If you don't attend a church that has a big event/celebration over first communion, how did you handle this? I attend a non-denom church, and my son is 8 years old. He accepted Jesus into his heart last year and he and I were talking about communion and baptism briefly last night (neither of which he's participated in.)

Our church has a Good Friday/communion service that DS will be attending with us (they have separate children's services through 1st grade, so dd will be in that, but ds will be upstairs with us.) I was thinking this might be a good time for him to take first communion, but.....I don't know. How do you know your child is ready? Any thoughts on "first communion"?

He saved, and as long as he understands the importance of communion. It's not to be taken lightly. If he understands why we do communion then I would allow him to participate.

In the past few years we have belonged to a church that is a lot like yours. And its been a big deal for my 2 oldest age 13 and 16. They know its importance and are not yet comfortable taking communion regularly as we are. We discuss the bread and wine and its importance and what it means and they are just not comfortable yet. Neither is my 9 year old. But in time when they are that is great, its just not presently.

Talk to your pastor, and as Esther said if he understands its importance its a great way to strengthen your sons walk with the Lord. He can do it once and not again even, its not like once he does take communion he is locked into it (know what I mean)

You know your boy best, and go with it Cheryl. I grew up Catholic so its all new to me how non-denom and other beliefs handle communion so differently. You are talking to an 8 year old girl that wore a white dress and veil and sang hymns in May. Its a different and interesting walk as we are exploring different beliefs (hubs and I).

Our next church choices are Baptist and giving Lutheran another look as we were Lutheran for about 10 years.

I would go through the scriptures that deal with it with your son. It sounds like he's plenty old enough to grasp it! :-) I have a mental note also that someone somewhere told me that you aren't supposed to take communion if there is unresolved sin in your life. It sounds Biblical, but I couldn't tell you for sure where...so you may want to discuss that too. Good thread!

That is true about the unresolved sin....also if you have any anger, resentment towards anyone you are not supposed to take communion.

Thanks ladies! I think DH and I will have some talks with him to sort of gauge his "readiness". Reading the Bible verses that talk about "doing this in remembrance of me" is a good idea too!

Does your minister have a set age that he does that with the kids or is it left up to the parents?

I think you have to be baptised to participate as well. (I think our church states that).

Ill just add my .02p since you've already gone thru with it. I have never refused my kids having communion. To me they are part of God's family and I partake and so they have always partaken as well. When they asked me for some of the bread, I just couldnt refuse... they are learning about it all with me.

UPDATE:


I talked with Eric about this last week, what communion represented, that it was a serious thing, etc. I'm not so sure he quite grasped the abstractness of it, but on the plus side, he wanted me to read him the entire crucifixtion story (why can't I spell this word??) So I read that to him, and asked him to think on whether or not he felt ready to take communion.

As it turned out, Eric chose not to take communion, and was rather "wide-eyed" throughout the entire Good Friday service. I think it's a very somber and powerful experience at our church.....quieter music (a switch since we normally sing contemporary music), everyone writes down their sins on a piece of paper, folds it up, and nails it to a very large wooden cross (this year they offered us the option of putting our finger print on our paper confessions....."your finger prints are all over the cross.") Afterwards we take communion, then they pull up the cross into a stand via ropes. Each year I'm always humbled and moved by this simple, yet incredibly powerful, display. I think Eric made the best choice for him, though. His still only 8 years old, and this was a new concept, new experience, and taking it all in visually and not jumping on in is in keeping with his personality.