The Confirmation Blog

On November 2nd, we had a lesson on the common practices in worship and why we do them and how they impact our worship experience. We also had an open conversation on what bored us and why at times, we (students) do not attend church.

The recap of the lesson was the following: While some language and gestures during Lutheran worship can seem bizarre and uninitiated, they do not indicate cultism. There is a solid, biblical reason for each one and knowing the reasons can add meaning and satisfaction to your worship experience.

The Five Common Worship Practices

1. Passing the Peace

2. Taking an Offering

3. Saying, “and also with you”

4. Singing Hymns

5. Benediction

Question: Class do you remember where passing of the peace “ritual” comes from ?

Luther: Five Myths

Most Luther myths take his actions, some bold and some ordinary, and stretch them larger than life. Yes, Luther may have nailed 95 Theses to the door, but this was not the act of an angry radical railing against a church he intended to leave. In historical context, nailing theses to the door—next to the announcements about upcoming weddings and other events—was simply one way to begin a public debate.Yes, Luther struggled mightily with what he called “the devil’s” temptations to believe he was damned, but there’s no evidence he actually hallucinated the devil’s presence in the tower at Wartburg castle.Yes, Luther defended his teachings publicly and refused to back down under threat from excommunication, but his refusal was more formal and nuanced than the quotable quote that has been passed down.

The other danger of Luther myths is that they engrave in stone a few shaping moments of a long and complex life. Luther was not always the young monk on fire to reform the erring Roman church. He was also a reformer in hiding, a teacher struggling to spread his message, a husband and father, and an aging man who saw the movement he started move far beyond what he might ever have imagined. Like us, he grew and changed, and like us, he had different roles to play at different times. No one can always be the defiant
reformer saying,“here I stand,” nor should we be. Sometimes we have to be the human beings who are ready to change our minds in dialogue with others. Sometimes we are the peacemakers helping other warring parties to reconcile. Sometimes we are simply weak and dying human beings (as Luther was), praying for God’s help and mercy because we can do nothing more with our lives.

The Myth’s Stories ….

1. Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg church because that was the place to post information and announcements. He didn’t do it to cause a riot, but because he knew that people would read it. If you strongly believe in something and want to begin an open discussion about it, how would you go about advertising it?

2. Martin Luther believed so strongly in the books that he wrote that he couldn’t renounce them. He wasn’t purposely trying to defy the authority of Teaching Time the pope. He simply believed in what he wrote, and that belief was based in God’s word. The Fourth Commandment tells us to honor our mother and father. Name one example of how you can honor them if you don’t agree with them about something.
3. Luther never intended to start his own church. He didn’t want people to call themselves, “Lutherans,” but rather “Christians,” because we belong to Christ and not Luther. Although it’s okay to call yourself a Lutheran, remember that you are, first and foremost, a Christian.

4. For some Christians, the Christmas tree is an important part of their Christmas season. For some, it’s not. What role does the Christmas tree play in your family and how can you relate that to the birth of Christ?

5. Metaphorically speaking, Luther once threw his inkwell at the devil. What can you say or do to chase the devil out of your thoughts?

In the comment section, share some of your answers (click on comments and comment away)

Key Words

TRUTH means the actual state of a matter—a verified or indisputable fact.
MYTH is a traditional or legendary story that is handed down from one generation to another.
FAITH is trust in a person or thing—belief in God and in the doctrines and teachings of religion.
SALVATION means deliverance from the power and penalty of sin.

** FAMILY TIME ***

• Open a Bible to Psalm 86:11. Choose someone to read the verse aloud.Then have everyone share an Example of how you can walk in God’s truth.

• What myths do you have as a family? Are there any that have a deeper meaning even though, on the surface, they might not seem to? Were any passed down from a previous generation?

• Share with your parents the finger labyrinth you received in large group. As a family memorize Psalm 86:11.After you have all “walked” through the labyrinth, talk about some thoughts you had as you
focused on Psalm 86:11.

• Have each family member write the name of one person with whom they could share their faith during the following week. Commit to praying for those individuals, asking God to give you an opportunity to share how God has changed your life.

Please share what you did during family time on the comment page (once again, click on comment page and type away)

This week, we took a look at Martin Luther and his quotes. The quotes were new to all of the students since they do not spend their days and nights reading Luther. But, we went through them and I believe that they got a better grasp of who he was and what some of the premises were for the “lutheran” movement that has sprung up because of his thought and passion on religion and church.

Here were some of the key words that came out in our lesson:

faith, salvation and gift

Students, can you give us a definition of these terms ?

The Big Idea

Faith is a gift from God

Learning Goal

Learners will understand that God works through Christ proclaimed to create faith in us.

Some of the Quotes

# 2 – Sin Boldly

# 4 – The human will is placed between God and the Devil like a beast of burden

# 10 – I don’t know any other comfort, help or counsel for my salvation except that Christ is my mercy seat

Class, what quotes sttod out to you ?

Homework assignments

- family time (worksheet)

- myths about church that keep people away (bring to class)

Ron West was the teacher for the day. Here is the class recap that he gave me:

On September 21, 2008, we had our first lesson in our Lutheran Theology and Doctrine setting. The class went well. We started out the class by prayer, checking in on the student’s definition of the church and then we watched two videos; one video that was “silly” and one that was a skit on the church.

Learners Goal: Learners will identify the True Church as wherever Jesus gives grace and salvation to gathered saints through Word and Sacrament.

- 1 Peter 2:9

- Acts 2:43-47

Key Words

- CHURCH is a group of people who believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and who gather for worship, learning, fellowship, and service.

- AUGSBURG CONFESSION is a document written in 1530 by early Lutheran leaders that spelled out the basic beliefs of the Lutheran church

- SACRAMENT is a gift that brings the grace of Jesus Christ to God’s people. Lutherans believe Holy Communion and Holy Baptism are the two sacraments of the church.

 - PROCLAMATION is preaching the word of God. This involves reading scripture aloud and preaching sermons that help God’s people interpret scripture.

Family Talk Time

 • Talk about times you felt God’s presence when you were at a church. Perhaps it was when you were visiting another church, attending camp, or participating in your local congregation. How did you know God was present? What was going on at the church that helped you connect with God in this special way?

• At some point, someone in your family made a conscious decision to be a part of your current congregation. How did you know this was the “right” church to be at? Why do you remain at this church? Have you ever doubted that your church was a “true Christian church”? If so, what caused you to doubt?

• The Lutheran Handbook II reminds us of the simple criteria for a “true Christian church,” as found in the Augsburg Confession—preaching and sacraments. Assuming these are both present at your local church, how do these two elements help you in your spiritual journey?

Students and Parents

- Students, what was something in class that you heard that you did not know ?

- Parents, share a positive experience from the family talk time ?

Click on the comment button and type away. Do not forget to sign your name.

We had our first confirmation class meeting and we had 5 students in class. The class was very fruitful. We began the class by doing introductions and sharing what we were passionate about and what our favorite part of the summer included.

After we did the introductions, we took a look at the year ahead. We read through the class schedule and we also read through the “note of the day”. The note of the day is the communication for the students and parents. It will be passed out each week (when there is news).

This year, the students will have a “binder”. Each week, they will be adding to the binder. The binder which currently has the schedule will have lesson highlights and homeowrk assignments.

The homework assignment for this upcoming week is the following:

Write a paragraph on what you think the “true church” is.

Have a great week.