Confirmation

I recently taught two weeks of ninth-grade confirmation classes at First Lutheran, after four weeks with the eighth-graders earlier this fall. The two classes were like opposite ends of an energy spectrum: practically-hyperactive eighth-graders (also a larger class) vs. very quiet, low-key ninth-graders.

Confirmation is a challenge for me, though I enjoy it quite a bit. It can be difficult to harness the overabundance of energy in a class like these eighth-graders, and it was just as difficult to engage the ninth-graders, who had lost some of their enthusiasm.

I posted here about some curriculum options, but most pastors I know seem to design their own learning plans, pulling materials from many different resources. I found activities that involve movement to be helpful in bringing variety to the class. They also allow exuberant students to burn some excess energy, or lethargic students to wake up a little.

But it's not easy to come up with ideas for students this age. When I search through print or online resources I know of, I come up with a lot of activities for younger kids or for adults, without enough options in between.

As one of my pastors said, though, one of the biggest goals of confirmation is to communicate to the young people that the congregation cares for them. We want them to know and believe that they really matter to the community of faith of which they're a part.

That takes some of the focus off the curriculum and activities and shifts it to building relationships. We certainly want to lay a foundation of Christian teaching as well, but the students will be much more likely to build on that foundation throughout their lives if it's rooted in love.

If anyone has confirmation-related insight or resources to share, I'm all ears!