Celebrating First Communion

Reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-3, 6-11

Connecting Question

What is one question you wish people would ask you?

What question that gets under your skin? Why?

Prayer for Illumination

Merciful God, we do not presume to come to your table, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your abundant mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat and drink the body and blood of your dear Son, Jesus Christ, that we may live in him and he in us, now and forever. Amen.

CONTEXT

Sunday, November 17 we will recognize and celebrate those taking their first communion, look for kids wearing stoles like the picture. When we bring young people to the table for the first time, we’re fulfilling our promises to them to do exactly this. And: when we come together for communion, every time, we are living into the promises God has made to each of us, that Jesus would always be with us, and we would always be one people in Christ’s name. We are a community celebrating this covenant every time we come to communion!

From Dr Fred Gaiser at EntertheBible.org:

Deuteronomy is couched in the form of a farewell discourse delivered by Moses on the plains of Moab (1:1-5). It opens with a review of how God had brought the people to the verge of the Jordan (1:1-4:43). In a second discourse, Moses explains the significance of the covenant(chapters 5-11) and introduces the Deuteronomic Law Code (chapters 12-26), the heart of the book. This is followed by instructions for the renewal of the covenant (chapter 27), a list of blessings and curses (chapter 28), and a final exhortation to observe the covenant (chapters 29-30). The Song of Moses (chapters 31-32), his final blessing of Israel (chapter 33), and the account of his death on Mt. Nebo (chapter 34) bring the book to a close.

Look at the Book

Moses is the believed author of the book of Deuteronomy. What do we know about him?
Pastor Mark Throntveit helps orient us to this passage in chapter 8. “The Importance of Loyalty to God (6:1-11:32) Here we find a selection of sermon fragments on the first commandment (chapter 6), the danger of assimilation with the Canaanites (chapter 7), the peril of prosperity (chapter 8), the temptation of self-righteousness (9:1-10:11), and obedience as a condition for prosperity in the land (10:12-11:32).
When you hear “the perils of prosperity,” where does your imagination go?
Verse one opens by explaining that God is giving commands...for a purpose. Three purposes are named. What are they?
God is faithful! God keeps promises, but if the people do not respond with life giving choices, then what? Notice how verse 2 begins. What is the key verb or action the people are invited to do?
What is a covenant? Who does God make them with us?
What is something you always want to be able to remember? Why? Have you thought of remembering as being a key practice of faith? Why or why not?
Imagine not finding “home” for 40 years. What would that be like? Part of the Israelite wandering was to grow in their trust of God’s support. Tell about a time you felt supported by God’s presence or God’s people.
Lutherans view scripture with two lenses: law and gospel. Law accuses and make demands. Gospel sets free and remind us that nothing can separate us from God’s love. What word of phrases sound like law and gospel in this passage?
What questions do you see younger generations drawn to right now?
One image this passage reminds us of is “manna in the desert.” What was that story? What do you think it teaches us?
How is Holy Communion like “manna in the desert?”
What was your first communion experience?
What do you hope students sharing their communion experience at Easter would know?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

Taking it Home

Martin Luther said the key to experiencing holy communion was to trust the words, “given and shed for you.” How are the words “for you” good news in our lives?

God of the promise, you call your people together into your one mission in Christ’s name. Make us brave, grant us peace, challenge our expectations, and empower us to truly follow your Spirit’s lead. You are our one God who calls us together as one people, and we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Grow Guide | Nov 17, 2024