An Introduction to

Discipleship/Confirmation
D/C resource
s will help st
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Christ person
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• Discuss spiri d understand
tual and faith ing
• Develop a ideas with pa
pattern of pe rents
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pastor, and ot ith the church
her Christians , the
• Prepare fo
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ership

The Evangelical Covenant Church

 The D/C
Experience systematic exploration of God’s word, the
history of our faith, and the importance
of living a Christian life. Within the
curriculum there is opportunity not only

D
for education in biblical truth, but also
iscipleship/Confirmation is a for students to come face to face with
resource that can be used for the call of Jesus to enter into a personal
youth and adult discipleship. The relationship with him and grow in their
Evangelical Covenant Church added the faith....The focus of the confirmation
word “discipleship” to “confirmation” to process is twofold. First, students have
better articulate the purpose of this long- an opportunity to learn of the church’s
standing ministry. It stresses confirming history, truths of the Christian faith, and
the faith while also encouraging the stories of the Bible. Second, students
participants to begin, or intentionally
continue, a life-long journey as a
disciple or learner of Jesus Christ.

Discipleship and Confirmation

experiences each hold an important
place in the faith development of
adolescents. Some Covenant churches
offer a special D/C class taught by
the pastor. Others use D/C in their
youth ministry for discipleship. The
goal of D/C is to present an overview
of the Bible and church beliefs
while offering all participants the
opportunity to make or strengthen
their personal commitment to follow
Christ. For persons baptized as
infants, D/C provides an opportunity
develop discipling relationships with
to revisit the vows made by their
pastors and mentors....At whatever point
parents at the time of baptism and take
students are in their faith journey, this
personal responsibility for their faith
balance of learning and relationship is
by “confirming” it for themselves. For
critical to the impact of the confirmation
people who choose believer’s baptism,
process on their lives. Not only do they
D/C prepares them for baptism or
learn what the Bible says; through
grounds them in basic elements of the
discipleship they learn to articulate what
Christian faith after baptism.
they believe about the Bible’s message,
The Covenant Book of Worship describes and how biblical faith translates into
this ministry as follows: “Confirmation in Christian living and responsibility in the
the Covenant Church is designed to be a world.”
 A Journal • to learn that the Bible is a reliable

for D/C resource for today.

• to establish a Bible reading pattern
that will be beneficial throughout all
of life.
Space to record prayer reflections is

T
included with each session.
he two part D/C journal, called
The Journey, presents the story of
Building Blocks...
God from beginning to end. One book
explores the Old Testament and the Twenty-six key theological concepts
other presents the New Testament and have been defined in short statements
church history. The Journey encourages followed by a supporting Scripture verse.
students to read their Bibles daily using These statements provide a starting point
passages that expand on the material for understanding and discussion. Many
presented in the journal. So the Bible classes stress the memorization of the
is the central textbook for D/C and the Building Blocks as a resource for life.
journal becomes the guide or roadmap.
The journal includes the following
elements: A Session Overview, Time with
God, Building Blocks, Going the Extra
Mile, and Going Deeper.

Session Overview...
In each session The Journey presents a
contemporary overview of the biblical
message. For a person new to the Bible,
this overview provides background and
insight to help the Bible reading come
alive. For a person who has attended
church for a while it will help to put the
stories into context and apply them to Going the Extra Mile...
real life.
Some participants will be ready for a
deeper understanding of the basic tenets
Time with God... of the faith. Short but significant articles
Each session includes daily Bible read- provide greater insight into the core
ings and questions to guide the reader beliefs of the Covenant church.
to the core of the text. The first question
addresses biblical content while the Going Deeper...
second connects the text to life. The
Some students learn better by
purpose for these assignments is:
participating in activities rather than just
• to help the reader understand the reading. These activities will reinforce
material by reading the biblical and expand the learning.
source, not just an interpretation of
the text.
 Curriculum
Resources The Parent/Mentor Guide...
A spiritual mentor is a vital element in
the spiritual growth of youth. Mentors
encourage youth in their relationship
with Christ. Parents and other interested
The Leader’s Guide... Christian adults can serve effectively as
A loose-leaf notebook provides the mentors. The acronym FAITH provides
teaching plan for each session in The a reminder of the characteristics of a
Journey. Careful attention is given to spiritual mentor.
include ideas that are appropriate for a • Faithful, dependable,
variety of learning styles in each session fulfills commitments
plan. The session plans are designed for • Available, willing to
a 60 minute time frame with options make time to invest
available to expand the time to 90 in the life of a young
minutes. Also included are suggestions person
for adapting the plans for both large and • Initiator, initiates
small class sizes. Other resources in the contact with the
Leader’s Guide include: student
• Introductory articles • Teachable, willing to
• A list of the Building Blocks grow, interested in
• Appendix articles, including a look at learning
the importance of D/C,an explanation • Heart for God, desires to follow Christ
of the parent’s and mentor’s roles, a wholeheartedly
guide for game playing, parent forum
ideas, and a creation and evolution Adult D/C Groups...
article. Churches that provide D/C for
adolescents often have adults who
express interest in forming such a group.
Although designed for early adolescents,
some churches have discovered that
The Journey is also helpful for adults. A
resource, “How to Adapt The Journey
Discipleship/Confirmation Curriculum
for Adult Learners”, was written
to help churches evaluate and use
The Journey as a resource for adult
learners. This resource is available from
covenantbookstore.com.
 Getting
Started
Tips for getting started...
1) Think about the youth in your
church. Do they know and understand
the Bible? Would an intentional
teaching and learning environment
help them grow in their faith?
2) Meet with church leaders and
youth advisors to discuss the
information in this brochure. Seek
approval to move forward. D/C in the Covenant Church...
3) Talk with parents of potential The results of a recent survey provide a
students at an informational gathering glimpse of D/C in the Covenant church.
about D/C as a ministry. Are they willing
• 7th and 8th graders are the most
and interested in supporting this
common age group for D/C
ministry?
• Classes meet: weekly (90%) or twice a
4) Talk to potential students individually month (6%)
and ask about their faith. Are they • Class sessions last: 45 minutes (19%),
growing? How well do they understand 60 minutes (47%), 75 minutes (20%)
the Bible? What would make church • D/C is completed in 1 year (10%), 2
more meaningful? Encourage them to years (85%)
think about joining D/C. • 77% of churches responding indicate
they have offered a class within the
5) Read The Journey and begin to
last 5 years. 57% start a new class
consider your plans for the year.
annually and another 23% start one
• Pray about this ministry. every two years
• Set up a schedule for the year. (Try to • Teachers expect: class participation
avoid school conflicts.) (73%), read journal (52%), worship
• How often will you meet? notes (46%), final tests (19%),
• What time will you meet? memorize scripture (46%), memorize
• Who are the potential students? Building Blocks (35%). final paper or
• What outcomes do you envision? project (28%)
• Are parents/mentors a resource? • Teachers include: pastor (65%),
• What can you do to get people to associate pastor (7%), youth pastor
involved? (21%), other church member (19%)
• Would an adult group find D/C
meaning?
• Who will help you?
 Celebration
Sunday Create reminders...
Gifts from the church provide a
meaningful way to help students
remember their D/C journey. Often
leather bound Bibles are presented.

A s your D/C study nears completion,

consider ways to mark this
milestone while encouraging the
Other churches give Bibles when
students begin D/C so they are able
to use them for study. Other symbolic
participants to continue their personal gifts might include: a cross, a candle or
journey with Christ. Be sure to avoid candle holder, a nail or a rock. Is there
graduation or completion images as the something you could give that would
journey continues through all of life. help students remember their
Many churches set aside one Sunday for D/C experience in a special way?
this special celebration.

Celebrate discipleship...
• Include opportunities for students to
share their faith-related insights.
• Use the Building Blocks as a
Next Steps
responsive reading or opportunity
for reflection. This will also remind
students from earlier D/C classes of
their learning.
• Share D/C testimonies, projects or Church membership...
sermons written by the students. This may be a good time to encourage
and offer an opportunity for students to
Celebrate confirmation... commit to serving as a member of the
Confirmation Sunday has traditionally church.
been a time of blessing. To make the
experience meaningful: Retreats...
• Use the Rite of Confirmation from Help students solidify their D/C
the Covenant Book of Worship. commitments through relationships,
• Incorporate salt and light to signify study, reflection and worship. Significant
that these students are to be salt times for a retreat include one week
and light in their world. before D/C Sunday, and one year after
• Lay hands on the students as you D/C ends.
bless them. Some churches invite
parents, friends and mentors to
participate in this time of blessing.
 Making
It Great
Pastors/Teachers...
D/C provides a great opportunity
for the pastor/teacher to encourage
students to grow in their relationships
with God, the pastor and the other
students. In order to accomplish this,
the leader needs to:
• Arrive early to interact with the
students and show interest in Parents...
• their daily lives. D/C is designed to help foster a
• Keep the sessions moving. Include partnership between youth, parents and
activities as well as words. church. For D/C to be most effective,
• Take time to explore the spiritual parents are encouraged to use the
journey of each student. Parent/Mentor Guide, reading the session
• Provide opportunities for students overviews and Scripture passages, as well
to serve both individually and as a as discussing the questions weekly. The
group. key here is not just to find the “right“
Don’t forget to have fun. Let the answer, but to use this guide as a tool to
students see you as a real person. Allow foster discussion on faith and life issues.
God’s word to come alive through you. Simply stated, a parent’s role is to:
• Engage regularly in faith life
conversations
• Encourage regular participation in
group time and daily readings
• Encourage your child by showing
interest in what he/she is learning
• Use the Parent/Mentor Guide to help
in the spiritual growth journey

“Start children off on the way they

should go, and even when they are old
they will not turn from it.”—Proverbs
22:6 (TNIV)
What are people saying about The Journey?
M
“ y greatest joy in teaching Discipleship/Confirmation is developing
relationships with young teens and seeing their minds and hearts open
to more of God’s Word. Their final project essays really show how much they
have learned and how deeply they do think about God and their world.”

In a recent survey, D/C teachers were asked to tell what they liked about The
Journey. The following represent the responses to this question.

• the journal format with daily Bible reading

• manageable units of material
• variety of activities in the leader’s guide
• choices for the teacher
• good summary of the Bible
• the goal is more than head knowledge; it is integrating that knowledge
into life

D iscipleship/Confirmation remains an integral part of youth ministry in

the Covenant church. One church pastor identifies three reasons that his
church provides a D/C class. “We offer it because we have historically offered a
Confirmation class. As a church we believe it is important for young people to
have a time of study/discipleship that encourages them to grow in knowledge
and their faith. As a pastor it allows me to have two years of time spent with
young people in Junior High prior to them getting so busy with working, extra
curricular activities, driving, etc.”

The survey asked the teachers to share their greatest joy in teaching
Discipleship/Confirmation and their answers give insight into their motivation as
well as the outcomes for this ministry.

• “Building relationships with students and seeing them make their faith
their own rather than their parents.”
• “Seeing kids grapple and make sense of important doctrines.”
• “Those ‘Ah-ha!’ moments.”
• “To see parents as well as students come to faith and grow in faith.”
• “Meeting with the confirmation students individually to discuss their
confirmation essays. These essays often reveal genuine Christian
formation. It is a great joy to think that I may have had some part in that.”
• “When it all comes together on Confirmation Sunday and the teens
express their faith in Christ. They always surprise me.”
• “To have a young person say thanks and to remember me ten years later.”

Departments of Christian Formation and Communications

The Evangelical Covenant Church

5101 North Francisco Avenue • Chicago, IL 60625
Order from covenantbookstore.com