Confirmation Instruction

Confirmation is a public rite of the church preceded by a period of instruction in which baptized Christians learn about the confession, life, and mission of the Christian Church. 

In the Rite of Confirmation, the catechumens make vows to God in the presence of His Church that they have been instructed in the Christian faith according the Holy Scriptures and Luther's Small Catechism. They reiterate the vows from their Baptism and also promise that they will continue in the Church and the Lutheran Confession of faith suffering all, even death, rather than falling away from it.

 
Our Lord takes vows seriously. Jesus instructs that it is better not to take a vow at all than to take one that will not be kept. Therefore, only those catechumens who have been properly instructed and are serious about remaining in the Lutheran Confession of faith until their death should be confirmed. It is better not to be confirmed at all, than to be confirmed and later break the confirmation vows. 

At St. John's, the Rite of Confirmation includes admission to the Lord's Supper to partake of Jesus' body and blood. As Lutherans, we do not admit anyone to Christ's altar unless they have been examined and absolved (Augsburg Confession XXIV). 

Therefore, preparation for Confirmation includes instruction in the Christian faith according to Martin Luther's Small Catechism. In this instruction, students learn the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, The Lord's Prayer, The Sacrament of Holy Baptism, Confession and Absolution, and the Sacrament of the Altar, as well as basic Bible Content.  

At the conclusion of their instruction, the catechumens are examined by the pastor to determine their readiness for the Rite of Confirmation and admission to the Lord's Supper.