Confirmation Ministry

Instructors Rev. Dave Goehmann

Deaconess Heidi Goehmann

Christ Lutheran Church - Norfolk Nebraska

2019/2020

Share God’s Word, Share His Love, And Do It Now!

Why Confirmation? .............................................2 Confirmation Outcomes .....................................3

Purpose of Confirmation

Develop a relationship with God, through the study of God’s Word Live as a forgiven child of God. Actively participate in the body of Christ through worship, fellowship, service, and discipleship.

How Does it Work? .............................................4 Roadmap .............................................................6 Final Details ........................................................7

Why Confirmation? Then Jesus came to them and said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

At Confirmation – or Affirmation of Baptism, as it is sometime called – young people (and older ones) publicly affirm their baptism, after a period of study, training, relationship building, and preparation. The intention is not only to deepen their commitment to the Triune God in whose name they were baptized, but also the Church’s goal is to intensify the relationships in the “Family of Faith” (both church and home), and it is also to extend and to expand the child (or adult’s) obedience and discipleship to Christ in the world.

Purpose of Confirmation Confirmation is just the beginning of the lifelong learning of the self and one’s relationship to God and others. Our prayer is that the things learned in confirmation continue to guide and strengthen your relationship with your heavenly Father.

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Confirmation Outcomes Develop a relationship with God, through the study of God’s Word • Recognize the truth is made known through God’s inspired, inerrant Word, which is the Bible. 2 Peter 1:21

• Recognize the Law shows our sin and how to live, and the Gospel shows our Savior and God’s grace. Along with that recognize the foundational teaching of the Christian church is that we cannot be justified by works of the Law, but justification only comes by grace through faith in Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-10

• Recognize that the Lord and Savior Jesus is the heart and center of the Bible and through Him, believers will inherit eternal life. John 3:16

Live as a forgiven child of God. • Expressing a reliance on Baptism and Holy Communion as God’s means of grace to strengthen faith each

day.

• Using the truth of Scripture to guide daily life in word and action, relating Biblical narratives and doctrines to life’s situations and focusing on the forgiving love of God in Christ Jesus in all circumstances.

Actively participate in the body of Christ through worship, fellowship, service, and discipleship. • Regularly participate in public worship and group Bible study recognizing God to be at work through His

word.

• Recognize that God has given each of us variety of talents and gifts that are to be shared and used for the glory of God.

• Understand that out of the love that God has for his children, they are sent into an ever changing and sinful world, where believers must shine the light that God has given us, by serving and loving others.

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How Does it Work? Elements of Confirmation

Learning Events Learning Events will take place Wednesday nights from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. During Advent and Lent, confirmation will precede the 6:30p.m. worship services. During Advent and Lent, students are encouraged to attend class, the meal, and worship together. Our ministry staff will teach all Learning Events. Small group leaders lead small group discussions, prayers, and activities. Each Learning Event consist of 50% “large group” time and 50% “small group” time..

Worship Confirmands will be active in worship with their families in attending worship and by serving as acolytes. Other opportunities to serve as ushers, musicians, lectors, etc. may also be available.

Bible Study Being active in a regular Sunday morning Bible study is important. Our junior high Bible Study class meets weekly and is an important part of the confirmands’ faith growth.

Fellowship Events It is vital for Christians to be in fellowship with one another as we support and encourage each other in our faith walks. These events will alternate monthly with servant/outreach events. Plan to make these events a part of your calendar this year. Each small group will also meet twice a year to do fellowship event as a small group.

Servant/Outreach Events As we grow and mature in our faith we also work to put our faith into action. These important events will challenge us to live out our faith in new ways. Again, these events will alternate monthly with the fellowship events. Each small group will also meet twice a year to do service event as a small group.

Confirmation Retreat The 8th Graders attend the confirmation retreat every year in the spring. This is a very important event for our confirmation students. Dates and Times TBA

8th Grade Projects See special project selection sheet (green sheet) in your folder. Students will do three projects over the course of the year.

Confirmation Sunday Confirm your faith and celebrate with family, friends and your congregation

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Attendance and Participation

Regular attendance in confirmation class, worship, bible study, and events is essential for each believer’s spiritual growth. Which is why we cannot recommend enough each student takes participation and attendance seriously in the following areas:

Learning Events This is where most of Confirmation Ministry takes place. If an event is missed, the material can be made up, but the event cannot be repeated. When someone is absent, he or she misses out on the events, activities, experiences, discussions, dialogs, and fellowship that take the learning from HEAD to HEART. Attendance is essential for the success of each student.

Fellowship & Service Events This is putting faith in action. Service/Outreach, Fellowship/Discipleship, are pillars of living life as a forgiven child of God. The Confirmation Ministry at Christ Lutheran is strongly rooted in Fellowship, Outreach, Service, and Discipleship.

Worship Attending worship regularly is a great benefit to the believer. Which is why we encourage our students to get into the practice of attending worship weekly to hear the word, confess our faith, receive forgiveness, and the sacraments.

Bible Study Bible Study is a great way to be in fellowship, and the Word at the same time. We have Bible study every Sunday from 9:30-10:30 at the school in the science classroom.

Confirmation Retreat The retreat is similar to the learning events, in that it can not be made up. During the retreat we put to practice: Christian Living, Prayer, Word, Worship, Fellowship, and Discipleship. All 8th grade confirmation students are invited and should attend.

If there is a student who is not active in regular Word, Worship, and Fellowship, he/she will be referred to the Board of Elders for consideration to participate in the rite of confirmation.

Confirmands should be sure to “sign-in” at confirmation classes, bible studies and events.

In worship please remember to sign the “Hand of Friendship” book. It is important to list all members of the family present in worship by name to provide an accurate attendance record.

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Roadmap Seventh Grade Year The

Christian Life Daily Devotion, Bible Study, Weekly Worship, Fellowship and Servant Events, Acolyte

Participation Learning Events

The Learning Event is a fun and engaging study of Luther’s Small Catechism, review of Biblical knowledge, and an opportunity to apply this knowledge to life in this world we are studying. We also focus on Discipleship, and building community. Small groups- Meet during learning event, also meet for their own service or fellowship event four times a year.

Parent Participation- Parents have responsibility to be the main faith builders in their child’s life.

Eighth Grade Year The Christian Life Daily Devotion, Bible Study, Weekly Worship, Fellowship and Servant Events, Acolyte

Participation Learning Events

The Learning Event is a fun and engaging study of Luther’s Small Catechism, review of Biblical knowledge, and an opportunity to apply this knowledge to life in this world we are studying. We also focus on Discipleship, and building community. Small groups- Meet during learning event, also meet for their own service or fellowship event four times a year. Parent Participation- Parents have responsibility to be the main faith builders in their child’s life. Confirmation Retreat- In the Spring at Camp Luther. Attendance is required. Interviews-Confirmation First Communion What’s Next?- Life in the Church as youth, young adult, adult…..

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20

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Final Details In addition to the schedule of 7th and 8th grade Fellowship and Servant/Outreach events, watch the Echo 2.0, Weekly Focus, clnorfolk.org website, Facebook, and regular email updates for specific information about upcoming events.

Text @christno to 81010 to keep up to date on events regarding Jr. High activities.

Learning Events will take place from 5:15pm to 6:45pm on Wednesday nights. A schedule will be provided. Confirmands need to be picked up by as close to 6:45pm as possible.

Pizza will be sold for $1.00/Slice from 4:45-5:10 BEFORE each learning event, except during Lent and Advent.

Those confirmands who walk home from class are not allowed to linger on the premises. Those walking home are expected to behave in the Christian manner. In addition, students are not aloud to remain on campus un supervised between school hours and confirmation class.

If school is dismissed for reasons of inclement weather in Norfolk, then we will not have midweek classes.

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