WELCOME

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner, He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes." (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

They continued the breaking of bread. How much sweeter this act must have been for them.  I wonder how many of the first Christians witnessed the death of Christ. Of those who did, how vivid their thoughts of His death must have been as they partook of the emblems. We are blessed today in that the inspired writers painted for us a vivid picture of the death of Christ. As we take the emblems, which represent His body and His blood, may we visualize His suffering which was done for our sins? Because of His sacrificial love for us, it is a privilege to take the Lord's supper every week. May we not take this for granted.

"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit." (Psalm 34:15-18) The first Christians shared in the same blessing that we have today and that is prayer. Talking to God brings great blessings and comfort to the child of God. Prayer is a gift from our Heavenly Father to us who have so much to learn and to change.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)

Prayer is often the most neglected blessing by the child of God. We are commanded to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17). Our lives should be a life of constant prayer.

How Long Has It Been?

How long has it been since you talked with the Lord,

And told Him your heart's hidden secrets?

How long since you have prayed?

How long since you stayed

On your knees 'til the light shone through.

How long has it been since you woke with the dawn,

And felt that the day's worth the living?

Can you call Him your friend?

How long has it been?

Since you knew, He cared for you.

The first century Christians were blessed to have each other. It was a time of much tribulation and suffering for them. God blessed them with the Words of salvation (doctrine) that they needed for their souls. He also blessed them with the purposeful avenue (fellowship) they needed in common to sustain them during this time. God blessed them with the spiritual avenue (prayer) to communicate with Him. And He blessed them with the avenue to remember our Savior's death (The Lord's Supper). He also continues to bless His children with the same blessings. It truly is a blessing to be a child of God and to have the same things in common with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Questions:

1. What does the breaking of bread represent?

2. How often are we to partake of the Lord's Supper? Please support with scripture.

3. What are we to think about while taking the Lord's Supper?

4. Can we take the Lord's Supper in a wrong manner? Please support with scripture.

5. List as many things as you can think of that prayer does for a child of God.

6. What does pray without ceasing mean?

7. How can you improve your prayer life?

8. Discuss other passages found in the Bible that teach us about prayer.

9. What is often the most neglected blessing for a child of God?

10. What can you do in your congregation to encourage unity and fellowship?