Family of God Lutheran Confirmation Packet 2020-2021 Student Guide 10 Commandments, Faith and Science Apostles’ Creed & Lord’s Prayer

Student Guide

AC

TS

HISTORY

GE

NE

SIS

EX

OD

US

LE

VIT

ICU

S

DE

UT

ER

ON

OM

Y

JOS

HU

A

JUD

GE

S

1 SAm

ue

l

2 sam

ue

l

1 kin

gs

2 kin

gs

1 ch

ro

nic

le

s

ez

ra

Gospels

HIS

TO

RY

The Bible

Ru

th

2 ch

ro

nic

le

s

NU

MB

ER

S

3

As a library

ne

hm

iah

e

sth

er

Prophecy

Songs & POETRY

PAUL’S Letters PROPHECY GENERAl LeTTERS

Table of contents The Bible as a Library Table of contents Schedule of the Year Lent Mentoring Scribble Page Ten Commandments Lessons Faith and Science The Apostles’ Creed Lessons The Lord’s Prayer Lessons Scribble Page

2-3 4 5 6 7 8-25 26-33 34-39 40-45 46

4

Pastor Paul Burow …..pburow@fogchurch.org

Raul Garcia III, Deacon …..raul@fogchurch.org

Rachel Marquardt …..adminstaff@fogchurch.org

Mary Clink …..admin@fogchurch.org

Family of God office: 763-424-8625

www.fogchurch.org

Family of God Staff

5

Family of God Confirmation year at a glance Dates Subject Lesson

9/23 Commandment 1 One God!

9/30 Commandment 2 Calling God By Name!

10/7 Commandment 3 Work, Work, Work, Work, Work

10/21 Commandment 4 Honor Who??

10/28 Confirmation Service Day Confirmation Service Day

11/4 Commandment 5 and 6 Respecting Life and Love, not Sex!

11/11 Commandment 7 Take it or Leave it!

11/18 Commandment 8 Your Word!

1/6 Commandment 9 & 10 I Want!!

1/13 Faith and Science Ep. 1 A Tale of Two Books

1/20 Faith and Science Ep. 2 Hurtling Through Space

1/27 Faith and Science Ep. 3 Lobsters and Poetry

2/3 Faith and Science Ep. 4 Atoms, Arranged to Love

2/10 Apostle’s Creed God Makes Things

4/7 Apostle’s Creed The Jesus Who Teaches and Forgives

4/14 Apostle’s Creed Not Just a Ghost!

4/21 Lord’s Prayer/Lent Mentor Training Hey, God, Are You There?

4/28 Lord’s Prayer What God Wants...

5/5 Lord’s Prayer Off the Hook...

6

Family of God Faith Mentoring Program 2021

February 10, Confirmand/Mentor Meeting 6pm in Cornerstone Room

IMPORTANT DATES: Wednesday, February 3, 2021: REGISTRATION FORMS ARE DUE!

Dearest Confirmation Students and Families, We are so excited that you are going to be involved in the Lenten Faith Mentoring, a part of our Confirmation program. Youth will get to meet other adults (and parents you can meet different youth!) and learn about their faith. Our hope is that you will find that your mentors become a good resource for you over the years as you experience the ups and downs of growing in your faith.

What is the Faith Mentoring Program? Faith mentoring is an exciting program that you are able to participate in as part of the Confirmation program at Family of God Lutheran Church. This program will pair you with a faithful, Christian adult in order to share and grow in your faith journeys. You get to select your own mentor – so you will be paired with someone that you respect and with whom you are comfortable.

How will the Faith Mentoring Program work? As we have been doing, you will meet on Wednesday nights at church. You and your mentor will sit down together at the church to talk through a short devotional that allows you to share stories from your own lives regarding your faith journey. The evening will be centered around the Lenten Worship Services. You will be able to meet before or after the services.

When does this happen? Wednesday, February 10 at 6pm - Mentor, Parent and Youth Celebration and Kick Off

Lenten Faith Mentoring nights: Ash Wednesday, February 17 Wednesday, February 24 Wednesday, March 3, 10, 17, 24

The schedule for these Wednesdays is slightly different than our standard Confirmation schedule: Youth and Mentors will be able to choose when they meet. We ask that pairs stay on site and meet either 30 minutes before or after the service. More details will be given at the Celebration and Kick-Off. After the Lenten season, the formal mentoring rela-tionship will be finished, but both you and your mentor may have discovered you have gained a new friend!

How do I get my Faith Mentor? You get to select your own faith mentor!!

STEP #1: MAKE A LIST STEP #2: INVITATIONS STEP #3: FOLLOW UP STEP #4: REGISTER YOUR FAITH MENTOR

More information will be given at the beginning of January.

7

8

1. Suppose that you were forced to make a choice. You have to give up everything that you own, except for the clothes that you’re wearing, and 3 things. What would be the 3

things that you would keep? A. B. C.

Why did you choose those 3 things?

2. Everyone has things or people that are extremely important to them. Sometimes though, these things become too important...everything the person does revolves around these things. These things become like a god to these people. As a group, come up with 5 things that can become like a god to people.

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

Session 1 September 23

9

3. Are these things healthy or unhealthy for the person? Why?

4. As a group, read together Ephesians 4:4-6. What does

this say about God? What does it say about these other things that sometimes people make into gods?

5. Now read the First Commandment and its meaning. What does Luther mean by “...fear, love, and trust…?”

6. How do we communicate to God and to others that

God is our only God?

Memory Work: The First Commandment

10

1. Think for a minute about your name. Is there a story behind your name? (i.e. are you named after someone, does your name have a special meaning, etc.) Share this with the rest of your group.

2. Make a list of the names that you’ve heard people called

within the last week that would have hurt your feelings if you’d been called it. (Please don’t write down obscenities.)

3. Why do you think people like to use these kinds of

names?

Session 2 September 30

11

4. Why do you think people take God’s name in vain? 5. How do you think God feels: A. When we call on God’s name because we need him. B. When we call on God’s name as we use it in vain? 6. Read together Psalm 68:4. What does this tell us about

the importance of God’s name? 7. Read together the 2nd Commandment and Luther’s

explanation of it. What does he say we shouldn’t do with God’s name?

What should we do? 8. How can you show more respect to God’s name?

Memory Work: The Second Commandment

12

Review: Write the first two commandments here from memory.

1. Add up these amounts of time: Hours you spend sleeping every day: __________ Hours you spend relaxing every day: __________ Total time resting: __________

2. Generally, how much stress, pressure or anxiety do you feel? On the following chart, put an “X” where you think you feel yourself to be:

Why did you put your mark where you did?

Work, Work, Work, Work, Work, Work, Rest!

Session 3 October 7

Mellow as a bowl of Jell-O

Super-Stressed

13

3. Why do you think people need rest? What happens when they don’t get it? 4. Read together Exodus 20: 8-11. What does the Sabbath mean? What does it mean to keep it holy? Why are we to do this? 5. Read together the 3rd Commandment and its meaning in your

Small Catechism. What does Luther mean by Sabbath? What does he think is its purpose? 6. What are the 2 purposes of the Sabbath for us? A. B. Memory Work: The Third Commandment

14

1. Describe a time that you felt really close to your family:

2. For each of the following statements, put a check

mark by whether or not it represents your relationship

with your parents:

Yep, that’s Nope, that’s

us! not us!

a. I talk every day with my parents: _____ _____

b. I don’t have to lie to my parents: _____ _____

c. I help my parents out with tasks: _____ _____

d. I always do as my parents ask: _____ _____

e. I regularly tell them, “I love you!”: _____ _____

f. If I have a problem with my parents,

we’re able to solve it: _____ _____

g. I spend the right amount of time with

my parents: _____ _____

3. What does it mean to honor someone?

Session 4 October 21

15

4. Why is it sometimes difficult for us to honor our parents?

5. Read Ephesians 4:1-3. What does this say about how

we should treat each other? Why?

6. Read Luther’s meaning to the 4th Commandment.

What does Luther think the word “honor” means?

7. What can you do to start honoring your parents?

Memory Work: The 4th Commandment

Session 5 October 28

Confirmation Service Day 6pm

Trunk or Treat

Session 5 October 28

Confirmation Service Day 6pm

Trunk or Treat

16

1. List the names of the last 3 people you have insulted, hurt,

or said something nasty about (be honest!): A. B. C. 2. Why did you do this? 3. What do you think it means to kill someone?

Session 6 November 4 Respect Life!

17

4. Read the 5th Commandment and Luther’s meaning in the Small Catechism. How does Luther define killing someone? How is his answer different from yours?

5. When we do things that hurt others, in what way is that

killing them? 6. Read together Romans 12:9-18. How does God think we

should treat each other? 7. Rewrite the 5th Commandment, reflecting your new

understanding of what it is to kill someone. Memory Work: The 5th Commandment

18

Review: Write the first five commandments here. Do it from memory! 1. Where do you think most middle schoolers get information

regarding sex? Please look through this list and check the two sources where middle schoolers get their information:

___ Bible ___ Friends ___ Books/Magazines ___ Teachers ___ Movies ___ Sex Ed. Classes ___ Church ___ Parents ___ Internet Other:__________________ 2. What is the primary message about sex you get from these

three sources: A. Parents: B. Church: C. Media (Movies/Music/TV):

Love,

Not

Sex!

Session 6 November 4

19

3. Read Luther’s meaning to the 6th Commandment. Rewrite Luther’s meaning in your own words.

4. Now read together 1 Corinthians 6:18-20. a. What does God want us to avoid? b. How is the body a temple? c. How do we use our bodies for God’s glory? 5. You have a friend and she is asking you for advice. She has

been dating the same guy for 6 months. They have not had sex. One of her other friends told her that she should start taking birth control pills or get some condoms, “just in case.”

What do you think of the friend’s advice? What should your friend do?

6. Complete this sentence: “When it comes to sex, Christians should…

Memory Work: The 6th Commandment

20

1. Go around the circle and tell about a time that someone stole something from you or someone you know. How did that make you (or them) feel?

2. Make a list of all the reasons that someone might steal

something. Next to each reason, put a “ + ” sign if it’s a good or justifiable reason and a “ - ” sign if it is not.

3. We think of stealing as taking something (like money, or an

iPhone). What are other ways that we steal?

Session 7 November 11

21

4. 5. As a group, read Luther’s meaning to the 7th

Commandment. We know Luther believes that we’re not supposed to steal, but what does he also believe we are supposed to do?

What are ways that we can do these things? 6. As a group, read Romans 13:8-9. What are we doing by

following God’s laws?

7. Rewrite the 7th Commandment so that it says not only “don’t steal” but also what we should do.

Memory Work: The 7th Commandment

What are ways that stealing hurts the person whose stuff is stolen?

What are ways that stealing hurts the person who steals?

22

1. It seems like there are two kinds of lies: little white lies and

real major lies. Give 2 examples of each: Little White Lies: Real Major Lies: a.________________ a._________________ b.________________ b._________________

What is the difference between the two kinds of lies?

2. Answer True or False to these questions: __ There are times when you have no choice but to lie. __ It’s OK to lie if you know you won’t get caught. __ It’s OK to lie to keep a friend out of trouble. __ There is a difference between lying and not telling the whole truth. __ It’s OK to lie to hide a surprise party from the guest of honor.

3. A. Is there a difference between telling a lie to protect yourself, and in telling a lie about another person?

What would it be?

Your Word Session 8 November 18

23

B. What is the word that people use to describe when someone tells a lie about someone else? 4. As a group, read Ephesians 4:22-25 . A. Why does God want us to tell the truth? B. How is telling the truth like getting rid of the “old self” and

putting on a “new self?” 5. Read the 8th Commandment and Luther’s explanation of it Below, rank how good you are at always telling the truth about others: Now rank how hard it would be to change to do as Luther says: Write down specific things that you will try to do to better follow the 8th Commandment (not just the “do not” part, but also what God wants us to do!): Memory Work: The 8th Commandment

Not very good!

Virtually Impossible!

I Could Do it!

I’m awesome!

24

1. Picture your room. If you could

buy anything you wanted for your room and wouldn’t have to worry about money, what would you buy?

2. Has there ever been anything that a friend of yours has had

that you really wanted, but for whatever reason, you couldn’t get?

What was it? Why did you want it? 3. Go through the following statements. Next to each, write an

“A” if you agree, a “D” if you disagree, or a “?” if you’re not sure.

A. In our society, we deserve all that we have. _____

B. Some people are rich because God has blessed them. _____

C. People should share what they have with others. _____

D. It is sinful to spend a lot of money on yourself for things you don’t really need. _____

E. Wanting something that someone else has isn’t the same as being greedy. _____

I

Want

Session 9 January 6

25

4. Split your group into two teams for a 5 minute mini-debate. One team will argue that, “in our society, people are basically interested in doing things to help themselves.” The other team will argue that, “in our society, people are basically interested in doing things to help others.” After 5 minutes decide as a group which side won the debate.

5. As a group, read Matthew 6:19-21. What is Jesus saying

about greed here? 6. Read Luther’s explanation to the 9th & 10th

Commandments. How does Luther explain what covet means? Why does he think it is bad to covet something? What does he think we should do instead? Memory Work: The 9th & 10th Commandments

26 Session 10 January 13

27

28 Session 11 January 20

29

30 Session 12 January 27

31

32 Session 13 February 3

33

34

1. In some way, everyone is creative. How do you like to be creative? List three or four things that you like to do that are creative:

2. Read together the story of God’s creation of the world found

in Genesis 1 - 2:3. Make a list of everything in the story that God created:

3. Do you think God continues to create things today? If so, what kinds of things?

God

Makes

Things!

Session 14 February 10

35

4. How do you think God feels about how we’ve taken care of creation?

5. Read together the 1st article of the creed, and its meaning,

found on page 11 of the Small Catechism. Rewrite the article (not the meaning) in your own words: 6. What does God provide or create for you? How do you think we should respond? 7. Why is it sometimes difficult for us to respond the way we

should? What stands in our way? Memory Work: The 1st Article Apostle’s Creed

36

1. List 5 words that describe Jesus: 2. Pretend Jesus is presently living here in our community. He

attends your school and is the same age as you. a. Which group of people would he hang around with? b. What style of clothing would he wear? c. What would be his biggest concerns? d. Would most of your friends like him?

3. What are some ways that Jesus would teach those who followed him?

Session 15 April 7

37

4. As a group, read together John 13:14-15. What does he mean by washing feet? What would be a modern-day equivalent to foot washing?

How are we to follow in Jesus’ example? 5. If we really followed Jesus’ example and teachings, how

might our lives be different? How would the world be different? 6. Together, read the 2nd Article of the Creed and its meaning

on pg. 12-13 of your Small Catechism. In the creed, underline things that Jesus did that teach us lessons. What do these things teach us?

7. How do you think Christians should live their lives to reflect

what Jesus taught?

Memory Work: The 2nd Article (not the meaning)

38

1. Write the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed here:

2. Write the Second Article of the

Apostles’ Creed here: 3. How do you think God is active in the world today? What

does God do? 4. If you could make a wish list of things that you wish God

would do or fix in the world today, what would it include?

Not Just

A Ghost

Session 16 April 14

39

5. Read out loud the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed and its meaning. Underline every place that the Holy Spirit does something. Then work as a group to come up with the answer to this question, “What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit?”

6. Read the story of the Pentecost in Acts 2:1-17. What do you

believe that the Holy Spirit created that day? 7. Look at your wish list in question 4. How many of them are

things that the church is, or should be, working on? How does the Spirit use the church to help with these

areas? 8. How does the Holy Spirit use you to do its work? How do you see the Holy Spirit active in your life?

Memory Work: The 3rd Article

40

Review: Write on a scrap of paper or recite aloud (from memory) the Apostles’ Creed.

1. On average, how many hours do you spend on the phone

per day talking, texting, or Snapping ? (Circle 1) 0-1 Hour 1-3 Hours 3-5 Hours 5-7 Hours 7-8 Hours More than 8 Hours Who do you talk to? 2. What do you think would happen to your friendships if you

didn’t get to talk on the phone? 3. How much time do you spend in prayer each day? How does the amount of time you spend in prayer affect your relationship with God?

Session 17 April 21

41

4. As a group, read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Why do you think God wants us to pray, considering how God is all-knowing?

5. Now read Ephesians 4:1-6. What would it look like to live a

life united with the Spirit—united with Christ? God calls us to live this way. How can we do this? 6. Jesus tells us how to pray in Matthew 6:5-13. Check it out! Now look at Luther’s meaning to the Lord’s Prayer introduction How does one pray with complete confidence? What would make that easier for us? 7. Now read the meaning to the 1st Petition. What does it

mean to keep God’s name holy? How can we do that?

Memory Work: The Lord’s Prayer

42

1. What is your very favorite place? Where would you go if you

could go anywhere? In the spaces below, write the name of your favorite place, and then write 5 things that make it special to you:

2. If the world were just as you think God would want it, what

would the world be like? How would it be similar to our world today? How would it be different?

The place

Session 18 April 28

43

3. What do you think stands in the way of the world being just as God wants it to be? Why?

4. Read the Second Petition and its meaning in the Small

Catechism. What do you think is meant by God’s kingdom? Look up Luke 17:20-21. How does it come to us? 5. Now read the Third Petition and its meaning. What do you

think is God’s will? 6. Together, read Psalm 119:104-106. How do you think our

path might bring us closer to God’s Kingdom? What has God given us to show us the path? 7. So what can we do to help bring about the Kingdom of God? Memory Work: The Lord’s Prayer

44

1. I am tempted to do things that I know are wrong: ___ More than my friends. ___ About the same as my friends. ___ Less than my friends. 2. When you are tempted to do things that you know you

shouldn’t do, what do you do? (place an “x” on the graph)

Why did you place your “x” where you did?

3. Time test: Your leader will give you 60 seconds to list here everything that you can think of that God has given you. Be specific!

Now circle all the things on your list that are things that you need instead of things you want.

Session 19 May 5

Okay, I did it... No problem… Not tempted at all….

Really thinking about it...

45

4. Read the 4th petition to the Lord’s Prayer. Why do you think God gives us what we need?

5. Read Luther’s meanings to the 5th, 6th & 7th petitions to

the Lord’s Prayer. What causes us to be tempted to mistreat

creation or each other?

6. Read together James 1:12-17. Where does the scripture

say that temptation comes from?

What does the scripture say we should do?

What does it say we shouldn’t do?

7. When we are tempted and sin, what has

God promised for us?

Memory Work: The Lord’s Prayer!

46

© 2020-2021 Family of God Lutheran Church, Brooklyn Park, MN