Confirmation
Our Confirmation Program
Confirmation is something we do as Lutherans and here at Zion to help create disciples as we have been called to do. We look at confirmation as a continuation of what was started in Baptism and is one of the steps they are taking to become disciples. We are not only helping create disciples with our Jr. High students, but helping them to be able to do the same. We want to teach them how to walk with faith through life holding on to the Truth of Jesus.
Confirmation (5th-8th Grade)
Sundays from 9:00-9:50am
Session 1 - 9.7.25 thru 11.16.25
Session 2 - 1.11.26 thru 4.26.26
Confirmation
What is Confirmation?
In the Lutheran Church, Confirmation is a church ceremony in which individuals confess their faith in the Triune God, their trust in Jesus, their desire to live as Christian, and their agreement with Lutheran doctrine as they have come to know it through the Small Catechism.
For many Lutheran churches, including Zion, Confirmation is when individuals are admitted to the Lord’s Supper and become communing members of the congregation. Communing members also become voting members when they turn 18.
Confirmation is a solemn vow made to God and before the congregation. It is one of the high points in our life as a congregation and in the lives of our members.
At Zion Lutheran Church, young people are typically confirmed at the end of their 8th-grade year. Confirmation is not just for youth, however. We also confirm adults who desire to become communing members of the congregation.
The Rite of Confirmation is also an affirmation of the gifts God gives in Baptism. Therefore, those who are to be confirmed must have been baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If your child is not yet baptized, we can also baptize him or her before Confirmation.
Confirmation is not graduation. It is not the end of a young person’s relationship with Zion. Instead, Confirmation is the beginning of an even closer relationship with Zion and all God’s people.
What is Confirmation Class?
Confirmation Class is a time of intensive study of basic Christian doctrine as it is presented in Luther’s Small Catechism. It covers the “6 Chief Parts of the Christian Faith,” including:
The Ten Commandments
The Apostles’ Creed
The Lord’s Prayer
Holy Baptism
Confession and Absolution / Office of the Keys
The Lord’s Supper
In addition to the Small Catechism, our Confirmation Class also covers Books of the Bible with specific lessons that relate to how God is faithful to us as he was to believers in the Bible. Confirmation classes begin in 5th grade and continue until 8th grade.
Other Activities Associated with Confirmation Class
In addition to attending Confirmation Class we expect our confirmands to participate in the church. They will be able to fulfill acolyte duty, which means that they will light candles, usher duty, meaning they will hand out bulletins and usher parishioners out of pews, they can read the daily Old Testament and Epistle readings, they can help with worship slides or recording, or they can sing on our youth praise team. We expect that they be in church often, and they will also have sermon summary packets to complete.
When is Confirmation Class?
Confirmation Class meets during Sunday education hour September to April.
When is Confirmation?
The Rite of Confirmation for youth is typically observed on the first Sunday in May.
Can Children of Non-members Take Confirmation Class and Be Confirmed?
Yes. It has become relatively common for children of non-members to take Confirmation Class and to get confirmed.
Of course, we would love for their parents to become members, and they often do. Also, parents should understand that children who get confirmed become members of Zion and that we understand that we have responsibilities towards them, and they toward us.
How to Enroll in Confirmation Class
If you would like to enroll your child into Confirmation Class, please contact us, and we will get back to you with the details: 920-864-2463, church@zionwayside.org.
