Confirmation Verse Options

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 28:7: The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 100: 5: For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Proverbs 3:6: In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you, and crown your efforts with success.

Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my   

righteous right hand.

Isaiah 43:1 Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

Jeremiah 29:11:  For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

Jeremiah 29:13: When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart.

Micah 6:8:  He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Matthew 5:14 – 16: You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 11:25 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 16: 16 You are the Messiah, the son of the living God.

Matthew 28:20:  Surely, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Mark 12:30:  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.

Luke 1:37: For nothing will be impossible with God.

Luke 9: 43: And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

John 10:14-15 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 11:25-26 I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.

John 14: 1: Do not let your hearts be burdened. Believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:6: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.”

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Acts 2:21 Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2 Corinthians 4:7: But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.

2 Corinthians 5:7: For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice.

Hebrews 11: 1: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not yet seen.

ABOUT CONFIRMATION AT TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH (TLC)

What Is Confirmation?

Confirmation marks the completion of the congregation's program of Confirmation ministry and is the rite by which a person affirms his/her baptism, publicly confesses his/her faith, and is received into congregational membership. The rite of Confirmation is a time of celebration for the congregation as it affirms and encourages a person in the continuation of their faith journey

What does Confirmation look like at TLC?

Confirmation instruction at TLC is a three-year ministry for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders that teams with parents to equip students to make a confession of faith by developing a deep understanding of Jesus as Savior and their life-long relationship with Him, while engaging students in a deeper understanding of core theological concepts (The Apostles’ Creed, The Ten Commandments, Baptism, Confession & Absolution, The Lord’s Supper and Prayer, The Old and New Testament). Students are prepared to make a confession of faith through participation in regular worship, Confirmation Church, yearly retreats and special events, acts of service, fellowship, and regular faith conversation.

What do you mean when you say that TLC “teams with parents”?

We believe parents and all home leaders are a key to the success of our Confirmation process. We believe that parents are the most influential people in the lives of kids… and God designed it that way! “Teaming with parents” means that TLC want to honor a parents’ God-given responsibility to guide, encourage, and be part of their child’s journey with Jesus. Our Confirmation program “teams with parents” by providing foundational teaching while walking alongside you with resources, tools, and encouragement.

We understand that each family situation looks different and sometimes parents are not the spiritual leader for a child. In these situations, we embrace and team with other home leaders as they encourage and guide a child’s faith development.

 Why Parents?

TLC celebrates God's design for parenting. Parents have the privilege and responsibility of discipling and nurturing the spiritual formation of their children (Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Ephesians 6:1-4). TLC’s Confirmation Ministry encourages and equips parents and all home leaders to live out this calling.

Weekly Confirmation Classes

Confirmation Church begins with a 60-minute experiential worship model that uses Scripture and Luther’s Small Catechism as the foundation for engaging students and their parents in a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ, their relationship with Him as Savior, and their life-long journey of faith. Confirmation instructs and facilitates faith conversation which sets the stage for 30-minutes of small group discussion and life-application. Confirmation Church meets September through May, Wednesday evenings 6:00-7:15 pm.  The goal of Confirmation is to make disciples of Jesus who:  Worship Weekly, Pray Daily, Study Scripture, Give of their Time, Talents and Treasurers, Serve at and beyond TLC, Welcome the Stranger.

Worship Reflection Sheets

Confirmands are expected to attend worship regularly with their family or another loving adult. As part of your worship routine we are asking confirmands to complete 12 Worship Reflection sheets per year. These sheets will build upon the pattern of individual and family reflection and conversation with parents or a home leader before turning in the sheet to the pastor.

Events And Retreats

Events and retreats will be planned with emphasis on a particular topic connected to Confirmation.

Confirmands are expected to attend:
- First Communion Instruction and Seder Supper (February & March)
- Fighting Sin, Temptation, and Peer Pressure (November)
- Writing my Faith Story (March or April).

Acts Of Service

Scripture declares that believers are the body of Christ, a reflection of His continuing presence in the world. Through His people, Christ continues to extend love, comfort, care and forgiveness to those in need. Biblical “true love” is action based! Because Christ lives in us we are able to make a difference. We are His eyes, His ears, His hands, and His feet here on earth! Service hours have become an important part of TLC’s confirmation program. Each year students are asked to complete 7 hours of service work. Service hours can be completed at any church, school, or the community and may be completed in a single, 7-hour event or a combination of hours from different service projects.

Right Of Confirmation/Affirmation Of Faith

Statement of Faith will be held the Saturday evening before Confirmation Sunday.  A meal will be provided by the Church Council and Confirmation students are encouraged to invite Parents, Baptismal Sponsors and other guests.  Each Confirmation Student will share their Confirmation Scripture text and give their Faith Statement during this evening.  Rite of Confirmation will be held on Reformation Sunday.

Confirmation Curriculum Course:

Sample Faith Statements:

“I have needed a strong faith in many situations in my life. I needed faith when I went to the Detroit mission trip, and God showed me parts of Detroit that were wonderful. I needed faith when I went to Knoxville, Tennessee, and God gave me the courage to go out into the city and help the homeless. I also need faith in my daily life when I need help balancing my time between practicing cello, doing schoolwork, and still keeping God the priority.  God is always there for me when I need him just as he said in Isaiah 41:10. As I continue to strengthen my faith during high school, I will never forget the secret to life: Jesus loves me.” —Kevin

“Jesus is always listening to our prayers and answers them, but not always the way we want them answered. I pray every day for my family and my friends and anything life throws at me. I pray for the homeless and the people in poverty and that they find help.  On the day before my grandma died, she gave me one last hug. That was comfort beyond belief, but that isn’t the only thing that gives me comfort. Each time I pray I know God is listening, and that is the greatest comfort you can have.” — Abby

“When I was little, I used to pray to God for answers.  I don’t think that God gives us answers.  He does give us hope and strength to find them for ourselves.  He gives us determination when we are lost, a light at the end of the tunnel when we are consumed by darkness.  Everyone prays for things. God doesn’t always give those things to us…And even though he doesn’t give us everything we ask for, he does give us a future to put those gifts he does give us in.” – Annie

Confirmation Faith Statement Guidelines: (Borrowed heavily from Holy Cross Lutheran Church)

In a word document, write out your confirmation verse (using one above or choose one of your own) and your faith statement, and email it back to Pastor by the due date he gives you. Your verse will be read on your confirmation day, and your statement will be shared in the bulletin that day.

A faith statement is a summary of what you believe, hope, and trust. The finished project will be your own statement of faith in God, your Savior Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. Your faith statement should answer the question, “What is my relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?” There’s no one right way to write a faith statement. This is your faith statement. Have fun thinking about how you can best express your sense of God’s work in your life.

The following are some suggestions or ideas to consider as you work on your faith statement:

1.      Don’t begin by thinking, “How long does it have to be?” The answer is however long it takes to tell your story. (please write at least 4-6 sentences though!)

2.       Be honest; don’t worry about saying the right or wrong thing. Your faith statement isn’t graded or corrected, it is an opportunity to express yourself and your faith.

Here are some topics to consider as you work on your Faith Statement. Just pick one to think and reflect on as you write your paper. Don’t feel like you have to answer every single question. These are simply writing prompts to get you started:

1.      Let others know:

•What impact has Jesus had on your life?

•What does confirmation mean to you?

•Why is faith important to you?

•Have you ever been transformed or changed through your faith?

2.      Think about and share:

•How do people know you are a Christian?

•How would you like to change the world because of your faith?

•Do the relationships you have reflect your faith?

•How does the way you spend your time show your faith?

•Why do you want to make a difference in our world?

3.      Share a story of your life that helps illustrate what your faith is all about or how your faith in God has been shaped.

4.      Give personal examples of times in your life when your community and faith helped you through difficult times or to grow in faith.

5.      Share the questions or struggles you may have about your faith. Are you going through a difficult time in your life? How can your faith help you?

6.      Who has helped you grown in faith? What have your parents done for you? Why have they raised you in the church?

7.      Share a Bible story or Bible verse that is special to you (like your confirmation verse). How have the story or verse helped you to grow: in your faith? With your relationship with God? With your relationship with your family? With your relationship with your friends?

8.      How do you see yourself living out your faith in the future? How do you think God and your faith in Jesus will shape your life four months (a year, ten years) from now?

9.       What help or support do you need from your family, pastors, godparents, friends and members of the church to help you grow in your faith and keep your Affirmation of Baptism promises?

10.  Where do you need help from God to have your faith grow?

11.   What do you have to offer to others to help them grow in their faith and relationship with Jesus Christ?

12.  What feelings or emotions do you have when you think about your faith? Remember that faith is a lifelong journey. This faith statement isn’t meant to be a final document.