MENS TRAINING CLASS

1. MENS TRAINING CLASS LESSON # 4 Presented at: Newton church of Christ Newton, NC 28658 2008

2. Serving and Presiding At The Lord’s Table • The observerance of the “Lord’s Supper” must become a meaningful part of our service and worship to God. • It cannot become just another ritual or formality that the church engages in! • The “supper” is a spiritual feast and as such it should be treated with great respect. • The tendency of men is to treat the “supper” as too casual or too formal. • Both of these are wrong!

3. Serving and Presiding At The Lord’s Table • When we look at the “Lord’s Supper” what are we looking at? • 1 Cor 10:21 – Table of the Lord • 1 Cor 10:16 – A communion – not “THE COMMUNION”. • Acts 2:42; 20:7 – Breaking of Bread • 1 Cor 11:20 – Lord’s Supper

4. Serving and Presiding At The Lord’s Table • The Origin and Authority ie. Time, Place and Elements • Origin : Matthew 26:26-29; Mk 14:22-25; Lk 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26 • Authority: Matthew 28:20; 1 Cor 11:23 • Time : Acts 20:7; Acts 2:42 • Place : John 4:21; Matthew 18:20 – It is not geographical or physical in nature. • But in God’s House – Heb 8:2; 3:1,6; 1 Tim. 3:15; Lk 22:29-30

5. Serving and Presiding At The Lord’s Table • The Lord’s Supper is a Feast: • It is symbolical – Matthew 26:26-28 • A Memorial – 1 Cor. 11:24 • A Communion – 1 Cor. 10:16 • A Proclamation – 1 Cor. 11:26 • Of the Gospel, One’s Faith and the Second Coming. • A feast of Unity – 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 12:18-20

6. Serving and Presiding At The Lord’s Table • The Importance thus can be seen in that: • We commune with Christ – 1 Cor. 10:16 • We preach our Faith in Christ Jesus and His return – 1 Cor. 11:26 • We remember His death, burial and resurrection – 1 Cor. 11:23-26 • And it is a time to examine ourselves – 1 Cor. 11:28

7. Serving and Presiding At The Lord’s Table • When Presiding At The Head of the Table: • Decide if you will make a remark or read a scripture. • Remember preparation demands that we have this ahead of time. • Most commonly read scriptures – Matthew 26:26-29 and 1 Cor. 11:23ff. • Try some of these also: • Isa 53 ; Luke 22:39-44; 1 Cor. 15:1-6; Heb 10:10-14 • DO NOT USE JOHN 6 • A short talk describing what we are doing is in order. • Visitors may be present who are unaware of the Bible teaching on this subject. • It helps all Christians to center their thoughts on Calvary. • These remarks should be well chosen and prepared ahead of time! • Keep the remarks brief - this is not the time for a sermon. • Never introduce light-hearted or humorous thought.

8. Serving and Presiding At The Lord’s Table • On execution: • Men to wait on the table should be ready before hand and know what roles they will be doing during the Lord’s Supper. • Stand straight - look neat - dress appropriately. • Anything that distracts from the solemnity of the “Supper” is inappropriate. • Remember, the bread is first, the fruit of the vine is second. • Give the prayer of thanks before breaking the bread. • With some this is physical. • Work in close cooperation with the man on the other end of the pew. • Be careful to watch for anyone who has been accidentally overlooked. • Check the nursery for Christians. • Don't do it all over for late-comers. • Do not rush. Important for all involved with the worship to allow sufficient time for all aspects of worship, including the Lord's Supper. • You may want to ask if anyone was overlooked after each emblem.

9. Serving and Presiding At The Lord’s Table • On execution: • Make sure you express thanksgiving for the bread and fruit of the vine. • Be as quiet as possible with the containers. • Check the elements before the worship begins to make sure they are in place. • This includes the offering plates. • Do not pray for Jesus’ “broken body” – the scriptures teach it was not broken – John 19:36 • Nor refer to the “spilled blood” – Christ blood was shed not spilled. • Speak loudly, prepare – BE BRIEF BUT NOT IN A HURRY.

10. Serving and Presiding At The Lord’s Table • When serving/waiting on the table: • We should give a prayer of thanks for the bread and fruit of the vine, imitating Jesus as He instituted the Lord's supper, (Luke 22:19,20). ("Ask God to bless the bread" not "We bless this bread") • THESE Prayers as all others should be addressed to the FATHER not to JESUS. • While there are many things for which we should pray, this is not the time to include them all. • Keep these prayers brief, and again, centered on the communion. • DO NOT REFER TO THE SUPPER AS “A PASSOVER” or as “A SACRAMENT”

11. Serving and Presiding At The Lord’s Table • Pay close attention to the other servers: • Assist the elderly, weak or mother with children (hold the trays for them). • Don’t forget to serve those in the nursery. • If something goes wrong – do not stop and draw attention to it keep going. • Do not laugh or pull funny faces when something is out of the ordinary.

12. Serving and Presiding At The Lord’s Table • IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT: • An obvious distinction is made between the Lord’s Supper and the Contribution. • Make a clear statement that the Lord’s Supper is now over. • DO NOT say “now this concludes the Lord’s Supper” – because it could be implied that the contribution is the concluding act. • You may want to use terms such as: • Completely separate from the Lord’s Supper … • Now that the Supper is over….. • Having concluded the supper another command…. • Make sure those who serve with you know if a prayer will be offered before the contribution. • This avoids confusion at the table.