Eucharist

This is My Body and Blood: Eucharist

Week of February 25, 2018

Exodus 12:1-28, Exodus 16:1-36

Connect
We continue this week in our series about Communion.  You may find it interesting that both of our stories are from the Old Testament—actually in the Exodus story.  The Hebrews were very good at recalling how past events shaped their current lives.  So we are going to learn from them and try to follow their pattern this week.

As your group settles in, invite them to ponder this question together:

What is your favorite part of the Thanksgiving table or a favorite story that you share about Thanksgiving?

Pray

Hopefully your groups know the measures well and have taken them to heart by this point.  This week, we recognize that talking together and sharing our lives is about being intentionally reflective.  What we do in these Connect Groups together is a lot like the Eucharistic table. 

So reflect on the measures together and share and pray in the best way that works for your group.

Reflect

This week we will reflect on the 3 main points of the sermon about Eucharist, and then close with a question together.

If it helps to run over either the Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread story (Exodus 12:1-28) or the manna and quail in the wilderness (Exodus 16), feel free to go over one of those together. 

1. Eucharist is reflective.

I made a point in the sermon that our culture is reflexive and not very good at being reflective.  How does the having the Eucharist help make you more reflective and thankful? 

            +Follow-up: Does worship without the Eucharist sometimes lack a reflective element for

            you?

2. Eucharist is celebration.

Communion is not always meant to be a solemn affair.  Some of you have had churches or pastors who probably treated every communion service like a funeral.  But a lot of times we call the pastor presiding at communion the “celebrant.”  This is meant to be a joyous occasion.

What could make the Eucharist a better celebration in your eyes?  Could this be something that we try to practice as a church, or just something you need to do in your heart?

3. Eucharist is provision.

The story of the provision of manna and quail illustrates how God always provides. 

How could viewing life through a “Eucharistic lens” help you see God’s provision in your life?

Watch this video together: 

-Reflect together on how having a “Eucharistic mindset” is lived out in Kristin's turquoise table.