Confirmation Schedule of Daily Scripture Readings

Jesus 

Week of December 14  (PDF version)  

Directions

§         At whatever pace the week’s schedule allows, read the selected passages below.

§         Using the context provided, reflect with your child on the passage and the related question.

§         Below each question, briefly summarize your child’s response and any questions they have.

§         Turn in this sheet to a confirmation leader the next time you are at church. This is important. We will use the parents’ responses to track the confirmands thoughts, questions and struggles.

Summary of Theme(s)-

Most people know that Jesus’ birth is the “reason for the season” but not nearly as many can say what the reason is for Jesus’ birth. Why does Jesus come into the world? What were Mary’s people hoping and praying for? What were they expecting?

Israel’s history leading up to Jesus’ birth was ugly. God’s Promised Land had already been divided into two separate countries- Judah and Israel. They’d already suffered bad, greedy kings of their own. In 721 BC, the Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by Assyria and in 586 BC the Southern Kingdom of Judah was invaded by Babylon, who carted off many Jews into exile.

In the years leading up to Jesus’ birth, the Jews prayed for someone they called ‘Messiah.’ A leader sent by God who would rescue them from their enemies and restore their fortunes and standing with God.

Daily Texts-

Isaiah 9.1-7, and 42.1-9:

Luke 1.26-80:  

Luke 2.1-20:

Matthew 1.18-2.18

John 1.1-18

Reflection Questions:

1. Reading Isaiah, what do you think Mary’s people were hoping for exactly in the years before the angel announces Jesus’ birth?

2. Reading Mary’s song in Luke, notice that Mary sings of these things that Jesus will do as if Jesus has already accomplished them. Why do you think Mary does that? What kind of person do you think Mary was to say yes to the angel Gabriel?

3.  Reading Matthew, why is Jesus a threat to Herod? What does this tell you about Jesus?

4. What is John trying to say in his Gospel? This is what he writes instead of a Christmas story.

The Prophets   

Week of November 23  (PDF version)   

Summary of Theme(s)-

When nations turn away from God, when individuals sin, when the powerful take advantage of the poor, God is not blind or idle. Throughout Israel’s history, God used men and women to speak out and speak God’s will- in the way, for example, that Martin Luther King spoke out against racism in the 20^th century.  

Many of the prophets, like Jeremiah, spoke out and condemned Israel’s worship of other gods, telling Israel that God wanted their faith written on their hearts. Other prophets, like Amos and Micah, condemned the wealthy’s mistreatment of the weak. They said that God wanted the peace and the poor cared for before God wanted their worship. Prophets like Isaiah lived at a time when Israel was under attack from enemies. They pointed forward in the future to a day when God would make everything new again.

Prophets were frequently reviled by their listeners. They were often seen as weird, fringe sorts of characters (especially Jeremiah). They were also very influential, in the New Testament on John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ understanding of God and God’s will for the world.

Daily Texts-

Readings

Isaiah 2.1-4 and 9.1-7

Jeremiah 13.1-14

Amos 5.10-17 and 9.11-15

Micah 2 and 6

Reflection Questions

1. If God were to call prophets today, what injustices, evil or sin do you think prophets would condemn? How do you think religious people would respond to them?
2. What qualities do you think a prophet should have?
3. The prophets were often condemned for their message by the people who claimed to be following/worshipping God. What is the lesson in this?
4. What do you think Micah would think of our church in 2008?

Job   

Week of November 16   (PDF version)

Summary of Theme(s)-

The Book of Job is one of the most influential books in world history. Job is an extended poem framed by prose. Through Job’s encounters with God and with his three friends, we explore the question: ‘Why is there suffering in the world? Why do good people suffer?’ Job is presented as a righteous man, but God wonders: ‘Does Job love God because Job’s life is blessed and perfect? In other words, does Job love for God’s sake or his own?’ Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and  Zophar, respond to his suffering in ways that teach us how NOT to be companions to the struggles of our friends and loved ones.

Daily Texts-

Before Reading This Week:

• Discuss with your son/daughter why they think there is suffering in the world? If God is a good God, why do bad things happen to people?

• If something terrible happens to someone and they ask you, as a religious person, ‘why did God let this happen to me?’ what would you say?

Job 1.1-2.13

Reflection:

·        What does your son/daughter think about God doing this to Job just to “test” him?

Job 3 and 4:

            Reflection:

·        How would your son/daughter react if they were in Job’s shoes? Would they curse God?

Job 8 and 11:  

            Reflection:

·        If Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar were your son’s/daughter’s friends, in what ways would your son/daughter be disappointed in them? 

 Job 38 and 42:

            Reflection:

·        So what does this mean? Does God really answer the question? What is God saying here?

David  

Week of November 9    (PDF version)

The Book of Psalms is a collection of 150 prayers/poems/hymns that were used by the Israelites as their songbook for worshipping at home and in the Temple. Many of the psalms were written by King David.

David was chosen at a young age to serve as Israel’s King. At times he was a great success and at other times he was a moral failure. In all times, David’s relationship with God was profoundly deep and authentic. The psalms exhibit a wide range of human emotions: praise, lament, vengeance, doubt and despair.

What we learn from the Book of Psalms is that God is big enough to take everything we can throw at Him. Authentic faith, authentic prayer and worship, gives voice to all of our human emotions.

Daily Texts-

Psalms 1 and 6

Reflection:

·       Share with your son/daughter what memories the psalms trigger in you. Are any of them especially meaningful to you?

·       Try to imagine what’s going on in the life of the author of Psalm 6.

Psalms 22 and 23:

            Reflection:

·        Psalm 22 is what Jesus begins to cry out as he dies on the cross. It’s an anguished cry of God’s neglect and absence.

·        Reflect with your son/daughter: is it okay to get angry at God? To pray furious prayers? Have you ever heard something like this said or sung in church? Why do we tend to only pray happy prayers? Or prayers that just ask God for what we want?

·        Psalm 23 is maybe the most famous scripture passage in the entire bible. Why do you think it’s so well-loved and comforting to people?

·        Imagine with your son/daughter times in their life ahead when this psalm might be reassuring.

·        Can you memorize it?

Psalms 42 and 46

            Reflection:

·        Imagine the author of this psalm is 13 years old and in middle school. What happened to them that this is their prayer?

Psalm 139

            Reflection:

·        Take turns reading the psalm together, with one person reading the odd verses and the other person reading the even verses.

·        What does verse 16 mean?

Ruth

Week of October 26   (PDF version)

Summary of Theme(s)-

The Book of Ruth, the story of Ruth’s faithfulness and kindness to Naomi, her mother-in-law, is best understood as a love story. Ruth is notable in the Old Testament, thus far, in that one character is noticeably absent- God.

God plays no direct, obvious role in the story. There are no pillars of fire and cloud or burning bushes in Ruth. Instead we learn from this story that often it’s through other people that God’s love is shown to us. Ruth embodies God’s love to Naomi, a woman who thinks God has abandoned her.   

Daily Texts-

Context for Parents:

·       This week is different. I ask that you all read the entire Book of Ruth together. It’s a short story, only four chapters long. Read it at your own pace. You can read a chapter a day. I would suggest just reading it all in one sitting.

·       When you’ve come to the end of the book, think about these questions:

Reflection Questions:

·       Do you think Naomi was justified in wanting to change her name to Mara, which means ‘God has dealt bitterly with me?’

·       What kind of person do you think Ruth is? What do you think about the lengths she will go to marry Boaz so that Naomi will be cared for?

·       Where is God in this story?

·       Ruth, being from Moab, wasn’t a Jew. Moabites weren’t even liked by Jews, yet Ruth makes into Jesus’ family tree. What do you think it says about Jesus that he has an outsider/foreigner like Ruth in his family?

·       PARENTS- Share with your child a story of someone in your background through him God’s love was shown to you. Who was Ruth to you?

Joshua  

Week of October 19   (PDF version)

Summary of Theme(s)-

After forty years in the desert, Moses doesn’t make it to the finish line; Joshua will have to carry on to the Promised Land. From God’s encounter with Joshua we learn that God’s People are engaged in a mission that is larger than our selves. We also learn from Joshua’s story that our task as people of faith is to apprentice under the elders of the faith (like Moses) so that we will be able to lead when called. 

Daily Texts-

1.      Deuteronomy 31.1-8

Context for Parents:

Moses has led his people for forty years. He can actually see the Promised Land from where he sits, but he’s too old to go on. He will die and someone else will lead where he leaves off. So much of our faith is about contributing to a hope (Peace, End of Poverty etc.) that we ourselves may never see.

Reflection Question:

How do you think Moses felt about not seeing the result of his work? Would you stay faithful to God if you knew you might not see the reward you hoped for?

2.      Deuteronomy 31.14-29

Context for Parents:

This is Joshua’s commissioning to take over for Moses. Joshua is young and inexperienced at this point. Nothing could possibly prepare him for what God wants him to do next.

Reflection Question:

How do you think Joshua must have felt when he finds out God wants him now to lead his people into their new homeland?

3.      Deuteronomy 34  

Context for Parents:

In this scene, after Moses sings a song of everything he has seen and experienced, we learn that Moses has laid his hands on Joshua to commission him, a sign of blessing. At confirmation, your child will have hands laid on them too.

Reflection Question:

Moses lays hands on Joshua to bless him and equip him to lead. If you were suddenly put in charge of the Church what you need to be blessed and equipped with to lead?

4.      Joshua 1.1-18

Context for Parents:

Joshua is about to lead Moses’ people into the Promised Land that they’ve been journeying toward for over forty years. Right in front of their eyes, God’s promise- made forty years earlier- is coming true. God keeps God’s promises, the Book of Joshua wants us to know.

Reflection Question:

Have you ever had an important prayer come true like the Israelites have their prayer for freedom and home come true? Have you ever had a prayer not come true?  

Moses

Week of October 5   (PDF version)

Summary of Theme(s)-

The Book of Genesis ends with Joseph in Egypt, setting the stage for Abraham’s ancestors to be slaves in Egypt as the Book of Exodus opens. In terms of theme, theology and influence, Exodus is the most important book of the Old Testament. From God’s encounter with Moses we learn that our God is a God who hears the cries of the oppressed and intervenes in history to liberate them. We learn as well that God is able to use unlikely individuals to further his work (Moses) and that, once liberated, God wants his People to live together in such a way that it’s an example to the world (the Commandments).

Daily Texts-

1.      Exodus 2.1-10, 3.1-12

Context for Parents:

This is the origin story for Moses. Exodus heightens the drama by letting us know that Moses was originally raised by the very people he will one day confront. It’s also the scene of God appearing in the burning bush, appearing after so many years of God’s people praying for God to rescue them.

Reflection Question:

At the burning bush, why do you think Moses was afraid to look at God? Should we be afraid of God? Why or why not?

2.      Exodus 4.1-17

Context for Parents:

This passage highlights Moses’ protests that he’s the wrong man for the job- a familiar complaint when God calls people.

Reflection Question:

God wants Moses to realize through these “miracles” that Moses can do anything as long as God is with him. What about you? Do you trust you can do anything as long as God is with you?

3.      Exodus 12.1-28 (and 13.17-14.25 if time)

Context for Parents:

Immediately before this scene, instructions for the Passover Meal, God and Moses have tried to get the King’s attention through a series of nasty plagues- locusts, frogs etc. Finally, if the King does not relent God will kill all the first born sons of Egypt. Here God instructs his People to prepare a feast that will somberly remember this night when God “passed over” their homes, spared them, and then led them to freedom.

Reflection Question:

The Passover Meal is the most important ritual in Judaism and it’s the meal Jesus celebrates with his disciples the night before he dies. Communion is a Passover meal for Christians. In what ways for Christians do you think communion is a meal that celebrates freedom and rescue?

4.      Exodus 20.1-21

Context for Parents:

No longer someone else’s slaves, God’s People need to know how they are to live. God gives them the law, a new covenant- the commandments. These are given so that they might live as a “light to the nations.”

Reflection Question:

What commandment do you think is the most important one today?