This children’s sermon visits the events of the Last Supper that Jesus shared with His disciples. Christ shared bread and wine, inviting His friends (and us) to remember that He gave His body and blood for us, for the salvation of sins. We need God’s grace for our spiritual nourishment, just as we need physical food to sustain our bodies. This message describes the practice of communion and why we do it in church, celebrating the saving work of our Lord.
Law/Gospel Theme: Jesus gave His life for ours. He came to serve and to sacrifice for our sake. In the Old Testament, animal offerings were required to atone for sin. The Jews celebrated Passover to recall the flight from Egypt, during which Hebrew families were saved by the blood of lambs covering their doorways. During the Last Supper, Jesus ate the Passover meal with His disciples, but was preparing to become the ultimate sacrificial lamb. His blood covers us and removes our sins. We should remember this with communion and always!
Optional Materials: Crackers, bread, juice, snacks/energy foods
Bible Passage: Luke 22:7-23
Message Note: This lesson describes the Last Supper, focusing on the practice of Communion. Churches honor this in various ways and have differing specific beliefs and customs surrounding Communion. Adjust according to your congregation.
Last Supper for Kids Activities and Lesson Ideas
- Watch the demonstration of this Last Supper Children’s Sermon and connected Craft Activities
- Compare another children’s sermon for teaching Holy Week in kids church
- Compare our full Last Supper Sunday School lesson for kids and preschool lesson plan
- Compare our full Lord’s Supper / Communion Sunday School Lesson
- See Last Supper Lesson Plans from Mission Bible Class or read Bible verses on communion
Children’s Sermon (Luke 22:7-23) The Last Supper
Greet students with a bag or backpack of several food and communion-related items.
Hello, children of God! Do you like to be active? Does anyone here play sports? Well, in addition to sports equipment, there is something extremely important that you need when participating in physical activity…can you think of what it might be? That’s right, FOOD! Our bodies need hydration and fuel. We need healthy food to nourish us and give us strength to do what we want to do. But did you know that we need spiritual food, too? Just as food provides physical energy, we need something to give us spiritual nourishment. And there’s something that we do here in the church service (insert congregational practice: “every week”/ “every month”/etc.) that reminds us of how we receive that spiritual food. Do you know what it might be? (Allow responses, giving hints if necessary.)
We have what we call “Communion” (or the Lord’s Supper) at church! Usually, we receive some (bread/cracker/wafer) and there’s a small cup (hold up communion cup) with (wine/juice). These elements remind us that Jesus gave His life for us. But do you know where this tradition comes from? Why do we do it during the service? Who came up with the idea? Well, it has a pretty solid origin story…you see, it was actually Jesus who invented Communion!
The night before Jesus died on the cross, He met with His disciples for a special meal. He knew that it was the last time He would get to have dinner with them before His suffering, and there were some important things that He did and said while they were gathered together. Jesus wanted them to know how much He loved them, and He commanded them to love others. He washed their feet to show that He was a servant, and expected them to serve one another.
During the meal, Jesus took bread to share with those at the table. When He broke the bread, He told the disciples “this is my body, broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And He passed around the wine and said “this is my blood, poured out for you.” The disciples may not have understood it, but Jesus was telling them that He was doing something new and amazing. Before Jesus, people of God were required to make animal sacrifices for their sins. Jesus was communicating that His blood was going to cover sin once and for all. And as He passed around the bread and wine, He told His friends to remember Him and what He did. He gave up His life so that we could live with Him. He covered our sins with His blood.
Now, when we receive or watch the celebration of the Lord’s Supper (Communion), we remember. We remember what Jesus did and still does for us. We remember that our sins are covered by His blood. We remember that we have responsibility to love and serve others as Christ loved and served us. This is a blessed and beautiful thing that we have! Jesus wants us to know that He is with us always. He loves us and promises to take care of us. Don’t forget it!
Let’s say a prayer to thank God for Jesus, and ask Him to help us love and serve Him:
Children’s Prayer Moment:
(Have kids repeat each line, if desired)
Dear God,
Thank you for sending your son,
He is the ultimate sacrifice for our sins
Help us to remember His presence
And share your love with others around us
Thank you for loving us
We love you, God!
Thank you for Jesus
In His name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference: The Last Supper from Luke 2:7-23
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” 9 They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” 10 He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters 11 and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” 13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 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.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. -Luke 22:7-23