As your group time begins, use this section to introduce the topic of discussion.
Where is your favorite place to go for a celebratory meal? Why?
Why do you think food and meals are so often a part of our celebrations in life?
When you think of Scripture, what memorable meals come to mind?
I wish I was going to be in town for this upcoming MEN’s event.. I think this will be the best thing our “OGs” have planned so far! I wanted to make sure all you guys had a chance to sign up before Sunday’s deadline!
Meals are often more than just meals. They signify relationship and community with others. They celebrate victories and can comfort us on difficult days. These moments at the table communicate something and connect us to one another in a way that other activities do not. So it’s no surprise that on the night before His death, Jesus chose to explain the significance of His suffering and death with a meal.
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go to prepare the Passover meal for you?”
Mark 14:12–16 (NLT)
So Jesus sent two of them into Jerusalem with these instructions: “As you go into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.”
So the two disciples went into the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there.
What expectation did Jesus’ disciples have at the beginning of this passage? Why?
Have someone read Exodus 12:1-14. What significance did the Passover meal already have for the disciples?
What thoughts and emotions do you think these Jewish disciples of Jesus had as they made preparations for the annual Passover meal?
Mark 14:17–26 (NLT)
17 In the evening Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 As they were at the table eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me.”
Mark 14:17–26 (NLT)
19 Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one?”
20 He replied, “It is one of you twelve who is eating from this bowl with me. 21 For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”
22 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.”
23 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many. 25 I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.”
26 Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus knew about the upcoming betrayal all along. Why do you think He chose the annual Passover meal to bring it up?
Why is it important for us to remember our own sinfulness? Why do you think that idea is such an affront to culture today?
How is it that Jesus could talk about ultimate betrayal at the hand of someone sharing this significant meal with Him, and in the next breath give thanks to God?
As the disciples observed and listened to Jesus at the first Lord’s Supper, what do you think might have been going through their minds? How much do you think they understood when Jesus spoke about His body and blood?
What new significance did Jesus give to the bread? What new significance did He give to the cup?
How important in your life is the regular observance of the Lord’s Supper? Why?
What preparations do you need to make to celebrate the Lord’s Supper? What do we risk if we practice the observance of the Lord’s Supper without preparation or with little thought?
How important is the Lord’s Supper to the health and life of our church? What are some reasons the Lord’s Supper loses its significance in a church? How can we help each other guard against taking the Lord’s Supper too lightly?