Confirmation
Saved by Grace
Bethany Confirmation Ministry
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8
What is Confirmation/Affirmation of Baptism?
Confirmation is the Fulfillment of Promises: It is a time for parents of adolescents to fulfill the promises made at baptism in partnership with the whole faith community, the promise to: “live with them among God’s faithful people, bring them to the word of God and the holy supper, teach them the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in their hands the holy scriptures, and nurture them in faith and prayer, so that your children may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace.” Service of Holy Baptism, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, (Augsburg Fortress, © 2006), page 228
Confirmation is Vibrant Faith Formation: It is a time to learn about to whom we belong, who Jesus is, and how faith in Him impacts us. Confirmation helps prepare and support us for life’s journey as adult Christians Saved by Grace.
Confirmation is Relationships: It is a time to experience God’s love by building caring connections with parents, mentors, and peers. It is a commitment of the whole family to grow together, support one another and encourage one another to trust in a God who loves us, cares for us and forgives us.
Confirmation is Taking Responsibility for Discipleship: It is a time in the adolescent faith journey for intensive nurturing, a time of preparation leading to public profession of Christian faith and for youth to “confirm” their intention to live as a Child of God in the covenant of Baptism: “Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in Holy Baptism: to live among God’s faithful people, to hear the Word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?” Affirmation of Baptism, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, (Augsburg Fortress, © 2006), page 236.
Confirmation is a Step on the life-long Journey of Faith It is NOT a journey toward a “graduation,” but another step on the life-long journey of faith that extends from birth to death, which is why we call this faith formation. __________________________________________________________________________
What is Confirmation at Bethany?
- Saved by Grace, the confirmation program at Bethany is a family program. Parents are expected to actively participate.
- Saved by Grace is for 7th – 9th grade youth that begins the fall of 7th grade and ends with the Rite of Confirmation in the fall of 9th grade.
- Confirmation meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:15p.m., September to the end of April.
- Bethany’s curriculum covers The Sacraments, The New and Old Testaments, Lutheran theology, and the Small Catechism.
Questions? Joni Grundman Faith Formation Minister of Family Ministries 303-300-3304 joni@bethany-denver.org
Registration 2011 Fill out and return to office or Hospitality Desk or click here for online registration
Parent Volunteer Form In order to provide a robust and rounded confirmation experience, we need your help. We ask each parent to participate with one or more of the activities listed.
Worship Diary Students are to complete 16 of these by the end of confirmation.
Lenten Mentor Youth are to chose their own Lenten Mentor.
Service Form Youth are to complete 24 hours of service
Health Form Complete a new one each year
Middle School Youth Gathering Registration January 13-15, 2012
Sky Ranch Confirmation Camp – July 22 – 27, 2012
For more information about either event contact Kevin Dragseth, kevin@bethany-denver.org
Extreme Challenge Gladiator Fusion Arena – Sunday, November 6, 2:oo – 4:00, $25
Middle School Christmas Party – Dec 11, 2:00 – 4:00
Contact Joni Grundman for more information 303-300-3304 or joni@bethany-denver.org
AAA Parents
Authentic Available Affirming
Enriching Relationships – Developing Tools – Growing Faith
September 21, 2011 Following God’s Design for Family
Create a plan to strengthen your family.
That’s why God commanded us to follow all these rules, so that we would live
reverently before God, our God, as he gives us this good life, keeping us alive
for a long time to come. Deuteronomy 6: 24
September 28, 2011 Parenting Teens: A Coaching Model
Adjust your style to fit your teen’s development
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father
and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— so that it
may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth”.
Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the
training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesisans 6:1-4
October 5, 2011 Encouraging Independence
Guide your teen toward a successful launch
Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give
me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
Psalm 119: 33-35
October 19, 2011 Enhancing Communication
Learn and practice skills to keep communication open
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19
October 26, 2011 Discipline and Teens – It’s Different Now!
Understand the purpose for discipline and continue building relationship
No discipline seems pleasant at the time but painful; later on however, it
produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been
trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
November 9, 2011 The Over-Involved Parent
Balance your involvement and control with your teen
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
November 16, 2011 The Culture “War” and Teens
Know the influences and build trust
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become
blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked
generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you
hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:14-16
December 7, 2011 Tough Times and Struggles Have Meaning
Understand that pain has a purpose
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of
those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28
January 18, 2012 Teens Just Want to Belong
Enrich your relationships by showing God’s unconditional love
…we belong to the Lord Romans 14:8
January 25, 2012 Our Sex-Crazed Culture
Look for opportunities to discuss
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything
is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
February 1, 2012 Three Godly Strategies for Parenting Teens
Focus on your purpose; communicate authentically; lead and model humility
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his
appeal through us. 2 Corinthians 5: 20
April 11, 2012 Trust and Faith
Live with joy, trusting in God’s amazing power
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me
John 14:1
April 18, 2012 God’s Plan for Families
Create your intentional family
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46: 1
Family Night 5 Principles – Sept 14
Al Staggs – Nov 12 – go to this link and click on the Who said what tab on the left. Read the article and then take the quiz. http://www.pbs.org/empires/martinluther/cheats.html
The Sacrament of Baptism – Oct 19
The Sacrament of Communion – Nov 9
Elements of Lutheran Worship - Jan 11
Feb 29, Mar 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Mar 28 – Lent Homework – meet with you mentor to make-up session in Lenten Handbook
