Questions Confirmation Course
By Rev. Philip Stonhouse
What you will find below is an 11-week confirmation course that focuses on some of the biggest questions of faith. It uses as a primary reference point the Anglican Liturgy, but especially the Creeds. Each session ran for about an hour and a bit, so it does require commitment. You will find below a video of me teaching the course (posted as I produce them) along with the guide/outline/note pages that the confirmands would receive to take notes. Eventually, I hope to clean up my notes on each of these questions so that I can share them. If you would like to use them sooner than later, please email us and I will do my best.
The Sessions break down as followed:
Session 1: Why should we believe in God (The Father Almighty)?
Session 2: Why is repentance so important? What do I have to be sorry for?
Session 3: Who is Jesus? Why does it matter?
Session 4: What is the Holy Spirit?
Session 5: Why is the Bible important?
Session 6: Why should we pray?
A set of videos on Prayer Exercises: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL60qgCKg2i3gE6N9PLoLDDVSsfCTE2X7o
Session 7a: Why is the church important?
Session 7b: What is the church meant to do?
Session 8: Why am I important?
Session 9: Why is it important to believe right now?
Session 10: The Test
Along with passages from the Bible that I ask them to read, you will also notice that I use Mere Christianity as a book study that accompanies this. This is important because it is meant to help people take home their faith a little more and as C.S Lewis is also addressing some big questions it helps for them to dig a little deeper. One word of warning, sexuality does come up in the book, so that week can be an important, but difficult conversation.
SESSION 1
Why is confirmation important?
What should I do during this time?
Pray (Reach out to God and make room in your life for Him to answer you)
Think about the lessons and think about if you want to follow Christ
Ask questions of me, your parents and your fellow Christians
Read the Bible
Read through the book Mere Christianity (we will discuss during sessions)
Plan an act of ministry - some aspect of sharing the faith (ex: Lead a bible study at confirmation or youth group, find a ministry in the church, try to share your faith with a friend, try to study a passage with your parents
Memorize for the Test (hehehehe)
Why should we believe in God (The Father Almighty)?
Creed:
We believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible
What is belief? Do I have to forgo all reason?
Why is belief in God important for us?
How do I start to believe? What do I do?
Why one God and not many?
What does it mean that God is Father? Does that mean He is male?
What does it mean that God is Almighty?
What are the implications when we say that God created the heaven and the earth?
What is God made out of?
What is God then?
How do we experience Him?
How does He relate to creation?
Evil?
What does He want from us?
Homework: Begin to memorize the apostle creed
Read Mere Christianity Ch 1-4
Read Genesis 1:1-3:24
Prayer: Lord God, Almighty Father, we thank you that you have made each of us and made us particularly for something. We thank you that you have made this world and that it was all made for good. Lord God, you are so Holy and sometimes you are above and beyond our imagining, yet may we always perceive your closeness, your immanence. Help us to desire a relationship with you and to grow in it. Thank you Lord for being who you are, for being love and goodness and for being more powerful than all the evil in this world. As we leave this place, may we have eyes to see your will, see your hand as it shapes us and this world for your good. Amen
Why is repentance so important? What do I have to be sorry for?
General confession
Most merciful God,
We confess that we have sinned against you
In thought, word, and deed,
By what we have done,
And by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart
We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
Have mercy on us and forgive us,
That we may delight in your will,
And walk in your ways,
To the glory of your name. Amen
What does it mean that God is the most merciful? How does mercy relate to justice?
What is sin? Who is it against? Why is it bad? What is the consequence?
Why does sin exist? Why is there evil in the world? Why is there pain?
I get the sense what I do is important, but why is what I think and say so important?
Why do I screw up? Why do I do evil sometimes, even if I don’t want to?
I can’t think of any sin, or anywhere I have hurt someone. Am I missing something?
What should we do then? What is God’s will? What is God’s law for our lives?
Two Greatest Laws
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all your strength"
And the second is like it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:7-21
7 “You shall have no other gods before me.
8 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them.
11 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God
12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy
16 “Honor your father and your mother
17 “You shall not murder.
18 “You shall not commit adultery.
19 “You shall not steal.
20 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
21 “You shall not covet
Can I just do these things and be okay? Why do we have to repent?
How do we repent? What do I have to do?
How does repentance save us from our sin? What happens after repentance?
Why is God’s will important? Where is my freedom in His will?
Homework: begin to memorize the 10 commandments - just the first (Thou shalt not)
And the two most important commandments
Read through Matthew 5:1-7:2
Read through CH 1-4 of Mere Christianity. Try to come up with one question.
Who is Jesus? Why does it matter?
What do you think about Jesus? Why is He important? What does history says about Him?
Creed (I believe)
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven;
he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.
What does it mean that Jesus is the Son of God? Was Jesus God? How do we know?
What does it mean that Jesus was the Son of Man? Was Jesus a man? How do we know?
Why is it important that Jesus had a Virgin birth?Why was Jesus/God born? What does it mean that He was incarnate by the Holy Ghost?
Why does the Creed mention little about Jesus’ life? What was Jesus’ life all about?
How can Jesus both be the infinite, powerful, all knowing God and a weak finite human?
7 I am Statements
Bread of Life John 6:35
Light of the World John 8:12
Gate for the Sheep John 10:7,9
Good Shepherd John 10:11
Resurrection and the Life John 11:25
The Way the Truth and the Life John 14:6
I am the real vine John 15:1
Why does the Creed mention little about Jesus’ life? What was Jesus life all about?
Why would an all powerful God submit Himself to earthly authorities? Why a cross?
Why did Jesus have to die?
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, to the end that all who believed in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Why is it important that Jesus rose from the dead? Is there proof? What does all this mean?
Homework: Read Ch 5-8 Mere Christianity
Read John 1:1-3:36 (Jesus at creation, birth, baptism, temple cleaning, born of the Spirit)
Continue to work on memorizing the creed, the I am statements and John 3:16
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Son of God. We thank you that you took on our flesh. We thank you that you humbled yourself enough to become weak and brittle, so that you could walk beside us. We thank you that you love us enough to die on a cross so that we may know salvation from the destruction of sin and we thank you that you have overcome death for us so that we may always know hope
Ch 5 - What does C.S. Lewis teach us about progress?
What does Moral Law teach us about God?
Why are things hopeless and/or hopeful to the moral law god?
Bk 2, Ch 1 - How can we understand what is right in religion?
How is atheism too simple?
Ch 2 - Why do we want simple and complicated?
How is Christianity different and yet similar from Dualism?
Ch 3 - What is so shocking about Jesus Christ?
What is the Holy Spirit?
Creed:
And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life.
He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
He spoke through the prophets.
Does this mean that Christians believe in spirits?
What/who is the Holy Spirit?
What does the Holy Spirit do?
What does it mean that we have been given the Holy Spirit?
What are the gifts of the Spirit and fruit of the Spirit?
Is the presence of the Holy Spirit different in us than it is in and around the world?
How is the Holy Spirit related to the Father and the Son?
What is the Trinity? How can we begin to grasp it?
Where do we see the Trinity and why is it important?
Homework: Read Ch 9-12 of Mere Christianity
Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-13:13
Keep memorizing one of the creeds
Think about a Christian act of service you can do. Feel free to ask me.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, we do not always know how to pray. We don’t know our needs or the needs of the world and so we need your words. Oh life giving spirit give us direction, give us your wisdom and discernment so that we may know what is of you and what is not. Help us Lord to desire you with all that we are and so to be empowered and to do miracles in this world for your glory. Give us your Holy Spirit so that we may be one as we are one with you. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are love itself, help us to grow in community with you.
Why is the Bible important?
Creed: according to the Scriptures
What is the Bible?
Was the Bible written by God or by people?
Why is reading the bible important? Matthew 7:24-7
Where do I start?
How do I read the bible?
How do the books relate to one another? What is the difference between the Old Testament and New Testament?
What is the through line of the bible?
Why is there like 30+ versions of the bible? What does that mean?
What do I do when I get to a passage I don’t understand or don’t agree with?
Read: Isaiah 52:13 - 55:13 (Prophecy of Christ and of the hope given to a desolate people)
Read: Mere Christianity Book 3, Chapters 3-6
Keep memorizing the Creed and what are the two sections of the bible
Watch at least one bible project youtube video on the Bible
Prayer: Lord God, we thank you for your Holy Scriptures, whereby you instruct us and lift us up to become faithful servants of your perfect Kingdon. Thank you for speaking to us so that we may know you. Your word became incarnate in Christ Jesus so that you, your word and work could become more clear to us and so that we could be reconciled to you. Lord God as we learn about you, give us the knowledge we need so that our hearts may be changed. Help us to understand your word and so to live it. May your Holy Spirit be an ever present guide, so all may be for your glory. Amen
Mere Christianity Questions
Bk 2 Ch 4: Why did Jesus die? Why did we need him? Why are images important and yet not enough? Why does he say that repentance is like a kind of death? Why is death important?
Ch 5: Why is Christianity important even when we do wrong? How does Christ use the physical? Why is it important to choose a side right now?
Bk 3: Ch 1: What are the 3 things morality is concerned with? Why do you need all of these?
Ch 2: Define Prudence, Temperance, Justice and Fortitude. Why is character important?
Why Prayer?
What is Prayer?
Why can’t I hear God?
How do I know if it is God speaking to me and not my own inner dialog?
Why aren’t my prayers answered?
Why is it important?
What does it mean to pray without ceasing?
.
How should I pray?
Jesus instruction on prayer. (Matthew 6:9-11, Luke 11:2-4)
Our Father, Who art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in Heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
Forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And deliver us from evil
For thine is the Kingdom
The power and the glory
For ever and ever. Amen
Why is community prayer important?
What are different ways of praying?
What if I don’t know how to pray? (Romans 8:26-28)
Homework:
Read: Matthew 26:1-28:20 (On Jesus’ death and Resurrection)
Read: Mere Christianity Book 3 Ch 7-10
Memorize the Lord’s Prayer
Try to pray for half an hour once - Taking time to listen for God
Mere Christianity:
Bk 3, Ch 4 How do you think a truly Christian society would look different from ours?
Ch 4 - Why is it more important to think about the direction of actions?
Ch 5 - What is right about sexuality today? What is not? How do we find it?
Ch 6 - Why is to “be in love” not the centre of Christian marriage?
Why the Church?
What is the purpose of the church?
Great commission Matthew 28: 19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
What is my place in the church?
Why isn’t the church always better than other places?
Why do we go to church?
What/who makes up the church? Why does the Creed say Holy catholic church?
Creed: We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
____ Why are there so many denominations (different kinds of churches)?
Why do we as Anglicans worship the way we do? Is that the only way to worship?
*What is the lectionary?
What are all the objects in the church?
*What are the seasons in the church?
Are all these things and ideas necessary?
Homework: Read: Acts 1:1-3:
Read: Mere Christianity Book 3 Ch 11,12 and Book 4 Ch 1,2
Memorize the seasons of the church, what a sacrament is, what the two sacraments are, and what the lectionary is.
Mere Christianity:
Bk 3, Ch 7: Why is forgiveness so hard and yet so important?
Ch 8: What makes pride so bad? How do we know we all have it?
Ch 9: What is Christian “charity”? How do we work to it’s increase?
Ch 10: Where does our hope rest? How does this allow us to actually live more presently?
Prayer: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 - What does Christ’s church do?
*What is a sacrament?
What is baptism?
What is Communion?
Do we need these two Sacraments to be saved?
Why are the other 5 considered lesser sacraments? Are they important?
Does that mean that these things are more Holy and of more value than other things in this world? Isn’t everything Holy?
How are we meant to keep one another Holy?
If Jesus was a Jew and we follow Jesus why aren’t we Jewish?
Homework: Read: Mere Christianity Book 4 Chapter 3-6
Read: Matthew 3:13-4:24 (Jesus Baptism and ministry), John 13:1-20 (washing of feet), Matthew 26:26-30 (Last supper)
Study what the two sacraments are and the definition
Mere Christianity: Bk 3 Ch 11: What is the two kinds of faith? Why is it rational? Why is faith in these ways a virtue and so important?
Ch 12: Why can’t we do it on our own? Why do we need God? What does that mean for our lives?
Bk 4, Ch 1: What does begotten mean? Why are we and yet why aren’t we like God?
Ch 2: Why is the Trinity the only way to explain a personal God? What does it tell us?
Why Me?
Why does God want me?
Where do I belong? What is my place in the church?
1 Corinthians 12:12 , 1 Peter 2:9
What should I be doing outside of the church?
In my Spiritual life?
In the community?
Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7
Luke 6:27 Love your enemies and pray for them - 1 Corinthians 13 is meant for everyone
What do I do when suffering comes?
Romans 5:3-5
What is God’s call on my life?
Matthew 16:24-26:
What is my purpose?
How can I see what God has been doing in my life?
What is the meaning of Life?
How do we increase in faith?
What is this all for?
Questions for you:
How do you become a Christian? How do you live as one?
What do you think the Gospel is?
Homework - Read: Mere Christianity Book 4, Ch 7-11
And 1 Corinthians 10:23-13:13
Start looking at and writing your spiritual life story
Ask about a future meeting to share life stories or on final day
Mere Christianity - Ch 3: What three problems does God being beyond time solve?
Ch 4: What does “God is love” tell us about His eternal state?
How does Lewis understand the Holy Spirit? What is the purpose of the Christian life?
Ch 5: What did God becoming man accomplish? For Him and for us?
Ch 6: Why did God not just create sons? Why are we neither individualists or totalitarians?
Why Now? What is my purpose now?
Creed:
He will come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.
We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and to life in the world to come. Amen.
If Christian faith is so much about hope, what is our hope?
What does life after death look like? Is that when we reach perfection?
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Corinthians 15:35-41, Rev 21:1-4, 2 Peter 3:14, Rev. 22:1-5
What does heaven, purgatory and hell look like?
Who will be there in the new heaven and earth? Why won’t everyone be there? How do we get there?
2 Peter 3:9, Matthew 25:31-46, 1 Corinthians 3:11-17
How shall we know when Christ is coming?
Why does this matter right now?
How should I relate to the world around me?
Matthew 10:28
Who am I now?
1 Corinthians 12
Does this make me better?
Is it hopeless for those who died without faith?
1 Peter 3:18-20 Romans 8:38-39
Luke 16:26, Hebrews 10:26-7
Why doesn’t God just make His perfect Kingdom happen now? Why does this broken life and all of this future pain need to happen?
2 Peter 3:9
Bonus: What does it mean to be eternal?
*How do you become a Christian?
Homework: Study for the test next week. It may be open book, but it is better to memorize this stuff. Especially a Creed and the Lord’s Prayer
Read: 2 Peter 1:1-3:18 (for further information on this week's topic)
Continue looking at your spiritual life story
Mere Christianity Questions for Book 4 Ch 7-11
Ch 7: Why is the idea of pretending important? Why is it important to see beyond the person or thing helping you?
Ch 8: What is the purpose of it all? What does the church offer? The church, Christ, etc. Why is it both hard and easier to be a Christian?
Ch 9: Why did Jesus warn people to count the cost?
Ch 10: What are reasonable ways to judge Christianity and ones that are not? Why are good gifts in life just as dangerous as bad ones?
Ch 11: What is this new thing happening?
Confirmation Class--The Test
What is your name: _____________________________ (bonus point)
What are the two major divisions or sections of the Bible?
_______________________ __________________________
List the Ten Commandments.
1 ______________________________ 2 _________________________________
3 ______________________________ 4 _________________________________
5 ______________________________ 6 __________________________________
7 ______________________________ 8 __________________________________
9 _______________________________ 10 _________________________________
(Bonus...where are these commandments found in the Bible: ____________)
List the two great commandments given by Jesus:
______________________________________
______________________________________
Write out the Lord's Prayer (contemporary or traditional form)
Why did Jesus die on the cross?
What is a sacrament?
What are the two sacraments instituted by Christ?
What is the general name for the four books of the Bible which report the events of Jesus' life, death and resurrection? Give the title of each of these books.
Which tastes better, a red smartie or a green one? _______________
List 7 seasons of the church year:
_________________ _________________ _______________
_________________ _________________ _______________
_________________
What is the Lectionary?
What is a Godly experience you have had?
What is the good news?
What is one thing you will take away from this class?
Bonus (up to 3) : What are some things you will take away from Mere Christianity?
Write out the full text of EITHER the Nicene Creed or the Apostles’ Creed (traditional or
contemporary form)
What is one thing the “I am” statements tell us about Jesus?
Write out John 3:16
If someone asked you how to become a Christian, what would you answer?
Now that you have taken confirmation classes, and thought about your own walk with
Jesus:
have you invited Jesus into your life? __________________
do you intend to continue to participate regularly in worship with other Christians? ________________
do you intend to live the Christian life through personal prayer and through reaching out
and caring for others, especially those in need? ___________
do you want to be confirmed this year? ________________
God bless you!
