Ways to help believers be discipled in The Lord’s Supper

The Celebration of Communion (the Lord’s Supper) is a “means of grace” for those believing in Jesus Christ and living in obedient fellowship with Him.  Much of the training we’ve had regarding the Lord’s Supper has come from sermons we’ve heard and the specific practices we’ve seen used in services of communion.  Questions about the sacrament of communion and its theological and biblical basis are best answered by your pastor.  We can, however, suggest a careful and devoted study of the Lord’s Supper using the scriptural, practical and expressive suggestions which follow.

1. Read the story of the first Lord’s Supper in Matthew 26:17-30 and John 6:53-59.  If you have questions, your pastor can answer your questions or guide you to helpful resources.

2. Read and study the “Order for the Administration of the Lord’s Supper” found in  8110 (p. 217) in the 2003 Free Methodist Book of Discipline or #759 in the Free Methodist section of “The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration” or other Free Methodist hymnal.  If you have questions, your pastor can answer your questions or guide you to helpful resources.

3. Read and appreciate the poetry in the hymns listed under “Lord’s Supper” on page 709 of the hymnal.  Also consider those hymns listed under “CHRIST - Atonement” on page 704.

4. Consider the Apostle Paul’s perspective on communion expressed to the believers in Corinth in I Corinthians 10:14-22 and I Corinthians 11:17-33.  If you have questions, your pastor can answer your questions or guide you to helpful resources.

5. Do your best to partake of communion whenever it is offered.  Use each opportunity to learn, grow and appreciate your Lord and what He’s done for us.

6.  “The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration” features scriptural readings indexed by topic on page 667.

7. Consider using the Saturday preceding Sunday’s communion service to prepare your heart and mind for The Lord’s Supper.  Exclude activities which might overly tire you or otherwise distract you from prayerful preparation.

8. Read and consider chapters 7 & 8 of Rob L. Staples book entitled “Outward Sign and Inward Grace”.  He uses the appropriate term “eucharist” to refer both the elements served during communion and to any service in which the Lord’s supper is served.

9. Volunteer to assist in the preparation of communion elements (bread and juice) for an upcoming service.  As you serve, pray for those who will benefit from this “means of grace”.

10. Become familiar with the questions and answers in the “Classic Catechism” edited and compiled by Russell J. Veldman III.  Take special note of questions 136 - 148.  If you have questions, your pastor can answer your questions or guide you to helpful resources.

11. Use your artistic gifts and skills to enhance worship services in which The Lord’s Supper is served.  Write and arrange songs which celebrate our Lord’s sacrifice and help believers to remember.  Submit poetry or paintings, readings, drama or liturgical dance.  Always endeavor to offer your works with humility, understanding that people respond to art in a great variety of ways.

Ways to Disciple someone in Baptism

Baptism is a sacrament of the church.  Therefore, most of the following suggestions center around pastoral orientation sessions and church events centered around the act of baptism.

1. Read and consider the role of baptism in Jesus’ Great Commission to his disciples in Matthew 28:19.

2. Meet with your pastor to understand and prepare yourself for baptism.

3. Read and consider Mark 1:9-11.  If you have questions, please see your Free Methodist pastor.

4. Read and consider the Free Methodist teaching on baptism from paragraphs 123 & 124 (p. 9) of the Free Methodist Book of Discipline.  If you have questions, please see your Free Methodist pastor.

5. Study these Biblical references to baptism:
     Acts 2:38,        Acts 8:26-40,   Acts 16:33,                  Acts 18:8

If you have questions, please see your Free Methodist pastor.

6. Study the paragraphs about baptism in the Free Methodist Catechism (ISBN 0-89367-284-x)  You can get a copy from Light & Life Communications at 800-342-5531.

7. Read and consider the chapter 5 of Rob L. Staples’' book entitled “'Outward Sign of Inward Grace”'.  (You’re certainly welcome to read more chapters, if you would like.)  ISBN 083-411-3783  If you have questions, please see your Free Methodist pastor.

8.  Read and consider the questions for baptism in paragraphs 8000-8050 (p. 207) in the Free Methodist Book of Discipline.  If you have questions, please see your Free Methodist pastor.

9. Read and consider I Peter 3:21-22.  If you have questions, please see your Free Methodist pastor.

10. Attend the baptismal services of others and affirm their decision and remember your own baptism.  Allow this event to strengthen your resolve to live a life pleasing to God.

11. Explore ways you could help conduct and celebrate baptisms in your church: organize the services, promote the events, prepare slides for projection on the screen, draw pictures for use in print publications and banners, serve those as they are being baptized (with towels, etc), or write songs which can be especially sung at baptismal services.