Holy Communion
Housegroup Notes for 26th June 2022
Written by Jane Hiley
Luke 22: 7-23 and 1 Corinthians 11 : 17 -33
Ice Breaker
Have you ever taken part in a Passover meal?
Those of us who have had the privilege of going to Israel have been given the opportunity to take part in a Passover celebration. If you have done this, then can you please share it with the group.
If no one in the group has had this experience perhaps you can share what you think it would be like.
Introduction
We are thinking today about how we can connect with God, and about the reasons for celebrating the Last Supper as the Communion service which is held every Sunday in the year in at least one service in the parish.
Why is it considered so central to our worship and to our connection with God?
Read Luke 22 : 7 -23
Pause for reflection.
Then Read again verses 19 and 20 – such familiar verses and of key significance.
Reflect on what they mean to you personally and as a group.
Going back to the beginning:-
Q1 – Why was Jesus wanting to have a private Passover meal with his friends?
This was a key event because at this meal Jesus was making it clear to them that he was coming to the end of his time on earth, and that one of them would betray him. He was also giving them the precious gift of remembrance so that they would not forget what he had done.
Q2 – What preparations had Jesus made to ensure he had this meal with them?
It seems that Jesus had already planned with the man. The signal was that he would be carrying a jar of water – unusual as this was women’s work – and the upper room was a private guest room ready furnished. Jesus had not told his disciples in advance – perhaps this was because he did not want Judas to lead the authorities to him there and spoil the event.
Q3 – Preparing the Passover – Do you know what this involves?
The Passover meal was a truly special event for the Jews – if you don’t know about it then hopefully one of you will be able to give a brief summary of why it was held and what it represented.
The Angel of death had “passed over” the houses of those who put the blood of the lamb on their doors when they were still in Egypt. Their firstborn sons had not died when all the rest of the firstborn in Egypt had died, and it led to the people being released by Pharoah to go to the promised land.
The timing of this commemorative event was coordinated throughout the land. On the 14th day of Nisan between 2.30 and 5.30 p.m. the Passover lamb was sacrificed, and the people celebrated in their homes or small groups.
Read again verses 14 - 16;
Q4 – What is Jesus telling them and how do you think they would react?
I wonder if the disciples had been taking in all the comments Jesus had been making referring to his death and resurrection. We understand it now because we know he rose again – but at that time it must have been hard to comprehend.
The Betrayal.
Read verses 21 -23
Q5 – Do you think that the disciples knew that Judas had been stealing from the common purse? Did they suspect him or were they in the dark?
Jesus clearly knew he was to be betrayed – do you have a view on how he would have connected with Judas?
Q6 - It’s easy to criticize Judas but Do we betray Jesus today?
Take a few moments to reflect on that question.
Read together I Corinthians 11 : 17 – 33
Pause and reflect.
Q7 - What has changed since the first Passover meal shared with Jesus?
Had the Christians slipped away from the original meaning of the Last Supper and turned their celebration into something else?
What does Paul remind them about in verses 23 – 26?
Q 8 – Do you think that we are in danger of sinning as recorded in verse 27?
Have we become too familiar with the communion and treated it too casually? It is after all to remember that Christ died for us. His broken body and his blood are shared in remembrance of that once in forever event.
In the Church of England no one should be blessing the bread and wine unless they are fully authorized by the bishop. Is this just to create a hierarchy or is there a good reason behind it? Casually taking bread and wine in a housegroup with no authorized leader could be considered to be sinning by treating the elements with disrespect. Yet there are some groups which would like to do this. What are their reasons do you think, and do you agree or disagree with them?
In his instructions on Public worship – chapters 11 – 14 of the first letter to the Corinthians, Paul is trying to correct some wrongs which have slipped into the habits of Christians and to affirm the right ways.
Q 9 Take time to consider your own attitudes to public celebrations and worship and reflect on why you feel as you do.
Consider how much your own attitudes are due to personal prejudices and dislikes of certain people or certain actions. Is there a need for changes in order to better reflect the original meaning of the Last Supper and in order to connect better with God?
And Finally - Take a time for prayer to consider your response to the opportunity of using Communion as a way of closer connecting with God.
· Think about the way you approach communion
· Are there some preparations we could make?
· What is the role of the Peace in our service?
· Can we make changes in our lives having received the body and blood of Christ?
· Can we bring others to know God through this form of worship?
· How can we learn more about what we are doing?
· Should we stay at home rather than come and not mean what we say?
· Is there anything we can do to help us show the fruit of the spirit?
· Or…………….
Every Blessing
Amen