THE LORD'S SUPPER
INTRODUCTION:
The Lord’s supper is a wonderful memorial that brings sweet fellowship to the participants and not a monster event to be feared and avoided. It is a heaven on earth fellowship supper to look forward to. The eligibility to partake in the Lord’s supper prepares us for the coming great supper with Jesus. If you have been avoiding it, rather make a proactive action by keeping the way clear.
Ineligibility to partake should be a serious concern, because anything that will exclude us from partaking in the Lord’s supper here will eventually make us unfit for the coming great supper with Jesus. It is wisdom therefore, to quickly do away with all hindrances now and be worthy to partake and most importantly ready for the great coming supper with Jesus.
1. Explain what
the Passover was and to what it pointed. See Exodus 12:314,22.
LESSON
INSPIRATIONS:
The chosen lamb
(set apart on the tenth day): This shows God’s requirement of a
prepared and spotless sacrifice, pointing to Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of
God. God already had a plan of
redemption for His people.
The lamb slain
on the fourteenth day: The shedding of the lamb’s blood was
necessary for deliverance. Salvation
requires the shedding of Christ’s blood—without it there is no forgiveness of
sins.
The blood on
the doors: This was a visible sign of obedience and faith in
God’s Word. Applying Christ’s blood to
our hearts through faith brings protection, covering, and life.
Eating the lamb
roasted with fire: This symbolized complete partaking of
God’s provision. Christians must fully
partake of Christ, not partially, to experience the fullness of salvation.
Safety under
the blood: Those in homes covered by the lamb’s blood were spared
from death. Remaining under the blood of
Jesus today gives believers continual safety, deliverance from sin, and eternal
hope.
Christ as the
true Passover Lamb: The event foreshadowed Jesus’ sacrifice
on the Cross. Just as Israel needed the
blood of the lamb, every believer must depend on Christ’s blood for redemption.
Challenge: Ask students,
“What does it mean for us today to stay under the blood of Christ? How can we
make sure the covering of His sacrifice remains over our lives daily?”
KEY
POINTS:
Old
life - shows me where you brought me from
The
power of the blood a token for a good, ever fresh, ever flowing
Redeemed
from Certain death
Wash
in the blood maintenance
Marked
with the blood consistent spiritual identity
Sacrifice
of the Lamb
A lamb without blemish was to be sacrificed,
symbolizing purity and the cost of redemption.
Exodus 12:5: "Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the
first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats..."
Blood
of the Lamb
The blood of the
lamb was to be applied to the doorposts, serving as a sign for God to pass over
the houses of the Israelites and spare them from judgment.
Exodus 12:7: "And they shall take of the
blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the
houses..."
Divine
Protection
The Passover
signifies God's protection over His people during times of judgment,
highlighting His mercy and grace.
Exodus 12:13: "And the
blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see
the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to
destroy you..."
Spiritual
Reflection
The observance of Passover encourages
believers to reflect on their own deliverance from sin through Jesus Christ,
aligning their lives with His sacrificial love.
2. To what does
the observance of the Lord’s Supper point?
LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
The ordinance points back to the cross: It reminds believers of
Jesus’ sacrificial death that brought salvation.
Christians must never forget the price paid
for their redemption.
It points forward to the Kingdom: Jesus promised that He would
drink the fruit of the vine new with believers in His Father’s Kingdom (Matthew
26:29).
The Lord’s Supper keeps our hope alive for
the future reunion with Christ in Heaven.
A memorial defined: A memorial serves to help
people remember a person or event.
The Communion service is not just ritual—it
is a sacred memorial reminding us of the greatest Person and the greatest act
of love in history.
Examples of earthly memorials: Students may recall statues,
monuments, or national holidays honoring leaders or events.
If nations honor men and their deeds, how
much more should believers honor Christ’s death and resurrection through this
memorial.
Christ’s memorial surpasses all others: Unlike earthly memorials that
fade or honor imperfect people, the Lord’s Supper celebrates the eternal
victory of Jesus Christ.
This memorial strengthens our faith, renews
our gratitude, and keeps our hearts focused on both His past sacrifice and
future promise.
Challenge:
How can we
keep the memorial of Christ’s death meaningful in our hearts and not just a
routine practice?
KEY
POINTS:
Good
memorial historical, current, future and eternal benefits
Redemption
work completed,
Death
of Jesus sinless died for the sinful
The coming great reunion
SEARCH:
New
Covenant
The observance
signifies the establishment of a new covenant between God and humanity through
the blood of Christ.
Luke 22:20: "Likewise also the cup after
supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for
you."
Proclamation
of His Death
Participating in
the Lord’s Supper is a proclamation of Christ’s death until He returns,
affirming the believer's faith in His redemptive work.
1 Corinthians 11:26: "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink
this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."
Anticipation
of Christ’s Return
The Lord’s Supper
is an act of faith looking forward to the return of Christ and the future
marriage supper of the Lamb.
Revelation 19:9: "And he saith unto me,
Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the
Lamb..."
3. Why did Jesus
institute this ordinance? See 1 Corinthians 11:2426.
LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
Jesus Himself established the Lord’s Supper: It was not manmade, but
ordained by Christ for His followers.
What Jesus institutes carries divine
authority and lasting value for believers.
A memorial for all Christians everywhere: The ordinance was meant for
the entire Body of Christ, across time and nations.
The Lord’s Supper unites believers worldwide
in one common remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.
A reminder of the price of redemption: The bread and cup symbolize
Jesus’ broken body and shed blood.
Each time Christians partake, they are
reminded of the great cost of their salvation.
A source of encouragement and strengthening: Jesus knew His followers
would need continual spiritual renewal through this practice.
The Lord’s Supper keeps the believer’s heart
tender, thankful, and faithful to Christ.
An eternal hope through salvation: Beyond remembrance of the
past, the ordinance points forward to the promise of eternal life with Christ.
The Lord’s Supper stirs hope in every
believer, anchoring their faith in the assurance of Heaven.
Challenge: Each time we partake of the Lord’s Supper, are we truly remembering with gratitude, and living in the hope it represents?
KEY
POINTS:
You're
the one to profit interventional, redemption
Hold
in esteem and value
Reminder
remember not to forget worth mentioning
Acknowledgment
received and appreciative
Evangelistic
an invitation to sinners to embrace redemption provision
SEARCH:
To
Symbolize the New Covenant
The ordinance signifies the new covenant
established through His blood, marking a transformative relationship between
God and believers.
The ordinance
encourages selfexamination and spiritual introspection among believers,
prompting them to assess their relationship with God and one another.
1 Corinthians 11:28: "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."
LESSON
INSPIRATIONS:
The bread and the fruit of the vine were given
by Jesus: At
the first Lord’s Supper, He used simple, familiar elements to teach deep
spiritual truth.
God uses ordinary things to reveal
extraordinary grace.
The bread symbolized His body broken for
mankind: It
pointed to His suffering and sacrifice for our sins.
Every time we break the bread, we are
reminded of the pain He endured so we might have life.
The cup symbolized His blood shed for
salvation: Through
the shedding of His blood, forgiveness and redemption were made possible for
all who believe.
The cup reminds us that salvation is costly,
but freely given through Christ.
The emblems are symbolic, not literal: They represent His body and
blood but are not the actual body and blood of Christ.
The true power lies not in the physical
elements, but in what they signify—Christ’s finished work on the cross.
The sacredness of the emblems: Even though symbolic, they
are holy because they point directly to Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Honoring the Lord’s Supper with reverence
strengthens faith and keeps our hearts focused on Christ.
The hope of resurrection through Christ: The emblems not only recall
His death, but also point us to eternal life.
Each observance of the Lord’s Supper
rekindles hope that because He lives, we too shall live.
KEY
POINTS:
Symbolic
The
spirit above the symbol
Spiritual
rather than mere observation
Honour
for the emblems and the gathering representative but real
Attitude of appreciation and thanksgiving, Experiential, partaker, taste
5. Who was present at the first Lord’s Supper? Knowing this, explain who is to partake of the Lord’s Supper today.
LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
The disciples were present at the first Lord’s
Supper: They
were Jesus’ most trusted followers and closest companions.
Jesus shared this sacred moment only with
those who had committed themselves to Him.
A parallel for today: Just as the disciples were
invited, so also only true followers of Christ should partake in the Lord’s
Supper.
The ordinance is not for everyone, but for
those who have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Born again believers are today’s participants:
To partake
worthily, one must be saved and walking in fellowship with Christ.
The Lord’s Supper is both a privilege and a responsibility reserved for those who have experienced the new birth.
Closeness to Christ is key: The disciples were near to
Jesus physically; believers today must be near to Him spiritually.
The closer we walk with Christ, the more
meaningful the Lord’s Supper becomes in our lives.
A reminder of trust and faithfulness: The Lord’s Supper calls for
sincerity, purity of heart, and loyalty to Christ.
Each observance is an opportunity to renew
our consecration and prove ourselves trustworthy followers.
Challenge:
If the
Lord’s Supper is for those closest to Christ, how can we daily keep ourselves
in that place of intimacy and trustworthiness before Him?
KEY
POINTS:
Institutionalized
by Jesus perfect example
Restrictive
on conditions but for whomsoever will, based on prerequisites
Spiritual
family affair
Exclusion
by spiritual status – Judas was physically present but spiritually unworthy
Based
on principles not controversy, fear or favour
Spiritual
communion for the saints Based on current Spiritual status
What
does it take to partake? Spiritual good standing, not complicated
SEARCH:
Implications for Who Partakes of the Lord’s Supper Today
Believers
in Christ
Invitation: The Lord's Supper is primarily for those
who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is a
means of grace for those who trust in Him.
Those
Who Examine Themselves
Self Examination: Before partaking, participants are
encouraged to examine their hearts and lives for unconfessed sin and a sincere
commitment to Jesus, which aligns with His invitation to a deeper
relationship.
1 Corinthians 11:28: "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."
Communal
Participants
Unity Among Believers: The Lord’s Supper serves as a
communal act for the body of Christ, emphasizing unity among believers and
their shared faith. It is not only an individual expression but a collective
remembrance of what Christ has done.
1 Corinthians 10:17: "For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread."
6. Define what
is meant by the word unworthily in 1 Corinthians 11:27. Then explain what
it means for a man to examine himself (verse 28).
LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
Partaking requires salvation and obedience: One must be saved and living
according to God’s Word before partaking of the Lord’s Supper.
The ordinance is sacred, and approaching it
with a pure heart brings blessing, not judgment.
Unworthy partaking brings danger: To take the emblems without
true salvation or obedience dishonors Christ’s sacrifice.
God calls His people to holiness, sincerity,
and reverence in all spiritual matters.
The emblems are a commemoration of mercy
received: They
symbolize the moment when God imparted Christ’s righteousness to the believer
through salvation.
Every participation in Communion is a
reminder of God’s grace and a testimony of His saving power.
Self-examination is required: To “examine oneself” means to
search the heart before God.
Honest reflection ensures the believer
approaches the Lord’s table with a clean conscience.
How to examine oneself: Reading God’s Word and
praying allows the Holy Spirit to reveal if anything is wrong in the heart.
God’s light exposes hidden sin, enabling
believers to repent and be restored.
Making things right with others: If prayer reveals something
between a believer and a brother, reconciliation must take place (Matthew
5:23–24).
True communion with Christ cannot be
separated from peace with others.
Challenge: Before partaking of the Lord’s Supper, are we willing to let God search our hearts and to make things right with Him and with others?
KEY
POINTS:
Unworthy?
Unfit, Noncompliance to,
Examine?
Self-assessment, acknowledge, corrective measures
Restitution,
reconciliation,
Unity
in tune with God and others no conflicts
SEARCH:
Lack
of Reverence
It implies
approaching the Lord’s Supper without the appropriate reverence and
seriousness, essentially treating it as a common meal rather than a holy
remembrance of Christ's sacrifice.
Spiritual
Implications
Partaking
unworthily can lead to spiritual consequences, such as guilt and judgment, as
it reflects an indifferent or callous attitude toward the sacrifice of
Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:29: "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily,
eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."
Meaning of "Examine Himself" in 1
Corinthians 11:28
Self-Reflection
To "examine himself" means to
conduct a thorough and honest self-assessment of one’s thoughts, motives, and
actions in relation to their walk with Christ and their relationships with
others.
1 Corinthians 11:28: "But let a man examine himself, and so let him
eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."
Psalm 139:2324: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and
know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the
way everlasting."
Spiritual
Growth
Examining oneself
promotes spiritual growth, allowing believers to identify areas for improvement
and to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, enhancing their experience
during communion.
Based
on God’s standard: God’s word and spirit:
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.
Let
God be the Judge:
1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would
judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of
the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
1John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us,
God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
If
there’s nothing between:
1John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn
us not, then have we confidence toward God.
7. Referring to 1 Corinthians 11:29, explain what you think it means to discern the Lord’s body.
LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
Discern means to understand, perceive,
recognize: To
partake rightly, one must seek to grasp the deep significance of Christ’s
sacrifice.
Communion is not a casual ritual—it calls
for thoughtful, prayerful understanding of Calvary.
Discerning the Lord’s body: This means recognizing with
heart and mind the price Jesus paid through His broken body and shed blood.
True discernment brings believers into
closer fellowship with Christ.
Engaging both spiritual and physical
awareness: Believers
are to approach Communion with their whole being—spirit, soul, and body—focused
on Christ’s offering.
Loving God with all our strength includes
fully reverencing the Lord’s Supper.
Closer contact with Jesus: Discernment leads to intimacy
with Christ, drawing the believer nearer to His presence.
Every time we discern rightly, our
relationship with Jesus deepens.
Promise of healing and wholeness: For those sick or diseased,
partaking in faith while discerning the Lord’s body gives confidence that His
blood can make them entirely whole.
The cross not only provided forgiveness but
also made provision for healing and restoration.
Challenge: When you partake of the Lord’s Supper, do you pause to truly discern the Lord’s body—His sacrifice, His presence, and His provision for salvation and healing?
KEY
POINTS:
“Yes,
I do” principle – Amos 3:3 Can two walk
together, except they be agreed?
You
know Jesus, Jesus also knows you
Experiential
Relationship
Walking
with the Lord
Working
with the Lord
Walking
and doing the knowledge
Not
a stranger
Consistent
Committed
Consecrated
Experience
the efficacy Spiritually and physically
SEARCH:
Recognizing the Significance of Christ’s
Sacrifice
To discern the Lord’s body involves
understanding and acknowledging the profound significance of Christ’s body that
was broken for the sake of humanity's salvation during the crucifixion.
Understanding
the Symbolism of Communion:
Discernment means
appreciating that the bread signifies Christ’s actual body, symbolizing His
sacrifice and the suffering He endured for our sins. It is essential to
recognize this not merely as a ritual but as a significant spiritual
truth.
John 6:51: "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if
any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever..."
Reflecting
on Unity within the Body of Christ
Discernment
extends to understanding the communal aspect of the Lord’s Supper. It
emphasizes that partaking of the bread and cup unites believers as one body in
Christ, fostering love and reconciliation among fellow believers.
1 Corinthians 10:17: "For we being many are one bread, and one
body: for we are all partakers of that one bread."
Acknowledging
the Body of Christ in the Church
The concept of
discerning the Lord's body can also include recognizing and honoring the
universal Church as the body of Christ. This notion calls for believers to
treat one another with love and respect, understanding that every believer is
part of the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:1516: "But
speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the
head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted
by that which every joint supplieth..."
Avoiding
Casual Approaches
Failing to discern the Lord’s body can lead
to a trivial or casual approach to the Lord’s Supper, which may result in
spiritual consequences. Believers are called to approach this ordinance with
reverence and understanding of its sacredness.
Proper discernment involves personal
introspection, where believers assess their hearts and lives in relation to
Christ’s sacrifice and their relationships within the body of believers,
placing emphasis on humility and repentance.
Psalm 139:2324: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts..."
8. Tell of an
instance of blessing in your life, or another’s, received while you were
participating in this ordinance.
LESSON INSPIRATIONS:
Obedience brings blessing: Honoring the Lord’s command
to observe the Supper opens the door to God’s favor and peace.
Every step of obedience to Christ
strengthens our walk with Him.
A continual reminder of His sacrifice: The ordinance keeps believers
mindful of the great price Jesus paid for their redemption.
Gratitude grows deeper each time we remember
the cross.
A testimony of faith: Partaking of the Lord’s
Supper is a public declaration that we belong to Christ.
Obedience turns our participation into a
living witness of His grace.
Spiritual renewal: Observing the Lord’s Supper
in sincerity refreshes the believer’s heart and strengthens commitment to God.
Obedience leads to deeper intimacy and
communion with Christ.
A hope for the future: The ordinance not only looks
back to the cross but also forward to the promise of eternal life with Christ.
Obedience anchors us in the hope of the
resurrection and the joy of eternity with Jesus.
Challenge: What blessings have you personally experienced from obeying Christ in the Lord’s Supper? How can remembering His death inspire us to live more faithfully for Him each day?
KEY
POINTS:
Spiritual
awareness your identity, Master, expectations, destination
Spiritual
blessings
Consecration
Revival
Reanointing
Healing
Other
Christian experiences
SEARCH:
Strengthening
of Faith
Individuals often
find their faith strengthened during the observance of communion as they
reflect on the significance of Christ's sacrifice. This acknowledgment can
reinforce their commitment to following Christ.
Unity
Many believers experience a profound sense
of unity and belonging when participating in the Lord’s Supper together as a
church family, feeling encouraged and supported by the community of faith.
Acts 2:42: "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine
and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
Spiritual
Maturity
Engaging in
communion can lead to spiritual growth and maturity, as believers are reminded
of the importance of discerning the body of Christ and living in harmony with
one another.
Colossians 2:67: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the
faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."
A
Reminder of Hope for the Future
The Lord's Supper
serves as a reminder of the hope believers have in eternal life and the future
fellowship they will experience with Christ. This can be especially comforting
for the grieving or those facing uncertainty.
Revelation 19:9: "And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they
which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb."
CONCLUSION:
COME AND DINE
1 Jesus has a table spread
Where the saints of God are fed,
He invites His chosen people, Come and dine;
With His manna He doth feed
And supplies our every need:
O ’tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time!
Refrain: Come and dine, the Master
calleth, Come and dine;
You may feast at Jesus’ table all the time;
He who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,
To the hungry calleth now, Come and dine.
2 The disciples came to land,
Thus obeying Christ’s command,
For the Master called unto them, Come and dine;
There they found their heart’s desire,
Bread and fish upon the fire;
Thus He satisfies the hungry every time. [Refrain]
3 Soon the Lamb will take His
bride
To be ever at His side,
All the host of Heaven will assembled be;
O ’twill be a glorious sight,
All the saints in spotless white;
And with Jesus they will feast eternally. [Refrain]
Comments
Post a Comment