Manchester Diocesan Board of Education
Religious Education Syllabus for Church of England Schools
Unit 6.3 Celebrating the Eucharist-Why?
No. of Hours 3
Christian Value Faith, Forgiveness
Key Questions
Why do Christians celebrate the Eucharist?
What is the reason for celebrating the Eucharist?
The Eucharist service has several names. Why is this time of worship called The Eucharist/Holy
Communion/Mass/The Lord’s Supper?
What questions would you like to ask about the Eucharist/Holy Communion Service?
Key Vocabulary
Eucharist, Holy Communion, Last Supper, remembrance, holy, sacrifice, mercy, salvation
sacrament and faith
Key Experiences
Speaking with a member of the clergy about the Eucharist.
Considering the ways different denominations celebrate the Eucharist.
Unpacking the deeper meaning of the words used in the Eucharist service.
Programme of Study to Include
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Highlight the links between the Last Supper, Passover and Eucharist.
Asking the children what they would like to find out about the celebration of the
Eucharist.
Looking at the Eucharist through the ‘eyes’ of different Christian denominations.
Speaking to clergy and handling artefacts.
Looking at the words of the service and making the connection to the Last Supper.
Exploring the deeper meaning of the words used in the Eucharist service such as
remembrance, holy, sacrifice, mercy, salvation and faith.
The aim of this unit is to: enable pupils to develop a greater understanding of the
Eucharist and the deeper meaning of the symbolism and reasons for the celebration.
Learning Objectives
Pupils should……
AT1
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AT2
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know why Christians celebrate the Eucharist service;
be able to highlight the links between the Eucharist service
and the Last Supper;
know the similarities and differences within and between the
way Christian denominations celebrate the Eucharist;
be able to show understanding of the Christian practices and
beliefs revealed in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Level 4
Level 3-4
be able to link the Christian beliefs about belonging, truth,
purpose and commitment to the words and actions of the
Eucharist service;
Level 4-5
© Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education 2013 – Lisa Fenton
Level 4
Level 4
Unit 6.3 Page 1
Manchester Diocesan Board of Education
Religious Education Syllabus for Church of England Schools

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AT1
AT2
explore the deeper meaning and significance of the words
remembrance, holy, sacrifice, mercy, salvation and faith;
Be able to ask thoughtful questions about the words and
actions of the Eucharist service.
Suggested Activities
Level 5
Level 3-4
Possible Level of
Achievement
This is a short unit that is intended to follow on from a study of the
Jewish festival of Passover. (Use the BDBE Judaism Curriculum
Materials CD Passover unit 6 hours).
One intention of this unit is to highlight the links between the
Passover Meal, the Last Supper and the Eucharist Service.
AT1/2
AT1
Belief
Impact
AT1
Ask the children what they already know about the celebration of
the Eucharist and make a list of what they would like to find out.
Record in your class RE Scrapbook
Where will they find the answers to their questions?
Finding the answers to the children’s questions may include:Visiting the Church
Visit the place where this service of celebration usually takes place.
Remember however, that a celebration of the Eucharist can take
place anywhere!
But, there does need to be an ordained Priest present to lead the
celebration.
Stand in the sanctuary of the church around the altar.
Can they see any signs that the Eucharist takes place here?
Ask the clergy to join you. They can answer questions, show children
the artefacts used and briefly go through the service explaining what
happens and why.
Don’t forget to take photos and record the children’s comments and
questions in your class RE Scrapbook.
Talking with Clergy
If visiting the church is not possible ask a member of the clergy to
visit your class and explain why they celebrate the Eucharist and
what it means.
Along with all the other questions the children will have prepared, ask
about the way in which different denominations celebrate the
Eucharist.
The RE Quest website http://www.request.org.uk/contains useful
information and film clips.
© Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education 2013 – Lisa Fenton
Level 3-4
Investigate
Gathering
information
from
different
sources
Level 4
Unit 6.3 Page 2
Manchester Diocesan Board of Education
Religious Education Syllabus for Church of England Schools
AT1
AT1
Belief
Impact
AT1
AT1
AT1/2
AT2
Record Individually
What have the children learnt?
What have they found interesting?
Handling artefacts
There are several artefacts associated with the celebration of the
Eucharist. On your visit, or when the clergy visit you, ask them to
allow the children to handle the artefacts.
It is appropriate for children to taste un-consecrated wafers.
Looking carefully at the actual words of the service
The words of the services can be found on the Church of England
website http://www.churchofengland.org/prayerworship/worship/texts/principal-services/holy-communion.aspx
Level 4
Reading about the Last Supper in the Gospels.
In pairs the children can read the stories of the Last Supper
Luke 22:7-23, Mark 14:12-25, Matthew 26:17-35
and make the links to the words in the Eucharist service.
Record Individually
Discussing the symbolism of the bread and wine.
Use the BDBE Last Supper and resources from the ‘Take a closer
look’ folder.
Level 3-4
Dive beneath the surface and unpack the deeper meaning of the
Eucharist by spending time reflecting upon the meaning of the words
used, such as remembrance, holy, sacrifice, mercy, salvation and
faith.
Record Individually
Therefore, in what ways does the Eucharist Service answer questions
about Christian beliefs, linked with the concepts of belonging, truth,
purpose and commitment?
Level 4
Working in groups look carefully at the words of the Eucharist
service and highlight where answers to these big questions can be
found.
What do the words remembrance, holy, sacrifice, mercy, salvation
and faith mean to you?
Record Individually
Apply
Knowledge
and
understanding
Level 4-5
Level 5
Opportunities for Assessment: Some Examples
Level 4
Dive beneath the surface and unpack the deeper meaning of the Eucharist by spending time
reflecting upon the meaning of the words used such as remembrance, holy, sacrifice, mercy,
salvation and faith.
Record Individually
Level 5
What do the words remembrance, holy, sacrifice, mercy, salvation and faith mean to you?
Record Individually
© Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education 2013 – Lisa Fenton
Unit 6.3 Page 3
Manchester Diocesan Board of Education
Religious Education Syllabus for Church of England Schools
Alternative assessment activities: Teacher’s Notes
Note here assessment activities used
I can…..
AT1
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AT2
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use good religious vocabulary to show that I understand why
Christians celebrate the Eucharist;
make links between Christian beliefs, the Eucharist and the
Last Supper;
identify the similarities and differences within and between
the way Christian denominations celebrate the Eucharist;
show that I understand the Christian practices and beliefs
revealed in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Level 4
talk about the way in which the Eucharist service answers
questions about Christian beliefs linked with the concepts of
belonging, truth, purpose and commitment ;
explain what the words remembrance, holy, sacrifice, mercy,
salvation and faith mean to me;
ask thoughtful questions about the words and actions of the
Eucharist service.
Level 4-5
Level 3-4
Level 4
Level 4
Level 5
Level 3-4
Link to Diocesan Resources
Reflection and Response CD
In Remembrance of me
Read Jesus’ words at the Last Supper in several translations of the
Bible.
What is the most important part of this story?
Why is there a jug and bowl on the floor?
What did Jesus say at the Last Supper?
What did he tell his followers to do? Why?
Jesus Breaking Bread
Why did Jesus break the bread?
How does this action help Christians understand and remember what
Jesus was telling them?
Why did he use bread and not something else?
The full resources can be found on the Reflection and Response CD
© Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education 2013 – Lisa Fenton
Unit 6.3 Page 4
Manchester Diocesan Board of Education
Religious Education Syllabus for Church of England Schools
The Last Supper
The image clearly shows the Seder plate and the bread and wine.
Ideas can be found in the ‘Take a Closer Look’ folder on the Last Supper CD.
Learning Challenges
Ask pupils to create ‘A Guide to the Eucharist’ for a member of another faith to read. The guide
needs to explain what happens and why, the symbolism of the bread and wine and how the
Eucharist is rooted in the Last Supper.
© Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education 2013 – Lisa Fenton
Unit 6.3 Page 5