Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 6
The teacher concludes, “I don’t think Christ cares if it’s leavened or unleavened,” and appeals to the lack of apostolic instructions and the lack of early written insistence; what does this imply about what Jesus *does* care about in communion, and how might that confront modern Christians who equate “doing it right” with technical precision?
Another way to ask: If Jesus didn’t give detailed instructions about leavened vs. unleavened bread, what might he care about most in communion, and how might that challenge people who focus on doing it “technically right”?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, Jesus primarily cares that communion be done “in a respectful and holy manner,” treating the bread as sacred, rather than obsessing over technical details like the presence of yeast.
- The speaker’s conclusion is direct: “I don’t think Christ cares if it’s leavened or unleavened.”
- He immediately qualifies what matters: “I do think he expects us to celebrate communion in a respectful and holy manner.”
- He points to the absence of detailed rules: “there’s no instructions…It’s got to be made this specific way.”
- He argues that if it were important, “Jesus…or the apostles would have given us specific instructions,” and at minimum early Christians would have passed down an oral tradition—yet “they say nothing about it.”
- He criticizes extremes that prioritize precision over the act itself: wafers that “no longer looks like bread,” spoon-feeding, and practices that “lose all resemblance to the original New Testament communion.”