Adult Confirmation - Session 1: Introduction

Last Sunday evening was the first meeting of The Adult Confirmation Class, a new joint effort between the Discipleship and Youth Ministries of our church. Like the first day of school, I was both nervous and excited for this new phase in the life of the church to begin, and sure enough, the Holy Spirit's movement within the church compelled twenty-five men and women to take this next step in their faith journey. From lifelong disciples wanting to revisit their roots, to new Christians just beginning, we were a diverse group.

After reviewing our syllabus and set of expectations, I had the class join me in an exercise called "lectio divina" (holy reading). Our Scripture reading came from John 15:1-11, and the participants were given the following instructions for each reading:

• 1st Reading - Allow the words to wash over you and try not to concentrate on specifics
• 2nd Reading - Listen for a word or phrase that stands out to you, hold onto it briefly, but then let it go
• 3rd Reading - Listen for that same word or phrase again, and this time give thought as to why it was that word or phrase that came to you
• 4th Reading - Take that word or phrase and pray it 

The group shared what God revealed to them in the reading and reflection. We were amazed by the variety of  ways through which God spoke to us from the same set of words. While we will be reading from specific passage in regards to specific topics throughout the course, the ways in which God will speak to us and reveal His wisdom to us will look different to each of us. However, through our times of sharing, our experiences become one voice, and the Word of God will indeed be affirmed. 

It was indeed wonderful that there were more people than than we had chairs, but what is truly cause to celebrate and rejoice was that the men and women in that room left with a new passion to know and delve into God's Word. I am greatly looking forward to these next ten weeks!

Yours,

Michael C. Andres

Director of Discipleship