A Simple Guide To Taking Communion At Home With Kids
Communion is a foundational practice for all believers. Jesus set the example with His disciples and we are to follow that example. While you are probably (hopefully) taking communion regularly at church, it can be beneficial to partake at home, as well, for a number of reasons.
Why Should We Take Communion At Home?
Communion is a holy time set aside to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us – His broken body and His shed blood. His death brings about our salvation and the new covenant. When we partake in communion, we are honoring His sacrifice, thanking Him for our salvation, and remembering the promises given to us by the new covenant.
Aside from spiritual reasons, a practical reason to take communion at home is to teach your kids more about it. There’s only so much you can explain in a quiet church service while the juice and bread are being passed out, and you don’t want your kids participating until they understand why. If you take communion at home regularly and carefully explain the reasons behind it, they’ll understand the meaning and importance of it. Then, they can truly experience the holiness of this time in a corporate worship setting.
How Do We Take Communion At Home?
Communion is a very simple practice. You’ll need some grape juice and some sort of bread or cracker. We have a plate and cup that we use only for communion, but that isn’t necessary.
Since we have young children, we start by reviewing what communion reminds us of (Jesus dying on the cross) and why Jesus died on the cross (because He loves us). We read 1 Corinthians 11:23-24, talk about what the bread means (Jesus’ body, broken for us), pray over it, and eat the bread. Next, we read 1 Corinthians 11:25-26, talk about what the juice means (Jesus’ blood, shed for us), pray over it, and drink the juice. We then pray one more time to thank Jesus for His sacrifice and for the new covenant.
If you have older kids, there are great opportunities here to teach about the crucifixion and how the shedding of blood washes away our sins, along with old vs. new covenant and what that looks like. If you have younger kids, stick with the basics. Even a 2 year old can understand and repeat that communion is about Jesus. That’s a great foundation to lay.
Do My Kids Need To Be Saved Before Taking Communion?
This question has good arguments on both sides. Some people say yes, because that’s one of the requirements laid out by Jesus. Some say no, because communion taken at home is under the headship of the parents, who are saved.
Personally, we allow our young children to take communion at home before they are saved because they are under our spiritual authority. We take it very seriously and teach them what it’s about, and we feel peace about this decision.
If you have concerns about this, I would encourage you first to pray about it. Take your concerns to the Father and see what He says. It can also be helpful to talk to a trusted spiritual advisor, such as a pastor or mentor.
Taking communion at home is a beautiful time of connection and spiritual renewal as a family. God honors us when we honor Him, and the fruits of honoring Him through communion are bountiful. Introducing your children to this spiritual practice can feel intimidating, but it will benefit them for years to come.
Do you take communion at home? What does it look like for your family?
