Ages 12–14: Confirmation (7th & 8th Grade)
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have..." – 1 Peter 3:15
Confirmation is more than a class. It’s a journey of understanding, ownership, and identity in Christ. This is where your child begins to say, “This is my faith”—not just something they’ve inherited.
Confirmation is more than a class. It’s a journey of understanding, ownership, and identity in Christ. This is where your child begins to say, “This is my faith”—not just something they’ve inherited.
FAITH MILESTONES
- Two-Year Confirmation Program
In our church, confirmation spans 7th and 8th grade, alternating:- One year on the Bible: Genesis to Revelation—God’s story and where we fit into it
- One year on Luther’s Small Catechism: Ten Commandments, Creed, Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Communion, and Confession
- Public Affirmation of Baptism
At the close of 8th grade, confirmands stand before the congregation to publicly affirm their faith and take responsibility for their spiritual life. This is not graduation—it’s the beginning of adult discipleship. - Deeper Worship Participation
Confirmands are encouraged to:- Attend worship regularly
- Follow the order of service with understanding
- Receive the Lord’s Supper with reverence and responsibility
- Ask deeper theological questions and participate in sermons/discussions
- Journaling, memorization, and service
Students are invited to:- Memorize key verses and Catechism sections
- Journal prayers, insights, and questions
- Serve as acolytes, readers, tech assistants, and more
- Faith Conversations at Home
Parents remain essential. Talk about class content, discuss questions, and pray together weekly.
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
Teens in this stage are forming worldviews, moral frameworks, and beginning to ask, “What does my faith look like outside of church?”
Teens in this stage are forming worldviews, moral frameworks, and beginning to ask, “What does my faith look like outside of church?”
- Cognitive: Beginning to synthesize complex ideas—sin, grace, justification, Trinity
- Emotional: Greater self-awareness, often battling insecurity
- Social: Wrestling with peer pressure, social media, and identity
- Moral: Making personal decisions about right and wrong, not just what they’ve been told
PARENTING ENCOURAGEMENT
You are still the most influential faith-shaper—even when your teen acts like they’re not listening.
📖 Scripture for parents:
You are still the most influential faith-shaper—even when your teen acts like they’re not listening.
📖 Scripture for parents:
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” – 3 John 1:4
- Make worship and conversation about faith normal, not forced.
- Let your teen see you admit when you don’t know or when you’ve been wrong. That’s powerful modeling.
- Don’t fear the questions. A questioning teen is an engaged teen.
- Support their friendships in church—they matter more than ever now.
