Guided Discussion: Passover

Opener

What are some things you know about the Passover from both the Old and the New Testaments?

(Prompts if no response: Exodus from Egypt, death of the firstborn in Egypt, blood on the doorposts, killing of the lamb, Christ’s sacrifice, bread, wine, foot washing and humble service, forgiveness of sin, etc.)

 

Discussion question 1:

More than 1 billion professing Christians don’t observe the Passover. Why not?

(Prompts if no response: They think that it is for Jews. They’ve only been taught to keep Easter. And so forth.)

 

Discussion question 2:

Why is Passover so important in God’s plan of salvation for all humanity?

(Prompts if no response: Christ’s sacrifice was made once for all and provides justification and forgiveness of sins. Christ took on the death penalty for all who have sinned. And so forth.)

 

Discussion question 3:

Baptized members of the Church take the Passover and are instructed to examine themselves before they do. What are some possible things they would examine?

(Prompts if no response: How much they need Christ’s sacrifice in their own lives, how well they are doing in trying to model their lives after Jesus Christ, areas of their life that need to be changed, etc.)

 

Hypothetical 1:

What would you think or say back if you heard this: “My parents and older siblings take the bread and the wine several times a year. Why do your parents only do it once a year?”

(Prompts if no response: Baptized members follow Jesus Christ’s example of what to do on Passover. They follow Paul’s instructions in the New Testament. Taking the Passover in a worthy manner includes not doing it just whenever we want. And so forth. )

 

Hypothetical 2:

What would you say back if asked: “What’s the difference between going to a Good Friday service and keeping the Passover?”

(Prompts if no response: One is commanded by God and Christ; the other is not and actually tries to replace what is commanded. One includes symbols of bread, wine and foot washing, which Jesus instituted and which have deep meaning. And so forth.)

 

Closer 

Why do you think only baptized members of the Church are allowed to take the Passover?

(Prompts if no response: They have already repented and accepted Christ as Savior at baptism. They fully understand the need for Christ’s sacrifice and how to take it in a worthy manner. They are renewing an existing commitment. And so forth.)

 

Scriptures for more study or reference 

Exodus 12; Isaiah 53; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32; John 13