What would Jesus say about communion?

Matthew 26:26-29

Communion is a God-given gift to help strengthen our faith:

1. Our faith in God’s character:

Communion reminds us that God has fulfilled his promises towards us, exemplified in Jesus as the fulfilment of the old covenant and the bringer of the new covenant.

2. Our faith in what God has done:

Communion refreshes faith in God’s continual provision towards us through Jesus’ once and for all sacrifice for sin.

3. Our faith in what God will do:

Communion gives us faith in the glorious, heavenly future of the family of God.


Questions:

  • How do you approach communion personally?

  • How do we approach communion as a church?

  • Do you view communion as a symbol or as something more? Does communion do anything?

Andrew Wilson helpfully draws out 7 different aspects or functions of communion from Paul’s writings in 1 Corinthians 10 and 11: his sermon on this is really great and stirring; it might be worth watching it before small group. You can find the sermon here:

i. Blessing (bread and wine represent God’s blessing to us)

ii. Participation in Christ (eating and drinking of his body and blood)

iii. Unity (one bread, one body, one church)

iv. Thanksgiving (we join Jesus in giving thanks for God’s gift of his son)

v. Remembrance (of what God has done)

vi. Proclamation of the Gospel and the Second Coming (communion as a public action of faith)

vii. Self-examination (repenting of our sin)

It might be good to outline these different aspects and focus discussion around which your group find most surprising or most valuable.

  • Which of the three aspects of faith outlined in Sunday evening’s sermon do you feel most in need of? Faith in God’s character, faith in what he has done through Jesus, or faith in what he is yet to do with the church?