Throughout your students 8th Grade year they will be placed into a Small Group Bible Study that will meet weekly between the end of September and the beginning of May. Each small group works independent of the other groups and will cover a variety of topics and activities that will help your student apply their Christian faith into their everyday lives while developing friendships with other Christian students. Our hope is that through these Bible Studies students will grow closer to God, closer to each other, and learn about the Christian faith.
The Purpose of Small Group Confirmation:
Many of our students will “know” the basics of Christianity, what the Lutheran Church believes, and a bit about the Bible. What many students will not know is that there are a group of peers that are going through the same things they are, wrestling with the same thoughts and problems, and struggling to live out their faith in their everyday life. Small Group Confirmation helps students develop friendships while learning how to tackle the tough situations they may already be faced with.
The Benefits of Small Group Confirmation:
One of the greatest benefits is the mentoring that happens. Our Small Group Leaders are volunteers that have a passion to help young students grow in their faith. Most of our leaders are parents or former students that were impacted by this program growing up. Many students develop friendships that carry-on well beyond the 8th Grade year. For many of our students they say they “knew” all the stuff about Jesus and the Bible but it was throughout their time in these small groups that they made a choice to live their life for Jesus.
Student Expectations:
- Attend weekly Small Group meetings (requirement of 3 times per month)
- Participate in the Gifts for All God’s Children Service Day
- Attend a Worship Service on average 3 times a month
- Attend the 8th Grade Confirmation Retreat
Registering For 8th Grade Confirmation:
When you register your student for 8th Grade Confirmation you have the opportunity to pick the “best 3″ small group choices for your family. Most families determine their number 1, 2, and 3 options based on the day of week and location. Unfortunately these classes are limited in space to 10 students each and are filled on a first come, first registered basis. We work very hard to give every family their number one choice but we cannot guarantee that choice. We recommend filling out and turning in the Registration Form as quickly as possible so that you can have a higher chance of getting your best time/location. Once groups have been arranged you will receive a contact from your students new “Small Group Leader” walking you through the first meeting time.
Gift’s For All God’s Children Service Day:
On December 10, 2011 every 8th Grade Confirmation student will participate in this service day. Each group will work together to plan activities for a Christmas Party at a Urban Lutheran Church during their meeting times. On the 11th we will travel together downtown to host this party, deliver gifts, and enjoy our time serving these families. All students will leave from the Faith campus at 8am (each group will find transportation for their students, which means we’ll need your help so feel free to sign up to come along!). More information will be sent home in November.
8th Grade Confirmation Retreat:
April 20-22, 2011 students will attend their second Confirmation retreat (the first was the Communion retreat in 7th Grade). During this weekend students will receive instruction on the Office of the Keys while they discover that they serve a vital part to the life of this church! Students will take a spiritual gifts inventory, spend time together with their groups, and complete their own statement of belief (or creed) that will be read during the upcoming Confirmation service. Parents are invited to join us as chaperons/drivers for this wonderful weekend.
Confirmation Service:
Upon successful completion of the Confirmation program your student will be invited to a very special Confirmation Service. This church service will be held each year on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend at 2pm in Faith’s Worship Center. Family and friends are more than welcome to join us for this special celebration! We will join together in a time of worship, a short message, and a chance to hear students confirm their faith in Jesus. More information on this is supplied to families in February of their 8th Grade year.
Final Thoughts and Downloads:
We’ve only brushed the surface of the 8th Grade Confirmation program. We encourage parents to attend our yearly confirmation meetings to get all the information, see new changes to the program, and pre-register their student. You can also download the information packets, student confirmation registration form, retreat registrations, and Medical release forms to help guide you through the sign-up process. If we can recommend one thing as you consider this process it’s to talk with us if you have questions, fears, concerns, struggles, etc. We are willing to work with you as best as we can if we know what’s going on.
For more info on 8th Grade Confirmation contact RJ Grunewald by Phone: (248) 404-6246 Email: rgrunewald@faithtroy.org Mail: 37635 Dequindre, Troy, MI 48083
