Worship Around a Table

Not once, but at least twice in ministry I watched as people rejected the opportunity to worship around the dinner table. The first was in the Midwest as our church planned a Passover Seder for the entire congregation. On the day of our event only one-third of our normal attendance participated. The pastor asked several people, “Why?” The response was, “Because it is an Old Testament observance and we are a New Testament church.”

Church Seder in Lousiana

On the second occasion a man invited his five children and their families to celebrate the Passover with him in his home. Three of the children stayed home with their families because worship belongs in the church and not the home.

A small group Christian Passover

The people who were absent not only missed an opportunity, they were missing key components of the teachings of Jesus. These faithful Christians should have understood. The Last Supper of Jesus was a Passover meal which occurred in a home and not the church. And Jesus told his followers, “As often as you do this, do this in memory of me.” We are to continue to participate in the communion service around the dinner table.

Celebrating Passover at the Shopping Mall

The early church understood this practice. The original disciples, 120 believers gathered after Jesus died in the upper room. After Pentecost Luke tells us, “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47)

Re-enacting the Last Supper

Jesus taught by example, he continually met people for worship at meals. He ate with Levi, Zacchaeus, and Simon the Leper, The only miracle recorded in all four Gospels involves Jesus teaching and then feeding over 5,000 people.The Pharisees questioned Jesus about eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Mt 9:10) Even after he died Jesus met to teach two men on the road to Emmaus and also the Disciples in the Upper Room and on the beach.

Emmaus in Israel

Jesus taught us to worship around the dinner table because the home provides the ideal environment. Many people set the tone for spiritual things by praying before meals. Diners are relaxed and put down their guard. Around a meal talking is normal and people will take time to listen.

The Last Supper of Jesus

Jesus actually learned this practice from the Old Testament and saw it rehearsed in his home regularly. The Jewish people have a Sabbath observance every week. A holy meal is part of the Feast of Tabernacles, Passover, Shavuot and Rosh Hashanah.

Communion and Passover together

Moses taught us to celebrate meals around the table. He said to talk about the law “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Dt 6:6) He added, “when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord.” (Dt 6:28) He wrote in Deuteronomy 12:7, “You and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you.” The family that prays and dines together stays together.

Ready for our family Passover Seder

The Passover meal is an ideal example of what an ornate supper can become when celebrated annually. The father (not the professional clergy) teaches his family the historic story of God’s mighty acts through an unforgettable method. Participants listen to, read aloud, act out, taste and see the story as it unfolds. Each person feels the movement from slavery to freedom. And every person who has participated in this festivity for several years can quote lines from the Seder.

Haggadah with explanations, a great resource for the leader

One section of the Seder shares the lesson on the four sons. This lesson originates out of four passages in the books of the law. The first son, the wise son asks the father to tell him the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded.” (Dt 6:20) He is rewarded with commendation because of his desire to learn. The wicked son asks, “What do these things in which you are engaged mean?” He is wicked because he does not desire to personally participate. The simple son asks a simple question and gets a simple answer. (Ex 13:14) The leader of the Seder meal then tells all the participants that we are to tell the story even when a question is not asked.

The Four Sons with their favorite Passover guides

We live in a generation when church attendance is decreasing, families are falling apart and crime is on the rise. Perhaps the reason for this plight is that we do not honor the age old command of the Lord to spend time in our homes teaching of His love. This includes weekly meals on the Sabbath, meals on special occasions, and telling of God’s love at home as often as we can.

Spring shares Passovers throughout the Bible - a great read!

The Passover is but one example of a meal. I try to share this idea every time I lead a church in a Seder Service. If you would like to host a Passover or have a speaker talk about building the spiritual faith of the family around the meal, please contact me. If you would like to lead a Passover yourself there are some excellent resources available including A Christian Passover in the Jewish Tradition.