The Corinthian Believers are Rebuked for Certain Abuses of the Lord’s Supper
1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Lesson 16

background notes

doctrinal points

1. Treating the Lord’s Supper lightly brings dishonor to the Lord.
2. Treating the Lord’s Supper lightly brings discipline from the Lord.

practical application

Don’t jump to hasty conclusions concerning sick Christians.

questions

1. What is the topic of 1 Corinthians 11?
2. What kind of problems were the Corinthians having with public worship?
3. How did the Corinthians celebrate the Lord’s Supper?
4. How were the Corinthians abusing the love feast?
5. Who takes part in the New Covenant?
6. True or False: When a believer unexpectedly dies, it is a punishment from God for sin.

answers

1. Public worship in the church
2. Problems recognizing God’s structure of authority in the church and problems celebrating the Lord’s Supper
3. In the early church, the Lord’s Supper was celebrated in connection with a fellowship meal called the love feast.
4. They were not drawing enough distinction between the love feast and the Lord’s Supper and thus they were lowering the important significance of the Lord’s Supper. Others were getting drunk at the love feast, not sharing with one another, and not waiting to eat together.
5. The New Covenant was made with Israel (Jeremiah 31), and it will be kept with Israel (Romans 11). The blessings of the New Covenant have been extended to all believers (Hebrews 8).
6. We cannot know for certain, and we should not jump to hasty conclusions.

discuss/consider

1. Praise the Lord that the atoning work of Christ was finished on the cross! The Lord’s Supper remembers and proclaims Christ’s finished work. Do you celebrate the Lord’s Supper regularly? Do you use the opportunity to remember Christ’s work for you?
2. Discuss how you should prepare yourself for the Lord’s Supper. What does it mean to take communion “in an unworthy manner”?

challenge

Spend some time in reflection and prayer to prepare yourself for taking the Lord’s Supper this week.

memorize

• “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me...This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 1 Corinthians 11:24-25
• “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26
• “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”
  1 Corinthians 11:28