Last night I was treated to a unique sight. Our confirmation crew had been tasked with sorting 66 books into seven categories without using any words. The resulting challenge felt like something off of the show Survivor and yet, it was the Bible these kids were getting excited about. 

As we discussed last night, the Bible is actually a collection of books and these different books contain different genres of writing. While the Law lays out a plan for how God’s people were supposed to live, the History books tell a story of their actual disobedience. The Prophets then respond to these events with further words from God, while the Wisdom and Poetry books give a more human perspective. These Old Testament books form a picture of God’s efforts to reach out to humanity despite our resistance. 

The New Testament is all about Jesus Christ and is composed of writing by apostles and eyewitnesses. It includes four Gospels describing the life of Jesus, one last History book describing the Acts of the Holy Spirit, and then a collection of Letters sent to churches and leaders with insights into life in Christ. The Bible ends with one final Prophecy describing how Christians should face times of persecution and doubt.

Students last night were able to explore this overview in a hands-on way, handling individual books as actual books and comparing them in their categories. 

It is our hope that every student owns a physical Bible. If you do not, please let us know so we can get you one! We also recommend downloading the YouVersion Bible App (a scripture based, Christian social media platform). 

The Bible is an odd Holy Book; it is collaborative, written by 40+ authors over a period of over a thousand years. When we say the Bible is the Word of God it is because we see the effects that these books have had on the lives of countless individuals when brought together. Faith in Christ expands the value of these writings, faith in these writings expands our faith in Christ. The Christians who have done the most for God’s Kingdom are usually ones who have also treasured the Bible. 

So I encourage you all to read it. Find a genre you like and start from there.

-Jashton Gieser

Our first Confirmation Class last night went well. I hope to get in the pattern of sending an email recap each week that we have class in order to allow parents to stay informed and to catch any of the students up to speed who were late or missed class. I will also be posting these recaps here as a blog post.

Our lesson began with an activity in which students had to rate how much they agreed with different statements (using candy), beginning with an assortment of shower thoughts and moving into a survey of the Apostle’s Creed. Overall, I saw a group that thinks deeply and believes the basics of our Faith, but is also honest enough to admit that some of the things we affirm in the creed are confusing and will need to be explored. As we mentioned last night, everything in that creed will be discussed over the course of this class.

I also praised the kids who were there because they are embarking on what I see as a step into discipleship. To use the words of Bonhoeffer, they are putting themselves in a position where faith is possible. If we try to know Jesus but live the same way we’ve always lived, the same way everyone around us lives, it is hard to ever fully believe Him. Jesus’ first followers paid a high cost to follow him (leaving behind everything to go with him), but in a sense, once they made this choice to leave their lives behind, following Jesus became simpler than ever. Now that we’ve decided to attend this class twice a month, we’re in a place where exploring belief is far easier than usual. These acts of following are what we call discipleship and it is what we will continue to explore together.

We also hope to make it the start of something lasting. Emily, my co-teacher, shared her testimony last night and reflected on how Confirmation classes can often load you up with information and then leave you on your own. When this information doesn’t match with the darkness of reality it can be soul crushing. We do not want this to be a class that has all the answers, but a class that can introduce our students into the mature life of faith which wrestles with questions together.

It is important to note that the result of this class for anyone who is seeking it is full membership at ERC. Either way, this class will culminate with all students composing personal statements of faith expressing what they believe. 

- Jashton