Your view on the Lord's Table

[Maureen]

This isn't about my participation at the Lord's Table, but my 2 Grandsons, one 10 other 6yrs.

The oldest one was saved about a month ago, he understands why we commemorate the Lord's Table, His death and ressurection, till He comes.
The other younger one doesn't understand, he hasn't attented with me as often as his cousin has, he's not saved.

I asked one of the Pastors do I let them participate, as I was unsure, this was before the oldest one got saved, he said I wouldn't hurt any wee soul by saying they can't, yes let them.

which I did, now the wee one thinks its a drink and a biscuit we're having, and no matter how much I try to explain, it goes nowhere.

The oldest one, participates and understands why, do you really think the younger should be?
Should I be expaiining to them at home the reason why one can and the other one can't?
Or is that all too grown up?

Would appreciated your spiritual wisdom on this. Thank you.

 

[stephen]

As a general rule in my Church to be a participant at the Breaking of Bread table, you would need to have accepted Jesus as Saviour.
It is not enforced, but we do encourage this practice when folks ask for guidence in this matter.

Reading 1 Corinthians ch11 v 23 onwards, Paul is instructing mature believers, who in turn would teach their children

 

[Maureen]

So Stephen
are you saying that a child unsaved shouldn't be participating then, as i think I would have to agree with this, even though he is a child.
The older one is saved, understands that Jesus died and rose again and thsi is what we are remembering.

I do believe it best to explain this to them both, the reason why one can and one can't, it is the same in our church, it is only for believers, no age limit though, as young children do get saved. The Pastor himself was only 7yrs when he was saved.

Thank you for your spiritual wisdom.
I just wanted comformation as to how i thought also, and I shall be explaining to them the reason in future, with the help of God.

 

[stephen]

So Stephen
are you saying that a child unsaved shouldn't be participating then, as i think I would have to agree with this, even though he is a child.
The older one is saved, understands that Jesus died and rose again and thsi is what we are remembering.

I do believe it best to explain this to them both, the reason why one can and one can't, it is the same in our church, it is only for believers, no age limit though, as young children do get saved. The Pastor himself was only 7yrs when he was saved.

Thank you for your spiritual wisdom.
I just wanted comformation as to how i thought also, and I shall be explaining to them the reason in future, with the help of God.

Hi Maureen

When the Emblems are served, no limitations are imposed, they are offered to all present. But the Pastor always reminds prior to this that "we do this in remembrance of Him". The connection of the remembrance of Jesus is important.


God Bless

 

[ushalk]

well there is stipulations on this in 1 corinthians. however i do not see where they would pertain to the youngest one as he is still to young to understand sin and what is and isnt sin in his own heart right now.

stephen, the bible states very clearly that if we are living in sin that we should participate in this as it will make us eak, tired ans sick. this is not taught in the churches and it is dagerous for people to know this very important part of this.

 

[Maureen]

What bothers me is the little one thinks it's only drink and biscuit, I've tried explaining to him, but he doesn't get it, I even sit close to them and say to them 'Thank you Lord Jesus for dying for me' but still I don't think it gets in there.

I do believe in my own heart that he shouldn't be participating, until he understands fully, why we observe it.

the older one knows, and did get saved, he even tried to coax the little one to put his hand up and get saved in the alter call, I told him Theo had to do it because he wanted Jesus not because he had told him to.

Then the eposide of Theo (the younger one) taking two viols of juice, that made my mind up to.

I may not have the problem anymore, with the help of God, because I don't think they'll be staying here together anymore Sat's nights therefore I won't be taking them to church.
His Mum, my daughter has said they want him home on Saturdays.

so I'm just praying that Evan, the older one will want to return now to stay here with us without him coming.

I pray I won't loose him, as he was going to the Prayer meeting with me on Friday night, and church twice on Sunday, from a boy who cried and hated it to one, who looks to go now, and gets dressed smartly, marvelous, that's Jesus.

I really hope I haven't lost his contact with Evan, all because we brought his cousin on a Sat night, I just can't cope with 2 young boys, its an age thing.

The reason we were asked by Evan's Mum was the area in which he is growing up is rife with trouble, and he was getting into such trouble, breaking windows, setting fire to trees, etc, she asked us to help, by taking him at weekends to influence him, and the family have all saw a great change in him for the better.
Would be a shame for this to break, and lose him, now, I really want to encourage him in his walk with Jesus. We read and pray, when he's here.

 

[stephen]

Bless you Maureen....I am sure your influence will not be forgotten in these young lives......

Lord Jesus I ask you to bless, and lead in paths of righteousness....Amen

 

[Maureen]

Oh Stephan
thank you for your words of encouragment.
cover this child in prayer, I would that he would grow mightly for God.
Perhaps even draw his own Dad back again.

By the way my husband is from Yorkshire, Middlesbrough to be exact.
Anywhere near you?

we go over every so often were there last month, and going back in March God Willing it.

 

[ushalk]

maureen, the word of god states to raise your children up in the ways of the lord and also in his commandments. how much is a child have to know in order to be counted worthy of partaking. i dont think that the lord is going to condemn you in allowing the child. rather i think he will bless you because the child may not understand now but he will later and he will remember the importance of it in order to make more of it. i think you are doing just fine letting him. jesus said to not hold a child from coming to him. i think that this means in things such as this aswell. so rather than discouraging him encourage the young child.

 

[Maureen]

Thank you ushalk
for your wisdom, it makes sense also, but when they wont leave toys behind and bother people sitting behind them, it is hard work, to have to keep telling them to be quiet and sit in their seat also I can't get them to stand when we all stand, so I resigned myself to just letting them sit,
although I didn't agree with them doing it, was better than a grilling with them.

I do agree it's best for them to sit under the word of God, but I do believe that will be taken out of my hands now, as the youngest one is staying at his own home in future, and his parents will not let me call for him for church, tried that before, it didn't work, he kicked up such a stink, screaming and crying, I left without him.

The Lord knows I gave it my best, I did try, it just hasn't worked out, my husband had said to me, 'I dont know why you bother' I told him 'I'd rather they sit under the gospel than not.'

I will let you know what happens this Sunday, prayfully I will have the oldest boy at least with me.

 

[ushalk]

well you cant controll what other people do. but you can pray for the children and the parents. you can also know that whatever you do in the lord will never be of no effect. the things that you have put in those babies hearts will be in their heart when they are ready to come to the lord. let the lord do the lords work.

 

[Maureen]

I know ushalk
your right, sometimes we take upon ourselves instead of leaving it the Master.

The seed has been planted, the oldest one even got saved, the Lord has to keep Him, cause man can't.

His Mum wasn't in the least bit pleased at him giving his life to Jesus the Sunday he did, imagine, wouldn't you just be so delighted for your little boy to belong to the Lord, especially in the area he is growing up in, his Dad was well pleased for that reason alone, she said he was too young, and that was the very words of the Pastor to him, 'Don't let anyone say your too young, I was only 7 when I got saved and Jesus has kept me and I'm 33 now'

The Lord knew that would be the first condemming words he'd hear, so there was an answer straight for them.

I just pray Jesus will keep him in the hallow of his hand, what a marvelous place to be for us all.

 

[stephen]

well there is stipulations on this in 1 corinthians. however i do not see where they would pertain to the youngest one as he is still to young to understand sin and what is and isnt sin in his own heart right now.

I agree with you brother......

stephen, the bible states very clearly that if we are living in sin that we should participate in this as it will make us eak, tired ans sick. this is not taught in the churches and it is dagerous for people to know this very important part of this.

Indeed. Paul teaches that "If we do not discern the Lord's body"..........as we partake the consequences are dire. Many have died prematurely as a result. (bible words not mine. 1 Cor 11 v 23 -)

 

[stephen]

By the way my husband is from Yorkshire, Middlesbrough to be exact.
Anywhere near you?

About an hour's drive. Dear people there....warm and hospitable

 

[Maureen]

let me see, if your talking about Newcastle?
that's about 30 mile away.

I dont think the younger one will be going back to church now with me anyway, his parents want him home at week ends.
Isnt it strange the way some children understand it from an early age and others don't, I think myself it's all to do with bringing them up from small under the sound of the gospel.

Proverbs 22 v 6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.