What does the Bible say about confirmation?

While the word confirmation is not mentioned in the Bible, the importance of teaching is:  

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2). 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16).  

Confirmation is one answer to the command to teach about Jesus Christ and God's Word. 

What is the history of confirmation?

Education in the early church began with preaching and oral teaching. Luke tells us in Acts that the apostles traveled around preaching the Word (Acts 8:4, 11:19-20). Paul in Colossians was teaching new converts (1:24-29).

Over time, questions were asked about what was most important to teach and a process was developed its content included: an initial confession of faith, which allowed entrance into the faith education process to receive instruction in: the Bible, the Creed, Baptism, anointing of consecrated oil, laying on of hands, and taking Holy Communion, as well as instruction in the mysteries of the faith (Confirmation Basics, p. 9). Baptism, confirmation, and the Lord’s Supper were all taught together. During the Middle Ages, the Western churches decided that instruction would include three separate rites: Baptism, confirmation, and first Communion. For adults, instruction comes before baptism and participation in Holy Communion, but when baptizing infants, faith instruction comes after baptism and before participation in Holy Communion. All are worthy for baptism (Acts 2:38-41), however, not so for Holy Communion, which is why children take First Communion classes or go through Confirmation before participating.  Adults are educated on both before they are baptized and can participate in Holy Communion (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

With Luther’s extensive study at the end of the Renaissance (late 16th century) things changed, and the focus on faith became more personal. While at first, Luther intended the family should teach the faith, he later (1520s) realized that parents were not equipped to do so, and many did not have the time to carry out that mission and turned to pastors, teachers, and others to provide that instruction (Confirmation Basics, p. 11). He also strongly supported Christian schools. Luther wrote his Small Catechism in 1529.

The first confirmation classes were based on teaching the Bible and the catechism to prepare for participating in the Lord’s Supper. That instruction included: an examination showing students understanding in preparation of Holy Communion, a confession of faith, and prayers of the congregation (Confirmation Basics, p. 12). 

What is the purpose of confirmation?

Is confirmation necessary for salvation? No, it is not, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have great value.

Parents who have faith and salvation desire the same for their children. "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). There is nothing anyone can do to earn faith or salvation. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Families attend worship to have their faith fed through hearing the Word of God and the sacraments, to learn more about the Triune God who created and saved them, and to be a part of a faith community. They have their children go to Sunday school to be taught the stories of the Bible so their faith grows.  And when they are old enough to understand, they have them take confirmation classes to deepen their knowledge. 

In the late 5th century, a French bishop stated that confirmation “provides an increase in the grace given in Baptism and strengthens one for spiritual struggles (Confirmation Basics, p. 9)” This is true as confirmation gives the student a greater understanding of biblical teaching. One’s faith will grow as they read and study the Bible. With increased knowledge of scripture, one becomes better at battling the enemies of faith. The Spirit uses any time spent in God’s Word to grow and strengthen our faith, which in turn increases our peace, courage, confidence, trust in God, etc.  

How does one say they believe in something when they don't know what it is? God reveals himself to us through his Word. Confirmation is the formal beginning of a lifelong process of learning more about God through that Word and the Small Catechism. It is the hope that all children grow in Christ to have a lifelong and life-giving faith.

 Why did Luther write the Small Catechism?

(From the Preface to Luther’s Small Catechism.)
Martin Luther, to all faithful and godly pastors and preachers: grace, mercy, and peace be yours in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The deplorable, miserable conditions which I recently observed when visiting the parishes have constrained and pressed me to put this catechism of Christian doctrine into this brief, plain, and simple form. How pitiable, so help me God, were the things I saw: the common man, especially in the villages, knows practically nothing of Christian doctrine, and many of the pastors are almost entirely incompetent and unable to teach. Yet all the people are supposed to be Christians, have been baptized, and receive the Holy Sacrament, even though they do not know the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, or the Ten Commandments, and live like poor animals of the barnyard and pigpen. What these people have mastered, however, is the fine art of tearing all Christian liberty to shreds.

​Oh, you bishops! How will you ever answer to Christ for letting the people carry on so disgracefully and not attending to the duties of your office even for a moment? One can only hope judgment does not strike you! You command the Sacrament in one kind only, insist on the observance of your human ways, and yet are unconcerned whether the people know the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, the Ten Commandments, or indeed any of God’s Word. Woe, woe to you forever!

Should parents be teaching confirmation to their children at home?

Those who say parents should do this very important job cite the Small Catechism itself as a reason. Before each section, Luther put the phrase “As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.” However, there are a few things one must keep in mind. First, the general lack of education of the public. Most people in the 16th century did not know how to read. Also, in a treatise to the councilmen of all cities in Germany, Luther (1525) expressed his desire that Christian education be a civil responsibility. To those who would say that the Christian education of children be a parental responsibility he says, "Very true: but if the parents neglect it, who is to see to it? Shall it on that account remain undone and the children be neglected?" He then shares his reasons why parents should not be the ones to provide Christian education to their children (as taken from his treatise).

• There are those who lack the piety and decency, even if they had the ability, to do it.

• The great majority of parents are, alas! unfitted for this work and do not know how children are to be trained and taught, for they themselves have learned nothing but how to provide for the belly; whereas it takes persons of exceptional ability to teach and train children aright.

• Even if parents were able and willing to do it themselves, they have neither the time nor the opportunity for it, what with their other duties and housework.

Luther also states in the preface of the Small Catechism that he found that "the common people, especially in the villages, have no knowledge whatever of Christian doctrine, and, alas! many pastors are altogether incapable and incompetent to teach [so much so, that one is ashamed to speak of it]." In the 16th century, Martin Luther thought Christian education was the job of the state, following that, the clergy, and, barring the ability of the clergy, the parents.  Are these reasons valid today? Many of them are, and thanks to excellent seminary education, pastors now have strong knowledge of the Bible, church history, and Christian doctrine. Luther said, “If you cannot do more…” Knowing what we do about educating middle school adolescents, we can now do more.  

Parents as teachers of confirmation is not out of the question. Certainly, some parents are knowledgeable enough in the knowledge of the Bible, Lutheran doctrine, and the Small Catechism to teach this information at home, especially when speaking primarily of memorization, as Luther suggests. If parents choose to take on that role for their children, it should certainly be commended. 

What is the role of parents in the teaching of the faith to their children?

Children learn far more from what is done in the family than one might think.

​And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 

Paul speaks of the importance of the family when writing to Timothy and stating that his sincere faith first lived in his grandmother Lois, who passed it down to his mother, Eunice, and on to Timothy (2 Tim. 1:5).  The greatest influence, aside from the Holy Spirit, in a child’s lasting faith is through their family. Parents who attend worship and Bible study, who speak of their faith at home, and who make sure their children develop habits of prayer, reading the Word, and including it in everyday life, have a profound effect on whether or not their children continue in the church. Faith is handed down from generation to generation.

How can parents support their kids through confirmation?

Children learn far more by what you do than what you say.

• Pray for your child(ren).  Pray for their hearts and their minds to be open to what they hear and learn throughout the process.

• Pray with your children.  It will have a huge impact on their prayer life and reinforce with them that personal prayer is important.  

• Attend worship regularly with them.  

• Talk to them about the sermon before they write their response.  (You might want to take a few notes on occasion yourself. ☺ )

• Be diligent and supportive in holding them accountable for their memory work.  Be sure they repeat it regularly throughout the week so that it truly becomes a part of their memory.  (Perhaps make it a family activity that is gone over at dinner every night? ☺ 

• Keep track of what they’re learning and ask questions about it.  Discussion of the concepts is a huge part of confirming and internalizing what they’ll be learning.  

• Participate in family discussion questions and be available to answer any questions they might have about your faith.  Feel free to contact me (Pastor) if you’re not sure about anything they ask.

• Participate in adult Bible study.  This single activity shows children that you personally find value in learning about God’s Word.

Aside from the Holy Spirit, PARENTS are a child’s single greatest influence concerning faith and whether or not it takes root in their lives.    

How can parents support their pastor (or confirmation teacher) through confirmation?

Teaching teenagers can be daunting, and pastors are not taught how to teach them in the seminary. 

• Pray for the pastor. Teaching teenagers is not as easy as it might seem.  They can be talkative and unfocused.

• Teenagers always spin things in their favor. If there is a behavior incident, talk to the pastor before you talk to anybody else.

• Trust the pastor. He has your child's best interests at heart. He does this because he wants to see your children in heaven. 

• Support the pastor's decisions when your child complains. If you have trouble respecting the pastor, so will your child.  

• Ask the pastor questions before you complain.

What is taught in Confirmation class?

The foundation of the curriculum comes from Luther's Small Catechism, which contains the 6 Chief Parts of Lutheran Christian doctrine: the 10 Commandments, Apostles' Creed, Lord's Prayer, Sacrament of Baptism, Confession and the Office of the Keys, and the Sacrament of the Altar. Pastors often teach other topics as well, such as: Lutheran Worship, Service, the Reformation, Martin Luther, the Old Testament, the New Testament, and others. Memorizing and hopefully internalizing parts of the Catechism and Bible verses is also required. 

Why do we learn this? Martin Luther, with the help of the Lord, was able to discern six major teachings of the Bible. 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 a 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.

Why do we have to memorize so much?

The goal is to KNOW THE WORD, not to simply know the words. Why? 

• God's Word is powerful. It was the Word that Jesus used against the devil when he was being tempted. Satan uses half-truths against us all the time, just like in the Garden of Eden when deceiving Eve. The only way we know the truth is if we truly know the truth. When your heart and mind are full of scripture, it's hard for the devil to lie about it. 

• God's Word is comforting. When going through the difficult times of life, having God's words embedded in our hearts gives us peace and comfort. They remind us that we are his children; he holds us in the palm of his almighty hands, and he has shown that no matter what we do, he never leaves his people. 

• God's Word is inspiring. When we memorize scripture, it affects every part of our lives, inspiring us to be better, more loving, and understanding people, making us emotionally stronger. It brings us closer to Jesus and makes us more like him. We find greater joy, contentment, and peace in life, and that life has a greater purpose. 

• God's Word gives courage. When people ask why one is a Christian or why they believe what they do, it is much easier to answer if one is sure of what they believe. For example, many people have little understanding of the Lord's Supper because they haven't read the Bible. We can answer questions about this if we've memorized what the Bible says about it in the Small Catechism. 

Supporting Bible verses:

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my word will never pass away. Matthew 24:35

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.  Acts 17:10-11

Why do we have to do sermon notes? 

One of the important things Martin Luther taught was the importance of and the difference between law and gospel. When we read the Bible and hear a sermon, we want to be able to recognize when we're being told we're not good enough (law), and when we're being told that Jesus was good enough for us (gospel). Writing sermon notes helps practice that. We also want students to be able to find the pieces of life application so that they can learn to take those gems and apply them to their own lives. 

Is confirmation the end of one's religious education?

​We hope not. There's always more to learn about God through His Word. We can read the same chapter in the Bible over and over, and the Spirit will show us something new if we let him. Confirmation is not to be an ending point in the education of believers, but a beginning, as Matthew 28:19 tells us to make disciples of all nations, “teaching them” about God and what Jesus sacrificed for them. Sustaining a life of faith requires ongoing training in the Word, leading toward faith maturity, making confirmation one of many celebrations on the journey of a life in faith that begins with baptism and is complete when we meet Jesus in person. 

Is confirmation still meaningful in the 21st century?

At every age and in every life, there comes a time when people have to choose whether or not they will stand for what is in God’s Word or cave in to the pressures of a society that believes people can and should make their own rules and create their own moral compass. Being able to decide for yourself what is right or wrong leaves one feeling empty and without meaning because we chase a false reality. Having the Bible as your moral compass and the strength to stand up for what you believe during a time when peer pressure is at its greatest requires the knowledge to support that belief. If that belief is based on the teachings of the Bible, they need to be solid in that, which begins with a strong confirmation program. 

Sources:
Luther's Small Catechism, CPH.org
Confirmation Basics, CPH.org
The Art of Teaching Confirmation, Langhoff 2012
http://www.godrules.net/library/luther/NEW1luther_d9.htm