8 th Grade – SP – Lesson 11
This lesson is due in class on April 19th, 2015 . After completing the lesson the student will be able to:
● Know the blessings and warnings connected with the Lord’s Supper
● Know what it means to receive the Lord’s Supper in a worthy manner
Introduction
Congratulations students this is your last lesson in your journey through gaining a better understanding of the Christian faith and what it means to be called a Lutheran. Along the way you demonstrated your proficiency in such topics as why should we trust the Bible as God’s Word, how we know we have been saved from the consequences of our sins, and how both baptism and the Lord’s Supper are Means of Grace. In our first lesson on the Lord’s Supper we discussed how the Passover Meal is related to the Lord’s Supper that Jesus instituted for the church for the forgiveness of sins. Now in part two of this lesson we will finish with examining the blessings and warnings connected with the
Lord’s Supper.
The Purpose
In the last lesson we have already covered that in the Lord’s Supper we receive the true body and blood of Christ through the bread and wine. Now we will examine the purpose for the Lord’s command to receive the Lord’s Supper. The purpose of the Lord’s Supper is clearly stated in the words of Jesus during the Passover Meal on the night before He was to suffer and die on the Cross, “ For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for the many for the forgiveness of sins ” (Matthew 26:28). Jesus’ words “which is poured out” gives us the purpose of the Lord’s Supper – for the forgiveness of sins. Stop and think about how great and loving God really is that He would give to us the assurance of forgiveness of sins through the simple means of receiving into our bodies bread and wine. In fact, if you recall that when the Word of God is applied to the water in baptism, the person is also assured their forgiveness of sins that was won for them on the cross of Jesus.
1.
Read Mark 14:22-25 and John 6:47-58 and answer why must we eat the body and drink the blood of Jesus?
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The Benefits
We know from the Word of God that the most blessed benefit we receive from receiving the Lord’s Supper in a worthy manner is the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of eternal life and salvation. However, there are other blessings we are given through the bread and wine. The first benefit we receive through receiving the Lord’s Supper is our entering into a close fellowship with Jesus. The results of this fellowship are the perseverance and strengthening of our faith, hopes and love for Jesus. Through communion believers are also united into a closer fellowship with each other. What this means that that regardless of the believer’s location, through the Lord’s Supper we are all united together under the body of Christ. We are all one church.
2.
Read John 6:56 and answer how does this passage show how we are united with
Christ?
It must be taken in a worthy manner
Now you know the purpose and benefits associated with the Lord’s Supper. However with such a great gift given to us by a gracious and loving God we must be certain that we understand how to receive it in a worthy manner. What are the consequences connected to receiving the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner and how can we be sure we receiving it the way God intended it to be received?
Lets begin with looking at the consequences the Bible warns us in connection with receiving the bread and wine in an unworthy manner.
3.
Read I Corinthians 11: 27-29 and explain what will happened to someone who receives the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner?
4.
Read 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 and explain how we should prepare ourselves to receive communion?
To receive the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner means to receive it in unbelief.
Receiving in unbelief is to take it not repenting of one’s sin, choosing to live in a rebellious way towards God, and not believing that Christ has died for the forgiveness of your sins.
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Often Christians question whether they are receiving in a worthy manner. They worry that because they have sinned in some great way during the week that they should not take Communion. However, this is actually who needs to take the Lord’s Supper! If you know you have sinned again God, feel guilt and shame, repent of it, and come believing the promise that Christ has died for these sins, than you are most worthy to come and partake! We should not approach the table with fear, but with joy knowing that God bestows His grace upon us through it.
Prepare yourself
The Bible not only shows us the consequences of receiving communion in an unworthy manner, but it also reveals to us how to prepare ourselves to receive the Lord’s Supper.
You might have heard the pastor in his instructions to those who will receive the Lord’s
Supper that they must prepare themselves to receive the Lord’s Supper. What does it mean to prepare ourselves to receive communion. To prepare means to confess our sin to the Lord. This means we must through prayer we ask the Lord to search our hearts and reveal any sin. Then we must repent of our sins and believe that Jesus has forgiven our sins. This means putting our faith in Jesus’ death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
We are also told in Luke 22:19 Jesus told those taking communion that they need to remember Him. This passage has been used by those who claim that the Lord’s Supper is just a symbol or a tool to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. The Lutheran church understands Jesus’ command to remember Him, is to fix our minds upon the suffering and death on the cross during communion. This way we may be strengthened in our faith and especially our love for Him.
5.
How do you intend to prepare yourself for communion and why is it important for us to prepare to receive communion?
6.
How important is the Lord’s Supper to you? Please provide in your answer the three benefits we receive in communion.
7.
What are the consequences to receiving the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner and what will you do to make sure you are receiving the Lord’s Supper in a worthy manner?
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