Saved by Grace

Bethany Confirmation Ministry
2009-2010

“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

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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 SPIRITUAL GROWTH: 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 find their 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: 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?

1. Saved by Grace, the confirmation program at Bethany is a family program. Parents are expected to actively participate.
2. Saved by Grace is for 7th and 8th grade youth that begins the fall of 7th grade and ends with the Rite of Confirmation in the fall of 9th grade.
3. Confirmation meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 beginning in September to early May.
4. Bethany uses the Here We Stand curriculum from Augsburg Fortress. We use music, games, presentations, object lessons and multi-media to allow youth and parents to “experience” the key theme of the evening. Pastors teach these large group sessions.
5. Following the large group presentation, youth meet in small groups of 8 youth to discuss the topic and how it relates to life. They meet with youth of their own age to check-in, share highs & lows and pray together. Each group is lead by one or two guides.
6. Bethany’s two year curriculum cycle covers The Sacraments, The New and Old Testaments, Lutheran theology and doctrine, and the Small Catechism.
7. Learning Materials Provided: NRSV Lutheran Study Bible, Luther’s Small Catechism, Lutheran Handbook and Taking Faith Home Devotion Sheets.

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