Lesson 50

What does God teach us about receiving Holy Communion?

How does God want me to prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper? 1 Corinthians 11:28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. I prepare by examining myself

How does God want me to prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper? 1 John 1:8-9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Am I sorry for my sins?

How does God want me to prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper? Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Do I believe in the real presence?

How does God want me to prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper? Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Do I believe that I receive the forgiveness of sins?

How does God want me to prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper? 1 Corinthians 11:27,29 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. To avoid eating and drinking it in an unworthy manner

Key Point #1 God wants me to examine myself to make sure that I am prepared to receive Holy Communion properly.

Agree or Disagree? If I do not prepare before the service to partake of the Lord’s Supper, I will be unworthy to receive it.

Write a brief prayer, asking God to help you be ready to receive the Lord’s Supper.

What’s wrong here? Faith makes us worthy guests at the Lord’s Supper because faith is the only thing we can offer to God that can earn his love.

Agree or Disagree? Anyone who partakes of the Lord’s Supper unworthily will be damned. Give a reason for your answer.

Therefore, to whom does God want us to give the Lord’s Supper? 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. repentant believers who have been instructed Communion should be given only to…

Therefore, to whom does God want us to give the Lord’s Supper? 1 Corinthians 10:17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. repentant believers who are united in faith with us Communion should be given only to…

Key Point #2 God wants us to give the Lord’s Supper only to repentant believers who have been thoroughly educated in the Christian faith and who are one in faith with us.

Agree or Disagree? We should be able to attend the Lord’s Supper in any Lutheran church.

Mike says, “I don’t see why we have to go to two years of catechism instruction before we are confirmed.” How would you use this lesson to give him at least one good answer why this is necessary? What are some other reasons?

What’s wrong here? When we deny the Lord’s Supper to someone who is not a member, we are being proud and loveless.

Why does Jesus invite us to receive the Lord’s Supper often? 1 Corinthians 11:26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Jesus invites us to come often…

Why does Jesus invite us to receive the Lord’s Supper often? Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus invites us to come often… for forgiveness of sins

Why does Jesus invite us to receive the Lord’s Supper often? Colossians 2:6-7 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Jesus invites us to come often… to strengthen faith in him

Why does Jesus invite us to receive the Lord’s Supper often? 2 Corinthians 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. Jesus invites us to come often… to help us live a life of thanks to him

Why does Jesus invite us to receive the Lord’s Supper often? Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Jesus invites us to come often… to encourage one another in faith

Key Point #3 Jesus invites us to receive the Lord’s Supper often so that he can keep on comforting us with the forgiveness of sins and keep on strengthening us in our faith.

Martin Luther wrote in his Large Catechism that if you do not feel that you need to go to the Lord’s Supper often, “Pinch yourself and see if you are still flesh and blood…In the second place, look around to see if you are still in the world. Or, if you do not know whether you are, ask your neighbor.” Why do you think he suggested such things?

Agree or Disagree? It would be better for a congregation to offer the Lord’s Supper every Sunday than to offer it every other Sunday.

Agree or Disagree? After the confirmation ceremony, you should receive the Lord’s Supper at least four times a year.

Where in the service do we confess the following: a) our sinfulness? b) our faith in Jesus? c) our belief in Jesus’ real presence?

Evaluate… Mr. Smith felt he was carrying a grudge against another person, so for ten years he did not come to the Lord’s Supper.

Steve says, “I hope someday we can receive the Lord’s Supper with Christians in other churches.” How would you respond?

Lesson 50 God teaches us to receive Holy Communion in faith so that it is not a judgment but a blessing for us.

Vocabulary… “Fellowship” unity in doctrine between Christians

Vocabulary… “Close(d) Communion” biblical teaching that only Christians who are in complete agreement may commune together