Purpose:
Confirmation is when a Christian is instructed on their baptismal faith and publicly confirms this faith as their own.
Confirmation is a community event in which young Christians become active members of the congregation.
Confirmation is a community event in which young Christians become active members of the congregation. Confirmation is a priority for students and their families, but modern schedules make it difficult for them to prioritize.
Confirmation is a priority for parents, who “uniquely serve as God’s representatives” for their children (Small Catechism 2017 edition, page 81) – See Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
Goals:
Make Confirmation more self-directed for personal accountability.
Involve more adults in the process, especially the students’ parents.
Provide flexibility without watering down the curriculum.
Equip and empower parents to nurture the faith of their children.
Confirmation Sunday:
Beginning in 2024, Confirmation Sunday will take place each year in October on Reformation Sunday. As in the past, there will be a special afternoon service in which students will publicly confirm their faith.
ONE-YEAR CATECHISM INSTRUCTION
- Beginning in 8th grade
- Complete journal at home
- Seven thematic worship services and Unit Check-Ins with parents, mentors, and prayer partners
- Only one absence allowed
- Statement of faith, verse banner
- Celebration interview
The journal contains eight units, each with a varying number of sections. A schedule of approximately two sections per week will be shared. Each unit must be completed in advance of a corresponding thematic worship service and Unit Check-In. Students are allowed to miss only one thematic worship service and Unit Check-In.
ONE-YEAR BIBLE INSTRUCTION
- Beginning in 7th grade
- Complete assignments at home
- Six Unit Check-Ins
- Only one absence allowed
- Memory verses, faith project
- *SSLS student(s) who complete middle school religion are exempt
The one year of Bible instruction is completed using the Enduring Faith 30-Lesson Bible Overview workbook from Concordia Publishing House, which is the publishing arm of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. This textbook initially introduces the concept of the Bible and how to use it and then teaches the narrative of the Scriptures over the course of 30 individual lessons. Each lesson is four pages long and includes various Scripture readings and questions.
Mentors and Prayer Partners
Each student will be assigned both a mentor and a prayer partner. Mentors will work with 3-4 students and go through the journal at the same time in order to answer questions. Their primary responsibility will be at Unit Check-Ins, but they must be available for questions throughout the year. Prayer partners will be assigned only one student and will promise to pray for their assigned student each day. Their primary responsibility will be at Unit Check-Ins, during which they will pray for the students in person.
Bible Memory Verses
Memorize two memory verses per unit check-in.
Schedule 2023-2024
Bible Instruction Orientation
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Unit 1 Check-In: Bible Basics
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Unit 2 Check-In: The Beginning
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Unit 3 Check-In: The Exodus and Conquest
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Unit 4 Check-In: The Kings
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Unit 5 Check-In: The Life of Christ
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Unit 6 Check-In: The Church
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Presentation of Faith Projects
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Unit 1 Check-In: Bible Basics
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Unit 2 Check-In: The Beginning
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Unit 3 Check-In: The Exodus and Conquest
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Unit 4 Check-In: The Kings
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Unit 5 Check-In: The Life of Christ
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Unit 6 Check-In: The Church
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Presentation of Faith Projects
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Catechism Instruction Orientation
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Unit 1 Check-In: Faith Habits for the Journey
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Unit 2 Check-In: Commandments
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Unit 3 Check-In: The Creed
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Unit 4 Check-In: The Lord’s Prayer
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Unit 5 Check-In: Baptism
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Unit 6 Check-In: Confession and Absolution
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Unit 7 Check-In: The Lord’s Supper
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Celebration Interviews—Schedule a time between April - August
Confirmation – Reformation Sunday
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Unit 1 Check-In: Faith Habits for the Journey
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Unit 2 Check-In: Commandments
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Unit 3 Check-In: The Creed
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Unit 4 Check-In: The Lord’s Prayer
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Unit 5 Check-In: Baptism
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Unit 6 Check-In: Confession and Absolution
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Unit 7 Check-In: The Lord’s Supper
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Celebration Interviews—Schedule a time between April - August
Confirmation – Reformation Sunday
Sunday, October 27, 2024