Embracing Gratitude and Communion in Faith

Thanksgiving is a time to pause and let gratitude ring out, not just as a once-a-year event, but as a posture of the heart that shapes our daily walk with God. Looking back over our lives, we can see the faithfulness of God in every season—through answered prayers, through trials, and even in the ordinary blessings we often overlook. Whether or not our circumstances are perfect, we are called to give thanks, recognizing that God’s goodness is not dependent on our present situation but is rooted in His unchanging character and the redemptive work of Christ.

This spirit of gratitude naturally leads us to consider the sacred practices of our faith, especially communion. Communion is more than a ritual; it is a family meal, a remembrance of God’s deliverance, and a proclamation of His ongoing faithfulness. The question of whether children should participate in communion is not just about age or maturity, but about understanding the significance of what we do. In the biblical tradition, especially in the Passover meal that prefigures communion, children were not only present but played an active role in asking questions and learning the story of redemption. The power of communion is not in the elements themselves, but in the act of obedience, remembrance, and teaching from one generation to the next.

As a church, we are called to unity, not uniformity. We may have different backgrounds, theological nuances, or traditions, but the heart of our faith is found in Christ and His finished work. Healthy dialogue, even disagreement, is not something to be feared but embraced, as it sharpens us and draws us deeper into truth and love. Our responsibility is to disciple our families, to teach our children the meaning behind our practices, and to ensure that our participation in sacred acts like communion is rooted in understanding and worship, not mere tradition.

Ultimately, the blessing of communion is not in receiving something new, but in celebrating what we have already received in Christ. It is a call to remember, to teach, and to worship together as the family of God, giving thanks for His faithfulness and passing on the story of redemption to the next generation.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Gratitude as a Daily Posture True thanksgiving is not reserved for a holiday but is a continual attitude that shapes our relationship with God. Even when life is imperfect—when prayers seem unanswered, relationships are strained, or the turkey is burnt—God’s faithfulness remains. Looking back at His hand in our lives gives us confidence to trust Him in the present and future. [39:25]
• 2. The Sacredness and Purpose of Communion Communion is not just a symbolic act or a church tradition; it is a sacred practice instituted by Christ Himself. Its power lies not in the bread and wine, but in the obedience and remembrance of God’s redemptive work. Approaching communion with reverence and understanding guards us from treating holy things lightly and invites us into deeper worship. [63:08]
• 3. Children and the Family Meal of Faith Biblically, children were always included in the Passover meal, the precursor to communion, and were encouraged to ask questions and learn the story of God’s deliverance. The real issue is not whether children can participate, but whether families are intentional in teaching them the meaning and significance of communion. The act becomes most powerful when it is a context for discipleship and storytelling within the family. [78:23]
• 4. Unity Through Honest Dialogue The church is strengthened not by avoiding difficult conversations, but by engaging in honest, respectful dialogue about our differences. Iron sharpens iron through friction, and spiritual maturity is fostered when we can disagree in love, seek understanding, and remain united in the essentials of our faith. This kind of unity is a witness to the world and a safeguard against division. [81:45]
• 5. The Responsibility of Discipleship The blessing of communion and other ordinances is not automatic; it flows from a life of obedience and intentional discipleship. Parents and the church share the responsibility to teach the next generation the meaning of our faith practices. Simply participating in rituals without understanding does not bring blessing—true blessing comes when we pass on the story of redemption and model a life of worship and gratitude. [92:17]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [08:43] - Letting Gratitude Ring Out
• [13:32] - Thanksgiving and God’s Faithfulness
• [38:27] - The Posture of Thanksgiving
• [46:09] - Announcements and Community Life
• [47:32] - Canadian Food Grains Bank Offering
• [49:15] - The Role of the Whole Church in Ministry
• [50:49] - The Importance of Home Groups
• [52:10] - Bible Project and Supporting New Believers
• [53:19] - Burning Questions Series Introduction
• [55:19] - The Kids Table and Communion
• [57:02] - The Sacredness of Communion
• [63:08] - Sacraments vs. Ordinances
• [74:17] - The Biblical Roots of Communion
• [78:23] - Children’s Role in Passover and Communion
• [81:12] - Iron Sharpens Iron: Embracing Dialogue
• [87:40] - Unity in the Body of Christ
• [88:46] - Communion as Worship and Family Discipleship
• [93:41] - Participating in Communion Together
• [95:44] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

Luke 22:14-20 (ESV) — > And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Exodus 12:24-27 (ESV) — > You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever. And when you come to the land that the LORD will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service. And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’ And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.

1 Corinthians 11:27-29 (ESV) — > Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

Observation Questions

1. In the story of the first Passover (Exodus 12), what role did children play in the meal and the retelling of the story?
2. According to Luke 22, what did Jesus say was the purpose of sharing the bread and the cup with his disciples?
3. What warning does Paul give in 1 Corinthians 11 about taking communion “in an unworthy manner”?
4. In the sermon, what examples were given of God’s faithfulness in both big and small ways? [[40:30]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God instructed the Israelites to include their children in the Passover meal and to answer their questions? What does this say about passing on faith?
2. The sermon said, “Communion is not just a symbolic act or a church tradition; it is a sacred practice instituted by Christ Himself.” What does it mean for something to be “sacred” in our everyday lives? [[01:03:08]]
3. Paul’s warning in 1 Corinthians 11 is often used to keep children from communion. Based on the sermon and the Bible passages, what is the real issue Paul is addressing? [[01:05:48]]
4. The pastor said, “Healthy dialogue, even disagreement, is not something to be feared but embraced, as it sharpens us and draws us deeper into truth and love.” How can disagreement actually help the church grow? [[01:21:45]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to make gratitude a daily posture, not just a holiday event. What is one ordinary thing in your life you often overlook but want to thank God for this week? [[40:30]]
2. When you look back over your life, can you identify a specific moment where you saw God’s faithfulness, even if things weren’t perfect? How does remembering that help you trust Him now? [[39:41]]
3. If you have children or young people in your life, how intentional are you about explaining the meaning behind communion or other faith practices? What’s one way you could make this more of a “family meal” of faith? [[01:18:23]]
4. The sermon said the real blessing of communion is not in receiving something new, but in celebrating what we have already received in Christ. How does this change your attitude when you take communion? [[01:31:29]]
5. The pastor talked about unity through honest dialogue, not just avoiding tough conversations. Is there a disagreement or difference in the church (or your family) you’ve been avoiding? What would it look like to approach it with love and a desire to grow? [[01:21:45]]
6. Parents and the church share the responsibility to disciple the next generation. If you’re a parent, grandparent, or mentor, what’s one story of God’s faithfulness you could share with a child this week? If you’re not, how can you support families in this? [[01:32:17]]
7. The sermon said, “Simply participating in rituals without understanding does not bring blessing—true blessing comes when we pass on the story of redemption and model a life of worship and gratitude.” Are there any faith practices you do out of habit? How could you bring more meaning and understanding to them? [[01:33:01]]