KidHorizon: The Question of Communion
At Horizon, we believe that communion is an outward expression of faith for those who've surrendered their life to Christ. We welcome followers of Jesus from all denominational backgrounds to join us when we take communion. As parents, we encourage you to walk through your own process as a family and see where God leads you as you dive into Scripture and think about and pray through when it is right for your specific child to take communion. Don’t be surprised if it changes family to family and even child by child.
First, we suggest that you start at home. While, ideally, communion is something that happens with a larger body of believers, talking about and even taking communion at home allows very specific and detailed conversation without an audience. Here are a few really important main points to work through as a family:
Start with 1 Corinthians 11:23-29* (Below)
We are teaching our kids that we take communion in remembrance of Jesus. It reminds us of his life, death, and resurrection.
Explain what the “body and blood” mean. Are they actually drinking flesh and blood? Does it represent Jesus’ sacrifice? Is it a tasty snack during church? Explain to them why they’re eating and drinking.
We are teaching our kids to “examine themselves before they eat of the bread or drink from the cup”. This means allowing the Holy Spirit time before partaking, to speak to us about things we are doing that are drawing us away from the Lord instead of drawing us closer to Him. Give them examples in your own life! “Sometimes I’m not patient with you and your sister. I forget that you are my greatest gifts from the Lord and try to do things on my own time instead of giving you time to explore. There are certainly times that we need to be prompt, but sometimes I get frustrated even when its not one of those times. So I need to tell the Lord about how I’m sorry. Then I need to find you to apologize, too.” or “sometimes I don’t trust God with where Daddy will work. I need to believe that He will care for us”. Or “I have a hard time loving _____. I need to be better at inviting them when I have friends over”.
The best way for our children to learn is through our own example, so try to be forthcoming with your personal process when it comes to communion. Please feel free to reach out to one of our Children’s Ministers** if you have any questions. This is a journey and we’re so happy that you’re entering in to it with your children!
*1 Corinthians 11:23-29 New International Version (NIV)
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
**Feel free to email the Children’s Ministers at KidHorizonTeam@gmail.com