing over one another where you have seen or experienced Jesus in their lives.” (Consider giving a toast each time, raise your glass to agree and celebrate, “cheers”)
4. Look forward and remember with anticipation Jesus’ return and wedding feast.
Facilitator- “Let’s look forward to remember with anticipation Jesus’ return to restore all things and a great wedding feast. Jesus himself, when he instituted the Lord’s Supper, ate it in anticipation of the future (Matt. 26:29). The ultimate outworking of God’s salvation plan has long been associated with the promise of a great banquet, a feast, a party we get to participate in with Jesus. (Isa. 25:6;, Rev. 19:9).”
Response- “Let’s have a few people pray out prayers of rejoicing & anticipation for Jesus’ return to restore all things and the future when we get to all sit together at the ‘great banquet’ with Jesus.
Ask someone to read Matt 26:29 “(Jesus said) I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” All close with the prayer of the Early Church as an Amen to the reading of the scripture. Close:“Maranatha” Come Lord Jesus
Download the resource below to easily follow along during your meal.
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