1 Corinthians 11:17-34
INTRODUCTION
I have a friend from Europe who has stated that Americans have no eating culture. The norm for Americans is to eat as fast as possible and move on. In Europe, it is not unusual for people to linger for a couple of hours over a meal. They not only favor the food, they favor the conversation and the fellowship.
Sometimes, I believe, we take a fast food approach to the Lord’s Supper. We can rush through the event and miss the experience.
In Paul’s day, the Lord’s Supper was celebrated at the end of the Love Feast. This was a weekly, potluck type supper, where the members of the church gathered for a corporate meal. Those who were able brought food to share with everyone. It was a tangible way for them to demonstrate their love for one another.
The church in Corinth, like many of the early churches, was a mix of people. The majority would be relatively poor, many would be slaves, some would be affluent. The Love Feast became a highlight of the week for the people. For some, it would be the most substantial meal they would get all week.
Things had gone terribly wrong in Corinth. Those who were affluent decided to party early, while those who came late were left with little or nothing. Then they were all supposed to gather as one and celebrate the Lord’s Supper!
Paul wrote to correct the abuses in Corinth. His instructions regarding the Lord’s Supper pre-date all four of the Gospels. They are the oldest recorded words of Jesus. We get the benefit of his instructions to help us guard against a “fast food” approach to the Lord’s Supper.
Study 1: 1 Corinthians 11:17-22
In this first paragraph, Paul calls the Corinthians onto the carpet for their behavior as a church.
1. Paul said that their meetings did more harm than good. In what ways would this be true?
2. Paul first pointed to the divisions within the church. Look at 1 Corinthians 1:11-12
a. What kind of divisions is Paul referring to?
b. What does Paul say is the source of these divisions?
3. Paul next points to their abuse of the Lord’s Supper. As we stated above, the Lord’s Supper was proceeded by the Love Feast.
a. How were some of the people acting at the Love Feast?
b. What were the two extremes that were the result of these actions?
4. Paul highlighted that this was more than a matter of eating and drinking.
a. In what ways were their actions despising the church of God?
b. How were their actions affecting others?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.Throughout Paul’s letters, he denounces divisions within the church.
a. What are some of the things that cause division in the church today?
b. How can these divisions hinder the work of the church?
c. How should we handle divisive issues within the church?
2. In what ways are our church potlucks like and unlike the Love Feast?
3.How does our Western individualism work against us as the church?
4. We do not overeat or get drunk before we partake of the Lord’s Supper. What other inappropriate actions might we take as we prepare for the Lord’s Supper?
5. What does it mean for you to appropriately prepare for the Lord’s Supper? What attitudes do you need to cultivate?
Study 2: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Paul lays out a clear understanding of the significance of the Lord’s Supper.
1. How does Paul give weight to his instructions?
2. What were the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper? Why would Paul stress this?
The bread and the wine were a regular part of the Passover meal. Jesus took those common elements and redefined them.
3. Jesus redefined the meaning of the bread.
a. What is the significance of Jesus breaking the bread?
b. How did Jesus identity the bread with himself?
c. How did Jesus include the disciples?
d. What was the long term purpose of the bread?
4. Jesus redefined the cup.
a. How did Jesus designate the significance of the cup?
b. Why would Jesus stress that it was “in my blood?”
5. How does Paul summarize the significance of the Lord’s Supper?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.What is your honest attitude toward the Lord’s Supper?
2. Why is it important for us to recognize that this is something Jesus instituted?
3. How is the act of the Lord’s Supper a tangible demonstration of God’s grace?
4. What is the difference between remembering facts and reflecting upon the significance of those facts?
5. What does it mean for you to “do this in remembrance of me?”
6. What is your understanding of a covenant?
7. In what ways is the regular observance of the Lord’s Supper an affirmation of the covenant relationship we have with Jesus?
Study 3: 1 Corinthians 11:27-34
Paul gave the Corinthians a wake-up call regarding the way in which they were observing the Lord’s Supper.
1. Paul warns against receiving the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner.
a. What does it mean to receive the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner? Consider vs. 17-22.
b. What does it mean to sin against the body and blood of Jesus?
2. What directive does Paul give to the Corinthians?
3.What is the outcome for someone who fails to examine themselves?
4. What does it mean to recognize the body of the Lord?
5. What is the value of judging ourselves?
6. What specific instructions does Paul end this section with? Why?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.What does it mean for you to participate in the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner?
2. If we take the Lord’s Supper lightly or for granted, what does that say about our attitude toward what Christ has done for us?
3. In what ways does genuine self-examination free us to honestly partake in the Lord’s Supper?
4. When Paul calls for self-examination, he is not calling for perfection, but for honesty. How might that change the way you approach the Lord’s Supper?
5. What might be some of the consequences for us for approaching the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner?
6. What do you need to do regularly to prepare for the Lord’s Supper?
Study 4:Luke 22:14-23
Three of the four gospels record the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Luke’s account comes the closest to what Paul recorded.
1. What is the context for Jesus giving the Lord’s Supper?
2. How did Jesus set the stage in vs. 14-16?
3.Vs. 17-18 is not usually a part of the Lord’s Supper observance. What is the significance of these verses?
4. Unleavened bread was a big part of the Passover meal. It represented the haste with which the people of Israel left Egypt. The breaking of the bread symbolized the breaking of their bondage. How does that relate to what Jesus did?
5. At the heart of the Passover was the pouring out of the blood of the lamb. How does Jesus use this symbol with the cup?
6. How does Jesus highlight the seriousness of the situation?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.Reflect upon Jesus’ words to His disciples that He eagerly desired to share the Passover with them. Do you think Jesus eagerly desires the share the Lord’s Supper with you? If this is true, how should that affect the way you approach the Lord’s Supper?
2. In what ways is our celebration of the Lord’s Supper an affirmation of the fulfillment of the Passover?
3. What is the fulfillment of Jesus’ statement about the Kingdom of God coming?
4. How does the Gospel account of the Lord’s Supper add weight to what Paul wrote about it?
5. In what ways can we betray Jesus today?
6. How does this relate to Paul’s instruction to examine ourselves?
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