Page 1 of 8 A Walk Through the Communion Service, Part I Biblical Feet Washing (Not an Old, Oriental Custom) Purpose: This three-part series is designed to explain the Scriptural basis, meaning, and practical application of each element of our three-fold communion. The ultimate objective is not only to educate, but also to inspire students to see beyond the symbolisms to the ministry of Jesus and consider the implications to their own spiritual life. The 3-Fold Communion service consists of washing feet, sharing a meal together, and participating in the Bread and the Cup. Your students may regularly participate in the Bread and the Cup with adults. But having a youth group time that adds the feet washing and meal together to the Bread and Cup, following the example that Jesus set with his disciples in John 13, provides a very meaningful experience for your students. Optional Opening Idea: You might conduct a discussion on what a symbol is. Explain that a symbol is a "visible sign of something invisible." Share examples (dove - a symbol of peace; flag - a symbol of our nation; a check - representing money, etc.) Ask for other illustrations of symbols. Introductory Paragraph: Have you ever heard the statement, "A picture is worth a thousand words?" Through the New Testament, God has provided us with a beautiful "picture" of Jesus Christ and His ministry. Yet, if the whole world couldn't provide enough room for all the books that could be written about Him (John 21:25), certainly no art gallery could provide enough space to hold enough drawings depicting His ministry! This shows our clear need to have some easy-to-understand symbols which could summarize His past, present, and future ministries. We have these in our three-fold communion! Tonight we will begin looking at the ordinance* of feet washing, and its symbolism regarding the PRESENT ministry of Christ. * What is an ordinance? Simply put, a practice which has been commanded. There are five identifying marks of church ordinances, simplified here: 1. Time - given by Christ near the end of His earthly ministry. 2. Approval - Christ alone has the right to authorize (John 13:3). 3. Symbolism - it must represent some spiritual truth. 4. Great truth - the reality symbolized must be major. 5. Commanded - by clear statement or implication, that the practice must be continually observed.
Page 2 of 8 Bible Study: 1. Let's begin walking through three-fold communion with an understanding of the drama when it all first began... (a student could be prepared to read this): The Scene: A large upper room. The Time: The evening before the day the Jewish Passover Lamb would be sacrificed and Jesus would be crucified. The Characters: Jesus and His twelve disciples. 2. As a group, read together the account in John 13:1-17. 3. At this point, either the teacher or a student could be seated as the "defendant" (verses in parenthesis for future reference - not to be stated now). Choose a student to be the "interrogator." Interrogator Weren't the disciples just carrying out an OLD ORIENTAL CUSTOM BY WASHING OTHERS FEET? Then, Jesus must have wanted to teach a ONE-TIME LESSON ON HUMILITY, RIGHT? Then, let's get to the point. What was the real lesson in this feet washing? How does this happen? Hey! Now you're saying this lesson wasn't ONLY FOR THE DISCIPLES, BUT ALSO FOR US TODAY? How do you come to that conclusion? Defendant The disciples knew about that custom, which involved providing a basin so guests could wash their own feet as they entered the house (Gen. 24:32). But the feet washing in John 13 occurred during the supper (verse 2), and Peter sensed this was something very different (6-8). If that was the lesson, it would have easily been understood by all, but Jesus told Peter that the meaning could not be understood until a later time (7). Jesus said He was not talking about physical bathing (10-11). He was talking of the need to remove dirt (sin) from our feet (spiritual walk) (10), which allows us to fellowship with Him (8). This is based on God's Son having paid the price (death on the cross) to forgive and cleanse us of all our sin. The Christian has 1 John 1:9 to claim today. This is what feet washing symbolizes. Yes! And Christ also wants His followers today to continue practicing feet washing! For several reasons. Christ was teaching that this practice was: 1. For believers (10), who 2. would be better able to understand the significance later (7 with Luke 24:27,45) 3. A moral obligation (14). 4. Based on His perfect example (5), 5. To be kept and perpetuated (15, 17, "do"). It was obvious from 1 Tim. 5:10 that washing feet was practiced in the New Testament Church..
Page 3 of 8 4. At this point, you will want to conduct a study on the above verses. Develop this according to your time allotment. Closing Close with a time of silent prayer and confession, emphasizing that right now Jesus wants to cleanse our sins. After a few minutes, close with a public prayer of thanksgiving for the joy of fellowship (Psalm 51).
Page 4 of 8 A Walk Through the Communion Service, Part II The Love Feast (An Ordinary Meal Picturing an Extraordinary Future) Purpose: To relate the Scriptural basis, meaning, and personal application for the practice of this second element of three-fold communion, the Love Feast. Confusion often exists regarding the difference between the Eucharist (Bread and Cup) and the Love Feast (Lord's Supper). And, what is so significant about this Love Feast that believers need to practice it today? Hopefully in this study, we will gain such an understanding so as to prevent the abuses which the Corinthian church had allowed. Introductory Paragraph: Our first lesson in this series focused on feet washing, which symbolized what? (Christ's present ministry of cleansing us from daily sin-contamination.) Tonight we again return to the Upper Room where a different drama has unfolded -- that of our Savior's last supper before His crucifixion, also called the Love Feast. This is the second part of our three-fold communion service, which symbolizes that our present fellowship is but a foretaste of what it will be like to see and share the glory of Christ in Heaven. Bible Study: (A basis for your Bible study) I.. How did it begin? A. Its preparation. Matthew 26:17-25; Mark 14:12-21; Luke 22:7-16 give us this background (Matthew is the least complete). Divide into three discussion groups and come up with a basic list of these preparations. B. Its author and extent. This was celebrated at the divine direction of the Lord Jesus (Luke 22:8-12). The supper included more than just a token of bread and a small cup. This was a full meal, the main one of the day. C. Its purpose. Where the other three gospels leave off, John picks up (13:1,2) by stating that this meal was to demonstrate the full extent of His love (NIV), thus the symbolical term Love Feast. D. Its uniqueness. It's essential that we don't minimize the importance of this Love Meal by confusing this with the key Passover Meal when the Jewish sacrificial lamb was to be eaten. That had to be done standing with shoes on (Exodus 12:11). Here, the disciples were reclining (Matthew 26:20) and had their shoes off (John 13:5). (Teacher s Note: Other evidence that this was not that Passover Meal can be found in John 13:1; 18:28; 19:14; Luke 22:16).
Page 5 of 8 II. How did it continue? A. The disciples' teaching 1. John 13:17 - The disciples were commanded to practice the events of the evening in the future ( Do, not Remember ). 2. Luke 24:45 - After the resurrection, Jesus explained the significance of the preceding events. 3. Matthew 28:20 - Before the ascension, a final word for them to perpetuate His teachings. B. The Church's practice 1. 1 Corinthians 11:20-22, 33-34 - Here it is called the Lord's Supper, referring to a solemn meal, and set apart from the elements of the bread and cup, but celebrated at the same time. 2. Jude 12, 2 Peter 2:13 - Just as the Corinthian church was rebuked for failing to properly observe the Love (agape) Feast, other N.T. Christians were rebuked for defiling this event, too. 3. Luke 22:16, Rev. 19:7-9 - Jesus tied this supper to the symbol of ultimate fellowship in Heaven in His presence. The church is a bride waiting for her bridegroom (Eph. 5:25-32)! Shouldn t love characterize our relationship? Concluding Activity: In our three-fold communion, we celebrate the Love Feast after the Feet Washing, since before fellowship with others and God can be experienced, there must be cleansing from sin. 1 John 1:7 tells us that sin in our lives can break fellowship with other Christians. Have three students prepared to read John 13:34,35; 1 John 3:1-3; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. (Have a nice radio or other gadget requiring a battery handy. Leave the battery out for now...). By practicing the Love Feast, but not having had your heart cleansed first by Jesus' blood, you become a living fossil. If there is anger, selfishness, pride, and greed in your heart, the symbolism of this event will be meaningless to you. Look at this radio (or whatever gadget you've chosen); it looks great on the outside, doesn't it? Let's see what it can do (obviously nothing!). This needs a battery, a living power source (love!). You are like this (radio). Without love, your life is empty. (Put battery in). With love your life will picture what the Love Feast represents -- one who is on the way to Heaven and enjoying the fellowship all the way! Education: If many of your students have never gone through a communion service, explain exactly what your church does at that point in a service. What do you eat? Who do you sit with? What do you talk about? Stress that each of the three parts in the communion service has a key word (two have been covered so far). 1. Present ministry of Christ is His cleansing us from sin >>> symbolized by >>>feet washing 2. Future ministry of Christ is offering fellowship with Him and other believers in heaven >>> symbolized by >>> love feast Closing Prayer: Thank the Lord for the fellowship which we as believers enjoy, and for the expectation of even closer fellowship in Heaven someday.
Page 6 of 8 A Walk Through the Communion Service - Part III The Bread and the Cup (Not To Be Taken Lightly) Purpose: This third and final lesson on our three-fold communion focuses on the Eucharist. All too often our problem is, as the hymn states, "We see the signs, but see not Him." In this lesson, we want to see Jesus in His supreme gift to all of us Himself, His body, His blood, His love. Introductory Paragraph: Ask, without explaining, "Why are you a Christian?" (List the responses. Then continue.) "Of all the responses, the most basic one is, 'Because Jesus died to make it possible.' Too often we forget the simple truth that if Jesus had not died on the cross, we could never be born again, in spite of our desperate sense of emptiness, our desire to go to Heaven, or even our awareness of sin and need of repentance. It's all too easy to forget the obvious. To ensure that we don't, Jesus gave us the symbols of the Bread and the Cup. Tonight we are going to walk back to the Upper Room one final time. Bible Study: (Be creative as you use this) Place this chart on the white board to be used as a Walk-Thru review at the end of this session. R E V I E W Event KEY PASSAGE SYMBOLISM APPLICATION Feet Washing John 13:1-17 Jesus' present ministry of cleansing our sin. Every day I must confess my sin and allow Jesus to cleanse me. Love Feast (LORD'S SUPPER) 1 Cor. 11:20-22; 33-34 Jesus' future ministry at the Marriage Supper in Heaven. The fellowship I am enjoying with Christ and His Church is a foretaste of Heaven. P R E V I E W The Bread and the Cup 1 Cor. 11:23-29 Jesus' past ministry on the cross. Jesus' sacrificial death was the basis for my salvation.
Page 7 of 8 I. There are six different terms used to help us understand the ordinance of the Bread and the Cup. Terms References Emphasis "The Bread and the Cup" Matt. 26:26-27 Mk. 14:22-23 Lk. 22:19-20 I Cor. 11:23-25 The symbols (sometimes called elements) of Jesus' body and blood given voluntarily for us The Eucharist (Same as Bread and Cup) This word comes from the Greek word meaning Gave Thanks The Communion 1 Cor. 10:16-17 Christ's sacrifice is of mutual benefit to the whole body of Christ "The Lord's Table" 1 Cor. 10:21 This ordinance was first given by the Lord at the table, after the Love Meal "The New Testament" Matt. 26:28 Mark 22:20 I Cor. 11:25 Heb. 9:15, 20 Heb. 10:16-28 God made a new agreement with us and sealed it with Christ s blood -- that His Law would be in our hearts and He would completely forgive (not just cover) our sins "Breaking of Bread" Acts 2:42 Came from the process of breaking bread and distributing it to the saints II. What are the key ingredients of celebrating this ordinance? A. Believers, in fellowship with Jesus (1 Cor. 11:27-31) B. Jesus, in our presence (Matt. 18:20) C. The Bread, unleavened, representing the absence of sin in Jesus' body (leaven represents sin) (1 Cor. 5:7) D. The Cup, unfermented wine (bacteria not present), representing His holy blood (Matthew 26:29) III. What are the lessons we gain by observing this ordinance? There are three outstanding ones: A. Of major importance is that it memorializes Christ's death on the cross for us. We remember 10% of what we hear, 90% of what we do (1 Cor. 11:24-25). 1. The picture of the pierced body and spilled blood was not pretty (John 19:34). 2. We must remember that this event was the foundation of our faith and cause for our justification (we are now innocent and declared righteous!) (Romans 5:9ff).
Page 8 of 8 B. We are reminded that God decided to begin dealing with mankind by a new blood-covenant (1 Cor. 11:25). 1. The old Covenant (testament, agreement) was based on animal blood sacrifices to just "cover up" sin (Exodus 24:7-8). 2. The night when Jesus started the ordinance of the Bread and the Cup was the turning point from the old to the new order. 3. The New Covenant was based on the perfect blood sacrifice of God's Son (1 Peter 1:19). C. By observing the Bread and the Cup, we are witnesses to the fact that Jesus not only provided salvation by His death, but will return to take us to Heaven (1 Cor. 11:26). 1. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). 2. This same Jesus will return (Acts 1:11). 3. He who has begun a good work in you will complete it (Phil. 1:6). Conclusion/Application: 1. Problem solving - A classmate knows you are a Christian. He approaches you one day between classes, telling you that your religion is gruesome and your emphasis on the "blood of Christ" is unnecessary. "Jesus could have died by any other means (such as hanging) and could have accomplished the same thing." The bell for your next class will ring in a couple minutes. What would your reply be in this time? 2. Closing prayer - Just as Jesus Himself gave thanks for the Cup, we should express our gratitude for what the Bread and the Cup symbolize for us, the sacrifice of His own body and blood so we could be free from the penalty of sin. 3. Go over the chart on the white board as a review. 4. Why not check with your pastor about having a youth three-fold communion service after this series?