HIGHS AND LOWS: (14 minutes)
Write down one high and one low from your week in your prayer journal and share them with the group. Pastor Breen or another student will gather them in prayer as we light our candles.
REVIEW: (2 minutes)
What sticks with you from last class? You may refer to your one sentence summary if you are stumped. What questions remain about Paul’s final days in Rome?
INTRODUCTION: (1 minute)
Romans was one of the final letters that Paul wrote to advise, chastise, and encourage Christian congregations all over the known world. It is a special favorite to those of the Lutheran faith because of its emphasis on grace, faith, and love. Because it was a letter written to a congregation in a specific time and place, Paul is working to explain the answers to some of the fundamental questions about Christianity.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: (35 minutes)
What does baptism have to do with our future after death?
Read Romans 6:1-11. Underline verse 5 in your Bible. Write “Promise of Baptism = We will be saved!” in the margin of the page. Baptism assures us that, although we will die, we will live again with Jesus.
What do we do to get to heaven?
Read Romans 3:23-28. Underline verse 28 in your Bible. Write “What can we do to inherit eternal life?” across the top of the page. Write “Nothing! Nothing! Absolutely nothing! It’s God’s job.” down the margin. Because of Jesus’ work and actions, not our own, we are going to heaven.
If all we need to get to heaven is faith, where do we get faith?
Read Ephesians 2:4-10. Underline verses 8-9 in your Bible. Write “Amazing Grace!,” “grace = undeserved love,” and “Faith is a gift!” in the margin. Faith is also not something that we can work to get; it is a gift from God that is sometimes big, sometimes small, sometimes weak, and sometimes strong, but always a gift.
What about those who do not believe?
Read Romans 11:25-32. Underline verse 32 in your Bible. Write “Everyone will be included!” in the margin. All of us, even those who do not currently believe, will be able to receive God’s mercy. Read Romans 14:7-12. Underline verse 10 in your Bible. Write “It is not our job to judge others; it’s God’s.” in the margin. We don’t need to worry about the actions of others; our job is to live in love and let God figure it out. And God’s love is for everyone!
When we are unsure about our faith or the future, where do we turn?
Read Romans 8:31-39. Underline verses 38-39 in your Bible. Write “What can separate us from God’s love? Nothing! Nothing! Absolutely nothing!” in the margin. When we are not sure that our faith is strong enough, or what the future holds, or what will happen to our friends and loved ones after death, these verses are the best place to turn. Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. No matter what.
TAKING IT HOME (3 minutes)
- During this week, in your prayers, try using “God of Grace” as your title for God.
- Write a one sentence summary in your prayer journal. In this sentence, describe your answer to the question “What did you learn about in Confirmation class this week?” in as much detail as possible.
OUT LOUD PRAYER: (5 minutes)
Fishbowl Action Prayer
Tonight, we will thank God, not for nouns, but for verbs. Take a few moments to think about how God is acting in your life. Where is God working. Write the actions on slips of paper and put them into an empty fishbowl. Mix them up, and then take turns drawing out one slip of paper and praying for it (it might be your own or someone else’s prayer).
Conclude your time together with the Lord’s Prayer.
Deep Roots Confirmation 