CHRIST OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH LCMS
1900 PINE STREET, SANDPOINT, IDAHO
JOIN US FOR SERVICES – SUNDAY AT 10:00 a.m.
We’re excited you’re interested in publicly confirming your faith! Below are guidelines to help you take this step.
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is a public profession of faith in Jesus and a public promise to commit your life to him. It’s a promise to God, but also a promise to other believers in the Church.
What kind of promise?
The promise is that you’ll live for Jesus. It’s a promise to trust Him. It’s a promise to live your life for Him every single day. It’s a promise to put Him first in everything. It’s even a promise to die for Him. Promises are important. They show loyalty, strengthen commitment, fuel us on when we waiver, and bind us to the one we love.
Confirmation is not a program. It is a promise that defines a journey. It’s like marriage, not like graduation. It’s the beginning of something, not the end of something. Just like marriage, confirmation is to be lived out every day.
Where does Confirmation come from?
Confirmation stems from an idea in the Bible that God wants us to make our faith known before others and show our loyalty to Him. In the Bible, faith often means loyalty. Loyalty includes letting it be known who we are loyal to. For example:
- Romans 10:8-10: “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
- Matthew 10:32-33: Whoever acknowledges me [Jesus] before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
Confirmation stems from the realization of how much God has given us through his Son, Jesus, and a heart of gratitude that wants to pledge our allegiance to him.
How old do students need to be to take part in Confirmation instruction at Christ Our Redeemer?
In general, students will begin Confirmation instruction at Christ Our Redeemer sometime between 4th – 8th grade. It is based more on maturity and a readiness to take the next step in their journey of life and faith than it is based on a specific age. Often, siblings in one family will all be taken through at the same time as Confirmation is family-based. The decision to include or not include a student in the class is a decision made between the family and the pastor as they work together. Students as young as 3rd grade have begun before, based on maturity. Others have waited until 8th grade before starting.
Who is involved in Confirmation instruction?
The student plus at least one adult family member is expected to be at the instruction and growth opportunities.
What is the primary method of instruction?
At Christ Our Redeemer, we follow a monthly mini-retreat model of instruction. Once a month, the students and adult(s) from each family will meet for a two-and-a-half-hour mini-retreat. These retreats have happened either at the church or in homes (depending on the group). The retreat time begins with a shared meal (often provided by the families). There will also be a time for sharing a snack/dessert built in. The retreats have met on weekend afternoons or on Sundays after the worship service, depending on what works best for the individual group.
In addition, the LCMS churches in the Spokane – Coeur d’Alene and north Idaho area have a gathering called Camp Confirmation. This takes place three times a year at either Camp Lutherhaven in Coeur d’Alene or Shoshone Base Camp north of Wallace, Idaho. These are Friday evening – Saturday afternoon events. Typically, six to ten congregations will send their Confirmation classes to grow and have fun together. You are never alone in your journey of faith!
What is the primary focus of the instruction and growth time?
There are two primary focal points of the instruction.
The first is a walk-through of the Six Chief Parts of the Christian faith. These include the following;
The Ten Commandments
The Apostle’s Creed
The Lord’s Prayer
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Confession and Forgiveness
The Sacrament of the Altar (Communion)
In addition, we will look at what it means to worship the Lord and what it means to live as a follower of Jesus.
The second focal point is the direction in which we look at the Six Chief Parts. It is by no means strictly academic in nature. So often, being a follower of Jesus has been reduced to making faith something academic or intellectual (head knowledge alone). But Jesus is in a heartfelt pursuit of a relationship with you and me. We will approach the Six Chief Parts from a relational angle, focusing on how God works in and through them to build a lifelong relationship with His children. Through games, challenges, digging into God’s Word, and direct illustrations, we will see how Jesus is directly involved in your life and wants to be your Lord and Savior for eternity.
Confirmation Ministry
Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Year A
Theme: The Ten Commandments, The Apostle’s Creed, Old/New Testament Review, Luther
Teacher: Pastor Steve Heinsen
Texts: Bible, Small Catechism; Faith Inkubators Curriculum
Expectations: Mini-Retreat Attendance and Worship Attendance
Students will complete Home Huddle assignments with their family, and check-ins
Students will complete all projects (as assigned)
September
The Ten Commandments- Units 1, 2, and 3
God and Idols; Name In Vain; The Sabbath
October
The Ten Commandments- Units 4, 5, and 6
Honoring Parents; Killing; Adultery
November
The Ten Commandments- Units 7, 8, and 9
Stealing; False Witness; Coveting
December
The Apostle’s Creed- Units 1, 2, and 3
God the Creator; God the Provider; God the Preserver
January
The Apostle’s Creed- Units 4/6, 5, and 7
Jesus the Savior and Lord; Jesus the Redeemer; The Holy Spirit
February
The Apostle’s Creed- Units 8 and 9/10 and Hot Topic (TBD)
The Church and the Saints; The Forgiveness of Sins and Eternal Life; Hot Topic (to be determined)
March
Old and New Testament Review and Hot Topic (TBD)
April
Luther
Luther Movie and Discussion
Confirmation Retreat Dates- TBD
Confirmation Ministry
Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Year B
Theme: The Lord’s Prayer, Sacraments, Hot Topics, Worship, and Stewardship
Teacher: Pastor Steve Heinsen
Texts: Bible, Small Catechism, Faith Inkubators Curriculum
Expectations: Mini-Retreat Attendance and Worship Attendance
Students will complete Home Huddle assignments with their family, and check-ins
Students will complete all projects (as assigned)
September
The Lord’s Prayer- Units 1, 2, and 3
Our Father; Hallowed; Kingdom Come
October
The Lord’s Prayer- Units 4, 5, and 6
Will Be Done; Daily Bread; Forgive Us
November
The Lord’s Prayer- Units 7 and 8/9, and Hot Topic (TBD)
Time of Trial; Deliver Us From Evil and The Doxology; Hot Topic (to be determined)
December
Lutheran Life- Units 1 and 2, and Hot Topic (TBD)
Baptism: One Lord, One Faith, Baptism; Baptism: Newness of Life; Hot Topic (to be determined)
January
Lutheran Life- Units 3 and 4
Communion: Passover to Last Supper and Communion: Taste and See
February
Lutheran Life- Units 5-7, and Hot Topic (TBD)
Lutheran Worship: Gathering, The Word, Meal and Sending, and Hot Topic (to be determined)
March
Hot Topics- Units 8-10
Stewardship of Time, Talents, and Treasure
April
Lutheran Life- Units 8-10
Confessing My Faith, Confirming My Convictions, and Claiming My Calling
Confirmation Retreat Dates- TBD
When and What is Confirmation Sunday?
At the conclusion of the two years’ instruction and growth, a Sunday will be picked by the families to have Confirmation Sunday. This is a celebration not only for the individual student and their families. It is an opportunity for the congregation as a whole to celebrate the teamwork involved in raising our young ones in the love and joy of Jesus.
It is by no means a “graduation.” You are not done in your walk with the Lord (look ahead for more on that). It is an opportunity to see how you have grown in your relationship with the Lord and those who have mentored and helped you along the way.
What happens after Confirmation?
Confirmation is all about being a disciple who makes disciples. As someone who is radically
pursing a life with Christ, immerse yourself into Him and his community.
Come to church regularly. If you’re younger, get involved in children’s or student ministry.
If you’re an adult, participate in an Adult Bible Class or the many other opportunities Christ Our Redeemer provides to share your faith. Do faith challenges. Give of yourself. Pray. Trust radically. Love your neighbor. Show your loyalty. Live your faith. We know it can be messy and hard, which is why God gives you the church to help you on this path.
Following Christ is a life-long, daily journey. Confirmation is a beginning. In many ways what follows confirmation is more important than what precedes it. Welcome to an exciting and new intentional way of living!