They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42.

“took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Luke 24:30-31

And he directed the people to sit down on the grass And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. Matthew 14:19

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. Acts 20:7

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted. Acts 20:7, 9-12

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Acts 2:46

Weinstein, M. (2005) The Surprising Power of Family Meals. What if I told you that there was a magic bullet—something that would improve the quality of your daily life, your children's chances of success in the world, [and] your family's health. . .? Something that is inexpensive, simple to produce, and within the reach of pretty much everyone? Weinstein, M. (2005) The Surprising Power of Family Meals.

You guessed it, that magic bullet is the family meal. What if I told you that there was a magic bullet—something that would improve the quality of your daily life, your children's chances of success in the world, [and] your family's health. . .? Something that is inexpensive, simple to produce, and within the reach of pretty much everyone? You guessed it, that magic bullet is the family meal. Weinstein, M. (2005) The Surprising Power of Family Meals.

Weinstein, M. (2005) The Surprising Power of Family Meals. When sharing a meal together family bonds become stronger, children are better adjusted, family members eat more nutritional meals, they are less likely to be overweight, and they are less likely to abuse alcohol or other drugs. Weinstein, M. (2005) The Surprising Power of Family Meals.

Weinstein, M. (2005) The Surprising Power of Family Meals. When sharing a meal together family bonds become stronger, children are better adjusted, family members eat more nutritional meals, they are less likely to be overweight, and they are less likely to abuse alcohol or other drugs. Weinstein, M. (2005) The Surprising Power of Family Meals. Kids who eat with their families frequently are less likely to get depressed, consider suicide, and develop an eating disorder. They are also more likely to delay sex and to report that their parents are proud of them. http://www.health.com

“Eating together has a long, primal tradition as a kind of social glue “Eating together has a long, primal tradition as a kind of social glue. That seems to continue in today’s workplaces.”

Breaking Bread together: Connects us to our neighbours

Breaking Bread together: Connects us to our neighbours Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Altogether there were 276 of us on board. When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea. Acts 27:33-38

Breaking Bread together: Connects us to our neighbours “Ordinary hosts invited friends, relatives, and rich neighbors to their banquets … By contrast, hosts who anticipated the hospitality of God’s kingdom welcomed the poor, lame, crippled, and blind, those who were more dependent and lived on the margins of the community.” Christine Pohl

Breaking Bread together: Connects us to our neighbours

Breaking Bread together: Connects us to our neighbours Connects us to each other

Breaking Bread together: Connects us to our neighbours Connects us to each other “Sharing a family meal provides an experience that touches all of our senses – sight, touch, taste, smell and listening to warm laughter or good conversation. Family meals help provide a regular, consistent opportunity to create a shared experience that is meaningful and offers a sense of belonging to all.” Sean Brotherson, North Dakota State University

Breaking Bread together: Connects us to our neighbours Connects us to each other "A meal together is one of the most intimate and sacred human events. Around the table we become vulnerable, filling one another's plates and cups and encouraging one another to eat and drink. Much more happens at a meal than satisfying hunger and quenching thirst. Around the table we become family, friends, community, yes, a body.” Henri Nouwen

Breaking Bread together: Connects us to our neighbours Connects us to each other Connects us to God

Breaking Bread together: Connects us to our neighbours Connects us to each other Connects us to God Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 1 Cor 10:16

Breaking Bread together: Connects us to our neighbours Connects us to each other Connects us to God

These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. Jude 12

So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter! 1 Cor 11:20-22

Breaking Bread together: Connects us to our neighbours Connects us to each other Connects us to God