Sharing in the Body & Blood of the Lord: Word & Spirit

A teaching lesson framing “communion” as participation in the Word (bread) and the Spirit (cup) — a spiritual reality expressed by physical symbols.

1) Thesis

The “sharing in the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Cor 10–11) is not about ingesting physical elements, but about a living participation in the Word (bread) and the Spirit (cup). Jesus’ table parable uses bread and wine to signify how His incarnate Word is given to us and how His Spirit-life is poured into us. The true communion is this spiritual fellowship—not the objects themselves.

Key line: Bread = the Word we receive; Cup = the Spirit we drink. Together they constitute the one Body.

2) Anchor Texts

Incarnation

John 1:14 — The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Matthew 4:4 — Man lives by every word from God.

Participation

John 6:53–56, 63 — Eat my flesh, drink my blood… the Spirit gives life; my words are spirit and life.

1 Corinthians 10:16–17 — The cup/bread as koinōnia; many made one bread/one body.

1 Corinthians 11:23–30 — Discern the Lord’s body.

Leviticus 17:11 — The life is in the blood.

3) The Biblical Logic in Four Moves

  1. The Word became flesh (Jn 1:14). God’s life is embodied and made sharable.
  2. Jesus gives His flesh and blood as life for the world (Jn 6). To “eat/drink” is to internalize His Word and receive His Spirit.
  3. Paul names this sharing “koinōnia” (1 Cor 10:16–17): participation/fellowship, not mere ritual.
  4. Therefore, bread = Word we live on (Mt 4:4); cup = Spirit-life we drink (Lev 17:11; Jn 6:63). Together, Word+Spirit constitute the living Body—we in Him and He in us.

4) Bread = Word (Given & Received)

  • Provision: As bread sustains the body, the Word sustains true life (Mt 4:4).
  • Incarnation: The Word became flesh so what God says is embodied and accessible (Jn 1:14).
  • Breaking/Sharing: The bread is “broken” so many may eat—the Word opened to all, illuminating and nourishing.
  • Formation: The Word gives form and boundaries to the Body (truth, wisdom, instruction).

5) Cup = Spirit (Life Poured Out)

  • Life in the blood: Wine symbolizes the life (Lev 17:11).
  • Outpoured: Jesus’ blood signifies Spirit-life poured out and shared (Jn 6:63).
  • Indwelling: To “drink” is to receive and walk in the Spirit—the animating power of the Body.
  • Empowerment: The Spirit imparts love, obedience, power, and fellowship.

6) What “Koinōnia” Means

Paul calls the cup and bread a koinōnia (1 Cor 10:16)—not things, but a participation. The symbols point beyond themselves to the reality: we share one Word and one Spirit, thus we are truly one Body (1 Cor 10:17).

Communion is not the tableware; it is the shared life of Word + Spirit in Christ’s people.

7) Discernment & Warnings (1 Cor 11:23–30)

  • Discern the Body: Recognize the sacredness of Christ’s Word and Spirit—and His people who share them.
  • Self-examination: Are we walking in unity, humility, and love? Ritual without reality invites judgment.
  • True remembrance: We “proclaim the Lord’s death” by living the Word and drinking the Spirit together.

8) Simple Diagram

        [ Bread ]  =  WORD given, broken, shared  →  Forms and feeds the Body
                     |
                     +—— Together ——> One Body (we in Him, He in us)
                     |
        [  Cup  ]  =  SPIRIT poured out, received →  Animates and unites the Body

9) Teaching Outline (You Can Preach This)

  1. Open: Ask, “What are we sharing when we say, "sharing in the body and blood" of Jesus?”
  2. Incarnation: Read John 1:14. Emphasize Word made flesh (reality > ritual).
  3. Participation: Read John 6:53–56, 63. “Spirit gives life; words are spirit and life.”
  4. Koinōnia: Read 1 Cor 10:16–17. Define communion = participation.
  5. Word = Bread: Read Mt 4:4. Unpack nourishment, formation, obedience.
  6. Spirit = Cup: Read Lev 17:11. Unpack indwelling life and unity.
  7. Discernment: Read 1 Cor 11:23–30. Warn against ritualism.
  8. Call to Response: Invite people to “eat” the Word daily and “drink” the Spirit continually (prayer, obedience, fellowship).

10) Discussion & Application

Study Questions

  1. How does John 1:14 clarify what “flesh” means in John 6?
  2. Why does Jesus say “the Spirit gives life…the flesh profits nothing” (Jn 6:63)?
  3. What does Paul mean by koinōnia in 1 Cor 10:16–17?
  4. How do Word and Spirit together make us “one body” in practice?
  5. What does it mean to “discern the body” in 1 Cor 11?

Practices

  • Daily Word: “Eat” by reading/meditating and obeying (Mt 4:4).
  • Continual Drinking: Pray, yield, and be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18).
  • Shared Life: Meet needs, reconcile quickly, practice unity—this is communion.
Jump to Printable Handout

11) Printable Handout (One Page)

Title: Sharing in the Body & Blood — Word and Spirit

Thesis: Communion is a spiritual participation: bread = the Word we live on; cup = the Spirit we receive. This is the reality of true communion Jesus spoke of; this reality is our shared life in Christ.

Key Texts: Jn 1:14, Jn 6:53–56,63, 1 Cor 10:16–17, 1 Cor 11:23–30, Mt 4:4, Lev 17:11.

  • Bread = Word: Word became flesh (Jn 1:14). We live by every word (Mt 4:4). The Word forms and feeds the Body.
  • Cup = Spirit: Life is in the blood (Lev 17:11). The Spirit gives life (Jn 6:63). The Spirit animates the word and unites the Body.
  • Communion = Koinōnia: Participation in Word+Spirit makes us one bread/one body (1 Cor 10:17).
  • Discernment: Reverence, unity, self-examination (1 Cor 11).

Response: Eat the Word daily; drink of the Spirit continually; walk in love and unity—this is true communion.