Celebrating Communion in Community Groups

How to celebrate the Lord's Supper in Community Group

1. Introduction
Tonight/today, we are going to take communion.
Communion means "common union" and refers to the shared union we have with Jesus, having believed in Him, repented of our sins, and been baptized in water. Through the bread and the cup, we share symbolically in the body and blood of Jesus that was given to pardon our sin and make us righteous before God.

2. Share Scripture or a story about God's love, forgiveness, mercy, grace, hope, etc.
Example: There are times when we are tempted to despair, and the enemy reminds us of our guilt, and this is when we have to look up and see Jesus dying in our place for our sins.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
This is good news! Jesus took our guilt and sin on himself on the cross and in exchange gave us complete and full pardon. Not just forgiveness but full righteousness.
My friends, look up and see him there - who made an end to all your sin and made you righteous.

3. Invite members to take the cup and bread they have prepared.

4. Guide members: "Please take the next few minutes to thank God for his forgiveness, rejoice over what the blood and body of Jesus has done for you. Please hold onto the cup and bread until I guide you to partake of the elements together. Take time to talk to God and thank him. While holding the elements, you can sing, pray, and thank God for His grace, repent for any known sins God reveals. Let Jesus wash you afresh.

5. To Non-Christians: "If you are not yet a Christian, a believer, you are not obligated to partake the cup and bread, we simply ask that you contemplate on Jesus' love for you. But, if you desire faith and want to come to Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins, we invite you to partake with us."

6. Pray over elements. "Father, in the name of Jesus I ask that you bless these elements to the nourishing of our soul and body. As we reflect on your forgiveness and freedom, may you renew our hearts and minds in joy for the total forgiveness we have in Jesus." (Notice the prayer is tied with the exhortation.)

7. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
"The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 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.'" (Let us take the bread.)
"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." (Let us drink the cup.)
"For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

8. Close by listening to a worship song or praying.
Pray: Father, thank you for the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for our sins and makes us righteous in your sight. Amen.

How to prepare for the celebration

1. Pray first
2. Read the document on celebrating the Lord's Supper.
3. Prepare an exhortation relevant to communion.
Additional scriptures on the Lord's Supper: 
  • 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
  • 1 Corinthians 11:23-30
  • Matthew 26:26-29
  • Mark 14:22-25
  • Luke 22:14-20
4. Let c-group members know you are having communion together as a c-group on _____________ (choose one of your regular c-group meetings)
5. Ask c-group members to prepare grape juice or wine along with some bread, prior to meeting.