Children's Confirmation at Good Shepherd
An Extension of Baptism: Parents and sponsors of a baptized child bear the responsibility of teaching their child God's Word so that the child's faith may remain alive and grow - (Matt. 28:18-20). Confirmation is a time-honored church tradition (not required by God's Word, but--we believe--useful nonetheless) in which the child baptized as an infant is given the opportunity to further learn and understand the Grace of God and the Forgiveness of Sins through Jesus that they were given through the Word and Water at their baptism.
The Lutheran church whose roots are grounded in the teachings of Martin Luther maintains a very strong commitment to Christian Education for both the children of the church as well it's adults. The Lutheran pastor is held to provide for the children, a special course of instruction prior to confirmation, which normally occurs at the age of 13 or 14 (middle school years). Those enrolled in a class that is being prepared for confirmation are called catechumens. Confirmation admits the individual to communicant membership in the church body and is not to mark the end of Christian instruction, but gives the child a solid base and understanding of what it is to be a Christian and how to fan that faith into and through their adult life.
Confirmation Instruction at Good Shepherdis currently for 2 years. One of the years thoroughly covers Bible History and the other year thoroughly covers Luther's Small Catechism, the doctrine of the Lutheran Church and modern day comparisons of the Christian Faith to other faiths. The class is taught through PowerPoint presentations which contain both easy to understand material as well as video clips that illustrate the main teaching points. Fill in the blank worksheets are used along with the PowerPoint presentations. If, after the two years, the pastor has seen the child demonstrate an understanding of their faith received through their Baptism, then a Confirmation graduation is scheduled. After the Confirmation graduation, the confirmed student is welcomed into the church family and can participate in the receiving of the Lord's Supper.
...I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. - Eph 4:1-6