Connect:

1. What is your earliest memory of communion?
2. If you grew up taking communion, how has your experience of it changed over the years? If you have changed church traditions, what have you noticed in how different Christian traditions practice communion?

Discussion:

1. Pastor Tim discussed some of the background about the Passover meal that Jesus and his disciples were celebrating. Why were they celebrating this? What work of God were they remembering? (hint: God delivering them from slavery in Egypt; you can get more detailed by talking about the Passover lamb and the manna).
2. A key part of this story is the betrayal of Judas. Where have you experienced betrayal in your own life? Another way to ask this would be, how have you been hurt by betrayal in the past?

If need be, the next two questions can be done in two separate groups – guys and gals – if your space allows for that.

3. In the message, it was pointed out that all the disciples ended up betraying Jesus, and that all of humanity is included in this betrayal. Share what betrayal has looked like in your life. If you feel comfortable, share what that looks like in your life currently.
4. How does the bread and cup apply to your experience of betrayal specifically? Try to use emotion words. (i.e., I have lived a life of being deceitful, it has weighed on me significantly, as I think about the grace and freedom Jesus has brought me, I experience a significant stress relief and a weight lifted off my chest and even feel a little joy entering my heart).

These next questions can be done in large group.

5. What was the significance of Jesus using bread and cup to represent what he did for humanity?
6. How does this apply to the betrayal that all humans experience?
7. Who in your life needs to hear this story of redemption so that they can have a new story to tell?

Prayer:

1. In your smaller groups, through prayer, declare the grace and redemption of Jesus over what people have shared. Before you do this, take a moment to ask Jesus what he wants to say to the person. Then each person who has something can pray it over the individual. Do this for each person who desires it.
2. If you are comfortable, partake in communion together. You can Read 1 Cor 11:23-26, pray a prayer of thanks, then tell your group, “This is Christ’s body broken for you and Christ’s blood shed for you. Let’s partake together.”