Everyone Has a Seat at Jesus’ Table

Family Devotional

August 09, 2026

Read Together

1 Corinthians 11:17–34


Talk About It

Imagine being invited to a special dinner, but when you arrive, you discover that some people are being served a huge meal while others are barely given anything. You might wonder, “Is this really a dinner for everyone?”
That is similar to what was happening in the church at Corinth.
The Christians would gather together to worship and celebrate the Lord’s Supper, but they were treating one another differently. Some people had plenty of food while others went hungry. Some were being treated as more important because they had more money or a higher social position.

Paul told them that this was not what Jesus intended.

The Lord’s Supper reminds us that Jesus gave Himself for all of us. At Jesus’ table, nobody is more important than anyone else. Nobody has a bigger seat, a better portion, or greater value.
When we take communion, we remember Jesus’ death and the new life He gives us. But Paul also tells us to examine ourselves. That doesn't simply mean asking, “Have I done everything perfectly?” It means looking at how we are treating the people around us.
  • Are we welcoming others?
  • Are we including people who are different from us?
  • Are we treating someone as less important?
  • Are we holding onto anger or refusing to forgive?
The Gospel tells us that Jesus has made a way for us to belong to Him. And because we have been welcomed by Jesus, we are called to welcome others.

The Lord’s Supper reminds us that Jesus brings us together. Everyone has a seat at His table.


Family Challenge

This week, look for someone who might feel left out—at school, work, church, practice, or even in your own home.
Invite them in. Sit with them. Listen to them. Make room for them.
That simple act can show someone what the Gospel looks like.

Questions for Younger Kids
  1. What does the Lord's Supper help us remember about Jesus?
  2. How do you think someone feels when they are left out?
  3. Does Jesus think some people are more important than others? Why?
  4. What is one way you can include someone this week?

Questions for Elementary Kids
  1. What was wrong with the way the Corinthians were treating one another?
  2. Why is it important that everyone is treated with the same value?
  3. What does it mean to “examine” how we treat others?
  4. Who is someone you could invite, include, or encourage this week?

Questions for Students
  1. Why do you think people sometimes treat others differently because of money, popularity, appearance, or status?
  2. What does the Lord’s Supper teach us about how Jesus sees His people?
  3. Who might feel overlooked or excluded in your world right now?
  4. What would it look like to move toward that person instead of away from them?

Questions for Adults
  1. Are there people or groups we unintentionally treat as less important?
  2. How does the Lord’s Supper remind us that our standing before Jesus is not based on wealth, popularity, success, or status?
  3. Is there someone you have been avoiding, overlooking, or struggling to love? What might it look like to move toward them?
  4. How can the way our family treats others become a visible picture of the Gospel?

Pray Together

Jesus, thank You for giving Yourself for all of us. Thank You that Your love and grace are not reserved for the important, the wealthy, the popular, or the perfect. Help us remember that everyone matters to You. Show us where we may be leaving people out, looking down on others, or keeping our distance. Give us hearts that welcome, include, forgive, and love. Help the way we treat others show the world what Your Gospel looks like. Amen.