communion

“How old to kids have to be before they can have communion?”

Here’s my reply to this viewer’s question – including bonus thoughts on Passover.

Hi

Glad you’re enjoying the Core Stuff. Thanks for your question.

My thoughts on communion – yes, sure, I think as long as they know what they’re doing, it’s fine.

Mind you, because I hold a symbolic view, it’s easier for me to say that than a traditionally Catholic person who holds a “sacramental” view and the idea of “trans-substantiation.” They’d say that the bread and wine literally turns into the literal body and blood of Jesus, and that the act of communion seals a person into the Catholic Church, and so has to be ministered by a priest. Lots of traditional attachments. I don’t see any of that in the Bible. It’s Catholic Church tradition.

What I do see is a symbolic celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection. If a person understands this, is grateful for it, they may participate in it. No matter what age. So my kids participate, including my 6 year old son. Understand, he’s a boy’s boy, lots of rough edges. But he understands what the symbols mean, and what Jesus’ death on the cross has done for us, and he’s grateful. That’s what its about.

One more bonus idea:

The Lord’s Supper happened during the Passover meal. So when it says, “whenever you do this, remember me,” the “this” could well be “Passover,” not merely “break bread and drink wine.” So every year we have Passover, celebrating how Jesus fulfills the whole Passover story & all the elements of the meal. In fact Jesus fulfills the details of the Passover meal better than the Exodus story (which foreshadows Jesus’ liberation of us all)! That’s a great time of year for us. And you know what? – The youngest person not only participates fully in the meal, but gets to ask all the questions in the Passover feast. So for me, that confirms their legitimate participation in communion too.

Hope that’s not too much information.

Cheers,

Geoff

www.geoffwestlake.com

0411 324245

In fact this mum of 5 wanted FURTHER information,
about how we teach our kids.

So here’s more:

Yes, before we let them have it, we make sure their head’s in the right space on the day.

Our two older ones we no longer have to check, but the two younger ones, its still a teaching or review moment. If their heads not in the right space, we say no you can’t have it. On the few times that happened they were too young to be deeply affected by that. Now they know that this is what its about and not to take it lightly – its not just a snack.

No we don’t home school, but I chair the school council, so yes I’m still hands on with their education, but in a way that connects with hundreds of other families in the area.

But when it comes to their faith development we’re very hands on - every fortnight we do Cheers 24, which is Bible-based learning for all ages. Everyone, including kids, brings a contribution about the topic or passage, for “show n tell.”

Plus every night around dinner, it’s “what do you have to thank God for today?” and they tell us their day’s highlights.

And as and when concerns arise, we pray about it together.

One of my daughters likes reading a chapter of the Gospels with me each night, and sometimes others join in.

So there’s a definite natural spiritual openness that we’re purposefully fostering in our kids, and so the issue of communion is just part of that flow.

In fact, sometimes, when we have bread and wine at the dinner table, we do a very short communion.

- I say, “charge your glasses.” They grin & get ready with bread and cup.

- Then I ask, “what’s the bread remind us of?”

- then “what’s the cup remind us of?”

- Then I hold up the glass and toast, “Let’s remember him, until He comes.” and they all reply, “Until He comes.”

And that’s literally it.

So we be open, natural, and all-of-life about Jesus, so when it happens in a church, its no biggie.

Cheers

Geoff

Thanks Geoff,

Maybe communion is not as much of a biggie as I thought!

Intentionality is HUGE!, so it’s exciting to hear that you’re making a big effort with their spiritual growth.

To be honest, I don’t think I know anyone with children at school who is deliberate about discipling them.  The parents seem to abdicate most authority to the teachers and get too busy with their lives outside of their kids.

Well, I’d better get to work with what we’re going to be doing in the next few days/week.

Thanks and blessings,

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