a guide for preparing for the lord's supper
This is a time of remembrance and reverence. As you read through verses and notes below, take
time and reflect after each section.
As Jesus asked us to, we celebrate the Lord's Supper, remembering the great price that Jesus paid
for each of us, recalling His sacrifice, and anticipating His return.
"...Do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19)
Read through this guide to prepare your heart for participating in the
Lord's Supper.
remember jesus
...Do this in remembrance of me. (Luke 22:19)
RECALL THE INCARNATION
...This is my body... (Matthew 26:26)
REMEMBER JESUS' DEATH
...This is my blood... (Matthew 26:28)
REMEMBER THE NEW COMMUNITY HE CREATED
...Drink of it, all of you... (Matthew 26:27)
CELEBRATE THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS
...Poured out for many for the
forgiveness of sins... (Matthew 26:28)
REFOCUS ON HIS MISSION
...which is poured out for many... (Matthew 26:28)
LONG FOR THE FULL EXPERIENCE OF HIS KINGDOM
...I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29)
GLORY IN THE NEW COVENANT
..This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:20
CONSIDER THE LOVE OF GOD
...which is for you. (1 Corinthians 11:24)
PROCLAIM THE HOPE OF CHRIST'S RETURN
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26)
GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HEALTHY SELF REFLECTION
Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (1 Corinthians 11:28)
Application: Preparing your heart for the lord's supper
PARTICIPATION - the first prerequisite for participation is Salvation. Taking the Lord's Supper is
personal obedience to the command of Jesus Christ to His believers. Are you a believer in Jesus
Christ? If so, we invite you to participate in this celebration with us.
PREPARATION - The Apostle Paul writes...Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged...
(1 Corinthians 11:27-31) - Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.
EXAMINE YOUR THOUGHTS - fully confess and forsake whatever sins God brings to mind - unclean or lustful thoughts; dwelling on worldly rather than spiritual things; angry thoughts, bitterness or unforgiveness.
(Read Proverbs 23:7) for he is like one who is inwardly calculating. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
EXAMINE YOUR ATTITUDES - fully confess and forsake whatever sins God brings to mind - harsh or critical attitudes, proud of condescending attitudes towards others; jealousy.
(Read Philippians 2:5) Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ...
EXAMINE YOUR SPEECH - fully confess and forsake whatever sins God brings to mind - speaking inappropriate slang talk; cursing or telling off-color jokes; exaggerating or telling lies; pattern of complaining or griping; critical or judgmental of others.
(Read Ephesians 4:29) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
(Read Ephesians 5:4) Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
(Read Thessalonians 5:18) ...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
EXAMINE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS - fully confess and forsake whatever sins God brings to
mind - offending someone without asking forgiveness; harboring unforgiveness or anger
toward anyone' speaking negatively about others; gossip; poor relationships with family
members.
(Read Matthew 5:23-24) So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
(Read Matthew 6:14-15) For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
EXAMINE YOUR SINS OF OMISSION - fully confess and forsake whatever sins God brings
to mind - failing to abide in Christ by neglecting regular time in God's Word and prayer,
neglecting to be a witness for Christ; failure to discern and regularly use the spiritual gifts
God has given you; failure to support and respect your spiritual leaders; failing to daily
pursue holiness; robbing God of acceptable financial offerings; neglecting your family.
(Read James 4:17) So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
EXAMINE YOUR SINS OF COMMISSION - fully confess and forsake whatever sins God
brings to mind - sexual immorality; viewing unclean things on TV, the internet or movies;
idolatry by placing anyone or anything over loving and serving The Lord; habits that
abuse or harm the body; gambling; being harsh or unkind to others; anything that does
not allow perfect peace.
(Read Psalm 51) Have mercy on me,[a] O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right[b] spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
EMBRACING FULL SURRENDER TO JESUS- a prayer of obedience: Lord, I fully surrender
every part of my life to Your control. I will seek to obey You in everything You tell me to do
and will seek to stop doing everything You tell me to stop doing. I will serve You in
anyway You ask me to serve. I will turn from the sins You have already clearly shown me. I
claim James 4:8...Draw near to God, and He will draw near to You. Amen.
(Read Matthew 16:24) Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
