Meaning of the Lord's Supper

During the Passover meal, Jesus gave new meaning to the unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. He told the disciples that from now on, they were to eat and drink it to remember the significance of his death on their behalf.

We take the Lord’s Supper each week as a memorial celebration of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Bible verses used in this episode:

1 Corinthians 11:23-34

• Matthew 26:26-30
• Mark 14:22-26
• Luke 22:14-20
• I Corinthians 12:27
• Exodus 12:12-13
• 1 Peter 1:18-19
• Ephesians 1:7

Outline:

1. Description of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:23-26)
2. Teachings about the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:27-34)

Tips for teaching children:

• Guide the children in making homemade communion bread and grape juice.  For fun, you could press grapes to make the juice.
• Artwork: Have children draw or paint a cross in the centre of a paper.  Draw pictures of the bread and wine on either side of the cross representing Jesus’ body and blood. Underneath the picture, children can write, “Do this to remember me.” I Corinthians 11:24

Tips for teaching adults:

• Questions:
  • What are some memorable times in taking the Lord’s Supper?  Do any of them stand out?  Why?
  • Why is the Lord’s Supper meaningful to you?  How is it special?
• Have the class brainstorm different ways to practice celebrating the Lord’s Supper that highlight its importance.  For instance, the Lord’s Supper is an act of unity of God’s people.  What practice in taking the Lord’s Supper will convey the thought of unity of the church? (My suggestion: hand out the bread and fruit of the vine, and after the prayer for the bread, have everyone eat it together.  Do the same for the cup).   

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Meaning of the Lord’s Supper 

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org