I think Wanda hit on several of the reasons it's appropriate to have children as observers rather than pariticipants in the table. I would understand from Acts 2:41-42 that it was people who "accepted the message and were baptized" that were added to the number of the believers and "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer." Paul in 1 Cor. 11:17-34 used several expressions that would exclude children who have not yet "accepted the message" and been baptized. The bread is the body, and children who have not become Christians are innocent before God, but not part of the body. The cup is the new covenant in the blood of Jesus, and children who have not become Christians have not entered the covenant relationship with Jesus. The supper is in "remembrance" and proclaims the Lord's death, but children who've not been buried with Christ have nothing to remember or proclaim. Children won't necessarily eat in an "unworthy manner" but neither are they ready to examine themselves unless indeed they ought to be ready to become Christians and truly participate in the supper. It seems like good judgment to talk freely to "our" children about what the supper is and when they will be ready to truly participate in it, and that they aren't left out because there's anything wrong with them.

Just a quick reply without much thinking about it, I usually wish I had thought about it when I do this, but, children are not really capable of discerning the Lord's body nor have they made a commitment to be part of it. Jews were Jews by birth from birth. we are Christians also by birth, by our obedience and submission to God's will. Seems like the purpose of the Supper is the reason children do not partake. Also, the passover supper had physical connections with their history, ours is a Spiritual connection with our present obligations and our future hope. A child cannot really proclaim the Lord's death till he comes.

I'm interested in the fact that when we partake of the Lord's supper, we have to tell our children "no - you can't have any". Did the Isrealites have to keep their children from partaking of the passover meal that the Lord's supper was started from? The bible doesn't tell us that our innocent children are to abstain, in fact Christ tells US that we unless we become like one of these little children... He also tells us to "suffer the little children to come unto me". If children can make it to heaven without having been baptized, then why are they not to partake of the Lord's supper and have the opportunity to share that with their family, and with the bigger family of the church? I am aware of Paul's warnings regarding those partaking in an unworthy manner. I don't think children are capable of being unworthy. In fact, they are put up as a pure example for us to compare ourselves to. I just don't read in the bible where the communion is to be held away from the children in the church.

These thoughts are loosely put together, and not thought out at any great length by me. Just thought this would be an interesting discussion on a matter I've always been curious about.