A GUIDE FOR TAKING COMMUNION
ON YOUR OWN AT HOME, AS A FAMILY, OR WITH YOUR LIFEGROUP
During the Last Supper, Jesus served His closest friends bread and wine that symbolized Jesus giving His body and blood for our sins. Today, Christ followers remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and examine our lives as we take part in Communion. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26)
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
About the Last Supper and Jesus’ sacrifice, read Matthew 26.
About Communion, read Paul’s instructions to the church in 1 Corinthians 11:23-32.
BASIC ELEMENTS
1 | Bread/Wafer/Cracker for Christ’s body
2 | Wine/Juice/Water for Christ’s blood
*Cups are available at Paradox on Sunday mornings.
*If you don’t have one of the above, any food/drink will do. Get creative!
EXAMINE & PRAY
First, take a moment to examine yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to show you any sin in your life, and ask Jesus for His forgiveness.
Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. - 1 Corinthians 11:28
TAKE & EAT
Second, eat the cracker that represents the body of Christ. Remember how His body was broken for our sins.
While [the disciples] were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take an eat; this is my body.” - Matthew 26:26
Prayer: “Thank you for the bread. I remember your body that was broken for me.”
TAKE & DRINK
Third, drink the juice that represents the blood of Christ. Remember the new covenant, or promise, that we can be free from all sin through Christ’s shed blood.
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. - Matthew 26:27-28
Prayer: “Thank you for the cup. I remember your blood that was shed for my forgiveness and the promise that I will live eternally with you.”
Final prayer: “Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice. I am free because of you.”
COMMUNION WITH KIDS
Parents, it is your decision whether or not your child(ren) is/are ready to take communion. This moment is for those who believe in Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, and resurrection on their behalf. Remind children this is about remembering Jesus, so we don’t want to distract others by taking the focus off Jesus and onto ourselves. Let children participate as worship leaders in this holy moment by giving them responsibility!
TAKING THE BODY
Leader: On the night before Jesus died, he gathered his friends and said, “Take this bread. It represents my body which will be broken so you might be made whole.” (Pass out the bread.)
Ask children and family members what they remember about Jesus’ life.
What are you personally thankful for about Jesus’ life?
Say, “This is Jesus’ body. Let’s take and eat together.”
TAKING THE CUP
Leader: Jesus then looked at his friends and said, “Take this cup. It represents my blood which will be poured out for the sin of the world.” (Now pass out the juice if it’s in separate cups.)
Ask children and family members, “What changes about our lives if Jesus defeated death to be with us forever?”
Say, “This is Jesus’ blood. Let’s take and drink together.”
PRAY
God, we pray that the story of your son Jesus’ death and resurrection would shape us. We are yours, and we remember you today. Do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine in us. Amen.
