PRAYER PALS

Confirmation  Program

2008-2009

 

 Dear Prayer Pal,

 

Thank you for offering your time and energy to serve as a Prayer Pal.  As a prayer pal, you are going to make an incredible difference in the life of this young person.  You may never know exactly the impact you are making, but at the end of the next eight months, you may be surprised at how much God has used you- and how much God has taught you through this experience.

 

In order to help answer some of your questions, we have put together this booklet as a resource- not a manual.  Please read through the material we have included and use it as you see fit.  Each prayer pal relationship is different.  You and your confirmand will work together to find the best meeting places and format for you.  You will know whether he just won a big soccer tournament or if her grandparents are sick.  Your interaction and personalities will guide your time together- not what questions we have remembered or forgotten to include in this booklet.  

 

We hope this booklet will provide a jumping off point.  Sometimes young people are not comfortable just telling an adult what they are thinking, but they will answer questions when asked.  We have provided an outline of the confirmation class topics and weekly readings so you will be able to know what your prayer pal is learning and open conversations based on them. Your conversations can help reinforce the lessons we have learned and can offer another venue for your student to ask any questions he or she might have.

 

We are a team.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask.  Thank you again for your faithfulness.  Relax and enjoy!

 

Blessings,

Jason Micheli and Morgan Ward

 

 

What is Confirmation?

                       

The word confirmation literally means “with firmness.”  Confirmation means to make firm or solid what has gone before- what parents, families, church, and God have done.  The confirmation process is a series of classes, discussions, and retreats during which young people are encouraged to question, challenge, determine and solidify their beliefs. 

 

When young people have reached eleven and twelve years of age, they enter a time when they begin to reason as adults, and though they may still act like children at times, they are getting ready to make decisions as adults do. They no longer depend on their parents’ decisions in matters of faith.  Many were baptized when they were younger, which symbolizes a claiming of God’s grace by the parents for that child.  Confirmation is the opportunity for the child to question and struggle to understand more fully the different elements of faith and claim for themselves God’s grace and love. 

 

Here at Aldersgate, confirmation is a year long course that we believe provides the best coverage of Christian beliefs and practices.  Classes will take place on Sunday mornings, and additional learning experiences will include retreats, community service hours, bible reading at home, attending worship.

 

What is a Prayer Pal?

 

During the confirmation process, each confirmand will choose a prayer pal for the duration of confirmation.  A prayer pal is an adult of faith who will email, meet, talk, and pray with and for the student.   This relationship will help contribute to the spiritual formation of that student.

 

Having an adult friend who is not their parent is invaluable to a young person.  Adult interaction is positive and will give the confirmand someone who they can trust.  After the initial getting to know you- the goal is for the relationship to develop to a point where the student (without prompting) will ask questions about what you, as their prayer pal, believe.  Prayer pals will act as the confirmand’s cheerleader, confidant, listener, and friend.  During the eight months of confirmation you will talk, laugh, cry, hug, encourage, and PRAY PRAY PRAY!

 

You are not required to have all the answers.  One of the reasons that this relationship will be so special is that you are still learning and growing in your faith just like your student.  If they see you struggle, wrestle, or seem unsure about something, they will feel better about their own uncertainty. The word disciple means “student” or “learner.”  As disciples of Christ, we are all still learning!

 

 

 

Expectations of Prayer Pals

 

The chief expectation and “job description” of a prayer pal is to be there for the confirmand.  During your day at work and at home, pray for your student.  Follow along to see what they are learning about in confirmation class.  When you see them in church, smile and say hello.

 

We understand that you have a life outside of being a prayer pal during confirmation.  We hope that during the year you will meet occasionally, face to face, with your confirmand. We expect that you will reach out to them on a weekly basis; this can be through email, phone or catching up when you see them at church.

 

We also hope you can attend the Covenant Service on Friday, September 26 at 7:30 in the sanctuary. You will also be invited to the confirmation banquet and confirmation ceremony in the spring.

 

Allow the relationship to develop.  Your student should know that you are praying for him or her.  Share things going on in your life that your student can pray about. Exchange basic information with one another- name, age, birthday, family household, pets, etc.  By putting effort into talking, listening, and understanding your student, you will be a living example of God’s love.  By incorporating your faith into your conversation and dialogue, you will demonstrate to the student what it means to live as a Christian person. 

 

Suggestions for Prayer Pals

 

  • Attend the confirmation class’ visit to the Basilica at CUA on November 8.
  • Help the confirmand fufill their service requirement by volunteering with them.
  • Help the confirmand fulfill their worship requirement by attending service with them and discussing it afterwards.
  • Volunteer to chaperone the spring retreat in May.
  • Read the scripture your pray pal is reading each week and exchange emails.
  • Meet for ice cream or coffee.

 Aldersgate Child and Youth Protection Policy

 

In order to abide by the Aldersgate Child and Youth Protection Policy, all meetings with your student should be in a public place, and students should be dropped off and picked up by their parents.  Students are not allowed to ride in the car alone with prayer pals.    Please respect and adhere to the guidelines of the Child and Youth Protection Policy.  If you are not familiar with the most updated version, please stop by the office to obtain a copy.

 Great Places to Meet

 

Starbucks                                                         Ruby Tuesday

3825 Jefferson Davis Hwy,                              7692 Richmond Hwy,
Alexandria, VA 22305                                     Alexandria, VA 22306

 

Dak’s Grill                                                       Applebee’s
7629 Richmond Hwy,                                      6310 Richmond Hwy,
Alexandria, VA 22306                                     Alexandria, VA 22306

 

IHOP                                                                Alexandria Bowling

7692 Richmond Hwy.                                      6228 N. King’s Hwy.
Alexandria, VA  22306                                    Alexandria, VA 22303

 

Sherwood Library                                            Coldstone Creamery
2501 Sherwood Hall Ln,                                  239 Swamp Fox Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22306                                     Alexandria, VA  22331

 

Fairfax County Library                                   
6614 Fort Hunt Rd,                                                     

Alexandria, VA 22307                                    

 

 

Confirmation 2008-2009

 

Outline of Sessions

 

Fall– Encountering God: What Do Learn When God Meets Us?

 

  1. Adam and Eve (9.14)
    1. Theme- Creation is good. We’re made in God’s Image and called to be stewards of creation.
    2. Key Text for Class- Genesis 1-2
    3. Daily Texts-

                                                              i.      Genesis 1.1-2.4

                                                            ii.      Psalm 19

                                                          iii.      Genesis 2.5-25

                                                           iv.      Genesis 3.1-7

                                                             v.      Genesis 3.8-24 

 

  1. Abram (9.21)
    1. Theme- God is a God who makes promises to us. God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others.
    2. Key Text- Genesis 12
    3. Daily Texts-

                                                              i.      Genesis 12.1-6

                                                            ii.      Genesis 15.7-21

                                                          iii.      Genesis 16

                                                           iv.      Genesis 17.1-22 

 

  1. Abraham and Sarah (9.26- Initiation Ceremony Only)
    1. Theme- God- Father, Son and Spirit, is best understood as a community of love and sharing. We know God best and experience God best when we’re a part of community. 
    2. Key Text- Genesis 18

 

  1. Jacob (9.28)
    1. Theme- God is a God who invites us to struggle with Him, and through our struggles, God changes us.
    2. Key Text- Genesis 32
    3. Daily Texts-

                                                              i.      Genesis 25.19-28

                                                            ii.      Genesis 25.29-34

                                                          iii.      Genesis 27.1-29

                                                           iv.      Genesis 27.30-28.5

                                                             v.      Genesis 32 

 

  1. Moses (10.5)
    1. Theme- God invites us to be his people by showing us how to live; so that, our life together is an example to others.
    2. Key Text- Exodus 20
    3. Daily Texts-

                                                              i.      Exodus 2.1-10; 3.1-12

                                                            ii.      Exodus 4.1-17

                                                          iii.      Exodus 12.1-28

                                                           iv.      Exodus 13.17-14.25

                                                             v.      Exodus 20.1-21

 

  1. Joshua (10.19)
    1. Theme- God invites us to apprentice under someone more skilled in the faith, and God asks us to pick up the mission where others left off. 
    2. Key Text- Joshua 1
    3. Daily Texts-

                                                              i.      Deuteronomy 31.1-8

                                                            ii.      Deuteronomy 31.14-29

                                                          iii.      Deuteronomy 34

                                                           iv.      Joshua 1.1-18

                                                             v.      Joshua 23.1-24.28

 

  1. Ruth and Naomi (10.26)
    1. Theme- God shows God’s Love to us through other people.
    2. Key Text- Book of Ruth
    3. Daily Texts

                                                              i.      Ruth 1

                                                            ii.      Ruth 2

                                                          iii.      Ruth 3

                                                           iv.      Ruth 4

 

 

  1. David (11.9)
    1. Theme- God invites us to worship and pray during the good times of our lives and the bad times. 
    2. Key Text- Psalm 51
    3. Daily Texts-

                                                              i.      Psalms 1 and 6

                                                            ii.      Psalms 19, 22, 23       

                                                          iii.      Psalms 42 and 46                   

                                                           iv.      Psalms 148, 149, 150

                                                             v.       

 

  1. Elijah (11.16)
    1. Theme- God invites us to experience his holiness.
    2. Key Text- 1 Kings 19.11-18
    3. Daily Texts-

                                                              i.      1 Kings 17. 1-16

                                                            ii.      1 Kings 17.17-24

                                                          iii.      1 Kings 18.1-40

                                                           iv.      2 Kings 2.1-12

 

  1. Job (11.23)
    1. Theme- God invites us to be present with those who suffer.
    2. Key Text- Job
    3. Daily Texts-

                                                              i.      Job 1.1-12

                                                            ii.      Job 1.13-2.10

                                                          iii.      Job 3 and 4

                                                           iv.      Job 38 and 42

 

  1. The Prophets (12.7)
    1. Theme- God calls people to call others back to faithful living.
    2. Key Text- Micah 6
    3. Daily Texts-

                                                              i.      Isaiah 2.1-4 and 9.1-7

                                                            ii.      Jeremiah 13.1-14

                                                          iii.      Amos 5.10-17 and 9.11-15

                                                           iv.      Micah 2 and 6

 

  1. Why Jesus? (12.14)
    1. Theme- While the Old Testament gives us stories of people encountering God, the New Testament tells stories of Jesus, God-in- the-flesh, and what Jesus’ incarnation means for our world.  
    2. Key Text- Isaiah 9
    3. Daily Texts-

                                                              i.      Luke 1.26-56

                                                            ii.      Matthew 1.1-17

                                                          iii.      Matthew 1.18- 2.23

                                                           iv.      John 1.1-18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring- Following Jesus: What Does It Mean to Follow Christ?

 

  1. John the Baptist 
  2. Matthew
  3. Woman Caught in Adultery
  4. Nicodemus
  5. The Women at the Tomb
  6. The Disciples on Road to Emmaus
  7. Peter
  8. Paul
  9. Stephen
  10. John 
  11. The Passion
  12. James
  13. St. John

 

Spring Retreat: Who Do You Say That I Am?

 

Focus on how NT characters and our culture understand Jesus and encourage them to reflect on who Jesus is/will be for them.  

 

§         Prophet

§         Teacher

§         Blasphemer

§         Healer

§         Historical Figure

§         Messiah and Son of God

 

 

 

 



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