Family Take-Away
Helping your children understand Communion
Communion is one of those things at church that can seem a little strange to a child. At Hope
Presbyterian we welcome children to participate in communion when their parents think they are
ready. Children are part of the family of faith and are welcome at the Communion Table.
We would encourage you to talk about Communion with your children and help them understand
more about Jesus as our Saviour. Communion is a picture of God’s rescue mission to save us.
Background to Communion
Jesus and His disciples were celebrating Passover. This is a special feast where the Jews
remember God’s rescue mission to save them from slavery in Egypt (read about it in Exodus12).
Every year at Passover families celebrate God’s faithfulness that God never wanted them to forget.
It is kind of like why we celebrate a birthday or the anniversary of a special occasion. Jesus gave
new meaning to the Passover meal.
Communion in the Bible
Read through the gospel passages that describe communion. They are found in Matthew 26:17–30;
Mark 14:12–26 and Luke 22:7–39. It may be helpful to read through the passages with your
children in a younger reader’s version or bible storybook.
Jesus’ words from Matthew 26 are often used during communion. This is how the Jesus Storybook
Bible says it:
“My body is like this bread. It will break,” Jesus told them. “This cup of wine is like my blood. It will
pour out. But this is how God will rescue the whole world. My life will break and God’s broken
world will mend….. So whenever you eat and drink, remember, “Jesus said, “I’ve rescued you!”
Communion is a “meal” that we celebrate to remember Jesus and His sacrifice for us. He is still with
us and one day He will come again. Some children may find the idea of the bread being like Jesus’
broken body and the wine or juice being like his blood a bit strange. This can be hard to explain at
their level. Sometimes it is better not to give too much detail but keep the explanation simple. The
word communion means sharing. Taking part shows we receive God’s love and forgiveness, and
share in the love of God together as a church family.
Communion Table Manners:
Many churches do communion slightly differently and not all churches encourage or allow children
to participate. Share some of your experiences with your children and what communion means to
you.
Things to remember at the Communion Table:
 We come to accept Jesus’ gift of love, His body and blood given for each one of us. We can
pray and thank God for this as we take the bread and drink.
 Other people are thinking about God. Being quiet can help them and us to remember God’s
gift; sending His Son to rescue us.
 Take one small piece of bread and either dip it in the juice or take one of the small cups.
 You can eat and drink it straight away or back in your seat.
 Wait quietly while others finish communion. You might pray (thank God for rescuing us), sing
in your heart, read or listen to the music and watch others enjoying communion.
See also http://kidsfriendly.org.nz/teaching-children-about-communion