Celebrating Communion as Covenant, Why Communion in the New Covenant Is Not Ceremonial but Powerful

Part 1: For the Home Group Leader, leading & impulse

Goal of the session: rediscover communion, not as a ritual remembrance, but as a living covenant act in the New Covenant. The participants should understand: communion is no symbolic act, but a spiritual event with real effect. It does not only remember, it connects. It is fellowship with the body of Christ, now. ⏱ approx. 60-75 minutes

1 Corinthians 10:16, "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?"

Opening, ask the circle:

Short impulse: seeing communion anew

1. Remembrance of the covenant, not of guilt

Jesus said: "Do this in remembrance of me", not: "in remembrance of your failings". It is about remembering the finished work.

2. The New Covenant is a blood covenant

As in biblical covenants, blood was shed, the cross is the covenant-cutting. Communion is the continual affirmation: I belong to this covenant.

3. Bread and wine are participation, not symbols

John 6:56: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him."

→ It is fellowship with the real, risen Christ.

4. Healing & restoration flow out of it

1 Corinthians 11 shows: whoever takes communion worthily (in faith!) receives life, healing, power. Not because one is "worthy enough", but because one discerns what the body means. 📝 Part 2: participant folder Personal reflection: read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. What do you notice? What speaks to you?

Do I expect real encounter at communion, or only remembrance?

What does it mean for me to be part of the covenant?

Do I believe that healing, power and life lie in the bread, through Jesus?

Joint action:

Celebrate communion together in the home group tonight. Prepare bread and grape juice. Take your time, no rush.

Guideline: Give thanks for the finished work of Jesus Acknowledge his blood as your covenant

See in the bread the body that was broken for you Take part, in full trust Whoever wishes can confess before or after the meal: "I am in the covenant. His life is my life."

Part 3: What comes now?, concrete suggestion

1. Celebrate communion regularly at home:

Not as duty, but as source of power. Alone, with family, with friends.

2. Internalize a Bible verse:

John 6:56 or 1 Corinthians 10:16, as a reminder: this is fellowship, not theory.

3. Challenge of the week:

Explain to another believer what communion in the New Covenant means to you. Enter into conversation, not into debate.

4. Preparation for next week:

Topic 7: "Hearing prophetically, how does God speak today?"