The Lord’s Supper in the Cell Group

Cell Basics

by Joel Comiskey

Summer 2008

My own LIFE group meets on Sunday night at 6 p.m. and once in awhile we take the Lord’s Supper during the LIFE group, rather than during the Sunday celebration service.

Several weeks ago, I shared with my LIFE group from Mark 14, where Jesus told his disciples, “Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make communionpreparations for us there” (vv 14,15).

In those days, the houses frequently had upper rooms where they would entertain guests and hold family meetings. The kitchen and living quarters were downstairs but the upper room was larger and could hold more people. The early church followed the same pattern by meeting in homes to observe the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:46).

One of my first questions was, “What was the atmosphere of the first Lord’s supper?” Members shared the anxiety that the disciples must have experienced because of the hostile Jewish atmosphere at the time. We also came to grips with the fact that the disciples didn’t catch the significance of Christ’s body and blood in the supper. They thought the meal was a normal Passover observance. I then asked the following questions:

  • Jesus has ministered to you during the Lord’s supper
  • What helps you to focus on Jesus during this time?
  • According to 1 Corinthians 11:17-33, How should we prepare for the Lord’s supper? Why?
  • Take a moment to prepare yourself right now before we participate in the Lord’s Supper.

We passed around the grape juice and the crackers, while meditating on Christ’s broken body and precious blood. Because we were a small group, we felt the liberty to offer praise. We sang Amazing Grace and meditated on what Jesus did on the cross. Christ’s presence ministered to our hearts, and we sensed His healing power.

Many cell churches celebrate the Lord’s supper in the celebration time when all the cells are present. We at Wellspring normally follow that pattern as well. Yet, it’s wonderful to observe the Lord’s Supper in the home group, just like Christ did with His disciples.