Confirmation Orientation

Welcome / Opening Prayer

Welcome parents, youth, mentors, Sheila.

Opening Prayer

What is Confirmation?

Me: no confirmation, but I did have to confess my own faith. (explain)

1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

Youth: In your household growing up, you were expected to conform; give me some examples of conformity in the household; give me some examples of non-conformity; is non-conformity ever good?

(independence; right decisions; money; )

Confirmation is a Christian right of passage.

Confirmation is a Christian right of passage.

What is confirmation? A journey. Need resources for the journey. Game: You will be gathering the resources you need for the journey. (exceptions: covenants are specific; journals for youth only.

It’s a time where you are expected to grow up. Think for yourselves about your own faith (you’ve already begun to do that). Not believe what your parents believe, but accept if for yourself. You might even come to difference conclusions. You’re not a Christian because your parents go to church. You’ve looked at what it means to follow Jesus, and you’ve decided that this is what you want to do.

Confirmation is a journey.

It’s a journey. It’s not something that happens overnight. I’m not going to exhaust all of the metaphors of a journey: You’ll get lost along the way, you’ll get tired...

Need resources for the journey. (ex. Applachian trail)

Game: You will be gathering the resources you need for the journey. This activity will introduce you to the resources, but also to each other (exceptions: covenants are specific; journals for youth only.

Romans 12:1–2 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2 NIV

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Mentors: Your most treasured resource.

Gather with your mentor and ask a series of questions. One of you can ask the questions, one of you can be the scribe, and one of you can be the reporter (or you can share this task). Come back and introduce your mentor to your parents.

Confirmands introduce themselves.

What is your name?

Who are some of your family members?

What is your occupation?

How are you involved in the church?

Which animal most resembles your personality?

Covenant - Parents

When you join a confirmation class, you enter into a covenant. Actually 3. We are commited to each other. We have a common vision. We know what it takes to fulfill that vision.

Covenant

1 at a time.

Mentor Introduction

Covenant - Youth

1 at a time.

Journals

Companion Journaling - you write journal entries, and a teacher and/or mentor will read and respond.

Only mentor will read. Writing is voluntary, no one is forced to write something of a personal nature that you don’t want someone to read. Although you may grow to trust your mentor that more sharing will become more comfortable.

Bibles

God has revealed himself through Scripture. God speaks to us through Scripture.

Calendar

Most of the meetings 6-8pm.

Exceptions in red.

Retreats.

Snow policy. Make up the following Sunday?

Other questions?

Occupation:

Involvement at HUMC:

Some family members:

Favorite Bible story:

Animal most resembling their personality: