Confirmation Ministry... Affirmation of Baptism 7th - 9th Grades

 Confirmation Retreat 2007

What is Confirmation?

Confirmation is packed with singing, activities, small group discussions (each student is involved in a caring group with Guides and Student Leaders) and active learning - to support and walk with young people on the journey of faith. The life issues of young people intersect with our life of faith.

We will walk together through a 3-year period of intentional learning and growing in our relationship with Jesus.

Each week (September-May) Paul Erdmann or Martin Rathjen (Minister of Faith Formation) will present the topic/theme for the night and students will gather in small groups, with “Guides,” for active discussion and learning to personalize their learning.

This is an exciting time for young people to explore and develop their own understanding of who God is and what God has done for them!

We have a 3-year curriculum that will focus on God and what God has done for us. As tools we will use the Bible and Martin Luther’s Small Catechism to help us grow in understanding God. We will use songs/music to assist us with memorizing Scripture.

Year 1: New Testament
Year 2: Old Testament
Year 3: Catechism - Ten Commandments, Lord’s Prayer, Apostle’s Creed, Baptism & Holy Communion

Check out the 2008-2009 Schedule

Throughout confirmation there will be an emphasis on:

1. Experiencing The Faith Community: we study & learn in the context of relationships (to learn grace we must experience it )

  2. Living A Life Of Discipleship: what it means to “live Christian” (study & reflection, action & reflection, modeling and mentoring)

3. Knowing And Understanding The Faith: an emphasis on the content of the faith

4. Personal Growth In Faith: exploring & expanding our relationship with God (focus on prayer, meditation, journaling, reading, devotions)

What role do parents play?
Parents have always had the most impact on their children’s beliefs and values than any other factor/source (even greater than the child’s peer group). Similarly, parents have the greatest impact on their children’s life of faith - more impact than Sunday School teachers, confirmation teachers/Guides and pastors! Martin Luther describes parents as “bishops, apostles and priests to their children”! Confirmation is meant to be a supplement to what parents are teaching in the home.

We ask that parents do 3 things...

1. Grow in Faith with your Child:
- Pray for or with your child daily as it is God who gives and creates faith in us.
- Share highs and lows, read the Bible and then turn your highs and lows into Letteres to God using 1-2-3-A-B-C and the Confirmation Bible Reading…through the written word, Jesus the Living Word comes to us! 
 

2. Worship & Worship Notes:
- Worship with your child on Sunday or Saturday.
- Help your child complete 15 worship notes.
- Support your child when scheduled to be an Acolyte. 
 

3. Service Hours:
- Assist your child to participate in the service projects.

Can friends come?
Yes! Many students do invite their friends to grow and learn with them.