Youth Ministry

Teens & Communion

At Prairieview, we believe that everyone who has placed their trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord is welcome to participate in communion; including teenagers. While some teens may have taken communion as children, others may be considering it for the first time. Either way, this guide is here to help parents and teens reflect together on what communion means and how to approach it with a sincere heart and growing faith.

As a parent, you play an essential role in guiding your teen's faith journey. This season of life is a time when teens begin to own their beliefs and take deeper steps in following Jesus. If your teen is asking questions about communion or if you feel they may be ready to participate, we invite you to walk through this guide with them.

When you're ready to begin the conversation, start by asking your teen: “What does communion mean to you?” Affirm what they share, and then explore the explanation of communion below together.

What is Communion?

Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper) is a sacred practice that Jesus gave to his followers. It’s a way for us to remember his death and resurrection, to reflect on our need for grace, and to reaffirm our trust in him. When we take communion, we eat a small piece of bread and drink from a small cup of juice. These simple elements represent something far greater: The bread reminds us of Jesus’ body that was broken for us on the cross; and the juice represents his blood that was poured out to forgive our sins. Communion is rooted in Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, when he said: “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24). This meal is more than a ritual; it’s an act of worship. It helps us remember the cost of God’s love and leads us to respond with faith, gratitude, and repentance.

If you have asked Jesus to forgive you and believe that he rose again from the dead, then you're invited to come forward and join us for communion too! Each time you're about to take communion, take a moment to look up at the cross in our Sanctuary and say, “Thank you Jesus for dying for me.” This is a great reminder about why we are participating in communion.

If you haven’t yet made that personal decision to receive Jesus’ forgiveness, this is a great opportunity to do so now! Below is a simple prayer to guide you if you are ready: “Gracious God, my life is broken and I know it's because of my sin. I believe that Jesus lived, died, and rose again to rescue me. I repent of my sin and put my trust in you. Help me to recover and pursue your design for my life. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.” If your teen has sincerely prayed this prayer and desires to follow Jesus, then they are ready to join in communion with the body of Christ.

Communion is not something we take lightly. It’s a sacred moment of remembering Jesus’ sacrifice and reflecting on our lives. Scripture invites us to examine ourselves before we receive the bread and the cup (1 Corinthians 11:28). Every time we gather for communion, we encourage you to: (1) reflect on their relationship with Jesus, (2) confess any known sin and ask for forgiveness, (3) thank Jesus for his grace, and (4) re-commit to walking closely with him.

If you’re unsure whether you or your teen are ready for communion, or if you want help having this conversation, Pastor Mike would be honored to meet with you and your teen. Communion is a beautiful expression of faith, one that we want to celebrate and walk through with wisdom and joy.