Lord's Supper - Confirmation
Communion
The living Son of God wants to be really present in your life today.
You can experience forgiveness, healing, and power in your life as you come clean before the altar.
Small Catechism.
What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink.
What is the benefit of this eating and drinking?
These words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.
The First Lords Supper
This story is in most gospels.
Luke 22
The Passover with the Disciples
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” 9 They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
Institution of the Lord's Supper
14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.
Luke 24
On the Road to Emmaus is the first time we celebrate at a community.
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
I Corinthians 11:26
“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
On the night he was betrayed 2000 years ago, Jesus broke bread and lifted a cup, then gave it to his disciples telling them to “do this in remembrance of me.” So what? What does this mean to a teenager today? Don’t let anyone leave this session without being confronted by this promise: The living Son of God wants to be really present in your life today. You can experience God’s forgiveness, healing and power in your life as you come clean before the altar. You can encounter the living God in a holy spiritual mystery every time you take the bread and wine and you can walk away with a new life. So, what does this mean? Will you focus your senses to encounter God, or will you walk up, eat and walk away as if nothing happened?
Two Way Communication
Our relationship with God has two dimensions
Vertical: God reaches down to us
Horizontal: We reach out in love to one another
What happens to a Christian if the vertical dimension is weak? If the horizontal dimension is weak?
Act Like A Servant
Read and act out the parable of the “Unforgiving Servant” from Matthew 18:21-35
What is the message of this parable?
How does this parable relate to Holy Communion?
Gift at the Altar
Read and reflect on Matthew 5:24-26
What is the message of this verse?
How does this verse relate to Holy Communion?
Taking out the Garbage
What happens in your house if you don’t take out the trash?
What happens in your relationships if you don’t say “I’m sorry” or ask for forgiveness?
How is Holy Communion like taking out the garbage?
Grudge Match
What happens to people who bottle up their anger?
What happens to people who refuse to forgive others?
Do you currently hold a grudge against anyone?
Will you forgive that person today?