The Love Feast
The early church met around tables, not screens. The agape feast — the shared meal — was the center of fellowship.
What Is the Agape Feast?
The agape (love) feast was a shared meal in the home of a believer. The church gathered, ate together, broke bread, read Scripture, sang, prayed, and then celebrated the Eucharist. This was not a church service with food afterward. The meal was the service.
The Didache describes a communal thanksgiving meal. Paul rebukes the Corinthians for turning the love feast into an occasion for division. Jude warns against those who "defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme glorious ones" at the love feasts.
How to Host an Agape Feast
The Meal
Prepare a simple, shared meal. Everyone contributes. The table is central. No one sits apart.
The Reading
Read a passage of Scripture together. Discuss it. Let it shape the conversation.
The Song
Sing a Psalm or hymn together. The early church sang Psalms. You can too.
The Eucharist
Break bread and bless the cup. Use the Didache's ancient prayer: 'We give you thanks, our Father...'
The Sharing
Share burdens, joys, prayer requests. Confess sins to one another. Pray for each other.
A Simple Liturgy
Opening: "The Lord be with you." / "And also with you."
Reading: Read a passage. Discuss briefly.
Song: Sing Psalm 23 or a hymn.
Meal: Eat together. Share stories.
Eucharist: "We give you thanks, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you have made known to us through Jesus your servant. To you be glory forever. As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and was gathered together and became one, so may your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom."
Prayer: Share requests. Pray for one another.
Benediction: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Start a Feast
Gather 3-12 people. Open your home. Cook a meal. Read Scripture. Break bread. Pray. This is how the church began. This is how it continues.