Discussion Questions

God made himself present to his people through the burning bush, the pillar of cloud and fire, the ark of the covenant, and his glory in the tabernacle and temple. What does this pattern reveal about God's character, and how should it shape the way we hear Jesus say, "This is my body"? JumpstartAnother way to ask: God showed up in things like the burning bush, the pillar of cloud and fire, and the ark. What does that tell us about God, and how should it affect how we hear Jesus say, "This is my body"?

Kyle suggests that God forbade his people to eat blood because life is in it, and that we should get our life from no other creature than God himself. What does this reveal about God's intentions in giving Christians the blood of Jesus to drink? JumpstartAnother way to ask: God told his people not to eat blood because life is in it, and Kyle says we should get our life only from God. What does that tell us about why God gives us the blood of Jesus to drink?

Ignatius called the bread of communion "the medicine of immortality" and an antidote that prevents us from dying. What does that language show about how early Christians understood the meal, and how does it compare with how you were taught to see it? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Ignatius called the communion bread "the medicine of immortality." What does that tell us about how early Christians saw the meal, and how is it different from what you were taught?

Justin Martyr wrote that only those who believe the teachings, have been washed for the remission of sins, and live as Christ instructed may partake of the Eucharist. Why did early Christians guard the table so closely, and what did that say about how they saw the meal? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Justin Martyr said only people who believe, are baptized, and live as Christ taught may take the Eucharist. Why were early Christians so careful about this, and what does it show about how they saw the meal?

When churches argued over the date of Easter and some were ready to excommunicate others, Irenaeus urged that no bishop should cut off churches united in faith and fellowship. What can we learn from how he decided which differences were worth breaking communion over? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Some churches were ready to cut off others over the date of Easter, but Irenaeus said no. What can we learn from how he decided which differences were worth breaking communion over?

Kyle says that letting anyone take communion, baptized or not, gives something sacred as common, much like casting pearls to swine. Why is that claim uncomfortable for churches with an open table, and how should a congregation respond to it? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Kyle says letting anyone take communion treats something holy as common, like throwing pearls to pigs. Why is that hard to hear for churches with an open table, and how should a church respond?

Kyle faults churches that refuse communion to others over disagreements, and he also faults churches that let anyone partake. How can a church guard the Lord's table without using it to tear the Bride of Christ apart? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Kyle is against refusing communion over disagreements, and he is also against letting just anyone take it. How can a church protect the Lord's table without using it to divide Christians?

Kyle says that a memorial-only view can turn communion into a search of your whole life that offers examination but lacks the gift of God's grace. How would seeing the meal as grace and power to overcome sin change the way a Christian thinks about struggle, obedience, and assurance? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Kyle says that seeing communion as only a memorial can turn it into a hard look at your life with no grace in it. How would seeing it as grace and power change how you think about struggle, obedience, and assurance?

Kyle describes transubstantiation and memorialism as two ditches and presents the early church's view as a third way, a divine mystery. Why might modern Christians find it hard to leave the how of Christ's presence unexplained, and what could we gain by receiving it as a mystery? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Kyle calls transubstantiation and memorialism two ditches and says the early church took a third way, a divine mystery. Why is it hard for us to leave this unexplained, and what could we gain if we did?

Kyle asks us to picture the broken bread that was scattered and gathered into one loaf, and to see ourselves reaching around a heavenly table with brothers and sisters from every tribe and nation. How should those pictures change your motives, your preparation, and the way you treat other Christians the next time you take communion? JumpstartAnother way to ask: Kyle asks us to picture bread gathered into one loaf and a heavenly table with Christians from every nation. How should those pictures change your motives, how you prepare, and how you treat other Christians at your next communion?