Key Bible Passage(s):

Tier 1

It is easy to fall into a trap of thinking you have to ‘qualify’ to take communion by being a good enough Christian. Sometimes the sense of our own failure and sinfulness can seem to disqualify us from receiving the Bread and Wine. But the one place repentant sinners need to go is to the Cross. Grace can be counter-intuitive, but we learn to trust it as we gain experience of Christ.

Tier 2

Amongst other things, Communion is a sacrament of our unity with one another in Christ. It doesn’t just symbolise that unity, but engenders it. So what happens when a Church family have behaved in ways that undermine that unity? Paul tackles this question in a way that shows both how seriously God takes our taking Communion, but also what to do when things go wrong.

Tier 3

This sessions finishes with a brief look at the Book of Common Prayer’s summary of how to prepare for a Communion Service, and of what we should expect GOd to do through our taking Commuion.

But it is strange  that it should be neglected by any that do fear God, and desire to save  their souls; And yet nothing is more common. One reason why many neglect it is, they are so much afraid of "eating and drinking unworthily," that they never think how much greater the danger is when they do not eat or drink it at all.

John Wesley

Introductory Group Session:

Do you think Christ is present at Communion in a way that He isn’t in other aspects of the service?

Is there a time when you should refrain from taking communion?

Is there a time when you would refuse to take communion with someone?

Is there a time when you think someone shouldn’t be allowed to take communion?

Main Group Discussion:

Do you think we can still eat and drink judgement on ourselves in this way?

How should we examine ourselves before we take communion?

What should we do if our relationship with someone else in the Church is not in a good state?

Can / Should we take communion if we’ve had a bad (i.e. sinful) week)?

In what ways will you approach the Lord’s Supper differently in the light of what we have considered this evening?

Homework