CATECHISM CLASS FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
Quick content guide
1.) The what & why of Catechism/Confirmation class
2.) What will go on each week in the class
3.) 2023-2024 Catechism class schedule/Confirmation Sunday: TBD
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1.) What is Catechism/Confirmation class? It is an in-depth study of our Lutheran Christian faith, as found in Holy Scripture alone and taught from our Lutheran Church body's Small Catechism. The Catechism is an excellent summary of the Bible written by pastor, teacher and Church reformer, Rev. Martin Luther. So theologically-solid is the Catechism that it is fittingly called the "The People’s Bible."
Our two-year study will focus especially on Bible passages found in the Small Catechism which serve the purpose of nurturing and strengthening catechumens in the one true Christian faith. The curriculum we use is entitled: “The Lutheran Christian Faith as Taught in Rev. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.”
Why do we have a Catechism/Confirmation class? Youth Catechism instruction, as with adult Catechism instruction, serves the purpose of preparing young men and women in their formative years to become communicant members of Holy Trinity or St. James Lutheran Churches and supporters of the same, and life-long communicant members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; that is, faithful partakers of the Lord's Supper all the days of their lives.
Catechism class is a rite of passage by which youth in our Churches take their stand upon Jesus Christ (see Galatians 5:1), our only true Foundation and Salvation, as they are instructed and grow in the Christian faith. They begin their journey as catechumens – those who are taught the Six Chief Parts of our Lutheran Christian faith. They finish their instruction as Confirmands who are ready to receive the Lord’s Supper, and who are committed to life-long membership and attendance in the one holy Christian and apostolic Church of God.
PLEASE READ & TAKE TO HEART. It is fully expected of Catechism students that they attend the Divine Worship service on Sundays faithfully and regularly with their families. Catechism Class WITHOUT life in the Church – Divine Worship – honestly makes very little sense. This can be compared to a student athlete attending sports practices, but then being a no-show for the games. What parents would want that for their child? What coach would be okay with it? None.
And so, please understand - and have the same mind as I do as your pastor - that IT IS NOT GOOD for catechumens to only come to class and NOT to attend Church with their families. Since the Christian is to be instructed all his or her life in the faith, students of the Catechism also ought to attend Sunday school or Bible study on Sunday mornings.
So I implore you in the Lord Jesus as Christian parents to bring your son or daughter attending Catechism class - along with your entire family - to the Sunday Divine Service as often as you can.
Let God’s Word encourage and guide you, parents and catechumens: "Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy." (Exodus 20:8) “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6) “Let us not neglect meeting together [for Divine Worship], as some have made a bad habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day of the Lord approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)
2.) Weekly Confirmation class itinerary:
1. Opening devotion [includes praying the Catechism together]
2. Reciting the Catechism together
3. Questions & Answers from the Catechism
4. Main study of the Catechism (Workbook)
5. Closing Blessing
3. 2023-2024 Catechism class schedule
Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:45 PM (with a brief break in-between) Catechism students are encouraged to get to St. James as soon as they can after school. A) A snack will be served beginning at 3:30 PM for the weekday school students - Catechism students may pick up their snack when they arrive. B) Chapel begins at @ 3:50 PM and goes to 4:05-ish. CATECHISM STUDENTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THIS PRIOR TO CLASS.
Class Schedule
September 2023: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
October: 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
November: 1st, 8th, 15th, 29th [22nd off, Thanksgiving break]
December: 6th, 13th [rest of the year off for Christmas break]
January 2024: 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st [3rd off, Christmas break]
February: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
March: 6th, 20th, 27th [13th off, spring break]
April: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
May: 1st, 8th, 15th [if necessary]
Confirmation Sunday 2024: TBD
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