1 Corinthians Lesson 10

I Corinthians

Lesson 10

The Agape Love Feast (Fellowship Meal) &.. The "Lord's Supper"

Hi! And, welcome back to this continuing study of 1 Corinthians and to the second part of Chapter 11. Those of you who did lesson 9 noticed that we ran out of time, so this lesson is a continuation of that lesson. If you have done Lesson 9, you have a great head start on understanding this lesson. Any of you who have not yet done lesson 9 should go back and do it before continuing with this one.

Well, with that said, and assuming that everyone has done Lesson 9, let's continue.

And, to refresh our memories, let's begin by reading the part of Chapter 11 which is relevant for this lesson. (As always, you may use your own Bible or the text included here for you.)

1 Corinthians 11: 17-34

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17. In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.

18. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. 20. When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21. for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22. Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!

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23. For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:

The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread,

24. and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said,

"This is My body, which is for you;

do this in remembrance of Me."

25. In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying,

"This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this,

whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

26. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 27. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep (died). 31. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. 33. So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34. If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come I will give further directions.

You will recall that in Lesson 9, we discovered that Paul was writing about 3 topics in Chapter 11. You correctly summarized those topics on a chart like the one below. Look back at Lesson 9, find those summary statements, and record them on the chart below.

1. (11:3-16) ___________________________________________

2. (11:17-22) __________________________________________

3. (11:23-34) __________________________________________

Great. Now, since 2 of these 3 topics are indicated by the dividing lines in the text above, enter your summary statements on those dividing lines so we can see the 2 topics of this lesson at a glance as we continue our study of this Chapter.

And, just in case you don't have your previous lesson with you for some reason, I will refresh your memory concerning these summary statements by telling you how how I "titled" these 3 sections. 1. Authority and submission to authority; 2. The wrong way to observe the Lord's supper (and the preceding Agape Feast); 3. The correct way to observe the Lord's supper and what happens if you don't..

Ok, that has put us back into the context of this Chapter.

And, since in Lesson 9 we studied in some detail the first 16 verses, we will not do any more on that part of this Chapter. Instead, let's now direct our attention to verses 17-34. And you noticed that this part of the chapter is talking about the __________ way and the _____________ way to observe the Lord's Supper..

Correct, these verses (11:7-34) are about the wrong way and the correct way to observe the Lord's supper. But, even more than that, verses 11:17-22 and 11:33-34 are also referring to the Agape Feast (Fellowship Meal) that preceded the Lord's supper.

Agape Feast? Where did I come up with that name, you ask. The text doesn't say anything about an "agape feast" or "fellowship meal". It is talking about a meal, you correctly say, but it doesn't say "agape feast" or "fellowship meal". Right! You are soooooo observant. But, indeed, an Agape feast (Fellowship Meal) is being referred to in verses 17-22 and 33-34. Let me explain.

In the early days of the Church, it was a common practice to eat a "Fellowship meal", often referred to as an Agape Feast, before observing the Lord's supper. This Fellowship meal (Agape Feast) was very similar to potluck suppers that many churches have from time to time today. The idea behind this meal (the Agape Feast) was obvious. Even the name "agape" (which is the Greek word that means "unconditional love") is an indication of its purpose; it was to be a time of fellowship and sharing. People would bring their favorite "covered dishes" and foods and were supposed to share them with everyone. This was to be a time of getting to know and fellowship with each other in the Church -- rich and poor, young and old, etc. as we do in potluck suppers today. BUT (Isn't there always a "but"?) --- BUT, is this what they were doing at Corinth at their fellowship meals? Before you answer this question, look carefully at verses 17-22 and 33-34. As you read those verses, underline or highlight in black (or a color of your choice) things they were doing that were NOT right, things that were NOT in the intended spirit of love, sharing, and fellowship.

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Ok! Based on what you just read and marked, let me ask that question again: ...At the Agape fellowship meal, they were to share their food and to fellowship with each other, rich and poor, young and old, etc. as we do in potluck suppers today. BUT, is this what they were doing at Corinth at their fellowship meals? ______________ .

Explain your answer. (i.e.. What were the wrong things they were doing? List these "wrong" things in the space below)

Yes, you are soooooo correct. They were definitely NOT observing these Agape Feasts (Fellowship meals) in the spirit in which they were intended. Among other things, some were eating in cliques. Some were "pigging out" while others were going without. Some were even getting drunk!! Can you imagine! At Church!!! These meals were anything but the fellowship, sharing, and loving times that they were intended to be. Indeed, things continued to get so bad, not only at Corinth, but in many of the other Churches, that finally, in AD 397, at the Council of Carthage, the "fellowship meals" (Agape Feasts) were banned and forbidden to be observed as a preliminary feast prior to the observance of the Lord's Supper! And even to this day, the Lord's supper is no longer preceded by a fellowship meal (at least not in any of the Churches of which I am aware.)

Sigh! So Sad.

Should Christians behave like they were doing at these "Agape Feasts"? ____________ .

Why? Specifically, what difference would it (their wrong actions at these feasts) make in their lives AND in the way that non-Christians looked at them (the "believers"/Christians) and their actions?

Do you see any similar things happening in "Church-dom" today? (Even though we no longer have Agape Feasts prior to the observance of the Lord's Supper, we do have potlucks, church "fellowships", sports activities, socials, choir, play rehearsals, and etc. Are any of these, or other similar functions today beginning to remind you of the way the Corinthians behaved at their Agape Feasts and fellowship meals?) _________ .

Explain.

So, what should be "done" about these similar happenings? Specifically, what can YOU do (or not do) to make a difference in these events so that your life and actions will not bring reproach upon the Lord and upon His Church when viewed by fellow Christians and by non-Christians? (This is an important question so take your time. Think about this. Be honest. And, if you need to ask God or someone forgiveness for things you have been doing or not doing, do so!)

Whew! Pretty serious assignment, wasn't it! But, as you have already observed, having read this chapter several times, there were consequences to those who were dishonoring God and the Church by their actions. We will look at some of those consequences later in this lesson. But, for now, be aware that God does not wink or look the other way at such actions. God is an HOLY God and is not to be dishonored or treated in a flippant and unrespectful way at any time, but especially not during the observance of the Lord's supper.

So, with that said, let's continue on and now look at some detail at The Lord's Supper in which the Lord introduced the New Covenant.

What exactly IS the Lord's Supper? Why and How is it observed? What is its significance? Does it "picture" anything? How often is it to be observed? Who is to observe it? These are a few of the many questions we want to consider. So, keep your thinking caps on and let's begin.

But first, before we answer these and other questions, you guessed it, we need to do an assignment. So, let's re-read the verses in 1 Corinthians (11:29-34), in which Paul is describing this very important and significant Ordinance. And, as you read these verses (11:29-34), every time you see a "Jesus word" (i.e. Jesus, He, Lord, My, Me, and any other words used in place of the name of Jesus), mark it by putting a RED CROSS (or symbol and color of your choice) on each of these Jesus words.

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Great! I see you have finished.

And now, let's look at a few more places in the Bible, which also tell of this event in slightly more detail. This will help put us into the context of when all this happened as well as where and why. I will include these passages here for you or, as always, you can use your own Bible and Version of your choice. As you read these passages, as you did before, mark all of the "Jesus words." (Hint: there are some new "Jesus words" in these passages which were not in the previous one. So look also for these additional words such as I, you, Teacher, Son of Man, etc.)

Matthew 26:17-30

17. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do You want us to make preparations for You to eat the Passover?" 18. He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, `The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with My disciples at your house.'" 19. So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

20. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21. And while they were eating, He said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray Me." 22. They were very sad and began to say to Him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?" 23. Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me. 24. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." 25. Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."

26. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is My body." 27. Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father's kingdom."

30. When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Mark 14:12-28

12. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked Him, "Where do You want us to go and make preparations for You to eat the Passover?" 13. So He sent two of His disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14. Say to the owner of the house he enters, `The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?' 15. He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." 16. The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

17. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18. While they were reclining at the table eating, He said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray Me--one who is eating with Me." 19. They were saddened, and one by one they said to Him, "Surely not I?" 20. "It is one of the Twelve," He replied, "one who dips bread into the bowl with Me. 21. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

22. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take it; this is My body." 23. Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24. "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," He said to them. 25. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."

26. When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Luke 22:1-20

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1. Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2. and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

7. Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover." 9. "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked. 10. He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11. and say to the owner of the house, `The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?' 12. He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there." 13. They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

14. When the hour came, Jesus and His apostles reclined at the table. 15. And He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." 17. After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19. And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 20. In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.

Well, I see you have finished reading. So, now it is time to think about this very important event. And, to do that, let's begin by answering some questions.

First of all, where did this Last Supper of the Lord Jesus Christ with His 12 Disciples (Apostles) take place? (Mark 14:14) = in the _______ ________

Who were the 2 Disciples (Apostles) who made the preparations? (Luke 22:8) = __________ and __________

When (at what Jewish Feast time) did this occur? (Luke 22:1) = The Feast of ______________ ________ which is also called the __________________ .

Specifically, on which DAY of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover) did this Last Meal take place? (Matt 26:17) = On the __________ day.

What was it customary to sacrifice on this First day of Passover? (Mark 14:12) = ____________ ________

But WHY was a lamb (the "passover lamb") sacrificed? What was the purpose of its death? And what is Passover (the Feast of Unleavened Bread) anyway? What did it commemorate? Why do Jews observe it even today? Well, before we can answer those and other questions, we need more information about the Passover, its origin, and its purpose. And to discover that, let's read about the very first Passover as it is recorded for us in Exodus. As you read this passage, when you find the answers to those questions, underline or highlight them in RED.

Exodus 12

1. The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, 2. "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. 3. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. 4. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. 5. The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.

6. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight. 7. Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. 8. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. 9. Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire--head, legs and inner parts. 10. Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. 11. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover.

12. "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn--both men and animals--and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

14. "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD--a lasting ordinance. 15. For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses, for whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel. 16. On the first day hold a sacred assembly, and another one on the seventh day. Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat--that is all you may do. 17. "Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.

18. In the first month you are to eat bread made without yeast, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day. 19. For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And whoever eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel, whether he is an alien or native-born. 20. Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat unleavened bread."

21. Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. 23. When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, He will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and He will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.

24. "Obey these instructions as a lasting ordinance for you and your descendants. 25. When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as He promised, observe this ceremony. 26. And when your children ask you,`What does this ceremony mean to you?' 27. then tell them, `It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, Who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when He struck down the Egyptians.'" Then the people bowed down and worshiped.

28. The Israelites did just what the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron. 29.At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well. 30. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead.

31. During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. 32. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me." 33.The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. "For otherwise," they said, "we will all die!" 34. So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. 35. The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. 36. The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.

37. The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children. 38. Many other people went up with them, as well as large droves of livestock, both flocks and herds. 39. With the dough they had brought from Egypt, they baked cakes of unleavened bread. The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves.

40. Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years. 41. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD's divisions left Egypt. 42. Because the LORD kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the LORD for the generations to come.

43. The LORD said to Moses and Aaron,"These are the regulations for the Passover: "No foreigner is to eat of it. 44. Any slave you have bought may eat of it after you have circumcised him, 45. but a temporary resident and a hired worker may not eat of it. 46. "It must be eaten inside one house; take none of the meat outside the house. Do not break any of the bones. 47. The whole community of Israel must celebrate it. 48. "An alien living among you who wants to celebrate the LORD's Passover must have all the males in his household circumcised; then he may take part like one born in the land. No uncircumcised male may eat of it. 49. The same law applies to the native-born and to the alien living among you." 50. All the Israelites did just what the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron. 51. And on that very day the LORD brought the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions.

Wow ! Now we know why the book of Exodus is called "The Book of Exodus"! -- Because this is when the Jews made their EXODUS from Egypt after (see verse 40) __________ years of being there, much of that time as slaves to the Egyptians.

And there is a whole lot more we could say about this event of Passover and the events which followed (including the introduction of the OLD Covenant at Mt. Sinai), but, alas and alack, we do not have time for that in this lesson. However, if you would like to learn more about The Feast of Passover and other Feasts of the Jews, we have a study of the Book of Leviticus on our web site (http://BibleStudies.Net). That series of lessons will give you more details, insights, and understanding about this Feast and many other customs and traditions of the Jews and their significance today.

But, back to the topic at hand in this lesson, which is "The Lord's Supper". Again, based on what you have read here about the Exodus and what you previously read when the Lord Jesus Christ was observing this supper (feast) with His 12 Apostles (Disciples), what Feast were they observing on the Jewish Calendar? = The Feast of ________________ (also known as the Feast of ________________ bread.).

What is "unleavened bread"? (hint: see verse 39) = It is bread made without ____________

By the way, for your information, "yeast" is often used in the Bible as a figure / type / or picture of SIN. Hold that thought, because it will be important later in this lesson.

What was sacrificed on passover? = _______ _______

What were some of the requirements of this sacrificial passover male lamb? (hint:see verse 5). It must be a __________ , without _________

Yes, it had to be a one year old male lamb without any defect. In other words, this had to be a perfect animal without any spot or blemish or defect of any kind. This is also a "picture" of a sinlessness! Hmmmmm. Are lights beginning to come on in your head? Yes, I thought so. So, keep thinking and let's continue.

Based on what you read in Exodus 12, what did the death and the blood of the sacrificial passover lamb do (provide) for the people at that first Passover? (summarize and explain your answer in the space below)

What kind of bread was eaten at the Passover? _______________ which meant that this bread contained no ___________

And, as we have already mentioned, in the Bible YEAST is often a picture of __________

And, the passover lamb, being without defect or blemish, was also a picture of being without __________

Hmmmmm. Very interesting! And you are correct --- Unleavened bread (bread without yeast / sin) was eaten at Passover AND the passover lamb was also a picture of sinlessness.

And, speaking of the passover lamb, did you notice another very interesting fact in Exodus 12:46 about the passover lamb and its bones? Yes, you noticed that none of its bones were to be ______________ . Hmmmm. Interesting. None of its bones were to be broken. Thinking ahead now to the crucifixion of Jesus, were any of his bones broken? ______ . (Hint: if you don't know the answer to this question, John 19:32-33 tells us:. ... The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.)

But, we must continue with the lesson at hand, even though there are MANY other important pictures (types / shadows) in this account of the Passover and the Exodus which are fulfilled in the life and death of Jesus.

So, to continue.

Thinking now of what you have read in Exodus as well as in 1 Corinthians, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John 19, answer the following questions. And, as you answer each question (throughout the remainder of this lesson), also give the verse where you found the answer. I will do the first one for you to show you how to answer with the verse. (Note: a few of the questions will be "thought" questions so they may not have a scripture verse from these 6 locations to confirm your answer, but most of the following questions will have supporting verses.)

Who betrayed Jesus? ___JUDAS___ , one of His Apostles (Disciples). Matthew 26:25, Luke 22:4

What was the result of this betrayal? Jesus was ________________

Did Jesus know this betrayal was going to happen before it happened? ___________

Did Jesus know he was going to die before it happened? ____________

Who is the "Son of Man"? ____________

At the Passover Meal, which Jesus observed with His Disciples, what 2 components of the meal did Jesus use to picture / illustrate Himself?

What did Jesus say the bread represented / pictured? (write His exact words in the space below)

Was the bread at the Passover meal unleavened? ______________

What does unleavened bread represent? _____________

Was Jesus sinless? ___________

What did Jesus say that the cup represented / pictured? (write His exact words in the space below)

Did Jesus tell them WHY he was going to die? _______

Why did Jesus have to die? (ie. what was the purpose of his death?)

Is the cup a picture of Jesus' death as a blood sacrifice for sin? (ie. like the passover lamb that gave its life as a sacrifice for sin)? __________

Explain your answer:

Is Jesus telling His Disciples that He is sinless and He is able, willing, and, indeed, going to give His life as a sacrifice for their sins and as the fulfillment of the sacrifice that had been pictured all these years by the death of sacrificial passover lambs? __________

How does Jesus' death compare with (picture / fulfill) the death of the passover lamb?

Thinking now of the old vs new covenants, which further explain these "mysteries":

What is the old covenant? It is the __________ (the 10 commandments).

When was the old covenant instituted ? ____________

Yes, the Old Covenant is the LAW, specifically the 10 Commandments and it also includes the other laws and commands instituted and detailed specifically in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy. The Old Covenant was initially given at Mt. Sinai 40 days after the Exodus from Egypt occurred.

What died as a sacrifice each year in the old covenant to provide atonement for sin? _________

What is the NEW covenant?

When was the new covenant instituted?

Who died as a sacrifice to provide atonement for sin to establish the new covenant? ____________

What does Jesus' death provide and represent?

Yes, the New Covenant represents "salvation by grace, not by works (keeping the law) lest any man shuld boast." Jesus Himself (as the Lamb of God) willingly offered and gave His life as the substitute sacrifice to pay the death penalty for our sins. The New Covenant fulfilled and replaced the Old Covenant as the way to salvation, forgiveness for sins, and eternal life with God in His eternal Kingdom.

WHY do Christians (believers) observe the "Lord's Supper?"

What does the "Lord's Supper" picture?

What are we (Christians) to REMEMBER when observing the Lord's supper?

When the Corinthians observed the Lord's supper, were they all observing it "correctly" by focusing on their sins, being grateful for Jesus' subsitutionary death? etc.? __________

What happened to some of those who were NOT observing the Lord's supper correctly?

So, what is the bottom line of all of this for you? This is, of course, a very important question, so, before you casually answer it, think about ALL that we have read and studied in this lesson, especially as relating to The Lord's Supper and Christ's sacrificial substitutionary death for your sins. Then, as your final assignment for this lesson, summarize in your own words: what is the Lord's supper, what does it represent, how it is to be observed, and why. (Use extra sheets of paper if the space below is not sufficient, and it probably won't be.) Take your time. This is important. Don't rush. Then, when you have finished, you will likely want to spend some time in prayer, talking to God about this and thanking Jesus for what He did. So, take your time. And we will see you again in Lesson 11.

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