Love Feast of God's Word
- James Collazo
- Jun 20, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Introduction
We gather for the Love Feast of God's Word, following the pattern of the first disciples who met to break bread and receive Jesus' teaching. Scripture calls God's people to hear the word and to do it. Jesus teaches that those who hear and obey build on the rock (Matt. 7:24–27), while those who listen without acting build on sand. The apostles echo this call: James instructs believers to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22). This feast directs us to respond to God with faith expressed in obedience.
Our practice draws from ancient and trusted sources that shaped Christian worship from the beginning. We read from the Torah according to the ancient triennial cycle preserved in Jewish tradition. We draw inspiration from the structure of the Didachē (Greek for "Teaching," G1322)—a first-century handbook of Christian doctrine—and we stand within the broader church through the Revised Common Lectionary, which unites Old and New Testament readings in a coherent witness to God's saving work.
Order for the Love Feast of God's Word
This Love Feast of God's Word is no empty ritual. It follows the pattern Paul gives in First Corinthians (11–14), where the church gathers with reverence, recognizes the body of Christ, and orders its worship for the building up of all. The New Testament uses the Greek noun leitourgia (G3009)—the ministry performed before God and among his people (Luke 1:23; Acts 13:2; Phil. 2:17, 30; Heb. 8:6). At this table, the word and the bread, the Spirit and the fellowship, work together as an authentic liturgical act that forms and strengthens the church. The first believers met in this way, and the Spirit still calls us to continue in it. Here, Christ is present among his gathered people through his Spirit, and his grace is at work in the assembly. As we eat and drink, we "proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1 Cor 11:26), rejoice in his resurrection, and renew our hope in his return.
Gathering and Welcome
Leader: Brothers and sisters, come as the family of God. Enter this feast with open hearts. The love feast binds us together, roots us in the Word, and lifts us into fellowship.
Opening Hymn (from Our Great Redeemer's Praise: A Hymnal for All God's People).
Opening Prayer (inspired by the Didachē).
We thank you, Father, for the gift of life and the light of knowledge revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Gather your people into one loaf, as grain once scattered becomes one bread of life. Unite us in your Spirit, that your church may glorify your name in faith, love, and service now and forever. Amen.
Bread and Wine
The people share bread and wine—the signs of Christ's love.
Leader: The bread of life, the fruit of the vine, Christ among us.
All: Thanks be to God.
Then over the bread:
All: We thank you, our Father, for the life and knowledge you have made known to us through Jesus Christ. As this bread was once scattered upon the hills and gathered into one loaf, so gather your church from the ends of the earth into your kingdom.
All eat and drink together in holy silence.
Prayers and Gifts of the Spirit
The church fellowships with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, lessons, revelations, tongues with interpretation, and testimonies (1 Cor. 14:26; Eph. 5:19–20; Col. 3:16; 1 Pet. 3:15).
The Lord's Prayer
Leader: Let's pray as Jesus taught us:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
The Word of God
Read the Scriptures—Old and New, law and gospel, promise and fulfillment.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Dialogic Sermon
The Word speaks through the leader and the people together.
Leader Reflection (5 minutes): Start with Scripture and truth.
Guided Questions (15 minutes):
Leader Conclusion (2–3 minutes): Gather the voices into one call to faith and action.
Testimonies and Sharing
Speak of God's work. Tell of his mercy. Give him glory in this fellowship.
Thanksgiving Prayer
Leader:
We thank you, Father, for your presence among us, for your living Word, for the Spirit's power, and for the Lamb who makes us one. Keep us steadfast in your love, and send us forth in your mission to the world. Gather and renew your church from every nation until Christ returns in glory and your kingdom is complete. Amen.
Closing
Leader:
Go in the Spirit's power. You have eaten the bread of life. You have drunk the cup of love. You have heard the Word of truth. Do not only hear—obey. Love as Christ loves you. Serve as he serves. Live as his people in a world that needs his fire.
Closing Hymn (from Our Great Redeemer's Praise: A Hymnal for All God's People).
Benediction (from Eph. 3:20–21).
Now to him who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us—to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. May his Spirit strengthen our hearts, his grace sustain our lives, and his love guide us in all we do, to the praise of his holy name. Amen.
Bibliography
Primary Sources
Didache. In Early Christian Fathers. Edited and translated by Cyril C. Richardson. Library of Christian Classics 1. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1953.
Commentaries
Janicki, Toby. The Way of Life—Didache: A New Translation and Messianic Jewish Commentary. Marshfield, MO: Vine of David, 2017.
Monographs
Atkerson, Stephen E. The Lord's Supper: An Actual Meal—Oneness, Fellowship. Atlanta: New Testament Reformation Fellowship, 2023.
Atkerson, Stephen E. The Practice of the Early Church: A Theological Workbook. Atlanta: New Testament Reformation Fellowship, 2024.
O'Laughlin, Thomas. The Didache: A Window on the Earliest Christians. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010.
Liturgical Resources
Our Great Redeemer's Praise: A Hymnal for All God's People. Franklin, TN: Seedbed, 2022.
