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Communion

Communion at Home

Throughout the history of God’s people, it’s been a common experience for families and people to gather around a table in a home and worship God. These instructions will guide you through an intentional and purposeful preparation process for communion as part of one of our online worship services. Typically, we celebrate on the first Sunday of each month. Once you have things in place, there will be instructions during the online service.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

What you’ll need:

  • Bread – You can use what kind you have in your home. Traditionally it would have been unleavened bread (unraised, baked without yeast – based on the Exodus story), such as naan or pita bread. You can bake something special for the occasion or buy something at the store, feel free to go gluten free if you need to. You can have it sliced or break it with your hands. Make sure there is enough for everyone in your house to have some.
  • Cup – Historically Baptist churches have used grape juice to allow everyone to participate regardless of age or addiction issues. Many other traditions use red wine, but it can also be appropriate to use another red juice if your options are limited. It would probably be best to avoid overly sugary drinks or mixes to emphasize the more “bitter” or “sour” aspect of Christ’s sacrificial death. Have enough juice and cups for everyone taking part.

Preparing the setting:

  • Make sure there is a table available where you will be watching the service online.
  • Limit other distractions in the room; turn off things that make noise or perhaps give off a lot of light, etc.
  • Set the table with the cups and bread. Consider how you could arrange this table nicely with what you have, as if you were expecting a guest. Perhaps a nice tablecloth, a wicker basket or a wooden cutting board for the bread, special glasses for the cups, a pitcher holding the juice. Be creative if you like, as long as the focus remains on honouring Jesus.

Preparing your heart:

  • Take some time to prayerfully examine your own heart and mind, confessing sin, recommitting to follow the ways of Jesus.
  • Involve family members in preparing the elements and setting. Even young children can help with setting things out.
  • Get things ready early enough in advance of your service that you don’t feel rushed or distracted.
  • Talk to children about what all of this means. (There are more resources below to help with this.) Emphasize their inner heart for Jesus and be gracious in your expectations for children, it shouldn’t turn into a family fight.
  • Pray, thanking Jesus that he is present in your home and asking that he would be honoured in how you serve him together.

Preparing your kids:

Take a few minutes this week and talk to your kids about the “how” and “when” communion began:

Old Testament | Exodus 12:1-14, 26-17 

  • Communion started when the Israelites were living, as slaves in Egypt and it was called the Passover
  • Passover was a miraculous event when the angel of the Lord passed over the land and protected the Israelites from being killed by the Egyptian Pharaoh
  • The Israelites celebrated Passover every year

New Testament | Luke 22:7-8, 13-20

  • Jesus celebrated Passover by having a special meal with His disciples
  • Jesus knew this would be His last meal with the disciples before He died, but his disciples didn’t know yet
  • Jesus used this time to explain what to them He had to do

TODAY | Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 11:24-2

  • Communion today is a special meal for people who have asked Jesus into their hearts, to remind them of what He did on the cross
  • The bread is a symbol of Jesus’ body broken for us
  • The juice/wine is a symbol of His blood that was spilled to pay for our sins

Further Family Resources 

Easter Week Devotions on Right Now Media https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/KidsSeries/235136?episode=1