WHAT IS COMMUNION?
At its most basic level, communion is the practice of eating bread and juice or wine to remember the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. The bread represents his body broken for us. The juice or wine represents his blood spilt on our behalf. You can read all about communion and how Jesus historically instituted the practice in Luke 22:7-23.
WHY DO WE TAKE COMMUNION?
1. Remember (Look At The Past)
Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, and Exodus 12
When we partake in communion we look backwards to the historical events of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. We remember the sacrifice he made so we could be rescued from our sin.
2: Rejoice (Look Forward To Heaven And The Second Coming Of Christ)
1 Corinthians 11:26, Matthew 26:29, Isaiah 25:6, and Revelation 19:9
When we partake in communion we look forward to the future. We who have given our allegiance to Jesus by making him Lord and Savior will experience the second coming of Christ and our eternal home with him known as heaven.
3: Repent (Look At Your Sin)
1 Corinthians 11:28-29
When we partake in communion we look at our sin. The Bible teaches that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23), that our sin grieves God, and we need to repent (1 John 1:9). Repent simply means to apologize for wronging God and work with God’s power to live differently from the world.
4: Reunite (Look At Your Relationships)
1 Corinthians 10:14-17, 1 Corinthians 11:17-22, 1 Corinthians 11:33
When we partake in communion we look at our relationships. We examine the health of our interactions with others. If there are issues, how do we seek reconciliation so that we can live in harmony as a church body? We are called to love one another, live in peace, and be united.
5: Repeat (Look At Your Rhythms)
Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:25
When we partake in communion we look at our rhythms. We are called to be involved in the church weekly through serving others, social interactions in meaningful relationships, and worship together as a body. Communion offers a time for us to look at our involvement in the life of the church.
6: Reflect (Look At Christ’s Life-giving Work)
John 6:48-58
When we partake in communion we reflect. We remember that Jesus is our Passover lamb sacrificed for our sins so that we may be saved. We also reflect on Jesus being the Bread of Life which is the only source that can sustain us in our spiritual hunger. Christ alone is our nourishment.
7: Respect (Look At This Sacred Moment)
1 Corinthians 11:27-30
When we partake in communion we look at the sacred moment we are in. We don’t treat it as a dry ritual. We don’t see it as something on our todo list. We see communion as a holy time with God that is powerful.
7 DAY STUDY ON COMMUNION
In order to better understand communion and how to participate in it well, we put together a 7 day Bible study that talks about all the above in greater detail.
BREAD, BANQUETS AND BIBLE: A SEVEN DAY STUDY ON COMMUNION
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BOOKS
Christ, Baptism and the Lord's Supper: Recovering the Sacraments for Evangelical Worship
The Lord's Supper as the Sign and Meal of the New Covenant
The Lord's Supper: Five Views
Understanding Four Views on the Lord's Supper
ARTICLES
The Lord’s Supper
Four Views of the Lord’s Supper