Next Steps
THE LORD’S TABLE
1 Corinthians 11:17-34, July 29th, 2018
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
1 Corinthians 11:27-29
OPENING (PICK ONE OR MORE): When is the last time you have taken significant time to examine your relationship with the Lord? What did you discover and learn in the process? Did you change?
TEXT: Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; IF TIME PERMITS: Read Matthew 26:17-30.
1. THE LORD’S TABLE: According to Paul in 1 Corinthians, what is the purpose of the Lord’s table? What did the bread and the cup symbolize for the early church? What does it mean to you? Why was Paul troubled by the way the Corinthians celebrated the table? What does the metaphor of the table represent within the body of Christ?
2. NEW COVENANT: What is the new covenant? What is meant by the phrase the cup of the new covenant? How does the new covenant differ from the old covenant? (See Jeremiah 32:38-40 and Ezekiel 36:22-32) What would the new covenant have meant to a devout Jew? How does the new covenant impact the way we view the church and our relationship with one another?
3. MEDITATION: (Review Psalm 19) What has your heart been meditating upon over the past few days? Have the words of your mouth and your inner conversations been pleasing to the Lord? What role has Scripture played in your daily meditation? What is the Lord saying to you?
4. PURITY: (Review Matthew 5) Blessed or happy are the pure in heart. In what ways has the Lord blessed your life over the past few days? Do you feel emotionally happy? If no, why not and what needs to change? How can you enact purity in your affections and actions?
5. GUARD: (Review Proverbs 4:20-27) In what ways have you guarded or protected your heart in this series? What boundaries might you need to establish to guarantee a healthy heart? Is your heart healthier as a result of this series? If yes, in what ways? If no, why not?
ASSESSMENTS AND CHALLENGES: We encourage everyone to take advantage of the 40 day joy challenge at www.joychallenge.com (HCC818), https://assessments.michaelhyatt.com/lifescore/ for the LIFESCORE ASSESSMENT and go to https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/personal-assessment/ for an emotional health assessment to understand and to develop your heart.
NEXT STEP: Examine and pursue a healthy heart today, don’t wait for tomorrow.
