Children and Communion

I think in considering this question we should first ask why do we as Christian adults take part in communion? From my understanding, we practice both the footwashing and the bread and wine because Jesus told us to do so.

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. ¹⁵I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (Jn. 13:14, 15).

¹⁹And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19)

We do these things not because of our level of understanding or our righteousness, but because we were told by Jesus to do them as a symbol of serving others, and to remember Him and the life He gives us. This makes me think that age does not matter. All those who are followers of Christ are invited to take part. I for one, consider my children to be members of the body of Christ even before they have a full understanding of salvation and have chosen to be baptized. I want them to learn to serve others from a young age, so to actually participate in the act of washing someone's feet seems to be a powerful way to begin that journey. In regards to the bread and wine, we have chosen to share our own portion of bread and wine with our young children, as a symbol of their being a part of the body of Christ along with us.

On a personal note, I remember not being allowed to partake in communion until I was baptized (at the age of 14). I did understand to a great extent what they symbolized and I considered myself to be a Christian long before that time. It was hurtful to me to not be allowed to be a part of something that seemed so special. I still have not found a biblical foundation for not allowing children to participate.

I know there are a wide range of opinions on this topic... I'll be interested to hear what others have to say!

It seems fairly clear to me that Jesus is more concerned about the state of the heart than whether or not we presently understand the symbolism of communion.  At the last supper -- the one we symbolize -- none of the disciples understood what it was about.  Though Jesus desired them to understand the symbolism, he seemed more troubled by the loss of Judas, who -- let's not forget -- partook of the footwashing as well as the bread and wine.

Jesus, however, said, "Let the little children come to me, and stop keeping them away, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these."  Matthew 19:14, ISV

I've just recently been faced with the same questions as my daughter Faith is 2 years old now.  A year ago she didn't really notice what was going on or what we were doing.  Now, when the elders are passing out the bread she's like "I want to eat some bread!".  I really debated back and forth in my mind about the subject.  What I had done in the past was make sure she had her own little snack and drink to eat while we were partaking of the communion.  This last time however, I gave her a small piece of my bread.  I tried to explain to her (in toddler language) that we eat this to remind us of how much Jesus loves us.  She has also joined us in the footwashing these last few times, as she is older now and more interested.  A few weeks ago Reed washed her feet and then another Sabbath one the girls that spends time with us at church washed Faith's feet for her.  She loved participating and now when we are at home she often pretends to wash and dry our feet.  From my experience, now that Faith is old enough to be interested, letting her participate has been very positive and  I think it makes her feel like she is a part of the church.

It is interesting to read the 12th chapter of Exodus in connection with this subject.  (Specifically Ex. 12 :26)   It seems from reading this passage that the children participated in the passover service with their parents and that the Lord intended for this service to arouse the curiosity of the children so that the parents could share with them about the Lord delivering  them from Egypt.  (See also Ex. 13:14)  And of course we know that it was the passover that Jesus was celebrating with His disciples when He instituted the Lord's supper.

I would love to let my children take communion, but I still do not let them yet.  The reason is this.

1 Cor 11:28-31
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
 

My reasons for hesitation are that it seems a major part of communion is self examination.  This could be very dificult for a young child.  The other part is not being able to discern Christ's broken body for us.  I personally find these things in my own communion experience to be a great blessing in fully appreciating  the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.  Any other thoughts?

I'm glad you brought these verses up.  I actually ran across them some time after my last few posts on this thread; having forgotten them previously, I meant to mention them here.

There are so many ways to take this.  Here are the thoughts raised in my mind:

• "Let every man examine himself." Is this something the individual should be reminded to do, but ultimately something they should do for themselves?  Or is there room for us to do this for each other, at least a parent for a child.  Is it possible for a parent to do it for a child?  Also, it says "every man," so does this mean that only adults should take communion, or does it mean that adults should examine themselves when they take it? or both?

• "weak and sickly:"  This sounds like a spiritual condition, not a physical one.  In fact, it sounds like the diagnoses of the 7th church in Asia, Laodicea.  So, what's the primary point of this verse?  To warn against improperly taking communion, or to warn against spiritual sickness?

• Verse 31 sounds like a call for what I would call "soul searching".  While we may think that children are limited in their ability to do this, Jesus always attributed the more dangerous limitations to the adults, admonishing them to be more like little children.  Christ's words keep ringing in my mind, "Let the little children come unto me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the Kingdom of God."  I'd hate to deny communion to those that Christ refers to like this!

My personal response to this verse started out with shock: Wow, maybe I'm doing the wrong thing by letting my son take communion!  Then it turned into fear: "Wow, I hope my kids aren't damned because I let them take communion."  (I don't think these were Jesus inspired notions.)  Now, weighing Christ's words with Paul's diagnosis of spiritual apathy and admonition of self examination, I think I'm doing the right thing; I take these verses as admonition that I should remind my children of the significance of communion when ever we "do this in remembrance" of Jesus.

Seems like the first verse, 17, tells why Paul wrote on this in the first place. Their meetings were doing more good than harm. It seems like he called them out for lack of unity as well as gluttony. Eating before all had arrived and getting drunk. Perhaps comunion is also intended, as a symbol of the New Covenent, to unify the body of Christ that has remained? 26 indicates that participation in communion is a proclimation of the death of Christ till His return. Seems like this would be a practice to encourage. Children may not completely understand the full implication of communion but I seriously doubt any of us will before His return.

How would one define an unworthy manner. If someone was knowingly willfully living in sin should the Church permit them to make a mockery of Christs call to purity of His body by allowing them to partake in it?

The comment about falling asleep would seem to be a spiritual reference even if the weak and sick are dual implicative. I can see physically weak/sick participating in commnion but not one who is physically sleeping. Spiritually weak/sick/sleeping have been 'Taking communion' for centuries.

verses 31,32 contribute to a point of view I have. We can steadily make changes now or abruptly make them at the end(Lord permiting). By judging ourselves against the model Christ set for us we see where we fall short and can over the course of a lifetime surrender these thing to the Spirit that we may become more like Jesus. The more we turn over now the less will be left for us to come under judgment for. The disciplining process is so that we will not be condemned with the world. Is this ringing of the sanctification process. Can a child be reminded by the Holy Spirit of a moment they were rude to their parent, mean to a sibiling, stole from a store, or lied about a friend to make themselves look better? Can a child be penetent? Would this be something we would want to begin instructing in as early a possible? By demonstrating and including we can teach early rather than late. "Train up a child...."

Is this there is a Context/Content issue. A 10yr old raised by Godly parents who demonstrates understanding of Gods word vs a 50yr old who walks in off the street from a life of 'guns, drugs, and rock & roll' and no knowledge of God. Both want to participate in communion. Should either be denied? Both? Maybe it also depends on how Jesus defines His 'little ones' we are not to cause to fall or children we are not to provoke to wrath.

TANGENT-If it harms a child to be included in communion till they are baptised than should adults who are not baptised be allowed to participate in comunion?

"Is this there is a Context/Content issue. A 10yr old raised by Godly parents who demonstrates understanding of Gods word vs a 50yr old who walks in off the street from a life of 'guns, drugs, and rock & roll' and no knowledge of God."

Hey, Whats wrong with Rock' and Roll'?

Guns drugs and Yani

Guns drugs and Motzart

guns drugs and the boston philharmonic

Trans Siberian Orchestra would work though. :)

I guess we could also ask what's wrong with guns and drugs?  They are both quite good when used appropriately.  Humans have a nasty habit of placing blame in the wrong place.  There is nothing intrinsically wrong with guns, drugs, and rock 'n roll.  A better list of evils might have been "pride, greed, and wanton ignorance." I confess that I struggle with these much more than “guns, drugs, and rock 'n roll.”

As teenagers they were baptized into the faith of Jesus. And yet they were babes in faith and needed to be 'bottle-fed' for many years as they grappled with how to apply the principles of the Christian walk to their lives and culture. Sometimes we despaired of them ever being strong enough to have the true 'meat of the Word'. But they did grow in stature and faith, and they are continuing to grow and mature. Now many of them are married and have children of their own. As we've trained our believers, we've emphasized the advantages their children have over themselves and their first experiences. How exciting to have children that don't have to experience the same challenges and battle the same fears that they themselves had! As these original member's children are growing, we can now witness the fruits of Christian training in the home. The children are more obedient and affectionate with their parents than children of parent's who don't know any better. The children also are 'catching the faith' of their parents. It is thrilling to watch them mentor their children in the Christian walk and to see the ardor with which these children worship their Lord.

Not too long ago we were having an agape feast where everyone brings something to contribute and all participate in the remembrance of the Lord's Last Supper including washing each other's feet. Some may disagree with this, but in Pelawan culture it is simply portraying the wrong picture of God to have exclusive foot washing, let alone drinking and eating in remembrance and excluding anyone who is there to receive it. That said, we take care to explain the meanings of the ordinances each time and it is always a special and meaningful time for all, from the most seasoned believer down to the smallest child able to participate. I was enjoying washing feet with Meyni this time and we'd just finished a special time of prayer, when her older son, now 6 years old, came over with his buddy. His mother immediately asked them if they'd washed each other's feet and they proudly told her that they had. Then she asked them if they'd had prayer together, and her son, whose name is Jibin, answered with an exuberant and reverent, 'E` nga!', like he was saying, "Yes, I just talked with Jesus!", like this was the most exciting thing that had happened in his life. It moved me and moves me still to remember.

It so happens that this last Communion, now several months later, I also participated with Meyni. This time her youngest son came sidling up as we were finishing, and upon asking him if he'd had his feet washed, she found that he had not a partner, so she took his hand, got a basin and carefully washed his feet and then had precious prayer time with Nubim. Now as I watch their children grow and mature I anticipate many more baptisms, but when these children are baptized as teenagers, they will be so much further along, than were their parents in the beginning. "Suffer the little children to come unto Me."

Leonda George

Palawan, Philippines

Well said!