Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 96 of 107
What is the Lord’s supper?
A.The Lord’s supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to Christ’s appointment, his death is showed forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.
Which Bible passages support this answer?
The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 96. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, 24and after he had given thanks he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way, he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, every time you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (NET)
- 1 Corinthians 10:16
Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a sharing in the body of Christ? (NET)
What does this answer mean?
The Lord's Supper is a sacrament in which, by giving and receiving bread and wine as Christ appointed, his death is shown forth. Worthy receivers share in his body and blood, with all his benefits, for their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace. They do this by faith, and the answer says it is not in a bodily or physical way.
What can we ask our children?
- What do the bread and wine show?
- How do believers feed on Christ, according to this answer?
- What does the Supper do for believers?
Can I print this question?
Yes. Every printable here is free for home, church and co-op use. Press Print on any of these pages for a clean sheet.
- Memory card for question 96 (fold-over card, question on the front)
- Copywork page for question 96 (trace, then copy)
- Memory cards for questions 91 to 100
- Copywork for questions 91 to 100
- All Westminster Shorter Catechism printables
Text: The Shorter Catechism, constitutional text of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Public domain (1647). Proof references: Scripture proofs added by the Westminster Assembly, as transcribed by The Westminster Standard. Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible; see permissions.
Checked against a second edition on November 15, 2026. Explanation and questions by Household Theology Press. Last updated November 15, 2026.