09: Church Rites and Rituals – Teaching Plan
Key Thought : Baptism, footwashing, and the Lord’s Supper are symbols of sharing Christ’s suffering, death, and life of commitment and service.
[Teaching plan for The Church: Rites and Rituals November 26, 2012]
1. Have a volunteer read Acts 2:38.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is repentance necessary before a person is baptized? Is baby baptism a legitimate rite? Share your thoughts.
C. Personal Application: What do you remember most about your baptism? What was your motivation for being baptized?
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “What is the difference between a sacrament and an ordinance like baptism? Is it a matter of semantics, or is there a real difference in religious doctrine here?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 11:23-26.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What is the main purpose for the Communion Service?
C. Personal Application: Why do we partake of the Communion Service once a quarter rather than every time we meet?
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Do you think you’re eating Christ’s flesh and drinking His blood? If not, why do you go through the service with grape juice and unleavened bread? What do they symbolize?” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Luke 22:24-27.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is the service of humility so important before partaking of the Lord’s Supper? What does the footwashing symbolize?
C. Personal Application: Is there someone you should wash the feet of that would bring you a blessing or spiritual wellness? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Why does it seem that when you have the Communion Service, there are so many people missing from church? Why would so many people not want to participate in the footwashing or the Lord’s Supper?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Matthew 26:26-28.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How do we eat the Lord’s body and drink His blood on a daily basis without going through Communion Service?
C. Personal Application: What does it mean to eat and drink unworthily, bringing condemnation, sickness, and death upon ourselves? Share.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.
(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)
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