1. Preparation for Holy Communion
Lesson 22
Opening Prayer:
Dear Savior, the privilege of receiving your body and blood is not something to be taken lightly! You have told your disciples to receive it often. Help us to understand how important this is for my life and to receive Holy Communion often. Help us receive this gift with confidence and joy. As we study your Word on Holy Communion, help us to appreciate more and more the gifts you’ve given us. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
As we turn to this Lesson there 4 important questions?
For Whom is the Lord’s Supper?
Who Should Not Receive the Lord’s Supper?
What is Meant by ‘Close Communion’?
What is the Rite of Confirmation?
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2. For whom is the Lord’s Supper?
Matthew 26:26 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
Youth and Parent read passage together.
Jesus was getting His disciples ready to eat the Passover with him. He had told of the prepar-ations they were to make so that he could enjoy the meal with him. Jesus had openly told his disciples that he also was going up to Jerusalem to suffer, die, and rise on the third day.
During the Passover meal with all its Biblical significance Jesus instituted this special meal. Jesus had announced to his disciples that one of them would betray him. The disciples were sad to hear this. In vs. 25 Jesus identifies his betrayer. Now Jesus turns our attention toward this special meal—the Lord’s Supper.
The context of the Lord’s Supper has 2 elements – the sadness of the disciples with the reality of sin in their midst. The other is the spirit of thanksgiving that Jesus provides. The disciples did not have the full picture Scripture teaches that Jesus for “joy set before him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2.)
The Lord’s Supper is a joyful celebration. We can be happy that our Savior invites us even though we are unworthy sinners. We can look forward eagerly to receiving the blessings Jesus offers us as free gifts.
The Lord’s Supper is also a serious celebration. The gifts Jesus offers are so important that we must be careful not to treat them lightly. Before we go to the Lord’s Supper, we need to make sure that we are ready to receive the Sacrament in a way that will honor our Lord and bring His blessings to us.
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3. For whom is the Lord’s Supper?
1 Corinthians 11:24 24 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.”
Youth reads this passage.
Ask: What does the Lord Jesus want us to do as we receive the Lord’s Supper?
Answer: He wants us to “do this in remembrance of me”; that is, He wants us to call to mind all He did through his life, death, and resurrection to win the gifts of forgiveness and salvation for us.
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4. For whom is the Lord’s Supper?
1 Corinthians 11:28 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
Parent reads passage.
Ask: What does the Apostle Paul instruct Christians to do before receiving the Lord’s Supper?
Answer: We are to examine ourselves. This is something we do everyday – we take an honest look at ourselves in light of the God’s commandments or the Law. We have failed. This is repentance or spiritual breathing in Baptism which we studied earlier.
It is a good practice to set aside special time before the Lord’s Supper to examine oneself. This can be done privately at home. This can be done in church before the service, and together with the congregation in the Confession of Sins.
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5. For whom is the Lord’s Supper?
It is for repentant disciples of Jesus
Who remember the Lord’s death and
Are able to examine themselves
Youth records notes.
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6. Who shouldn’t receive the Lord’s Supper?
Matthew 26:26 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
Youth rereads this passage.
Some people should not go to the Lord’s Supper. For example there are those who do not repent of their sins and do not believe in Jesus as their Savior. There are the impenitent and also unbelieving.
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7. Who shouldn’t receive the Lord’s Supper?
1 Corinthians 11:24
24 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.”
Parent reads this passage.
The Apostle Paul instructed the Christians in Corinth about the Lord’s Supper so that they could “do this in remembrance of me.” There are those who need to be instructed to know what Jesus has done for them, God’s plan of salvation, and what the Lord’s Supper is.
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8. Who shouldn’t receive the Lord’s Supper?
Those who are not sorry for their sins.
“impenitent” sinners
Those who have not been instructed.
Youth records these notes.
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9. Who shouldn’t receive the Lord’s Supper?
1 Corinthians 11:28 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
Parent reads passage.
There are other situations where one should not receive the Lord’s Supper. Some are unable to “examine themselves.” There are individuals who suffer from Altheimer’s as an example—that do not have the mental ability to remember what the Lord’s Supper is or to examine themselves.
I remember a while back meeting with a family who had an elderly parent suffering from Altheimers and they shared the understanding that the parent understood very little of what was happening in her life. I shared a devotion with her but not the Lord’s Supper. We need to understand the Lord’s Supper is not “some magical meal” that gives God’s gifts regardless of the situation of the person communing.
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10. Who shouldn’t receive the Lord’s Supper?
Those who are not sorry for their sins.
“impenitent” sinners
Those who have not been instructed.
Those who are unable to examine themselves.
Youth records note.
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11. Who shouldn’t receive the Lord’s Supper?
1 Corinthians 10:17
17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.
Romans 16:17
17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
Youth reads these passages.
In I Corinthians 10:16 Paul speaks about the close relationship or communion of the elements in the Lord’s Supper. As we eat and drink the earthly elements we also eat and drink the sacramental elements.
Now in vs. 17 Paul points out we enter a most intimate fellowship or relationship with each other. “Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.” There is one bread (“loaf”) in the Lord’s Supper. All who receive that one bread are united with each other because we all share that common bread.
In the Romans 16 passage Paul issues a warning against religious people who regularly and intentionally cause divisions and question beliefs. It may be best to call them false teachers. They have an agenda. They are seeking to win others to their point of view.
In our era of pluralism, toleration, and false ecumenism this Scriptural warning is not too popular.
Treasuring the truths that Scriptures teaches we do not commune those who do not share our beliefs about the Lord’s Supper.
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12. Who shouldn’t receive the Lord’s Supper?
Those who are not sorry for their sins.
“impenitent” sinners
Those who have not been instructed.
Those who are unable to examine themselves.
Those who don’t share the same beliefs.
Youth records note.
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13. What is “close communion”?
1 Corinthians 10:17
17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.
Youth and parent read passage together.
When we participate in the Lord’s Supper, we enter into a most intimate fellowship with Christ himself through receiving his body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins. That sharing also makes us one spiritual body with our fellow communicants. Fellowship, communion, partnership – that is what Paul is emphasizing in the Sacrament of the Altar.
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14. What is “close communion”?
Communion together of those who share the same beliefs.
In the Lord’s Supper there are two fellowships:
Youth records notes.
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Vertical:
With Jesus
With fellow Christians
Horizontal:

15. What is the rite of “Confirmation”?
A ceremony in which a person
Publicly confesses faith in Jesus
Publicly states unity with a group of Christians (the congregation)
Our confession of faith in confirmation indicates that we are ready for:
The Lord’s Supper (communicant membership)
There are different times in our life when we assess where we are at like the end of one year and beginning of a new one. We look back at the progress we have made, the work we have accomplished, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
Two years ago we ask: “What is Confirmation?” and looking to Scriptures we responded that it is being strengthened in our Christian faith and our Christian life.
We have gone to the Word of God so that you might learn and understand what the Triune God has done for you (the Apostles Creed), to know and doing God’s will (the Ten Commandments), in praying to your heavenly Father, to appreciate what God has done for you in Baptism, to live in daily repentance, and to appreciate what the Lord’s Supper means for you.
You have grown and have been strengthened. You have not finished growing as God’s child. God wants you to keep growing as long as you live.
So it is important to ask: What is the rite of “Confirmation”?
It means 2 important things:
First, it means you can publicly confess that you have been strengthened (confirmed) in your Christian faith and life as one of God’s children through the Word of God and sacraments. Through our studies with your parents God has been confirming you as His child by strengthening the faith and life He gave you at your baptism. And God wants to keep on confirming or strengthening you in this way throughout your life.
Second, in the service or rite of Confirmation, you publicly confess your oneness or unity of faith that is shared by the congregation—your faith in the Triune God, your promise to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord, and receiving God’s blessing and the prayers of the congregation. With this public confession as God’s child He offers you the great blessing of sharing in the Lord’s Supper.
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16. Self-Examination Questions (Preparation for the Lord’s Supper)
Am I sorry for my sins?
Do I trust in Jesus as my Savior?
Do I believe that Jesus’ body and blood are really present?
Do I intend, with God’s help, to change my sinful life?
As you look forward to celebrating the Lord’s Supper you will want to follow the Scriptural direction to examine yourself to be prepared to receive the Lord’s Supper.
How do I know if I am ready?
Ask yourself:
Am I sorry for my sins?
Do I trust that Jesus died for me as my Savior?
Do I believe that Jesus’ body and blood are really present?
Do I intend, with God’s help to fight against sin and to live as God’s child?
If you can honestly answer Yes to these questions, you are ready to go to the Lord’s Supper.
A more thorough examination is provided in Luther’s Catechism, pages 320 – 323.
Prayers “Before Communion” and “After Communion” are provided on page 11 in Christian Worship.
A Personal Preparation for Holy Communion is found on page 156 in Christian Worship.
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17. More Questions…
Matthew 5: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Youth reads passage.
Don’t approach God in prayer or in worship with anger in your heart. If you have wronged someone, go to that person and attempt to be reconciled before approaching the Lord’s Altar. Unrepented sin is a barrier to any kind of God-pleasing worship, and these words are appropriately applied to ourselves as we consider receiving the Lord’s Supper. Genuine repentance will always lead to a sincere effort to undo the wrong of which one has been guilty.
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18. More Questions…
What if I haven’t forgiven someone for something that was done against me. Should I come to the Lord’s Supper?
If my faith is weak, should I come to the Lord’s Supper?
Youth records notes.
I should first try to get things settled with that person.
Yes, because the Lord’s Supper strengthens weak faith.
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19. Truths to remember… God, by his grace (undeserved love), has
Created me
Redeemed me (bought me back)
Sanctified me
(set me apart for serving Him)
Youth records notes.
What awesome truths!
God the Father has created me and gave me life – making me unique and special.
God the Son has redeemed me by laying down his life into death – to open the door to a whole new life.
God the Holy Spirit is sanctifying me – taking all the gifts and blessings Jesus won – and moving me to live for Jesus.
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20. Truths to remember… Thanks to God’s work…
I have been justified (declared not guilty)
I am being sanctified
I will be glorified (made perfect)
when Jesus comes again
Youth records notes.
This is awesome!
I can live victoriously because of the great things God has done. As I focus on the Cross of Jesus
I have been justified!
I am being sanctified – I am a Christian in process!
I will be glorified!!
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21. Truths to remember… I want to live my new life by loving God
My neighbor
Youth records notes.
Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. I want to let my light as a Christian show its love for God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and to my fellowman and neighbor.
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22. Truths to remember… John 15:5
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Parent and youth read passage together.
Opportunities abound in our personal life and congregational life. I want to grow in my relationship to my parents and family. I want to grow as I gather regularly with my fellow confirmands in worship, Bible Study, and youth activities and more. The Holy Spirit leads me to see life in a new way through Jesus.
A special opportunity to grow is through our Gifts in Action emphasis. This Spring we want to invite our 7th & 8th Grade Youth to do a “Strengths Assessments” and identify 3 important strengths or natural abilities the Lord has given to them. As with PETT it is important that parents take an active role in this process. Watch for more information on this.
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23. Truths to remember… I want to grow in my Christian faith
Christian life
Youth records notes.
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24. Assignment for Next Week
1. Study carefully the notes you have taken in class, be sure you understand them. 2. Study carefully questions 296 – 303 in your Catechism. 3. Complete the “Working with God’s Word” section. Have your parents check your work. 4. Memorize these Bible passages: VIP I Corinthians 11:28 - “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.” John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from you can do nothing.” 5. Memorize “Second: What blessing do we receive through this eating and drinking?” and “Third: How can eating and drinking do such great things?” 6. Complete Worksheet #22 and have your parents check your work. Be ready for a Unit Review on Lessons on Wednesday, April 6, 5:45 – 6:45 pm. 7. Complete Key Truths.

25. Key Truths
Lesson Twenty-Two: The Lord’s Supper is intended for ____________ disciples of Jesus who are able to ___________ his death and __________ themselves. For questions for spiritual examination are:
Am I _______________________________________________?
Do I trust ____________________________________________?
Do I believe __________________________________________?
Do I intend __________________________________________?
In the Lord’s Supper there are two fellowships:
vertical, with __________
horizontal, with ___________ ___________
Close communion refers to communing together with those who share the same ______________.

26. Closing Prayer O Jesus, blessed Lord to thee
My heartfelt thanks forever be.
Who hast so lovingly bestowed
on me thy body and thy blood.
Break forth, my soul and say:
What wealth has come to me this day!
My Savior dwells within my heart:
How blest am I! How good thou art! Amen.