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When should my children take the Lord’s table?

We allow the parents to decide when their children are ready, but we encourage them to make sure their children understand the significance of what they are celebrating. It is a decision we would encourage them to make carefully and prayerfully.

What key principles determine a child’s readiness?

For any person to be ready, they must understand that at the Lord’s Table we are doing these things:

• We Remember
  The mental action of the participants of the Lord’s Supper is to focus the mind on Jesus and especially his historical work in dying for our sins. 1 Cor 11:24-25 says “Do this in remembrance of me.”
  
  
• We Worship
  1 Cor 10:20 talks about sacrifices given to idols, which Paul says are given to demons because there’s worship going on there, and so in the same way, when we celebrate the Lord’s table, there is true worship here. This is why the Lord’s table is for believers only, It’s not for unbelievers, because it is part of worship. The Lord’s Supper is an act of the gathered family of those who believe in Jesus, the church. It is not an act for unbelievers. Unbelievers may be present—indeed, we welcome them to be present—there is nothing secretive about the Lord’s Supper. It is done in public.
  
  
• We Give Thanks  
  The word EUCHARIST in 1 Cor 11:24 means to give thanks. Why ? Because He paid our sin debt.
  
  
• We Practice Self-Examination
  The scripture says a man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. (1 Corinthians 11:28-29) Infants and smaller children, not instructed in the Lord, cannot “examine themselves” or properly “recognize the body of the Lord.”

Note to Parents: Look for your child’s capability in understanding, seriousness, and their ability to remember, worship, give thanks and practice self-examination.