Paradise Valley United Methodist Church
Desert Foothills United Methodist Church
Confirmation Class Workbook
Table of Contents
What is Confirmation? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Big Questions for Confirmation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Confirmation Expectations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Confirmand Covenant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
How to Use this Workbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Getting Acquainted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Jesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Holy Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
The Bible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Saints & Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Holy Communion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Baptism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Spiritual Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Death & Resurrection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Methodism, part 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Methodism, part 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Life in the Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Regular Worship Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Jewish Worship Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Catholic Worship Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Episcopal Worship Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Ash Wednesday Worship Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Holy Thursday / Good Friday Worship Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Service Project Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Church Service Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Witness Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Confirmation Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Acknowledgements
The following publications were used in compiling this workbook:
Claim the Name Confirmation Resources
Cokesbury: Nashville, 2000.
Making Disciples: A New Approach to Confirmation
William H. Willimon.
Logos Productions: Inver Grove Heights, MN, 1997.
Jesus on Leadership
C. Gene Wilkes. LifeWay: Nashville, 1999.
Teaching Images of the Christian Faith
Marcia Joslin Stoner. Abingdon: Nashville, 2001.
This workbook also contains original content from
Rev. Jennifer K. Smith
and
Sande Kimbel
Editing help provided by Jamie Willey
What is Confirmation?
In the United Methodist Church, we affirm and practice infant baptism. In baptism, God does the work. By God’s grace, in baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy church, become part of God’s saving acts, and are given new birth through water and the Holy Spirit. All of this is given to us freely by God. But at the same time, we who are baptized also have a role. We are asked to renounce evil and give our lives to Christ. However, in infant baptism, our parents or other sponsors make these commitments for us, promising to bring us up in the church and teach us about Christ, so that some day we can make these commitments for ourselves.
This is where confirmation comes in. It is a time when a person who has already been baptized confirms what God has already done in baptism. Additionally, it is the time when you claim your faith for yourself; you turn away from evil and give your life to Christ on your own, not just because your parents did it for you as a baby. Additionally, you affirm that you have been given gifts for ministry through the Holy Spirit and that you are ready to use them. And in confirmation, you become a full member of this church, promising to faithfully be a part of DFUMC through your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness (see your Confirmation Requirements). In confirmation, you say, “By God’s grace, I was brought into the Church and was reborn in my baptism, and now I affirm what God did then and continues to do in my life. Now I affirm what the church believes, claiming the faith that God has given me through the church for myself. I am committed to being a disciple of Christ, following him to live faithfully in the world. And now I am ready to be a full member of this church.”
If you have not been baptized yet, confirmation prepares you for this as well. For you, your baptism and confirmation just happen a few minutes apart, rather than several years apart.
Confirmation class is the preparation for confirmation. My prayer is that it is an amazing journey for you and your family. But I also know that you might be learning a lot of new things and that some of what we’ll be asking of you will be quite challenging. Please pray about it, and talk with your family about it. Also, remember that just because you are in the class doesn’t mean you will automatically be confirmed / baptized at the end. You will still need to make that decision as we near the end of the course. And, if you come to the end of the course and aren’t sure you are ready, there is no time limit, confirmation can happen at any time.
Big Questions for Confirmation
Confirmation Expectations
Prayer Our God longs to converse with us.
← You are expected to pray daily.
Confirmation Class Here is where you prepare to be confirmed.
← You are expected to attend all the Sunday classes & the Confirmation Retreat. There will be some opportunities to make a class up in the event of illness or family need.
Worship We are created to worship God.
← You are expected to be a regular worship attender and be in at least one Sunday service 75% of the time. (At least 23 times between September 12 and May 1.)
← You need to attend a Stewardship Sunday service on November 7.
← You need to attend a Christmas Eve service on December 24.
← You need to attend an Ash Wednesday service.
← You need to attend at least one of the Holy Week services (Holy Thurs. or Good Fri).
← You need to attend an Easter service.
← You need to hand in sermon notes from each worship service you go to.
(First set of 10 due by December 14; Second set of 13 due by April 19)
← You are encouraged to attend a wedding and a funeral sometime during the class
← We will be going to a Jewish synagogue, Catholic Mass, and an Episcopal service. If you miss our trip, you’ll need to go on your own.
Community God created us to be a part of Christian community where we fellowship with and learn from one another. Small groups and the relationships you will make with other youth and adults are essential to your growth as a Christian disciple.
← We strongly encourage you to come to Youth Group on Sunday nights, and youth Sunday School in the morning. This is where you develop Christian friendships that are so important to your own faith journey!
Tithing God calls us to be stewards of creation and all that we have. All we have is God’s, and out of love for God and for each other, we give back a part of that.
← You are expected to make a financial pledge and work to fulfill it. You are asked to work toward giving 10% of what you earn or get in allowance to the church or a charity.
Mission God wants us to love and serve our neighbors, just like the Good Samaritan.
← You are expected to participate in at least two of service projects, serving people outside the church.
Church Service God gave each of us Spiritual Gifts so we can serve God and Church.
← You are expected to serve in the church through things like being a liturgist, doing Mediashout, helping in the nursery, greeting before worship, singing in the choir, etc.
Sharing Your Faith Story God asks us not just to have faith, but to share it with others. That is how the church grows and the love of God spreads.
← You are expected to tell a story about how you have experienced God’s love in your life or how you saw Christ in someone else, and share this with the congregation and others. There are several forms that this might take: video, spoken, written, art, music. First draft due January 30. Your story needs to be shared by April 30.
Invite Someone to Church The early church spread because people invited others to share in worship and a meal together. That’s how our church grows too.
← You are expected to pray about and invite someone new to church, specifically to worship, Sunday School, and / or youth group.
Confirmand Covenant
Confirmation is a time to learn, to grow, to explore new ideas, to get to know one another, and to have fun, . I commit myself to growing and maturing as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I understand that Jesus Christ is the center of the community we are forming in Confirmation and youth group. I am willing to learn new ways to give and receive Christ’s love as we study, play, and travel together as a Confirmation Community.
I am willing to make Confirmation a priority from September 12—May 1, and will participate in all areas of the program. I will fulfill the expectations and requirements given me, do the assignments given during class, and learn what it means to be a Christian.
I understand that the Church is encouraging me, the leaders are praying for me, and the class leaders are committed to helping me grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
_______________ _______________
Confirmand’s Signature Leader’s Signature
_______________
Date
How to Use this Workbook
Please bring this workbook and your Bible to Confirmation Class each session. This workbook contains nearly everything you need for your Confirmation Journey. There are several different types of pages in your workbook.
The first several pages give the important information about Confirmation, including the schedule and requirements.
Luke Journal. As you read the book of Luke during confirmation, these pages will guide you. You are told which chapters to read between classes so that you can stay on track. And there are section headings to help you as you read.
“Questions About” pages are your “homework” assignments. These are questions or activities to do at home so that you will be prepared for the next class.
Language of Faith Pages. These are the pages you will use during Confirmation class. They provide all sorts of information to help you learn the language of our faith. You will also find here your assignment for the next class and a place to write your small group’s prayer concerns.
Worship Notes. These are on yellow paper. There are 10 pages of worship notes for fall and 13 additional worship notes pages for spring. You need to complete all 23 during confirmation. You can use these at any Sunday service at our church. You can even use them if you visit another church. You will turn these in each week.
Worship Notes for Jewish, Catholic, and Episcopal Worship. (Purple paper) You’ll need to complete all three of these, and turn them in after you’ve worshiped at these various places.
Worship Notes for Ash Wednesday and Holy Thursday / Good Friday. (Purple paper) You need to complete both of these, and turn them in after you’ve attended these special services.
Service Project Notes. (Purple paper) You’ll need to complete both of these, and turn them in after you participate in your two service projects.
Church Service Notes. (Purple paper) You’ll need to complete this and turn it in after you’ve participated in some form of service within the church.
Witness Notes. (Purple paper) You’ll need to complete both of these pages and turn them in after you’ve worked on your witnessing activities.
What is expected of you in Confirmation Class:
Your Confirmation Journey is one of the most important events in your spiritual life as you grow in your faith and learn to live as a Christian disciple in the world. But a lot depends on you! In order for this journey to be helpful and meaningful, you must be prepared for class! Also, you are a part of a small group, where other people are affected by what you do or don’t do. So, you are expected to do your work each week: read Luke, come prepared by doing the work you are asked to do, participate in group discussions.
This is not school or work, so you will not get in trouble or fail the class if you decide not to participate. However, if you aren’t prepared, your mentors will notice. He or she will talk about it with you and ask you to make up the work. We also know that you might need to miss a class here or there because you are out of town or sick. You’ll need to make up that work as well.
Because we care about you and that you are as prepared for Confirmation in May as possible, if we see that you are missing a lot of classes or getting behind in your work, we want to find out what’s going on, so we’ll ask. You are loved, and part of Christian love is helping one another to do their best, to grow, and to be responsible.
Getting Acquainted
My small group leader’s name is:
My small groups’s teen mentor is:
The other members of my small group are, along with email addresses and phone numbers:
What is your family like?
What was it like growing up?
What is school like for you?
What is one thing you really like about your life today?
What are your hopes for the future?
Have you always gone to church?
What is important to you about being part of this church?
When did you first know you were a Christian? Do you ever wonder about whether you really are a Christian?
What do you hope will happen during Confirmation?
Are you excited? Nervous? Not sure?
Is there anything you are worried about or not looking forward to about confirmation?
Prayer requests for your group:
For the Next Class:
Come to Jewish Worship on September 24.
Read Luke, chapters 1 & 2
Luke Journal for chapters 1 & 2
Questions about God
Luke Journal
Chapters 1 & 2
Have you ever kept a journal? A journal is a place to record one’s experiences on a journey – think, for example, of the writings of the world’s explorers, or the Diary of Anne Frank, or the many blogs that are all over the internet. Even Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace are sort of mini-journals in a way. Without a record of their journey, important details and discoveries of these trips, the thoughts of bloggers’ lives would have been forgotten. The same thing is true for you.
Over the coming weeks, you will be reading the entire Gospel of Luke. Each week you’ll have one or two chapters assigned to you to read. As you read each chapter, record your comments, reactions, and questions in your Luke Journal. We’ve provided a few headings to help you out. At the beginning of each small group session, you’ll be checking in to see how you are doing on your reading and have a chance to share your thoughts and ask your questions.
Chapter 1
Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
Birth of Jesus Foretold
Mary Visits Elizabeth
Mary’s Song of Praise (The Magnificat)
Birth of John the Baptist
Zechariah’s Song of Blessing
Chapter 2
The Birth of Jesus
The Shepherds and the Angels
Jesus is Presented in the Temple
The Return to Nazareth
Jesus Visits the Temple
Questions about God
Draw or write something to show your earliest memories of how you imagined God to be.
Draw or write something to show how you imagine God to be now.
How are these two images different? How has your understanding of God changed over the years?
Do you ever feel that God is with you in a very real way? When or where has that happened? Do you ever feel like God has left you alone? Write about when and where that feeling has been with you.
Read Psalm 33. What words or phrases describe God or God’s actions. What is God like in this Psalm? Does this psalm fit your picture of God? Why, or why not?
God
Grace – God’s gift to us of forgiveness, acceptance, and love. Grace is God’s love for us.
Prevenient Grace – God loving us BEFORE we are even aware of it, BEFORE we ask for it, BEFORE we know we need it. (Prevenient means “comes before”)
Means of Grace – The ways we receive the grace of God in our daily lives.
Advent – The season of the Christian year when we prepare for the coming of Christ. One symbol of Advent is the Advent Wreath. One candle on the Advent Wreath is lit each Sunday in Advent, until the fourth Sunday when all four outside candles are lit. On Christmas Eve, the center Christ candle is lit. The color for the season is purple. The word “advent” means coming. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends at sundown on Christmas Eve. This year, Advent begins on _________________________________.
Trinity – God is one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
From the Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
From the Nicene Creed:
We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
From A New Creed (of the United Church of Canada):
We believe in God: who has created and is creating.
We are not alone, we live in God’s world.
Prayer requests for your group:
For the next class:
Read Luke, chapters 3 & 4
Luke Journal for chapters 3 & 4
Questions about Jesus
Spiritual Gifts Survey (we’re going to use this on the retreat)
Try Praying, as described below:
Prayer – Conversation with God. God longs to hear from us and longs for us to hear God speak to us. This week, find a time each day to spend at least several minutes praying. Never done this before? Don’t know what to do? DON’T WORRY! All you do when you pray is talk to God about what is happening in your life. Are you thankful for anything today? Are you worried about anything? Excited? Angry? Hurt? Sorry? Tell God about it. You can do it out loud. You can do it silently. You can do it by writing it down. Be sure to pray for the people in your small group by name – including your adult and youth mentors. At the end of your prayer, say the Lord’s Prayer. Work on memorizing this prayer – we’ll be saying it a lot! If you need any help or have any questions, ask your parents, your mentor, your youth mentor, or Pastor Jenny!
One more thing. God does like to talk to you too. When we listen to God, it is called Meditation. It takes some work to listen to God and some practice to recognize God’s voice. After you pray each day like I described above, spend another few minutes just being still and listening. Try to get rid of all the distractions in your mind, and focus on God. What do you hear? What do you feel? A huge part of meditation is just being in the presence of God.
Lord’s Prayer – this is the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray. You can find it in your Bible in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Luke Journal
Chapters 3 & 4
Chapter 3
John the Baptist Preaches
The Baptism of Jesus
Jesus’ Family Tree
Chapter 4
Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness
Jesus Begins his Ministry in Galilee
Jesus is Rejected at Nazareth
Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit
Healings at Simon’s House
Jesus Preaches in the Synagogue
Questions about Jesus
For exactly one minute, write down every word you can think of to describe Jesus.
Read Philippians 2:1-11, and write down the words Paul uses to describe Jesus.
Make a rough outline of Jesus’ life by scanning through the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John).
What is your favorite story about Jesus? Why?
Spiritual Gifts Survey
Name:__________________________________
Directions: This is not a test, so there are no wrong answers. The Spiritual Gifts Survey consists of 80 statements. Some items reflect concrete actions; other items are descriptive traits; and still others are statements of belief.
Select the one response you feel best characterizes yourself and place that number in the blank provided. Record your answer in the blank beside each item.
Do not spend too much time on any one item. Remember, it is not a test. Usually your immediate response is best.
Please give an answer for each item. Do not skip any items. Do not ask others how they are answering or how they think you should answer. Work at your own pace.
Your response choices are:
5 -- Describes me VERY well / definitely true for me.
4 -- Most of the time this would describe me / be true for me.
3 -- Frequently describes me / true for me about 50% of the time.
2 -- Occasionally describes me / true for me about 25% of the time.
1 -- Not at all like me / definitely untrue for me.
___ 1. I have the ability to organize ideas, resources, time, and
people effectively.
___ 2. I am willing to study and prepare for the task of teaching.
___ 3. I am able to relate the truths of God to specific situations.
___ 4. I have a God-given ability to help others grow in their faith.
___ 5. I possess a special ability to communicate the truth of God’s
love and salvation.
___ 6. I have the ability to make critical decisions when necessary.
___ 7. I am sensitive to the hurts of people.
___ 8. I experience joy in meeting needs through sharing possessions.
___ 9. I enjoy studying.
___ 10. I have delivered God’s message of warning and judgment.
___ 11. I am able to sense the true motivation of persons and
movements.
___ 12. I have a special ability to trust God in difficult situations.
___ 13. I have a strong desire to contribute to the creation of new
churches.
___ 14. I take action to meet physical and practical needs rather than
merely talking about or planning to help.
___ 15. I enjoy entertaining guests in my home.
___ 16. I can adapt my guidance to fit the maturity of those working
with me.
___ 17. I can share and assign meaningful work.
___ 18. I have an ability and desire to teach.
___ 19. I am usually able to analyze a situation correctly.
___ 20. I have a natural tendency to encourage others.
___ 21. I am willing to take the initiative in helping other Christians
grow in their faith.
___ 22. I have an acute awareness of the emotions of other people,
such as loneliness, pain, fear, and anger.
___ 23. I am a cheerful giver.
___ 24. I spend time digging into facts.
___ 25. I feel that I have a message from God to deliver to others.
___ 26. I can recognize when a person is genuine / honest.
___ 27. I am a person of vision (a clear mental picture of God’s
leading). I am able to communicate vision in such a way
that others commit to making the vision a reality.
___ 28. I am willing to yield to God’s will rather than question and
waver.
___ 29. I would like to be more active in getting the gospel to people
in other lands.
___ 30. It makes me happy to do things for people in need.
___ 31. I am successful in getting a group to do its work joyfully.
___ 32. I am able to make strangers feel at ease.
___ 33. I have the ability to plan learning approaches (different ways
of teaching).
___ 34. I can identify those who need encouragement.
___ 35. I have trained Christians to be more obedient disciples of
Christ.
___ 36. I am willing to do whatever it takes to see others come to
Christ.
___ 37. I am attracted to people who are hurting.
___ 38. I am a generous giver.
___ 39. I am able to discover new truths.
___ 40. I have spiritual insights from Scripture concerning issues and
people that makes me want to speak out.
___ 41. I can sense when a person is acting in line with God’s will.
___ 42. I can trust in God even when things look dark.
___ 43. I can determine where God wants a group to go and help it
get there.
___ 44. I have a strong desire to take the gospel to places where it has
never been heard.
___ 45. I enjoy reaching out to new people in my church and
community.
___ 46. I am sensitive to the needs of people.
___ 47. I have been able to make effective and efficient plans for
accomplishing the goals of a group.
___ 48. I often am consulted when fellow Christians are struggling to
make difficult decisions.
___ 49. I think about how I can comfort and encourage others in my
congregation / youth group.
___ 50. I am able to give spiritual direction to others.
___ 51. I am able to present the gospel to lost persons in such a way
that they accept Jesus and his love and salvation.
___ 52. I possess an unusual capacity to understand the feelings of
those in distress.
___ 53. I have a strong sense of stewardship (taking care of all that I
have) based on the fact that God owns all things.
___ 54. I have delivered to other persons messages that have come
directly from God.
___ 55. I can sense when a person is acting under God’s leadership.
___ 56. I try to be in God’s will continually and be available to go
where God sends me.
___ 57. I feel that I should take the good news of God’s love to
people who have different beliefs from me.
___ 58. I have a strong awareness of the physical needs of others.
___ 59. I am skilled in setting forth positive and precise steps of
action.
___ 60. I like to meet visitors at church and make them feel welcome.
___ 61. I explain Scripture in such a way that others understand it.
___ 62. I can usually see spiritual solutions to problems.
___ 63. I welcome opportunities to help people who need comfort,
help, encouragement, and counseling.
___ 64. I feel at ease in sharing Christ and his love with nonbelievers.
___ 65. I can influence others to perform to their highest God-given
potential.
___ 66. I recognize the signs of stress and distress in others.
___ 67. I desire to give money to worthwhile projects and ministries.
___ 68. I can organize facts into meaningful relationships.
___ 69. God gives me messages to deliver to God’s people.
___ 70. I am able to sense whether people are being honest when
they tell of their religious experiences.
___ 71. I enjoy presenting the gospel to persons of other cultures and
backgrounds.
___ 72. I enjoy doing little things that help people.
___ 73. I can give a clear, uncomplicated presentation.
___ 74. I have been able to apply biblical truth to the specific needs
of my church.
___ 75. God has used me to encourage others to live Christlike lives.
___ 76. I have sensed the need to help other people become more
effective in their ministries.
___ 77. I like to talk about Jesus to those who do not know him.
___ 78. I have the ability to make strangers feel comfortable in my
home.
___ 79. I have a wide range of study resources and know how to
secure information.
___ 80. I feel assured that a situation will change for the glory of God
even when the situation seems impossible.
Jesus
Sin – The failure to trust God as the center of our lives, which results in doing thing that harm people, relationships, or creation. Brokenness and separation from God.
Right Relationship with God – Making God the center of our lives, loving God with our whole heart, accepting God’s love for us.
Confession – Realizing that we have sinned, and telling God that we did it and are sorry.
Penitence – Regret when we do something wrong.
Repentance – Once you’ve confessed and are penitent, you must CHANGE the way you act. When you stop the sin, turn around, and go the other direction (away from sin), this is repentance.
Savior – One who delivers us from danger or distress. Jesus Christ is our savior because he is the one who saves us from sin and death.
Christmas – Season of the Christian year when we celebrate the incarnation of Christ. It lasts (12 days) from Christmas Eve through January 6 (Epiphany). Colors are white and gold. One symbol is the nativity scene.
Incarnation – God coming “in the flesh” to us as Jesus Christ.
From the Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son our Lord, who was concieved by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
From the Nicene Creed:
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
From A New Creed (of the United Church of Canada):
We believe in God . . . who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new.
Prayer Requests for your Group:
For the Next Class:
Retreat is October 29-31! (The next few pages are for the retreat.)
Attend a Stewardship Sunday Worship Service on November 7.
Read Luke, Chapters 5 & 6
Luke Journal, Chapters 5 & 6
Questions about the Holy Spirit
Pray and think about how much money you are going to pledge.
(see below):
Giving Gifts -- This is one of the expectations of confirmation class and church membership. Tithing means giving 10% of what you have to God. Originally, this meant crops & livestock, but today, it means what we earn. For you, it means giving part of your allowance, part of what you make babysitting or mowing lawns or any other jobs you do. So. . . for every $10 you get, you would give $1 of it to the church or other charity agency. This is the way we give thanks to God for all that God has given us. We human beings have a need to give. It is a way to show our faith that God is going to provide for what we need. It is also the way we participate in the ministries of the church: our giving helps pay the bills of the church, helps with our outreach ministries, and our missions in other churches and across the world!
You will be asked to make a pledge for yourself. Figure out about how much money you get in a year – through allowance, jobs, anything else. You may just have to guess. Then decide how much of that you will give to the church. Any amount is OK, but I challenge you to tithe!
But don’t wait until then to start giving! Start giving NEXT SUNDAY! Put your money in the offering plate in the service.
Spiritual Gifts!
Leadership
Directing people as they do God’s work in a manner that is strong and effective.
Exodus 10:3, 12:31-32
Someone you know who has the gift of Leadership: _______________
Administration
Organizing the parts of ministry to bring about more effective ministry work.
Acts 6:1-7
Someone you know who has the gift of Administration: ___________
Teaching
Educating others about the truths of God’s Word in such a way that encourages growth.
Nehemiah 8:1-18
Someone you know who has the gift of Teaching: _________________
Knowledge
Understanding and explaining biblical truths.
Acts 18:24-28
Someone you know who has the gift of Knowledge: ______________
Wisdom
Helping others see how God’s truth is applicable to issues and problems.
1 Kings 3:7-14
Someone you know who has the gift of Wisdom: _________________
Prophecy
Communicating the gospel in a way that helps us see our sin and leads to repentance.
Jeremiah 1:4-9, 17-19
Someone you know who has the gift of Prophecy: _______________
Discernment
Having the ability to see motivations and distinguishing the truth or falsehood of something.
1 Kings 3:16-27
Someone you know who has the gift of Discernment: _____________
Exhortation
Lifting up others through speaking words of encouragement, comfort, and inspiration.
Acts 11:22-24
Someone you know who has the gift of Exhortation: ______________
Shepherding
Looking out for the spiritual wellbeing of others.
John 10:3-5, 14-16
Someone you know who has the gift of Shepherding: ______________
Faith
Having and living out confidence in God’s promises.
Hebrews 11:8-16
Someone you know who has the gift of Faith: ____________________
Evangelism
Speaking the message of Jesus’ love in a way that draws others to new faith in him.
John 1:6-9, 19-28
Someone you know who has the gift of Evangelism: _______________
Apostleship
Seeing a need and being able to start new ministries.
Acts 20:17-24
Someone you know who has the gift of Apostleship: ______________
Service / Helps
Recognizing practical needs and working to meet them and provide support.
Luke 7:36-50
Someone you know who has the gift of Service / Helps: ___________
Mercy
Having compassion for and helping those who are hurting.
Luke 10:25-37
Someone you know who has the gift of Mercy: ___________________
Giving
Contributing generously whatever resources are needed.
Acts 4:32-35
Someone you know who has the gift of Giving: ___________________
Hospitality
The ability to welcome others and make them feel comfortable, especially if they are strangers to your environment.
Acts 5:12-16
Someone you know who has the gift of Hospitality: _______________
Body of Christ – the Church. Jesus is the head of the church, but all the members of the church come together to be the body of Christ so that God’s work can be done in the world through us. We are all part of the body, and if we are missing, the church doesn’t work as well as it should.
Spiritual Gifts – the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to us so that we can truly be the Body of Christ. Each person has at least one spiritual gift. The gifts are meant for the building up and strengthening of the Body of Christ (the church) so that God’s work can be done in the world.
Litany of the Body of Christ
Ears: My purpose is to listen to God and to others, discerning truth,
protecting the Body of Christ.
Mouth: My purpose is to boldly proclaim the truth of God to the
Body of Christ and to the world.
Eyes: My purpose is to lead, direct, steer, and organize the Body of Christ, to help the members of the Body of Christ discover which part they play.
Brain: My purpose is to teach, train, and give wisdom to the Body of Christ, building it up, explaining, guiding so that we might all be better disciples.
Arms: My purpose is to encourage, counsel, embrace members of the Body of Christ, making them feel welcome, energized, and connected.
Hands: My purpose is to give freely and joyfully, to reach out in love to meet the practical needs of the Body of Christ.
Hearts: My purpose is to trust in God with all my heart,
and to share that faith in acts of compassion and love.
Feet: My purpose is to go out into the world, sharing Christ by helping others believe and starting churches in new places
Knees: My purpose is to care for the spiritual lives of others.
EVERYONE: We are the Body of Christ, and we have gifts to share. And with God’s help, we will share them!
Luke Journal
Chapters 5 & 6
Chapter 5
Jesus Calls Disciples
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
Jesus Calls Levi to be a Disciple
Questions about Fasting
Chapter 6
Questions about the Sabbath
The Man with the Withered Hand
Jesus Chooses 12 Apostles
Jesus Teaches and Heals
Blessings and Woes
Love for Enemies
Judging Others
A Tree and It’s Fruit
Two Foundations
Questions about the Holy Spirit
Read the story of the Day of Pentecost from Acts 2:1-21. What images from this story stand out for you?
What are some of the physical ways people sensed the presence of the Spirit on that day?
How are you aware of the Holy Spirit in the world today? Have you experienced anything you would call “the working of the Holy Spirit,” or have you mostly learned about the Spirit from the Bible and from other people?
Why might the following be symbols for the Holy Spirit?
Dove
Flame
Mighty Wind
Holy Spirit
Pentecost – The season of the church year that celebrates the church and the presence of the Holy Spirit. It focuses on growth and the teachings of Jesus about the kingdom of God. It begins on the day after Pentecost and ends the day before the first Sunday in Advent. The day of Pentecost is the official birthday of the church. It happens 50 days after Easter and is the last day of the Easter season. It is the day we celebrate that the early church received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The color is red, and symbols include a dove and flames. The date of the next Pentecost is ________________________________.
Holy Spirit – God. The third person of the Trinity. This part of God inspires us (fills us with joy and strength), keeps us going (sustains us), gives us life, helps us grow in our relationship with Christ, brings us together as a church, changes us into the people God wants us to be, gives us gifts for ministry, and much more.
Trinity Sunday – The first Sunday of Pentecost. A time when we celebrate the Trinity. The colors are white and some symbols include the triangle, the 3-leaf clover, three interlocking circles, an eye on top of a triangle (look on your dollar bill), just to name a few.
Tithe – Giving the first 10% of what you have (especially money) back to God, usually through the church. So. . . if you get $10 through your allowance or by earning it babysitting or mowing lawns or whatever, you would give $1 of that money to the church. God asks you to give part of that back to God through the church. We human beings have a need to give, especially back to God. After all, everything we have is from God in the first place, right?
From the Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
From the Nicene Creed:
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorfied, who has spoken by the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
From A New Creed (of the United Church of Canada):
We believe in God. . . who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone.
Prayer Requests for Your Group:
For the Next Class:
Read Luke Chapters 7 & 8
Luke Journal for Chapters 7 & 8
Questions about Worship
Decide which way(s) you will be serving our church (see below):
Next class we’ll also ask you to commit to a way of serving our church – that’s another of the expectations of confirmation class and church membership. Think about it this week, fill out the next page, and turn it in next class. Here are some suggestions:
← Sing in the choir (rehearses Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.)
← Be a greeter before any of the services
← Read scripture or say a prayer in worship (be a liturgist for the 9:00 or 10:30 service.)
← Serve communion in worship
← Be at Teen Nursery Care Volunteer (during the worship service).
← Serve on a church committee
← Adopt a part of the prayer garden to prune, plant, care for it for a month (or more)
← Run & help create multimedia parts of worship.
← Run the sound board during worship.
← Be an usher during worship.
← There are others ways too – let Pastor Jenny know if you have one to suggest!
Serving My Church
NAME: _____________________________
Mark the way you would like to serve this church over the next few months. If you are not already plugged into the ministry that you would like to be a part of, we will help you get plugged in. We’ll be in contact with you to get you set up in your area. Some of your options are listed below, but you can choose others, just be sure they are OK’d by Pastor Jenny.
____ Sing in the choir (rehearses Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.)
____ Be a greeter before any of the services
____ Read scripture or say a prayer in worship (be a liturgist for the 9:00 or 10:30 service.)
____ Serve communion in worship
____ Be at Teen Nursery Care Volunteer (during the worship service).
____ Serve on a church committee
____ Adopt a part of the prayer garden to prune, plant, care for it for a month (or more)
____ Run & help create multimedia parts of worship.
____ Run the sound board during worship.
____ Be an usher during worship.
___ Other. Please describe:____________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Luke Journal
Chapters 7 & 8
Chapter 7
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son
Messengers from John the Baptist
A Sinful Woman is Forgiven
Chapter 8
Some Women Accompany Jesus
The Parable of the Sower
Why Jesus Told Parables
The Parable of the Sower is Explained
A Lamp Under a Jar
The True Kindred of Jesus
Jesus Calms a Storm
Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac
Jairus’ Daughter is Revived and a Woman is Healed
Questions about Worship
Read Psalm 95:1-6. What first comes to your mind when you hear the word worship? If you could pick out the most important part of a worship service, what would it be? Why?
How many parts of the worship service can you remember? Make a list of everything that happens in the service you usually attend.
The church year is divided into six different seasons: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. How does our church observe the various seasons? Are there special decorations, music, colors, etc? What is your favorite season of the Christian year? What does that season mean to you?
In what ways does worship affect your day-to-day life? How would you like it to affect your every-day life?
Draw a rough picture of our worship space. Where are different symbols used? What do those symbols represent?
Worship
Worship – Human response and praise to God. We do this together most often on Sundays, but we should also learn to worship in everything we do. Worship usually has several parts, including praise through music, confession, prayer, offering, scripture reading, message or sermon, and sacraments.
Sacrament – Sign (symbolic action) given to us by Jesus that reveals God’s love and presence. For United Methodists, there are two sacraments: Baptism & Holy Communion.
Baptism – Sacrament that uses water to signify God’s grace. It is our entry into the church and its ministry. In baptism we are cleansed of our sins, and brought into the family of God and the church.
Holy Communion – Sacrament that uses bread, wine (or juice), and the presence of others to signify God’s grace. Also called the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist. It is a time of thanksgiving and remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and it helps us to look forward to the heavenly banquet.
Prayer requests for your small group:
For the Next Class:
Attend Catholic Worship on November 21.
Read Luke, Chapters 9 & 10
Luke Journal, Chapters 9 & 10
Questions about the Bible
Try Journaling, as described below:
Journaling is a way that we can experience God grace. Have you ever kept a diary? Journaling is like that only it is a diary that is God-focused. Journaling is when you write down what you are thinking and feeling, especially about your relationship with God.
I usually journal at the end of the day. I pick a quiet, comfortable place, and I get my journal and a pen and begin to write about my day. The big difference for me between this and a diary is that I am writing to God and with God in mind when I’m journaling. In my journal I reflect about how well I lived in right relationship with God that day. Or maybe I ask God about some problems I have, and see if I can talk it out with God through writing. Sometimes I write about something I just read in the Bible (like your Luke Journal). Other times I write my prayers about myself and others. Journaling is something that is just between me and God -- I don’t let anyone else see it, though sometimes I tell other people parts of what I wrote or discovered. It’s also pretty neat to be able to go back and see how your relationship with God has changed over the years by reading over your journals from before.
Try journaling this week as well as praying. Get a notebook or do it on your computer. Spend a few minutes at least 3 days this week journaling. If you need help, or aren’t sure what to do, be sure to ask your mentor, youth mentor, parents, or Pastor Jenny!
Luke Journal
Chapters 9 & 10
Chapter 9
The Mission of the Twelve
Herod is Confused about John the Baptist
Feeding the 5000
Peter Declares Jesus is the Messiah
Jesus Predicts His Death & Resurrection
The Transfiguration
Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon
Jesus Predicts His Death & Resurrection Again
True Greatness
Another Exorcist
A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus
Would-Be Followers of Jesus
Chapter 10
The Mission of the 70
Woes to Unrepentant Cities
The Return of the 70
Jesus Rejoices
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Jesus Visits Martha and Mary
Questions about the Bible
Name some of your favorite Old Testament stories (creation, Noah, the Exodus, Deborah, David and Goliath, Jonah, etc.). Why are they your favorites?
What questions do you have about the Bible? Where do you think you might find the answers to your questions?
Why do you think people read the Bible? What makes you want to read the Bible? (or not want to)
What makes it difficult for you to read the Bible regularly?
The Bible
Bible – The collection of books that have are considered Holy by Christians. It includes the Old Testament (39 books) and the New Testament (27 books).
Canon – “Standard” or “Measure.” Books in the Bible that were accepted by leaders of the early church as writings that are authoritative for Christian faith and life. Our canon is made up of the Old and the New Testaments.
Torah – First five books of the Old Testament. Torah means “law.” (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.)
History – Many books in the Bible tell the history of the Hebrew people. The Torah contains a lot of history, but so do these: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.
Wisdom Writings – Some books in the Bible are wisdom writings – stories, poems, prayers, songs, sayings and proverbs. They are full of Godly wisdom. (Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes)
Prophets – Prophets are people who speak God’s truth. Many books of the Old Testament were written by prophets. (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi)
Gospels – The first four books of the New Testament. The word “gospel” means “good news.” The good news is that Jesus loves you! (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
Acts -- It’s a book all in it’s own category. It’s kind of like a gospel, but it’s about the work the apostles & disciples did after Jesus ascended into heaven.
Epistles – These are the letters that make up most of the rest of the New Testament. Many of them were written by Paul to churches or to his co-workers (Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.) The other letters are general ones. (Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 & 2 & 3 John, Jude)
Revelation – This is another book all in it’s own category. This what a man named John saw in a vision about the end times, when Jesus comes again, and God’s Kingdom defeats all evil.
Devotions – A spiritual discipline where you read scripture and the writing of someone else who helps you think about God. This is often done individually (perhaps right before you go to bed or when you get up in the morning), but can also be done in groups. We’re giving you a devotional book today. Take it home and try doing daily devotions until you finish the book!
Bible Study – A spiritual discipline where you make a commitment to learn God’s Word. This can be done in a group (class or informal small group) or individually. At our church we have several Bible study opportunities.
Prayer requests for you small group:
For the Next Class:
Read Luke Chapters 11 & 12
Luke Journal Chapters 11 & 12
Questions about Saints and Gifts
Luke Journal
Chapters 11 & 12
Chapter 11
The Lord’s Prayer
Keep on Praying
Jesus and Beelzebul
The Return of the Unclean Spirit
True Blessedness
The Sign of Jonah
The Light of the Body
Jesus Tells the Pharisees and Lawyers How They are Wrong
Chapter 12
A Warning Against Hypocrisy
Encouragement to Confess Belief in Christ without Fear
Parable of the Rich Fool
Do Not Worry
Watchful Slaves
Faithful and Unfaithful Slaves
Jesus Causes Division
Interpreting the Signs and the Times
Settling Disagreements
Questions about Saints and Gifts
What does the word saint mean to you? Who are saints?
Make a list of some of the people who have been important in your life of faith. Sometimes we call these Faith Giants, Saints, Communion of Saints, or Cloud of Witnesses. After each name on your list, make a brief note as to how that person affected your spiritual life, and include at least one quality in him or her that you admire:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Read 1 Corinthians 1:1-9. Are you a saint? Why, or why not? How does the last part of verse 2 in this passage seem to define a saint?
Answer the questions below to trace your spiritual journey – the history of your relationship with God. . .
Your earliest memory or awareness of God:
The major religious events or experiences in your life (family, church, youth group, camp, etc.):
Your spiritual high point (the time you felt closest to God):
Your spiritual low point (the time you felt furthest away from God):
Where are you right now in your relationship with God?
Where would you like to be in your relationship with God?
What’s missing in your relationship with God?
Saints and Gifts
Saints (The Orthodox / Roman Catholic Version): These are persons who have been canonized or recognized because they lived their personal daily lives at an heroic level of Christian faithfulness and integrity. They are set apart because of extraordinary things they did for Christ – like die for Christ, teach a new way of living for God, convert an amazing number of people, etc.
The Communion of Saints (The way WE Protestants think of saints): The communion of saints includes everyone who believes in God – those who “call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Bible also says that those saints are called by God, sanctified (made perfect), and gifted by God. That means YOU are a saint!
Gifts: God gives people special gifts to do God’s work in the world. We all have talents – things we are particularly good at – singing, playing baseball, dancing, drawing, etc. But God gives specific spiritual gifts to us as well, and we talked about those on the confirmation retreat.
All Saints Day: Occurs on November 1 each year. It’s the day we celebrate the communion of saints, and remember those people of faith who have gone before us.
Here are some symbols for some saints you have probably heard of:
Matthew
Matthew was a tax collector before he became a follower of Jesus. This was not a well thought of position. In fact, tax collectors were quite corrupt. His shield shows money bags as a symbol of how he was changed by following Jesus.
Bartholomew
Bartholomew died by a knife as a martyr, which is the reason for the knives on his shield.
John
There is a legend that once John was given a cup of poisoned wine to drink. John made the sign of the cross over the chalice and the poison became a serpent and crawled out of the chalice.
Simon Peter
His shield has two crossed keys which refer to Jesus’ statement about Peter being entrusted with the “keys of the kingdom of heaven.” The upside down cross refers to the way Peter died. He was crucified upside down because he did not feel worthy of dying the same way that Jesus died.
James
His shield shows 3 scalloped shells, which stand for the great mission work which James did after Jesus’ death and resurrection. He baptized many. The scalloped shell is a symbol for baptism.
Andrew
Andrew’s shield shows and X-shaped cross because of the way he died. Tradition has it that Andrew died a martyr’s death in Greece. It is said that Andrew died on an X-shaped cross at his own request because he felt unworthy to die on the same kind of cross that Jesus had died on.
Prayer Requests for Your Group:
For the Next Class:
Attend a Christmas Eve Service
Read Luke, Chapters 13 & 14
Luke Journal, Chapters 13 & 14
Questions about Holy Communion
Find a Spiritual Friend, as described below:
Spiritual Friends – This week the means of grace is Spiritual Friends. For us to become the person God created us to be, we always need to be looking within ourselves to see if we are growing. One of the ways that we can do this is to be a part of groups that help us be accountable (responsible) for our actions and our spiritual growth. Your confirmation small group is a group of spiritual friends. Your mentor is one. Your pastors are spiritual friends.
This week – ask one person in particular to be a spiritual friend. Make a promise to each other that you will pray daily for one another and that you will talk often about your faith.
Luke Journal
Chapters 13 & 14
Chapter 13
Repent or Perish
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
The Parable of the Yeast
The Narrow Door
The Lament Over Jerusalem
Chapter 14
Jesus Heals the Man with Dropsy
Humility and Hospitality
The Parable of the Great Dinner
The Cost of Discipleship
About Salt
Questions about Holy Communion
Using your memory, try to remember everything that happens at church during a service of Holy Communion. List as many things as you can remember. Don’t worry about the order.
What images of Christ are a part of a Communion service? Where did you find these images (songs, symbolic actions, objects in the church, sermon, etc.)?
Where do you see God in Holy Communion?
Read Matthew 26:20-29. Then read Mark 14:17-25. Then read Luke 22:14-23. What sticks out to you in these passages? What is different in the 3 versions of the story?
What does taking Communion mean to you?
Holy Communion
Sacrament – Sign (symbolic action) given to us by Jesus that reveal God’s love and presence. For United Methodists, there are two sacraments: Baptism & Holy Communion.
Holy Communion – Sacrament that uses bread, wine (or juice), and the presence of others to signify God’s grace. Also called the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist. It is a time of thanksgiving and remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and it helps us to look forward to the heavenly banquet.
Remembrance – During Communion, we remember the meal that Jesus ate with his disciples just before being arrested. We remember the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. And we remember the sacrifice that he offered for us. Our remembering helps to bring the events of past into the present with us.
Great Thanksgiving – The prayer of thanks that is said as the pastor consecrates the elements (the bread and juice). In Communion we are thankful for all of creation, for our forgiveness through Jesus’ sacrifice, and for the hope of the future that we all have with God. Here is the liturgy of the Great Thanksgiving:
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks
to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life.
When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast.
You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our sovereign God,
And spoke to us through the prophets.
And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven
We praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ.
Your Spirit anointed him
To preach good news to the poor,
To proclaim release to the captives
And recovering of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed,
And to announce that the time had come
when you would save your people.
He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners.
By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection
you gave birth to your Church,
delivered us from slavery to sin and death,
and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.
When the Lord Jesus ascended, he promised to be with us always,
in the power of your Word and Holy Spirit.
On the night in which he gave himself up for us,
he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
When the supper was over, he took the cup,
gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,
that we may be for the world the body of Christ,
redeemed by his blood.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ,
one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world,
until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your holy Church,
all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.
Prayer Requests for Your Group:
For the Next Class:
Read Luke, Chapters 15 & 16
Luke Journal, Chapters 15 & 16
Questions about Ministry
The following experiment on God’s Means of Grace:
God’s Means of Grace:
Our sacraments of baptism and communion are important ways that we experience God’s grace, forgiveness, and acceptance in our lives. They are important rituals of the church. But what are some other ways you experience the love of God? Put on your God-Vision-Goggles, and answer the questions below as you think about all the ways you experience God and God’s love. Think of as many as you can and report back next class. Some of those ways might be in prayer, in forgiveness, journaling, giving money for the offering, talking with a friend, giving or getting a hug from your mom, etc. You can answer the questions and report back to your small group in a variety of ways:
1. Draw some of the ways you experience the love of God
1. Take some pictures
2. Make a collage
3. Carry a notebook with you all week and write down every time you think of God
4. Write a story or poem
5. Bring in a symbol or other object that helps you to remember that God loves you.
God’s Means of Grace
We can see God in everyday events:
Identify a time when you have seen God acting in your school, church, community, nation, or world.
We can experience God in God‘s Word.
Identify a time when you were struggling with an issue, decision, or event and found an answer in the Bible, devotion, or a sermon.
We can sense God in the world around us.
Imagine a place you have been and you know that God was there.
We can feel God’s love through other people.
Think about a person who took time with you to talk about your faith or to show you love in a special way.
We can meet God in service.
Identify a time when someone came to you in love and offered to help you or a time when in helping someone else, you were closer to God.
Luke Journal
Chapters 15 & 16
Chapter 15
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
The Parable of the Lost Coin
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Chapter 16
The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
The Law and the Kingdom of God
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Questions about Ministry
Make a list of ways Jesus ministered to people.
List at least three ways your church ministers to its members and those inside the church.
List at least three ways your church ministers to those who aren’t already part of our church.
List at least three ways your church has ministered to you.
Make a list of ways that you minister to others already. Then add some ideas for new ways you could minister to people.
Ministry
Ascension of Christ – The point at which Jesus was taken up into heaven after dying and being resurrected. This day is celebrated 40 days after Easter (10 days before Pentecost).
The Great 50 Days of Easter – Part of the church year that begins at sunset on Easter Eve and ends on Pentecost. It is a time that focuses on Christ’s resurrection and ascension. There is a focus on witnessing to God’s love expressed through Christ’s sacrifice for us. And as a response, we strive to serve others.
Servant – One who serves another person out of love as Jesus did. Some symbols for servanthood are the basin and towel.
Read John 13:3-5 to find out why.
A prayer written by
St. Francis of Assisi:
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
A prayer written by
Mother Teresa of Calcutta:
Make us worthy, Lord,
To serve those throughout the world who live and die in poverty or hunger.
Give then, through our hands, this day their daily bread;
and by our understanding love, give peace and joy.
The Servant Song, by Richard Gillard
Copyright: 1977 Scripture In Song (Admin. by Integrity's Hosanna! Music [c/o Integrity Music, Inc.])
Won’t you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
We are pilgrims on a journey
We are brothers on the road;
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the nighttime of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh I'll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we've seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in heaven
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we've know together
Of Christ's love and agony.
Prayer Requests for Your Group:
For the Next Class:
Be ready for SouperBowl of Caring next week during worship.
Read Luke, Chapter 17
Luke Journal, Chapter 17
Questions about Baptism
Interview your parents about your baptism (see below):
If you have already been baptized, talk with one of your parents about the following questions. If you have not yet been baptized, talk with your parents about their decision to wait, and then answer the questions about a baptism you remember seeing.
Ask your parents to show you photographs, clothes, candles, and so forth from their own baptisms and your baptism. You may want to bring photographs, baptismal gowns, bulletins, candles, and so on to our next class.
Where was I baptized?
How was I baptized?
When was I baptized?
What led you have me baptized?
How did you feel as I was being baptized?
Who was there?
What did the congregation promise? How is the congregation fulfilling that promise?
Ask your parents to write a note to you about what it means to belong to the community of faith through baptism.
Luke Journal
Chapter 17
Some Sayings of Jesus
Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers
The Coming of the Kingdom
Questions about Baptism
Try to write down from memory the things that happen during a service of Holy Baptism in our congregation. What symbols are used, and what actions are taken?
Read the account of Jesus’ baptism found in Matthew 3:1-17. What happened in Jesus’ baptism? How is this version the same as or different from the account in Luke 3:1-22? How is it the same as or different from your own baptism? If a dove descended and a voice from heaven spoke at your baptism, what would you hope the voice would say?
The following Scripture passages talk about baptism. Read them, then describe the meaning of each passage using your own words.
Colossians 2:12 Acts 2:17
Galatians 4:4-7 Matthew 28:18-28
Mark 1:9-11 Ephesians 2:8-9
Baptism
Sacrament – Sign (symbolic action) given to us by Jesus that reveals God’s love and presence. For United Methodists, there are two sacraments: Baptism & Holy Communion.
Baptism – Sacrament that uses water to signify God’s grace. Our entry into the church and its ministry.
Ministry – Pointing to, telling about, and being a part of God’s action in the world, especially through serving others.
Epiphany – Season of celebration of the revelation of Christ to the world. “Seeing the Light.” Season between Christmas and Lent. The day of Epiphany is January 6. The colors are white and green. Symbols include the star of the wise men, candles, shell for baptism.
Justifying Grace – The love of God working in our lives to save us, justify us, or restore us to a right relationship. The love of God that sets us straight.
Baptismal Covenant
This is the service that we use when people are baptized. If you were baptized as an infant or small child, your parents answered all of the questions on your behalf. The words in italics are words that are added during a service of Confirmation, but wouldn’t be there if there was just a baptism.
Brothers and sisters in Christ:
Through the Sacrament of Baptism
we are initiated into Christ’s holy Church.
We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation
and given new birth through water and the Spirit.
All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price.
Through confirmation, and through the reaffirmation of our faith, we renew the covenant declared at our baptism, acknowledge what God is doing for us, and affirm our commitment to Christ’s holy Church.
On behalf of the whole Church, I ask you:
Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
reject the evil powers of this world,
and repent of your sin?
I do.
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves?
I do.
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior,
put your whole trust in his grace,
and promise to serve him as your Lord,
in union with the church which Christ has opened
to people of all ages, nations, and races?
I do.
(If baptizing an infant, the parents are asked this question:
Will you nurture this child in Christ’s holy Church, that by your teaching and example she may be guided to accept God’s grace for herself, to profess her faith openly, and to lead a Christian life?)
I will.
According to the grace given to you,
will you remain a faithful member of Christ’s holy church
and serve as Christ’s representative in the world?
I do.
(These next two questions are asked of the congregation that is present: )
Do you, as Christ’s body, the Church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ?
We do.
Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include this person now before you in your care?
With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround this person with a community of love and forgiveness, that he may grow in his trust of God, and be found faithful in his service to others. We will pray for him, that he may be a true disciple who walks in the way that leads to life.
(The next part is a prayer of thanksgiving for the water used in baptism)
Eternal Father:
When nothing existed but chaos, you swept across the dark waters and brought forth light.
In the days of Noah you saved those on the ark through water. After the flood you set in the clouds a rainbow. When you saw your people as slaves in Egypt, you led them to freedom through the sea. Their children you brought through the Jordan to the land which you promised.
In the fullness of time you sent Jesus, nurtured in the water of the womb. He was baptized by John and anointed by your Spirit. He called his disciples to share in the baptism of his death and resurrection and to make disciples of all nations.
Pour out your Holy Spirit, to bless this gift of water and those who receive it, to wash away their sins and clothe them in righteousness throughout their lives, that, dying and being raised with Christ, they may share in his final victory. Amen.
(When a person is baptized, his or her first and middle names are used, but not the last name. That is because in baptism, we all receive the same last name, Christian! This is the time when water is put on the person’s head.)
First & middle name, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(The next part is the confirmation part. If you’ve already been baptized, you’d skip the previous section and go straight to this section after the prayer of thanksgiving for the water.)
First, middle, and last name, Remember your baptism and be thankful. Amen.
The Holy Spirit work within you, that being born through water and the Spirit, you may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. Amen.
(The next part is the time when you officially join the church by taking these membership vows.)
As a member of Christ’s universal Church, will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church, and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?
I will.
As a member of Desert Foothills United Methodist Church,
will you faithfully participate in its ministries by
your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?
I will.
(Then everyone welcomes you into the church with a round of applause!)
The Lion King Tells Our Story
Compare the story of Jesus’ baptism to what happened to Simba in the first few minutes of The Lion King.
Verse
Mark 1:2-11
Matthew 2:2, 11
Matthew 3:1-17
Jesus’ Story
Simba’s Story
Prayer Requests for Your Group:
For the Next Class:
Attend Episcopal Worship on February 20.
Read Luke, Chapter 18
Luke Journal, Chapter 18
Questions about Spiritual Life
Do the following experiment in prayer:
A closer relationship with God is something that takes time every day. You don’t become good friends with someone or learn to recognize his or her voice if you rarely spend time with him or her. You can talk with God constantly during your day, because prayer is so many things for a disciple of Christ. For a Christian, many parts of being alive can be a prayer. Here are some ideas for making your life a prayer and for making prayer your life.
To pray is to live. Life is a gift from God. To live, you must breathe. Breathing in and out, then, being alive. Pray this way:
• Sit quietly and listen to your breathing. Make every breath a prayer of thanksgiving for being alive.
To pray is to listen. All the sounds around you are sounds of prayer from God’s creatures and God’s creation. Imagine that all the sounds you hear are messages from God. Pray this way:
• Sit with your eyes closed and listen for all the sounds around you. Try to make each sound a prayer. If you hear a bird singing, make that sound a prayer of thanks for creation. If you hear someone cough or sneeze, pray for persons who are sick. If you hear your stomach growl, pray for those who don’t have enough to eat.
To pray is to wait. Praying is something Christians do with and for others. Praying together is a very important part of the Christian faith. A faith community shares the joys and burdens of all of its sisters and brothers, and prayer for one another is an important way to do that. Pray this way:
• Pair up with a partner – maybe someone you know fairly well. By yourself, make a list of three or four things you would like to talk to God about in prayer – maybe there is sickness in your family, or war in the world, or a problem at school, or a gift for which you’re thankful. Exchange prayer lists with your friend. Commit to each other to pray daily about the things on each other’s list.
To pray is to say yes. Prayer means saying yes to life, saying yes to growing in the faith, saying yes to serving as a disciple. Pray this way:
• Put “feet” to your prayers. If you pray for a closer spiritual walk with God, spend more time with God each day. Recall three things you’ve prayed for recently, and then think of ways you need to put feet to those prayers. Say yes to your prayers. Let your prayers call you to do something about them.
Luke Journal
Chapter 18
The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Jesus Blesses the Little Children
The Rich Ruler
Jesus Predicts His Death & Resurrection a Third Time
Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar
Questions about Spiritual Life
What does it feel like to pray? What would make it easier or more comfortable?
Read Matthew 6:9-13. Do these words sound familiar? Which words or phrases in this passage are most interesting to you? In your own words, restate the message of this passage.
What do you think it means to pray, “Your kingdom come”? What does the kingdom of God look like? Write about it or draw something here to represent it.
Make a list of world issues that you will include in your prayer time during the coming weeks.
Is it difficult to maintain the practice of daily prayer? If so, why? What might you need to change for you to make daily prayer and involvement in other spiritual disciplines regular parts of your life?
Spiritual Life
Lent – The season of the church year that prepares us for Easter. It is a time of self-examination, repentance, and renewal. It lasts forty days, plus six Sundays. It begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with Holy Saturday. The color for Lent is purple, the color of royalty (Jesus was “King of the Jews”) and penitence and preparation. Some symbols for Lent include ashes, nails, cross, palms, sackcloth (burlap).
Ash Wednesday – The beginning of Lent. The Ash Wednesday service is a time of confession, repentance, and pardon. Ashes are placed on your forehead in the sign of a cross. The ashes come from burning the palm branches used during Palm Sunday the previous year. Ash Wednesday is on ______________.
Confession – Recognizing the wrong we have done and the right we have failed to do, and telling that to God.
Pardon – Being forgiven. In church a pardon might sound like this, “Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. That proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!”
Assurance – Being sure, convinced that God loves you and forgives you.
Repentance - when we recognize our need for forgiveness and our desire to be in right relationship with God. It means TURNING AROUND, living life in a new way.
Forgiveness – The act of restoring a broken relationship. God wipes away our sins (forgives us) through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Holy Week – The last week of Lent, beginning with Palm Sunday, including Holy / Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and ending with Holy Saturday. This is the time we remember the last week of Jesus’ life that he spent in Jerusalem.
Palm Sunday – The last Sunday in Lent when we celebrate Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. We wave palm branches and remember how Jesus rode into town on a donkey. Palm Sunday in on ________________________.
Holy Thursday / Maundy Thursday - The Thursday during Holy Week when we remember Jesus’ last night with his disciples before he died. It is the time we celebrate the last supper and foot washing that Jesus did with his disciples that night. After that time in the upper room, Jesus went with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, and later he was arrested there. Holy / Maundy Thursday is on _________________________.
Good Friday – The Friday during Holy Week when we remember Jesus’ crucifixion. He was crucified after being tried, mocked, beaten, stripped, and forced to carry his cross through the streets of Jerusalem. He was crucified at Golgotha, the place of the skull. Good Friday is on _______________________.
Holy Saturday – The Saturday during Holy Week when we remember the time of waiting between Jesus’ death and resurrection. Holy Saturday is on ________________________.
If you’d like to learn more and practice your spiritual life, there is a great website, which could help you.
Spiritual Disciplines
Disciple – One who follows Jesus, who seeks to live as Jesus did and taught, who leads a life evident of following Jesus.
Spiritual Discipline – Habits and practices which draw us closer to God and keep us straight. Some examples are: Recognizing God’s presence & action in everyday life, memorizing scripture, singing, playing or listening to music, reflection on art, creative writing, reading spiritual books, etc.)
Means of Grace – The ways we receive the grace of God in our daily lives.
Works of Piety – Things we do out of our devotion to God, like taking communion, fasting, journaling, studying the Bible, daily devotions, mediating, tithing, worshiping, etc.
Works of Mercy – Things we do out of compassion for others, like service work, intercessory prayer, giving offerings beyond tithing, visiting the sick or imprisoned, social justice work, etc.
Holy Communion – Sacrament that uses bread, wine (juice), and the presence of others to signify God’s grace. Also called the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist. This is also a spiritual discipline.
Fasting – A spiritual discipline where you limit or do not eat for a certain period of time. It is an act of penitence and devotion to God. You
usually spend intentional time in prayer and contemplation as you fast.
You should be careful when you fast. It is still important to drink water
and take care of yourself. You should talk to your parents before you fast. It is NOT a way to lose weight.
Journaling – A spiritual discipline where you write about your relationship with God. You might reflect on a scripture passage, write about your day or relationships with others or problems you are struggling with. You might write your prayers or questions that you have about God or life. You can also write responses to questions others have asked you about God or your relationship with God.
Service – A spiritual discipline where you give time and energy to others. Focusing on someone’s needs other than our own. Some examples include working at a homeless shelter or food bank. Growing or picking food for others (gleaning). Working to build or repair homes for those who are not able to themselves. Tutoring children or adults for no pay. Visiting people in nursing homes, their own homes, or in prison. There are LOTS more examples.
Bible Study – A spiritual discipline where you make a commitment to learn God’s Word. This can be done in a group (class or informal small group) or individually.
Devotions – A spiritual discipline where you read scripture and the writing of someone else who helps you think about God. This is often done individually (perhaps right before you go to bed or when you get up in the morning), but can also be done in groups.
Tithing – Giving the first 10% of what you have (especially money) back to God, usually through the church. This is a spiritual discipline.
Worship - Human response of praise to God. We often formally worship on Sundays at church, when we gather to pray, sing, give our offerings, hear God’s word, take communion. But God also calls us to worship God in everything we do. We do this by praising God while we do all the things we do in life.
Intercessory Prayer – A spiritual discipline where you talk to God about the needs of others and ask for God’s help and mercy.
Simplicity – A spiritual discipline where you try to remove the clutter from your life, so that it is easier to hear God speaking to you. This involves setting priorities and loving God more than all the other things that compete for our time and attention.
Meditation – A spiritual discipline and type of prayer. It involves being silent, getting rid of all the distractions in your mind, and focusing on God. It is not a time of asking things of God. It is a time of listening to what God has to say to you and just experiencing being in the presence of God.
Prayer Requests for Your Group:
For the Next Class:
Read Luke, Chapter 19
Luke Journal, Chapter 19
Questions about Death & Resurrection
Choose at least one of the spiritual disciplines listed above and try it
out this week.
Luke Journal
Chapter 19
Jesus and Zacchaeus
The Parable of the 10 Pounds
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Questions about Death and Resurrection
Tell about your experience of a funeral that you have attended for a friend or family member. What stands out in your memory of this experience? (If you’ve never been to a funeral or can’t remember, ask a parent this and the next question.)
What, if anything surprised you about the funeral service you went to? What emotions did you see in others? What emotions did you experience yourself? Did anything happen that you didn’t understand? Why do you think we have funerals instead of just burying or cremating people who die – why the public gathering? What did the worship leaders talk about concerning death, eternal life?
In one minute, write as many words as you can think of to describe eternal life and heaven.
Share your thoughts about what you would want your own funeral to be like:
What music would you want to have?
Bible passages?
Mood?
People you wish could participate (pastor, pallbearers,
musicians, caterers, etc.)?
People you hope would attend?
What you’d want said about you?
Death and Resurrection
Easter – The day that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, three days after he was crucified. Colors are white and gold. Symbols are things that show new life, like butterflies, eggs, flowers, Easter lilies (they look like trumpets announcing the good news of Jesus’ resurrection to the people). Easter is on _____________________.
Resurrection – When God brings one to life after one has been dead. The one who is resurrected has a new spiritual body. As Christians we believe that Jesus was resurrected, and therefore defeated death. We also believe that we will be resurrected when Christ comes for the second time.
Atonement – Through Jesus Christ, God reconciled the world to God’s self. In other words, because Jesus died and rose again, God and the world are “at one” with each other. They are back in right relationship again.
Salvation – God’s gift that frees us from sin and death, makes us new people, and gives us new life in Jesus Christ, makes us whole, repairs our relationship with God. Being saved.
Prayer Requests for Your Group:
For the Next Class:
Attend Ash Wednesday Service on March 9.
Read Luke, Chapters 20 & 21
Luke Journal, Chapters 20 & 21
Questions about Methodism, pt. 1
Complete the following worksheet (Do All the Good You Can), and do at
least one of the things you listed this week.
Do All the Good You Can!
In All the Ways You Can!
To All the People You Can!
In All the Opportunities You Have!
“Do all the good you can” is one of John Wesley’s General Rules, which you’ll learn more about next class. As United Methodists, who follow the ways of John Wesley, we too are asked to do all the good we can. On the left, under “The Call”, many ways of doing good are listed. On the right, under “What I Can Do”, list some specific ways, places, people, and times that you could do that particular good.
The Call
• To Their Bodies
(Matthew 25:35-40)
Giving food to the hungry
Clothing the naked
Visiting those who are sick
Visiting those who are in prison
• To Their Souls
Teaching all those who come
your way to do good too
Showing by your example Christ’s
love for them
• To the Members of the Household
of Faith (other Christians)
Employing them first
Buying from them
Helping in their business
• Bear One Another’s Burdens
(Galatians 6:2)
Listening
Supporting and encouraging
Helping; lending a hand
Being with someone in their grief
• What Does the Lord Require?
(Micah 6:8)
Justice
Mercy
Kindness
What I Can Do
__________________________
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Luke Journal
Chapters 20 & 21
Chapter 20
Jesus’ Authority Questioned
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
Questions about Paying Taxes
Questions about the Resurrection
Questions about the Son of David
Jesus Denounces the Scribes
Chapter 21
The Widow’s Offering
The Destruction of the Temple Predicted
Signs and Persecutions
The Destruction of Jerusalem Predicted
The Coming of the Son of Man
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
Warning to Stay Alert
Questions about Methodism, Pt. 1
Who are the people who formed the faith foundations of your family tree? Ask your parents (if you don’t already know yourself) whether or not your grandparents and great-grandparents went to church. If they did, what sort of church did they go to? If not, why did your family begin going to church? What were the faith values that your family has passed on to you?
Have you ever had an experience when you felt God asking you to do something or assuring you about a decision that you have made? Describe that experience? If you haven’t had an experience like that, what do you wish that God would give you some assurance of?
As you talk with your friends outside of church about God and church, do you notice that some of them have different ideas than you do? What are some of those differences?
What questions do you have about the United Methodist Church, what we believe, and how we live out that faith?
Methodism, pt. 1
John Wesley - An eighteenth-century priest of the Church of England who became the founder of the Methodist Movement.
Charles Wesley - An eighteenth-century priest of the Church of England. The brother of John Wesley. He is best known for the many hymns he wrote.
Susanna & Samuel Wesley - The mother & father of John and Charles Wesley. Susanna was a devout and spiritual woman who was a strong religious influence on her sons. Samuel was also an Anglican priest.
Holy Club – Charles and John Wesley led this group of students and teachers at Oxford University to pray, study the bible, and care for the poor.
Aldersgate – John Wesley had his “heart strangely warmed,” which was a life-changing spiritual experience, where he knew without a doubt how much God loved him. This experience happened at a bible study at a church on Aldersgate Street.
Methodism – The movement that grew out of the Holy Club, which eventually became its own denomination. The movement was (and is) based in the same principles as the Holy Club – prayer, bible study, and care for the poor.
General Rules – Guides for Holy Living, written by John Wesley and included in the Book of Discipline. The three General Rules are: 1. Do no harm. 2. Do all the good you can. 3. Take every opportunity to draw closer to God.
Francis Asbury – the first bishop of the Methodist Church in America. He lived at the same time as John Wesley (1700s).
Circuit Riders – When the Methodist Church first came to America, there weren’t churches already set up, and there weren’t very many pastors. So Methodist Preachers rode on horseback around a “circuit” or route, preaching along the way.
Wesleyan Quadrilateral – As United Methodists, we use four things to decide what we believe: Scripture, Tradition, Experience, and Reason. These four things make up the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. Scripture is the first and most important source for learning God’s plan for life, however.
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Prayer Requests for Your Group:
For the Next Class:
Read Luke, Chapter 22
Luke Journal, Chapter 22
Questions about Methodism, pt. 2
Memorize the 10 Commandments. Don’t worry about the order or
the exact wording. You’ll have an opportunity to see how good
your memory is next class.
The 10 Commandments
Exodus 20:1-17
1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself idols or worship them.
3. You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.
Luke Journal
Chapter 22
The Plot to Kill Jesus
Preparing the Passover Meal
The Lord’s Supper
Dispute about Greatness
Jesus Predicts that Peter will Deny Him
Purse, Bag, and Sword
Praying on the Mount of Olives
Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest
Peter Denies Jesus
Jesus is Mocked and Beaten
Jesus on Trial before the Council
Questions about Methodism, pt. 2
Why do you think your family belongs to a United Methodist Church, rather than a church of another denomination, like Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, etc.? If you don’t know, ask your parents!
To be holy means to be set apart. Read Mark 12:28-34. There it gives two commandments which define a holy life. How do you love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength? How do you love your neighbor as yourself?
Visit one of the following websites and find at least three examples of ways United Methodists around the world are seeking to be holy.
What do you like about the United Methodist Church? Is there something different about it that you’ve noticed as we’ve visited other churches? What do you not like about the United Methodist Church?
What is one thing about our church that you would change in order to have your spiritual needs better met? What might you do to help that change to happen?
Methodism, pt. 2
Clergy – People who are ordained for full time Christian ministry.
Laity (or lay people) – People who are not ordained clergy. All the people who make up the church.
Deacon – A clergyperson who is ordained to word and service. Deacons work in specialized areas of ministry, such as children, youth, nursing, music, administration, teaching, etc. Some Deacons work in schools, hospitals, and other agencies, rather than in the local church. Deacons help us bridge the gap between the church and the world. The word Deacon comes from the Greek word meaning “to serve”.
Elder – A clergyperson who is ordained to word, order, sacrament, and service. Elders most often serve as pastors in churches. They give the sermons, preside at holy communion and baptisms, and organize churches for ministry.
Bishop – An ordained Elder who is elected to lead an Annual Conference in carrying out the decisions of the General Conference. Our Bishop is Rev. Minerva Carcaño.
Connectional – The choice of government of the United Methodist Church, which enables the churches to do more together than each one could do separately.
Cross and Flame – The official symbol of the United Methodist Church. The cross reminds us of Christ. The flame represents the Holy Spirit.
General Conference – 1000 elected church representatives that meet every four years to decide the direction and mission of the United Methodist Church worldwide. These representatives are from all over the world, are men and women, clergy and lay. General Conference will meet again in 2012.
Jurisdiction – The United Methodist Church in the United States is divided into several large regions, called jurisdictions. We in Arizona are part of the Western Jurisdiction.
Annual Conference – Clergy and laity in a geographic area that meet once a year for the purpose of determining programs and policies for United Methodists in their area. We are in the Desert Southwest Annual Conference, which includes all of Arizona, southern Nevada (including Las Vegas), and a small section of California. Several Annual Conferences make up a Jurisdiction.
District – Several United Methodist churches in an area make up a district. We are part of the Central East District. Several districts make up an Annual Conference.
United Methodist Conferences & Jurisdictions
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Book of Discipline – Book that contains the doctrine, organization, and theology of the United Methodist Church. It is put out every four years after it is revised by the General Conference. Essentially, it tells us what it means to be United Methodist.
Social Principles – Statements of belief and teaching, included in the Book of Discipline, that describe how our faith affects the world.
Apportionments – The amount of money each local church is supposed to give each year to support the global ministries of the entire United Methodist Church. “A Portion Meant” for others. Youth Service Fund and UMCOR get much of their money through apportionments. When you give your tithe to the church, you are helping to pay our apportionments.
Youth Service Fund – Money raised by youth, to benefit youth in need all over the world. Youth are also the ones who decide where this money goes.
UMCOR – stands for United Methodist Committee on Relief. It is one of the ways our church is involved in mission to the entire world. In disaster situations, like earthquakes or hurricanes, UMCOR is usually one of the first organizations to respond.
Itinerancy – “To travel.” – Just as circuit riders traveled on horseback, Methodist pastors today travel by being assigned to congregations for one year at a time. That is why pastors come and go from churches. It is part of being a connectional church.
Prayer Requests for Your Group:
For the Next Class:
Read Luke, Chapters 23 & 24
Luke Journal, Chapters 23 & 24
Questions about Life in the Church
Write your own creed. Use the guide below to help:
Write out your own beliefs about the following:
Creation of the world:
God:
Jesus Christ:
The Holy Spirit:
Sin and evil:
Forgiveness:
Prayer:
The Bible:
Death:
Suffering:
The Church:
Living as a Christian:
Luke Journal
Chapters 23 & 24
Chapter 23
Jesus on Trial before Pilate
Jesus on Trial before Herod
Jesus Sentenced to Death
Jesus Crucified
Jesus’ Death
Jesus’ Burial
Chapter 24
Jesus’ Resurrection
The Walk to Emmaus
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
The Ascension of Jesus
Questions about Life in the Church
Read Romans 12:5-8. The church often calls itself “the body of Christ.” In what ways do you see the members of the congregation working together to get something done? Which part of the body do you think you are?
Why do you think people join a church? What are the good things about being a church member?
Think about the church as a body. Fill in the picture below with the names of our church’s ministry teams which carry out that part of the body’s work (for example, the missions team might be the hands and feet of the church, and so on). Here are the names of the ministry teams at DFUMC:
Administrative Council Finance / Stewardship
Education Trustees
Marketing Missions
Youth Council Staff-Parish Relations
Fellowship Lay Leadership
Worship Hospitality
Which part of the body describes your role in the church today? How might you become a more active part of the body?
On which committee of the church do you think you might like to serve someday?
How have you seen yourself grow in your understanding of God? How do you feel about your relationship with God at this point in your life?
Write a letter to God telling God your thoughts and feelings about following Jesus Christ. What are your fears and struggles? Ask God to help you as you make your decision about being confirmed. Tell God how you are feeling about the commitment that comes with confirmation and church membership. As you write, listen to what God might be saying to you. Write down what you think God is telling you.
Life in the Church
Covenant – A serious and holy promise or commitment. Covenants are often made between people and God (like the ones with Noah, Abraham, the people of Israel, the world through Jesus Christ.) Or they are made between people in the sight of God (like marriage & confirmation).
Baptism – Sacrament that uses water to signify God’s grace. Our entry into the church and its ministry. A time when we proclaim our faith in God, promise to be obedient to God, and the church promises to pray for us, and teach us the ways of the faith. If we are too young to make these promises for ourselves, our parents or other sponsors make them for us.
Confirmation – A means of grace where we “make firm” our beliefs about God. We make the promises made for us in our baptism our own promises: we proclaim our faith and promise to be obedient to God, while the church promises to pray for us and continue to teach us the faith. The time we become members of the church.
Church Membership – Youth often become members of the church through confirmation. Being a member of the church means that you participate in the church, support it, seek to live as a disciple of Christ, teach others to live that way, pray for the church and those in it, come to worship and participate in other activities, give money to the church (tithe), use the spiritual gifts God gave you to build up the church, and serve others in the church and the community.
Sanctifying Grace – God’s love that helps us grow into the kind of people God wants us to become. God’s love that helps us reach Christian Perfection.
Christian Perfection – Experiencing God’s love so strongly that we would not consciously choose to sin. Becoming perfect in love (not that we don’t ever make a mistake – like give a wrong answer).
Holy Spirit – God. The third person of the Trinity. This part of God inspires us, keeps us going (sustains us), gives us life, helps us grow in our relationship with Christ, brings us together as a church, and much more.
Sanctifying Grace – God’s love that helps us grow into the kind of people God wants us to become. God’s love that helps us reach Christian Perfection.
Fruits of the Spirit – Read Galatians 5:22-26. The fruit of the spirit are the qualities which are produced in us when we live in the Holy Spirit and live close to God. They are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Forgiveness – Letting go of something someone has done wrong against you. Repairing your relationship with someone. God forgives us as we confess. God forgave all of humanity when Christ died on the cross. God asks us to forgive one another and helps us to do that.
Salvation by Grace (not by works) – We are saved only because of God’s love. There is nothing we can do to earn it (for example: if we do a bunch of good things or works, God appreciates that, but we do not earn our way into heaven).
Agape Love – Godly love that is unconditional. God loves us this way, and asks us to love each other this way. Read 1 Corinthians 13.
Love Feast – A celebration of God’s love for us and our love for others, as we eat food together and serve one another that food.
The Vows We Will Take
The Vow of Volition (Desire)
Through confirmation, and through the reaffirmation of our faith, we renew the covenant declared at our baptism, acknowledge what God is doing for us, and affirm our commitment to Christ’s holy church.
The first question we must answer is, Do we desire this? Not, do our parents desire it? Not, do our friends desire it? Not, why shouldn’t I if all of my other friends are doing it? The vow of volition (desire) is about you: What do you want? Do you want to be a Christian? Do you want to be a member of the church?
When we stand at the altar to make our vows, we stand before God and before the community. We are surrounded by those who love us – our families, our friends, our congregation. But the question is deeply personal: Are YOU ready to renew the covenant, acknowledge God, and commit to the church?
The Vow of Confession
• Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin?
• Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?
The second vow is one of direction. Do we really want to be the person God has called us to be? Do we want to live our lives the way God calls us to? If so, then we must give up doing things our own way. Sin is when we try to go it alone without God or try to make something else into God. In the second vow we repent (turn around) from doing things our way and pledge to be God’s person.
The Vow of Profession
• Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?
• Do you believe in God the Father? . . .
Do you believe in Jesus Christ? . . .
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? . . .
• According to the grace given to you, will you remain a faithful member of Christ’s holy church and serve as Christ’s representative in the world?
We are reminded in the third vow that we do not just turn from something; we turn to something. In this vow we affirm the Christian faith as contained in the Apostles’ Creed and in the Scriptures. We promise to live as God would have us live, honoring Christ as Savior and serving him as Lord. We promise to do so as part of the people of God called the church.
The Vow of Church Membership
• Will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church,
and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?
• As a member of Desert Foothills United Methodist Church,
will you faithfully participate in its ministries by
your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness?
John Wesley insisted that there is no such thing as a solitary Christian. To be a Christian means to live in the community of faith (the church, the body of Christ). Our last vow asks us whether we are willing to live our faith in this denomination, the United Methodist Church, and in this congregation.
We become members of the church at our baptism – baptized members. But now at confirmation, we publicly profess and personally claim the name Christian, the faith into which we have been baptized. And we claim the name United Methodist.
Prayer Requests for Your Group:
For the Next Class:
Attend at least one Holy Week Service (Maundy Thursday or Good Friday) and an Easter Service.
Confirmation Sunday is May 1!
You should have received an email with instructions about what to wear, where to be when, etc.
Call Pastor Jenny or Jamie if you have questions!
Worship Notes #1
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
List at least three of the announcements that were made:
What was the MUSIC like and who did it?
What was the music saying?
How did the music help you to worship?
Were there any SPECIAL EVENTS during the service? (baptism, new members joining, etc.) What were they?
(over)
What SCRIPTURE was used? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!)
What did the scripture say to you?
Who preached the SERMON?
What was the sermon about?
How can it apply to your life?
What questions do you have about the sermon?
This week I will PRACTICE what was preached to me by:
Worship Notes #2
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
What happened at the start of the worship service, as you entered the worship space, or as you sat awaiting the start of worship to help you and others PREPARE yourselves to worship?
Name 3-5 of the things that were lifted up in PRAYER. How did prayer help you connect to God during worship? To the other people present? What is your prayer today? How will you share your prayer with others?
Choose one SCRIPTURE that was used today: _____________________.
What did the scripture say to you? Try to rewrite it here in your own words.
(over)
What WITNESS was given about God in the service today? What was said about God? What did you discover about God or God’s love for you today?
Were you able to GIVE gifts today? How did giving as an act of worship make you feel?
What did you see or hear about Christian SERVICE today? What kind of service was mentioned or encouraged? Is this a type of service you could participate in?
How did you welcome or acknowledge the PRESENCE of others during worship?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #3
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
How did you personally PREPARE your heart, mind, and body for worship?
What were the PRAYER times like and who did it? (was it silent, spoken out loud, to music, with movement, did many people pray or just one, etc.)
What SCRIPTURE was used in worship? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!) Be sure to note scriptures you heard/saw in addition to the primary passages covered in the sermon. Perhaps there is scripture sung in music or referenced in liturgy, prayers, or other parts of worship.
How was a Christian WITNESS or personal faith story included in the worship service? Who gave the witness? (maybe there was a faith story in the sermon, music, or prayer)
(over)
How were worshippers encouraged to GIVE during worship? What opportunities to give other than a monetary offering were available or explained?
What part of the worship service helped you to understand Christian SERVICE today? Describe what you saw/heard/learned. How does this teach you something about Christian service/missions?
What helped you to feel like a part of the Christian COMMUNITY gathering to worship during the service?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #4
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
List at least three of the announcements that were made:
What was the MUSIC like and who did it?
What was the music saying?
How did the music help you to worship?
Were there any SPECIAL EVENTS during the service? (baptism, new members joining, etc.) What were they?
(over)
What SCRIPTURE was used? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!)
What did the scripture say to you?
Who preached the SERMON?
What was the sermon about?
How can it apply to your life?
What questions do you have about the sermon?
This week I will PRACTICE what was preached to me by:
Worship Notes #5
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
What happened at the start of the worship service, as you entered the worship space, or as you sat awaiting the start of worship to help you and others PREPARE yourselves to worship?
Name 3-5 of the things that were lifted up in PRAYER. How did prayer help you connect to God during worship? To the other people present? What is your prayer today? How will you share your prayer with others?
Choose one SCRIPTURE that was used today: _____________________.
What did the scripture say to you? Try to rewrite it here in your own words.
(over)
What WITNESS was given about God in the service today? What was said about God? What did you discover about God or God’s love for you today?
Were you able to GIVE gifts today? How did giving as an act of worship make you feel?
What did you see or hear about Christian SERVICE today? What kind of service was mentioned or encouraged? Is this a type of service you could participate in?
How did you welcome or acknowledge the PRESENCE of others during worship?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #6
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
How did you personally PREPARE your heart, mind, and body for worship?
What were the PRAYER times like and who did it? (was it silent, spoken out loud, to music, with movement, did many people pray or just one, etc.)
What SCRIPTURE was used in worship? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!) Be sure to note scriptures you heard/saw in addition to the primary passages covered in the sermon. Perhaps there is scripture sung in music or referenced in liturgy, prayers, or other parts of worship.
How was a Christian WITNESS or personal faith story included in the worship service? Who gave the witness? (maybe there was a faith story in the sermon, music, or prayer)
(over)
How were worshippers encouraged to GIVE during worship? What opportunities to give other than a monetary offering were available or explained?
What part of the worship service helped you to understand Christian SERVICE today? Describe what you saw/heard/learned. How does this teach you something about Christian service/missions?
What helped you to feel like a part of the Christian COMMUNITY gathering to worship during the service?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #7
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
List at least three of the announcements that were made:
What was the MUSIC like and who did it?
What was the music saying?
How did the music help you to worship?
Were there any SPECIAL EVENTS during the service? (baptism, new members joining, etc.) What were they?
(over)
What SCRIPTURE was used? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!)
What did the scripture say to you?
Who preached the SERMON?
What was the sermon about?
How can it apply to your life?
What questions do you have about the sermon?
This week I will PRACTICE what was preached to me by:
Worship Notes #8
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
What happened at the start of the worship service, as you entered the worship space, or as you sat awaiting the start of worship to help you and others PREPARE yourselves to worship?
Name 3-5 of the things that were lifted up in PRAYER. How did prayer help you connect to God during worship? To the other people present? What is your prayer today? How will you share your prayer with others?
Choose one SCRIPTURE that was used today: _____________________.
What did the scripture say to you? Try to rewrite it here in your own words.
(over)
What WITNESS was given about God in the service today? What was said about God? What did you discover about God or God’s love for you today?
Were you able to GIVE gifts today? How did giving as an act of worship make you feel?
What did you see or hear about Christian SERVICE today? What kind of service was mentioned or encouraged? Is this a type of service you could participate in?
How did you welcome or acknowledge the PRESENCE of others during worship?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #9
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
How did you personally PREPARE your heart, mind, and body for worship?
What were the PRAYER times like and who did it? (was it silent, spoken out loud, to music, with movement, did many people pray or just one, etc.)
What SCRIPTURE was used in worship? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!) Be sure to note scriptures you heard/saw in addition to the primary passages covered in the sermon. Perhaps there is scripture sung in music or referenced in liturgy, prayers, or other parts of worship.
How was a Christian WITNESS or personal faith story included in the worship service? Who gave the witness? (maybe there was a faith story in the sermon, music, or prayer)
(over)
How were worshippers encouraged to GIVE during worship? What opportunities to give other than a monetary offering were available or explained?
What part of the worship service helped you to understand Christian SERVICE today? Describe what you saw/heard/learned. How does this teach you something about Christian service/missions?
What helped you to feel like a part of the Christian COMMUNITY gathering to worship during the service?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #10
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
List at least three of the announcements that were made:
What was the MUSIC like and who did it?
What was the music saying?
How did the music help you to worship?
Were there any SPECIAL EVENTS during the service? (baptism, new members joining, etc.) What were they?
(over)
What SCRIPTURE was used? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!)
What did the scripture say to you?
Who preached the SERMON?
What was the sermon about?
How can it apply to your life?
What questions do you have about the sermon?
This week I will PRACTICE what was preached to me by:
Worship Notes #11
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
What happened at the start of the worship service, as you entered the worship space, or as you sat awaiting the start of worship to help you and others PREPARE yourselves to worship?
Name 3-5 of the things that were lifted up in PRAYER. How did prayer help you connect to God during worship? To the other people present? What is your prayer today? How will you share your prayer with others?
Choose one SCRIPTURE that was used today: _____________________.
What did the scripture say to you? Try to rewrite it here in your own words.
(over)
What WITNESS was given about God in the service today? What was said about God? What did you discover about God or God’s love for you today?
Were you able to GIVE gifts today? How did giving as an act of worship make you feel?
What did you see or hear about Christian SERVICE today? What kind of service was mentioned or encouraged? Is this a type of service you could participate in?
How did you welcome or acknowledge the PRESENCE of others during worship?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #12
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
How did you personally PREPARE your heart, mind, and body for worship?
What were the PRAYER times like and who did it? (was it silent, spoken out loud, to music, with movement, did many people pray or just one, etc.)
What SCRIPTURE was used in worship? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!) Be sure to note scriptures you heard/saw in addition to the primary passages covered in the sermon. Perhaps there is scripture sung in music or referenced in liturgy, prayers, or other parts of worship.
How was a Christian WITNESS or personal faith story included in the worship service? Who gave the witness? (maybe there was a faith story in the sermon, music, or prayer)
(over)
How were worshippers encouraged to GIVE during worship? What opportunities to give other than a monetary offering were available or explained?
What part of the worship service helped you to understand Christian SERVICE today? Describe what you saw/heard/learned. How does this teach you something about Christian service/missions?
What helped you to feel like a part of the Christian COMMUNITY gathering to worship during the service?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #13
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
List at least three of the announcements that were made:
What was the MUSIC like and who did it?
What was the music saying?
How did the music help you to worship?
Were there any SPECIAL EVENTS during the service? (baptism, new members joining, etc.) What were they?
(over)
What SCRIPTURE was used? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!)
What did the scripture say to you?
Who preached the SERMON?
What was the sermon about?
How can it apply to your life?
What questions do you have about the sermon?
This week I will PRACTICE what was preached to me by:
Worship Notes #14
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
What happened at the start of the worship service, as you entered the worship space, or as you sat awaiting the start of worship to help you and others PREPARE yourselves to worship?
Name 3-5 of the things that were lifted up in PRAYER. How did prayer help you connect to God during worship? To the other people present? What is your prayer today? How will you share your prayer with others?
Choose one SCRIPTURE that was used today: _____________________.
What did the scripture say to you? Try to rewrite it here in your own words.
(over)
What WITNESS was given about God in the service today? What was said about God? What did you discover about God or God’s love for you today?
Were you able to GIVE gifts today? How did giving as an act of worship make you feel?
What did you see or hear about Christian SERVICE today? What kind of service was mentioned or encouraged? Is this a type of service you could participate in?
How did you welcome or acknowledge the PRESENCE of others during worship?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #15
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
How did you personally PREPARE your heart, mind, and body for worship?
What were the PRAYER times like and who did it? (was it silent, spoken out loud, to music, with movement, did many people pray or just one, etc.)
What SCRIPTURE was used in worship? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!) Be sure to note scriptures you heard/saw in addition to the primary passages covered in the sermon. Perhaps there is scripture sung in music or referenced in liturgy, prayers, or other parts of worship.
How was a Christian WITNESS or personal faith story included in the worship service? Who gave the witness? (maybe there was a faith story in the sermon, music, or prayer)
(over)
How were worshippers encouraged to GIVE during worship? What opportunities to give other than a monetary offering were available or explained?
What part of the worship service helped you to understand Christian SERVICE today? Describe what you saw/heard/learned. How does this teach you something about Christian service/missions?
What helped you to feel like a part of the Christian COMMUNITY gathering to worship during the service?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #16
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
List at least three of the announcements that were made:
What was the MUSIC like and who did it?
What was the music saying?
How did the music help you to worship?
Were there any SPECIAL EVENTS during the service? (baptism, new members joining, etc.) What were they?
(over)
What SCRIPTURE was used? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!)
What did the scripture say to you?
Who preached the SERMON?
What was the sermon about?
How can it apply to your life?
What questions do you have about the sermon?
This week I will PRACTICE what was preached to me by:
Worship Notes #17
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
What happened at the start of the worship service, as you entered the worship space, or as you sat awaiting the start of worship to help you and others PREPARE yourselves to worship?
Name 3-5 of the things that were lifted up in PRAYER. How did prayer help you connect to God during worship? To the other people present? What is your prayer today? How will you share your prayer with others?
Choose one SCRIPTURE that was used today: _____________________.
What did the scripture say to you? Try to rewrite it here in your own words.
(over)
What WITNESS was given about God in the service today? What was said about God? What did you discover about God or God’s love for you today?
Were you able to GIVE gifts today? How did giving as an act of worship make you feel?
What did you see or hear about Christian SERVICE today? What kind of service was mentioned or encouraged? Is this a type of service you could participate in?
How did you welcome or acknowledge the PRESENCE of others during worship?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #18
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
How did you personally PREPARE your heart, mind, and body for worship?
What were the PRAYER times like and who did it? (was it silent, spoken out loud, to music, with movement, did many people pray or just one, etc.)
What SCRIPTURE was used in worship? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!) Be sure to note scriptures you heard/saw in addition to the primary passages covered in the sermon. Perhaps there is scripture sung in music or referenced in liturgy, prayers, or other parts of worship.
How was a Christian WITNESS or personal faith story included in the worship service? Who gave the witness? (maybe there was a faith story in the sermon, music, or prayer)
(over)
How were worshippers encouraged to GIVE during worship? What opportunities to give other than a monetary offering were available or explained?
What part of the worship service helped you to understand Christian SERVICE today? Describe what you saw/heard/learned. How does this teach you something about Christian service/missions?
What helped you to feel like a part of the Christian COMMUNITY gathering to worship during the service?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #19
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
List at least three of the announcements that were made:
What was the MUSIC like and who did it?
What was the music saying?
How did the music help you to worship?
Were there any SPECIAL EVENTS during the service? (baptism, new members joining, etc.) What were they?
(over)
What SCRIPTURE was used? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!)
What did the scripture say to you?
Who preached the SERMON?
What was the sermon about?
How can it apply to your life?
What questions do you have about the sermon?
This week I will PRACTICE what was preached to me by:
Worship Notes #20
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
What happened at the start of the worship service, as you entered the worship space, or as you sat awaiting the start of worship to help you and others PREPARE yourselves to worship?
Name 3-5 of the things that were lifted up in PRAYER. How did prayer help you connect to God during worship? To the other people present? What is your prayer today? How will you share your prayer with others?
Choose one SCRIPTURE that was used today: _____________________.
What did the scripture say to you? Try to rewrite it here in your own words.
(over)
What WITNESS was given about God in the service today? What was said about God? What did you discover about God or God’s love for you today?
Were you able to GIVE gifts today? How did giving as an act of worship make you feel?
What did you see or hear about Christian SERVICE today? What kind of service was mentioned or encouraged? Is this a type of service you could participate in?
How did you welcome or acknowledge the PRESENCE of others during worship?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #21
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
How did you personally PREPARE your heart, mind, and body for worship?
What were the PRAYER times like and who did it? (was it silent, spoken out loud, to music, with movement, did many people pray or just one, etc.)
What SCRIPTURE was used in worship? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!) Be sure to note scriptures you heard/saw in addition to the primary passages covered in the sermon. Perhaps there is scripture sung in music or referenced in liturgy, prayers, or other parts of worship.
How was a Christian WITNESS or personal faith story included in the worship service? Who gave the witness? (maybe there was a faith story in the sermon, music, or prayer)
(over)
How were worshippers encouraged to GIVE during worship? What opportunities to give other than a monetary offering were available or explained?
What part of the worship service helped you to understand Christian SERVICE today? Describe what you saw/heard/learned. How does this teach you something about Christian service/missions?
What helped you to feel like a part of the Christian COMMUNITY gathering to worship during the service?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Worship Notes #22
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
List at least three of the announcements that were made:
What was the MUSIC like and who did it?
What was the music saying?
How did the music help you to worship?
Were there any SPECIAL EVENTS during the service? (baptism, new members joining, etc.) What were they?
(over)
What SCRIPTURE was used? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!)
What did the scripture say to you?
Who preached the SERMON?
What was the sermon about?
How can it apply to your life?
What questions do you have about the sermon?
This week I will PRACTICE what was preached to me by:
Worship Notes #23
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to?
(circle one): 9:00 10:30
Other (where and what type?):
What happened at the start of the worship service, as you entered the worship space, or as you sat awaiting the start of worship to help you and others PREPARE yourselves to worship?
Name 3-5 of the things that were lifted up in PRAYER. How did prayer help you connect to God during worship? To the other people present? What is your prayer today? How will you share your prayer with others?
Choose one SCRIPTURE that was used today: _____________________.
What did the scripture say to you? Try to rewrite it here in your own words.
(over)
What WITNESS was given about God in the service today? What was said about God? What did you discover about God or God’s love for you today?
Were you able to GIVE gifts today? How did giving as an act of worship make you feel?
What did you see or hear about Christian SERVICE today? What kind of service was mentioned or encouraged? Is this a type of service you could participate in?
How did you welcome or acknowledge the PRESENCE of others during worship?
This week I will PRACTICE what I learned and experienced in worship today by:
Jewish Synagogue Worship Notes
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
As United Methodists we believe that learning about Judaism is important for several reasons. Their faith is a part of ours: we believe that Jews were called by God to be his chosen people, and the Old Testament (also called the Hebrew Scriptures) is a record of that relationship. So studying the Old Testament helps us understand our faith better! Also, Jesus and most of his early followers were Jewish: Jesus lived and taught in a Jewish society. Understanding Judaism helps us understand our New Testament.
What did you learn about the beliefs and customs of Judaism?
What are some beliefs that Jews and Christians share?
What are some that are different?
Did you see any familiar symbols in the synagogue?
Any unfamiliar ones?
What was the major difference between the Jews of Jesus’ time who became Christians, and those who didn’t?
Catholic Worship Notes
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
The Roman Catholic Church traces it’s roots back 2,000 years to Jesus’ time, and names the Apostle Peter as its first church official. During the Reformation, about 500 years ago, disagreements about religious practices and beliefs led to the formation of the first Protestant churches.
What reminded you of our worship services?
Did you see and familiar symbols or hear any familiar words?
What was different?
Why do we say our “roots” go back to the Catholic Church?
What are some of the differences between the Catholic Church and the United Methodist Church?
Can you name any famous Catholics, from our time or from the past?
Episcopal Worship Notes
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
The Episcopal Church resulted from a split in the Catholic Church in 1534 in England. At that time, King Henry VIII declared himself (rather than the Pope) the leader of the church in England. Episcopalians are no longer ruled by a king, but are governed by bishops. Some Episcopal churches use a great deal of ritual and ceremony in worship, while others do not. All use the Book of Common Prayer, which is a worship book full of prayers and rituals. John Wesley, founder of our Methodist Church, was an Episcopal priest.
What reminded you of our worship services?
Did you see any familiar symbols or hear any familiar words?
What was different?
Why do we say our “roots” go back to the Episcopal Church?
What are some of the differences between the Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church?
Ash Wednesday Worship Notes
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
What was the MUSIC like and who did it?
What was the music saying?
What SCRIPTURE was used? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!)
What did the scripture say to you?
Who gave the MEDITATION?
(over)
What was the meditation about?
How can it apply to your life?
What was different about this service compared to Sunday morning services?
What is the significance of the cross of ashes on your forehead?
Why do we have an Ash Wednesday service?
Maundy Thursday / Good Friday Worship Notes
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
Which worship service did you go to? (circle one)
Holy Thursday Good Friday
What was the MUSIC like and who did it?
What was the music saying?
What SCRIPTURE was used? (Be sure to look it up in the Bible!)
What did the scripture say to you?
Who gave the MEDITATION?
(over)
What was the meditation about?
How can it apply to your life?
What was different about this service compared to Sunday morning services?
What is the significance of the foot washing and communion (Holy Thursday) or darkness (Good Friday)?
Why do we have these extra services?
Mission / Service Project Notes #1
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
God wants us to love and serve our neighbors, just like the Good Samaritan. You are expected to participate in at least two service projects.
What sort of project did you participate in?
How much time did you spend?
Who did you do the project with?
What did you learn about yourself through serving in this way?
What did you learn about others through serving in this way?
What did you learn about God through serving in this way?
How will you continue to serve other people after Confirmation is over?
Mission / Service Project Notes #2
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
God wants us to love and serve our neighbors, just like the Good Samaritan. You are expected to participate in at least two service projects.
What sort of project did you participate in?
How much time did you spend?
Who did you do the project with?
What did you learn about yourself through serving in this way?
What did you learn about others through serving in this way?
What did you learn about God through serving in this way?
How will you continue to serve other people after Confirmation is over?
Church Service Notes
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
God gave each of us spiritual gifts so we can serve God and Church. You are expected to serve in the church in some way during Confirmation through things like being an usher, leading in worship.
How did you choose to serve in the Church?
Was this a new experience for you?
What did you learn about yourself through serving in this way?
What did you learn about the church through serving in this way?
What did you learn about God through serving in this way?
How will you continue to serve the church after Confirmation is over?
Witness Notes
Invite Someone to Church
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
God’s grace is always flowing over us and through us. We hope that this church is a place where you feel loved and accepted by God and other people. And we hope it is a place where you learn to know and love God, and that you are joyful and excited to be here. So much so that you would want others to enjoy it to.
Who did you invite to church with you? How do you know him or her?
How did you choose that person to invite?
What was it like to invite that person? What did you say? Was it easy to invite? Hard? Were you nervous? Excited?
What did the person say? How did he or she respond? Did he or she accept your invitation?
To what event did you invite him or her to? What was it like for him or her? What was it like for you to have someone here you brought?
Will you bring him or her back again? Would he or she want to come again?
Who will you think of inviting next? To what event will you invite someone?
Witness Notes
Sharing Your Faith Story
Name ________________________________ Date ____________
God is working in your life! It’s important that you tell others how!
You will need to tell your faith story, or some part of it in one of the following ways:
Spoken aloud in worship Video-taped Interview
Your own video
An original piece of artwork or music (with explanation)
Written story to be published for the church newsletter
Here are some things to think about as you write your faith story. Use some of these questions to help you create and share your faith story. Your faith story should include telling others about ways you have experienced God, how your life is affected by your faith and God’s presence in your life, and what you are doing because of your faith in God.
1. Put on your God-vision Goggles! Look around. Where is God working in the world and people around you? How do you know? What are sure signs?
2. When have you felt loved and accepted? When have you felt forgiven? When have you felt truly alive? When have you experienced healing? When has someone served you out of love?
3. When have you loved and accepted someone else (maybe someone that was hard to love and accept? When have you forgiven someone? When have you been part of someone else’s healing? When have you served someone else and shone them God’s love?
4. What do you believe about God. What images do you have for God? What names do you use for God? When have you had a sense of God’s presence with you? When has your belief in God been the strongest? When have you felt close to God? Have you experienced a difference between knowing about God and knowing God?
5. Who have been the people who have taught you most about God? Who has shown you what God is like? Who has taught you how to pray? Who has taught you about the Bible?
6. Can you remember a time when you didn’t know about God? Didn’t believe? Is there a difference between then and now? What is the difference?
7. How does your faith in God affect your life? Does it make a difference in the decisions you make? Who your friends are? How you spend your time and your money? If you could vote, would your faith affect how you vote?
8. What are your questions about God? Do you have any doubts
9. What is the most incredible thing you’ve seen God do in your life? In the life of someone around you? In the world?
10. What plans do you think God has for you and your life? What dreams do you think God dreams for you? What sort of person is God creating out of you?
11. Do you think God is calling you to do something? Maybe calling you to use your spiritual gifts in a particular way? What do you think God is saying to you today?
Confirmation Evaluation
Name (optional, but helpful): ________________________________
What was most helpful about the Confirmation Workbook?
What was least helpful about the Confirmation Workbook?
What was it like to read through the whole Gospel of Luke and keeping your Luke journal?
Did meeting in a small group help you understand what we learned about in the large group confirmation classes? Explain.
Did you clearly understand what the church expected you to do in order to be confirmed?
Were your questions about God and the United Methodist Church answered during confirmation?
Was the Retreat helpful in learning about your faith and your spiritual gifts? Why or why not?
What was most helpful about attending services of other faiths (Jewish synagogue, Catholic & Episcopal churches)?
What were some things you liked about confirmation?
What were some things you would change?
What would you like to learn about next?
-----------------------
These are the questions you will be asked on Confirmation Sunday, if you decide to be
confirmed. We will talk about what all this means, but we want you to know from the
start what you are going to be asked to say YES and commit yourself to at Confirmation.
Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
reject the evil powers of this world,
and repent of your sin?
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves?
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior,
put your whole trust in his grace,
and promise to serve him as your Lord,
in union with the church which Christ has opened
to people of all ages, nations, and races?
According to the grace given to you,
will you remain a faithful member of Christ’s holy church
and serve as Christ’s representative in the world?
Will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church,
and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?
As a member of Desert Foothills United Methodist Church,
will you faithfully participate in its ministries by
your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service?
[pic]
These are the questions you will be asked on Confirmation Sunday, if you decide to be
confirmed. We will talk about what all this means, but we want you to know from the
start what you are going to be asked to say YES to and commit yourself to at Confirmation.
Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
reject the evil powers of this world,
and repent of your sin?
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves?
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior,
put your whole trust in his grace,
and promise to serve him as your Lord,
in union with the church which Christ has opened
to people of all ages, nations, and races?
According to the grace given to you,
will you remain a faithful member of Christ’s holy church
and serve as Christ’s representative in the world?
Will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church,
and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?
As a member of Desert Foothills United Methodist Church,
will you faithfully participate in its ministries by
your prayers, your presence, your gifts,
your service, & your witness?
In the United Methodist Church, we affirm and practice infant baptism. In baptism, God does the work. By God’s grace, in baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy church, become part of God’s saving acts, and given new birth through water and the Holy Spirit. All of this is given to us freely by God. But at the same time, we who are baptized also have a role. We are asked to renounce evil and give our lives to Christ. However, in infant baptism, our parents or other sponsors make these commitments for us, promising to bring us up in the church and teach us about Christ, so that some day we can make these commitments for ourselves.
This is where confirmation comes in. It is a time when a person who has already been baptized confirms what God has already done in baptism. Additionally, it is the time when you claim your faith for yourself; you turn away from evil and give your life to Christ on your own, not just because your parents did it for you as a baby. Additionally, you affirm that you have been given gifts for ministry through the Holy Spirit and that you are ready to use them. And in confirmation, you become a full member of this church, promising to faithfully be a part of DFUMC through your prayers, presence, gifts, and service (see your Confirmation Requirements). In confirmation, you say, “By God’s grace, I was brought into the Church and was reborn in my baptism, and now I affirm what God did then and continues to do in my life. Now I affirm what the church believes, claiming the faith that God has given me through the church for myself. I am committed to being a disciple of Christ, following him to live faithfully in the world. And now I am ready to be a full member of this church”
If you have not been baptized yet, confirmation prepares you for this as well. For you, your baptism and confirmation just happen a few minutes apart, rather than several years apart.
Confirmation class is the preparation for confirmation. My prayer is that it is an amazing journey for you and your family. But I also know that you might be learning a lot of new things and that some of what we’ll be asking of you will be quite challenging. Please pray about it and talk with your family about it. Also, remember that just because you are in the class doesn’t mean you will automatically be confirmed / baptized at the end. You will still need to make that decision as we near the end of the course. And, if you come to the end of the course and aren’t sure you are ready, there is no time limit, confirmation can happen at any time.
Name: _______________________
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