Dear Friends,
You know how crazy we get… always looking for what my dad called the BBD – Bigger Better Deal! Too often, we complicate even the simplest things in an attempt to derive greater satisfaction from the experience.
Not surprisingly, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper can fall prey to our insatiable desire to “fine tune” or adjust things in our lives to make them serve us in a greater way. I have been to many churches and celebrated Communion with a variety of different congregations. I find it to be a unique experience wherever I go, but what is it supposed to be? What was Jesus’ intention for the Lord’s Supper when He established it on that Passover evening with His disciples on the “night in which He was betrayed”?
Come and let’s explore what it means to Simply Remember Me as we worship and take Communion together.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Danny
STEPS TO PREPARE
PRAY FOR THE SERVICES AND FOR YOURSELF
AND ME AND THE OTHER TEACHERS.
PRAYERFULLY READ THE SCRIPTURES
AND CONSIDER THE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND A PREACHING SERVICE AND A SMALL GROUP.
INVITE SOMEONE TO COME WITH YOU.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY: SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Simple Remembrance
Sunday, January 20, 2019
Introduction
Luke 22.7-34
On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus “eagerly desires” to share the annual Passover meal with His disciples. At this meal, Jesus transforms the Passover from a remembrance of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt to a time of remembering God’s deliverance of humanity from sin. During this meal, Jesus also takes the opportunity to emphasize again the need for His followers to be, like Him, servants.
Ice-Breaker Questions
- What are the special meals in your family: Thanksgiving? Christmas? Sunday Dinner? Birthday Suppers?
- What is one of the most memorable Communion services you have ever experienced?
Small Group Discussion
Read Luke 22.7-34 and then discuss the following questions:
- How do you think Jesus felt at this “last supper”?
- Nostalgic
- Sad
- Relaxed
- Uptight
- Anxious to get things over with
- Other: ___________________
- Why was it important to Jesus to have this supper with His disciples?
- To celebrate the traditional Jewish Passover
- To tie His impending death to the Passover and redemption.
- To share in the Passover on last time.
- To share some final teaching.
- To institute the Lord’s Supper as an ongoing ordinance.
- What was Jesus’ point to the dispute among His disciples about which of them was considered to be the greatest?
- His followers shouldn’t argue.
- His followers shouldn’t compete (unless it’s competing to serve).
- His followers shouldn’t flaunt their authority or position.
- His followers should think of themselves as equals.
- Other: ___________________
- Jesus came as one who serves, calling us to follow His example. In what area do you find it hardest to be a servant?
- In family life
- At church
- At work
- In friendships
- In the community
- Other: ___________________
- How can you prepare for Communion to make it more personally meaningful?
- Gain a deeper appreciation of its significance.
- Spend more time in quiet reflection and prayer.
- Learn more about the Passover and its relationship to the Lord’s Supper.
- Pay closer attention to what the Pastor says during the Communion service.
- Other: ___________________
- Why is the Lord’s Supper important to believers? When did it take on a personal meaning to you?
- Close by sharing prayer requests and praying for one another.