Lord’s Day 30
Q81. Who should come to the Lord's table?
Those who are sorry for their sins, but who trust that their sins are forgiven and that their weakness is covered by Christ's suffering and death. They also want to grow stronger in faith and to live a better life. But those who are not sorry for their sins and do not truly believe eat and drink judgment on themselves.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
1 Corinthians 10:19–22
“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I , that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?”
1 Corinthians 11:26–32
“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of bread, and drink of cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
What two things does this answer say are true about people who should come to the Lord's table?
- 2
Why does the catechism mention both sorrow for sin and trust in Christ together?
- 3
What do you think it means to "want to grow stronger in faith"?
Illustration
A hospital is not for people who pretend they are healthy. It is for people who know they are sick and have come for treatment. The Lord's table is for people who know they are sinners and come trusting that Christ's death covers them. You do not come because you are good enough. You come because you need what Christ offers.
Application
If you have not yet started taking the Lord's Supper, talk to your pastor or parents about what it means to examine yourself. If you do take it, spend a few minutes before the next service confessing sin and asking God to strengthen your faith.