Rebecca Kirkpatrick is an ordained pastor in the PC(USA) and has written an interesting blog called called “Bread, Not Stones” from her experiences teaching the Confirmation Class at her local church. She has also published a new book, “100 Things Every Child Should Know Before Confirmation.” It’s worth reading!
Over the course of the next several months, we’ll be re-posting her blog posts for you as she tackles the privilege of guiding our children into a deeper, more trusting relationship with Jesus Christ. May her thoughts, your coaching, and your child’s active participation with their FPC Sunday School small group work together to raise your child to be a faithful follower of our Lord!
In some Christian traditions (such as the one in which I teach) we believe that the Word of God is inspired by the work of the Holy Spirit. This means that we believe that human beings, inspired by God, wrote down their experiences of God, their religious practices, and the stories of their tradition. Imbued in their words is a Word of truth that we continue to seek after today.
In my experience (and in my specific tradition), much of the Bible study we do in Confirmation is about helping students make this shift from a literal and factual reading of these stories of the Old Testament to a more literary and theological reading which helps them seek that biblical truth for themselves.
For some students, making this transition is actually a relief. For other students, however, this transition is very hard to make.
Below is a list of 5 iconic Old Testament characters and their story, and a very brief summary of what larger biblical lessons we can talk about in class.
36. Jonah
37. Daniel
38. Ruth
39. Esther
40. Samson