[Q2. Extreme Symbolism]

Extreme symbolism makes the Lord's Supper mechanical, leaves no room for interaction with the Holy Spirit. This tends to make receiving the elements repetitious or on the other hand becomes so out of touch with the partaker that it is meaningless.

What I'm trying to say is, as Christians (with the Holy Spirit living inside) when we purpose in our heart to partake of the Lord's Supper it should be personal, meaningful and symbolic. If it is presented in a box there is no room for interpersonal interaction.

[Q1. Intimacy]

Remember, we have agreed to respectfully and lovingly disagree with one another. What do you know? Perhaps we can learn from and be enriched by each other's understanding. (Note: I will exclude from the online discussion any who, in my opinion, are sarcastic and unloving in their manner.)

Q1. How does your particular understanding of the bread and the wine (literal or figurative) help you grow closer to Christ when partaking of the Lord's Supper? (Note: This question is not your excuse to argue, but to learn from one another's personal experience of partaking.)

Having been in churches that taught that the bread and wine (juice) was figurative I have never had a problem believing that. Receiving communion is and rightfully should be a meaningful experience. As we reflect upon each of the emblems representing His body and blood we should be able to enter into a personal experience each time. We are sight oriented people and although we accept Jesus Christ as Savior by faith, by holding an emblem in our hands and partaking is new, meaningful and exciting each time.

[Welcome]

Hello from sunny & dry central Florida! I have been a Christian for about 35 years and have served as an Associate Pastor of a church for 21 years. I have received and served communion many times, hopefully I'll learn something new by taking this course. I appreciate the time and effort that the instructor has evidently put into these courses.