Marci

(John 6:53-71) If to eat Jesus' flesh and drink his blood is a strong expression for "to believe," why does Jesus emphasize this so strongly? What was the difference between the Twelve and the crowd of "disciples" that turned away from Jesus? What is the mark of true disciples according to John 8:31-32? The apostles believed that Jesus was the Son of God, the awaited Messiah. Those that turned away would not accept Jesus as God. True disciples believe Jesus' teachings; specifically, Jesus is the Messiah, the One who takes away the sins of the world.

(John 6:51b) What is Jesus referring to when he says, "This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world"? What similarities do you see with Jesus' teaching at the Last Supper in Luke 22:19b? Jesus is saying in both instances that He is giving His body as a sacrifice for all, so that we may have eternal life. He is paying the price with His body.

Q1. (John 6:35-51) What does the metaphor of "eating the Bread of Life" mean in practical terms? To extend the same metaphor, what do you think might be the difference between nibbling and actually making a meal of it? "Eating the Bread of Life" means connecting with Jesus and trusting in Jesus through partaking of the Holy Eucharist. This a way that we remain in Him and Him in us. Completely trusting one's being, their salvation, their meaning, their purpose for being here everyday is similar to "making a meal of it." However, sometimes relying on Jesus and then sometimes doing it in your own strength, is "nibbling."

Q4. (1 Corinthians 10:17) How does Paul's teaching on the One Loaf affect our relationships and love for those of other Christian denominations and traditions? How does blanket judgmentalism towards the faith of other Christian groups sometimes seem to excuse us from Jesus' command to love one another? We are called to love all, that includes those from "other" Christian denominations. However, sometimes Satan uses our differences to instill fear and hatred toward others who have different interpretations of Scripture. Sometimes it is necessary to agree that we don't agree and go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Q3. In what ways do the divisions in Corinth sound familiar in our own congregations? Don't pick on another congregation; how about your own? How serious was the need for unity? Can bickering congregations partake of the Lord's Supper without sin? Yes, there is bickering today within indiviual congregations and among denominations, just like the divisions in Corinth. If these people were giving all of what they had to the church to be distributed among the members, so that none did without, unity was very necessary. Also, if the "one" church was to grow, unity among the believers was very necessary. Sadly, then as today, we rationalize this bickering, therefore, it is not perceived as sin. Sometimes, church can be a very uninviting place.

Q2. Read Mark 11:25 and Matthew 5:23-24. How do these relate to Paul's teaching on the One Loaf (1 Corinthians 10:17)? What must we personally do to achieve unity to prepare ourselves to partake of the Lord's Supper righteously? Just as we partake from the one loaf, one loaf for all, we remember that Jesus died for all, the sins of all. He loves us all despite are weaknesses, our sins. Therefore, when we are preparing to partake of the Lord's Supper, if we still harbor unforgiveness toward someone, we need to ask God to help us forgive them and love them as He has forgiven and loves us. That way we can be right with them and with God, when we partake of the Lord's Supper.

1. What does the "cup of blessing" teach us about our focus at the Lord's Supper? 2. Who is to be blessed when the "cup of blessing" is lifted heavenward? 1. That we should thank God for all His blessings toward us. 2. God should be worshipped, blessed, and thanked.

1. Why is the Lord's Table such a time of intimate fellowship with Jesus? 2. In your experience with having meals with friends, what makes the difference between a casual, forgettable meal, and one which is rich with memories? 3. How can this insight make your experience of the Lord's Table more meaningful? 1. Because we are remembering what he did for us in dying for our sins. We are also asking him to protect us and give us what we need to resist temptation, and to fulfill God's plan and purpose for us. 2. I enjoy hearing about people's lives, their stories, those experiences that have influenced who they are today. So, when people are real and genuine and want to share themselves, to me, that memorable. 3. It will help me to remember to tell Jesus what is going on with me and to thank Him for making the way for me and for protecting me.

1.How does the promised New Covenant differ from the Old Covenant? 2. What are the promises God makes in the New Covenant? 3. What are our responsibilities under the New Covenant? 1. Under the New Covenant, God has placed his law in the minds of people and has written it in their hearts;this is a personal relationship with God, through the Holy Spirit. However, under the Old Covenant, the people only knew God as the One that led them out of Egypt; they did not have a personal relationship with God, other people spoke to God for them, such as the prophets. 2. God will forgive the wickedness of the people and no longer remember their sins; God gives us salvation through Jesus Christ. 3. Our responsibilities under the New Covenant are faith in God, trust in God, and belief that Jesus was God and died for our sins.

1. How is the covenant with Israel ratified? It is ratified by signs, an oath, a meal, and by sacrifice. 2. What promise did the people make twice in this passage? They promised to have no other gods besides the true God. They promised to obey God's commandments. 3. What was sacrificed? Burnt offerings and young bulls were sacrificed. 4. What was sprinkled? The blood of the young bulls (the blood of of the covenant) was spronkled.

Why did Jesus refer to the violent nature of his death in the Words of Institution? What did this probably mean to the disciples at the time? What did it probably mean to them later? Jesus refers to the violent nature of His death in the Words of the Institution because He is conveying to all continuosly througout all time, that He is the slaughtered Lamb, the ultimate sacrifice that atones for the sins of all of mankind. At the time, the disciples could not truly understand what Jesus meant in the words He spoke to them. However, after His death, they realized that He was the Messiah who came to deliver them, who set them free from eternal death by the sacrifice of His body on a horrendous death by crucifixion. They must have felt sorrow and regret that they did not more fully love and appreciate Him while He was with them on earth. They must have also been grateful and sorrowful that their sins, along with the sins of all mankind, necessitated Jesus' violent death as a way of atoning for those sins.

How were Old Testament sacrifices a way of God showing grace and mercy to his people? Instead of snuffing out a person for sin or rebellion, God offered a way for the forgiveness of sins, the death of an animal instead of a person.

Why do you think the Apostle Peter emphasized Jesus' physical body, when he talks about sin-bearing? I think it goes back to God asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Jesus became the sacrifice to atone for the sins of mankind. Jesus' body was sacrificed by His willingness to be sacrificed for our sins. He submitted to the bruises, spitting, jeers, nails, lashes, and ultimate death, so we would not have to be separated from the Father. His body was the sacrificial offering for our sins.

On the contrary, the more we partake of the Lord

I don't think that receiving the Lord's Supper often runs the risk of making it become mundane. On the contrary, the more we partake of the Lord's Supper, the more we have the opportunity to receive Christ. The celebration and remembrance of his death and resurrection not only strengthens us, but reminds us that we, too, must die to ourselves. This dying to our selfishness, pride, greed, tec. allows God's Spirit to use us to bring about His Kingdom here on earth. Jesus commanded its repetition because we need to be strengthened often and to remember, along side our other brothers and sisters, Jesus example of how to die to ourselves. Remember, some churches celebrate the Lord's Supper daily.