Introduction

• In the last lesson, we learned about how people worshipped Jesus in the past and how we can worship him today. What are some specific ways we do this? (Singing and praying to him, reading the Bible, obeying the words that Jesus said, and living a life that pleases God.)
• Today, we will learn about what the bread and wine in communion represent and about a very special meal called the Last Supper.

Bible Story

Judas Iscariot was one of Jesus’ disciples. He went to the chief priests and agreed to betray Jesus for thirty silver coins.
Together with his disciples, Jesus was celebrating the Passover meal. The meal they shared is called the “Last Supper” because it was the last supper Jesus had before he died on the cross.
While they ate, Jesus spoke to them.
“The one who will betray me is eating with me now,” Jesus said. The disciples were sad when they heard this.
“Surely you cannot mean me!” each of the disciples said to Jesus. Even Judas said this, but he would later betray Jesus.
During the meal, Jesus took some bread in his hands, blessed it, broke it, and then gave it to his disciples.
“Eat this,” Jesus said. “This is my body.”
Next, Jesus picked up a cup of wine and thanked God.
“Take and drink this,” Jesus said to them. “This is my blood, and with it God makes his agreement with you. It will be poured out so that many people will have their sins forgiven.”
Later, Jesus reminded his disciples of what the Scriptures say.
“Tonight, all of you will reject me,” Jesus said, “just as the Scriptures foretold it.”
“Even if all the others do, I will never reject you,” Peter said.
“Before a rooster crows tonight, you will say that you do not know me three times,” Jesus replied.
Review

The bread that Jesus blessed and broke represented his body. Jesus’ body was “broken” for us when he died on the cross. The wine that Jesus gave to his disciples represented his blood. Jesus’ blood was shed when he died on the cross to save people from their sins.
When we take communion, we are remembering the special meanings of these things. We remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us and the gift of salvation he offers to everyone.

1. What do the bread and wine in communion represent? (The bread stands for Jesus’ body that was broken, and the wine stands for his blood that was poured out on the cross as a sacrifice for all of us.)
2. Jesus knew that all of his closest friends, his disciples, would reject him that night. Yet, he still willingly gave his life on the cross for all of them and all of us. What does this tell you about Jesus? (Jesus’ love is greater than we could even imagine. Nothing can make him not love us.)
3. How does this make you feel? How can you respond to Jesus’ love? 

Prayer

Dear God,
Help me to always remember the sacrifice you made for me. Help me use my life to honour you alone. Amen.