Little Red Book Ministry

IV. The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is a ceremony that should help us remember that our Savior was crucified and shed His blood for us. It is a solemn time of self examination when we review our lives to see if we are attempting to live lives worthy of so great a sacrifice.

A. How is the ceremony performed?
“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup” (1 Corinthians 11:23–28).

The ceremony is performed much like the description in the above verses. Normally, unleavened bread in the form Matzah crackers or something similar is used. The bread is often broken into small pieces to remind us that Jesus’ body was broken for us on the cross. Each participant takes a piece of the bread and waits until it has been distributed to all the participants. The pastor or leader then reads a scripture passage describing the event and a prayer of praise and thanksgiving is offered to God, following which the bread is eaten.

The procedure is much the same for the cup. The cup is usually filled with grape juice or some other red colored drink to recall the blood of God that was shed for our salvation on the cross of Calvary. When the juice has been consumed, the ceremony is typically concluded with a prayer of gratitude for the great sacrifice our Savior made on our behalf.

This beautiful ceremony, done properly, leaves the participants in a very sober and reverent state. There is usually a sense of a renewal of our close relationship with our Savior and a desire to serve Him in a more whole hearted and meaningful way.