Friday, May 8, 2020

CONFIRMATION: Confirmation FAQ

I've been hearing about a lot of people who've had a number of students and parents ask why they (or their kids) need to go through confirmation classes, especially if they're not required for salvation. My suggestion is to write some Frequently Asked Questions and answers for your website. Many people already have done that, but I see often that their questions are about when and where classes will be held, what students need to bring, and other procedures.

My FAQ were chosen carefully. I did not want to answer every question under the sun nor did I want to have answers so long that they wouldn't be read. If you're looking for some examples, feel free to check mine out:
  • What does the Bible say about confirmation?
  • What is the history of confirmation?
  • What is the purpose of confirmation?
  • ​Why did Luther write the Small Catechism?
  • ​Should parents be teaching confirmation in the home? ​
  • What is the role of parents in the teaching of the faith to their children?
  • How can parents support their kids through confirmation?
  • How can parents support their pastor through confirmation?
  • Is confirmation a requirement for being a member at St. John Lutheran Church?
  • What is taught in confirmation?
  • Why do we have to memorize so much?
  • ​Why do we have to do sermon notes?
  • Is confirmation the end of one's religious education?
  • Is confirmation still meaningful in the 21st century?
To see the answers go to the St. John Lutheran Church, Sterling, NE website. Remember that learning the Word and the 6 Chief Parts of Christian doctrine is the most important thing we all learn. 
The 10 Commandments show us how God created us to live in a relationship with him and each other. Without him we are without hope and a future. 
The Apostles' Creed describes who we are in a relationship with; briefly explaining the triune God and what he did and does for us. 
The Lord's Prayer is how we are invited to communicate with him and how he teaches us that he wants us to remain in communication with him. 
Baptism is how we are brought into relationship with him through water and the word. 
Confession maintains us in the relationship, continuously bringing us back to him for forgiveness through repentance and confession. 
The Lord's Supper is how he nourishes our relationship, strengthens our faith, and draws us closer to him.



Thursday, May 7, 2020

EDUCATION: The Storyteller Bible

Friends! This is it! For years I've been encouraging people to read the Bible as if it is the great story it is. It's so much easier to understand, especially for kids, when it's read with emotion and inflection. For some reason when we're sitting in church or reading in Sunday School we treat the greatest story ever told as if there aren't even real people with emotions involved in it, but there are!

Check out the Storyteller Bible. You can hear the difference and you'll want one for your family. You can listen together, talk about what you're hearing, write down questions for your pastor, but most of all, you'll hear the gospels as if the Apostles are telling them to you. This is a great resource!

If you use the link to go to the website, scroll down to the book of Jonah for a great sample. It's so amazing how the time flies when you're listening to the Bible in this way; and it's not a story. You're listening to the words of the Bible (Christian Standard Bible) read by Keith Ferrin.

I'm already working on ways that I can introduce this into my congregation! I'm also learning how to memorize books of the Bible through Keith Ferrin's process. I can't wait to get started!