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< Back Confirmation Day 5: I Need the Word Of Grace Each Day Day 5, Lesson 4: Sexuality Issues Objective God gave sexuality for man and woman in marriage, to continue human life; The enemy of souls tempts to misuse our sexuality Learning Outcome Explain how my sexuality is a gift from God Confirmation Exercise Questions None Reference Material Booklet Song: Master, the times are corrupt and enticing. / Grant us Your Word of instruction and blessing. / Ne’er let our hearts to this world be conforming, / That from Your kingdom not one would be drowning. (SHZ 479 v.2) Booklet Text: Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.(Luke 21:36) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Genesis 38:10; Lev. 18:22; 2 Sam. 11; Prov. 7; Eccl. 1:9; Luke 5:8, 21:36; 1 Jn. 1:8,10; Rom. 1: 26,27; 3:23, 7:17; 1 Cor. 10:13; Col. 3:5,6; 2 Tim. 2:22; James 1:14,15; CURRICULUM None ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS Sexuality is intended for marriage, between a husband and wife It is in marriage only that sexual life is realized with a sense of responsibility. (V to V) Believers need to be very watchful and battle against temptation Masturbation is a sin It is sin to live a gay, lesbian lifestyle Appeal to creation and genetics does not justify homosexual relations If you have personal questions and fears about sexuality, talk to a trusted believer The gospel is the power of God Discuss Dress: How we dress may arouse fleshly desires in others Attitudes towards the opposite sex Avoid physical contact that arouses the flesh Man’s glorification of the body (sex symbol) Casual dating – Sexual contact, casual sex Sins of the flesh – Masturbation, pornography, other RESOURCES LLC Website: LLC Position Statement Homosexual Behavior is Sin Victory to Victory, Sexual Life and Its Irregularities, E. Pelkonen, pages 69-74; He Created Them Male and Female, L. Värynen, Fortifying the Foundation, pages 74-75; Male and Female, At the Crossroads of Choosing, pages 37-42. Previous Next

< Back December 11, 2024 Click the link below to open instructions for constructing a nativity scene. Nativity Scene Still, Still, Still Previous

< Back Confirmation Day 2: God, the Triune God Day 2, Lesson 1: God, the Triune God Objective God is our Creator; God hates sin, but loves the sinful person Learning Outcome Explain how God created everything; Give an example of how God hates sin but loves the sinner Confirmation Exercise Questions #2 What is the most important matter in your life? To be a believer. Living faith. Getting to heaven. Having my sins forgiven. #3 How has God created the visible and the invisible world? By His Word. Reference Material Booklet Song: We know that God is our Creator / Who made the earth and heaven by His Word, / The light, the darkness, land and water / He spoke and it was done; he is the Lord / Unseen or seen, by Him all things consist. / Praise God, who in eternity exists. (SHZ 208 v.1) Booklet Text: The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the Lord our God who dwelleth on high. (Psalms 113:4,5) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Gen. 1-2; Gen. 1:27,28; 2:18,21-24; John 1:1-3; Ps. 19:1-3; Matt. 6:8,25-34; 7:7-11; Heb. 11:3; Ps. 68:5; Col. 1:16; Isa. 43:1-4; Jer. 17:10; Job 14:5; Ps. 8:3-6; Acts 17:26-28; 2 Tim. 2:19; Ezek. 33:11; Exod. 4:22; Job 12:7-9; Job 34:11 CURRICULUM Lessons 2.2, 3.2, 3.3 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS God has created the universe and all that is in it. God has created man from the dust of the earth and gave him an undying spirit. God has created man, both male and female God knows all our needs, both temporal and spiritual, and provides all that is necessary. For those who trust in God the future is always open, for God in His wisdom guides world events and creates new things. God loves His children like a good father loves his own children. Everyone will have to answer for his/her deeds and omissions before God. While God is almighty and holy, He is, nonetheless, near us in His love. None are here by accident, but by the will of God, and that God takes care of him/her. RESOURCES What is God Like?, The Sheepfold Tender, p. 14-15 A Scriptural Concept of God, The Sheepfold Tender, p.78-79 What is God Like? J. Lehtola, 1999 LLC Summer Services The Triune God, R. Waaraniemi, 2011 LLC Summer Services Previous Next

< Back Confirmation Day 4: The Holy Spirit, The Spirit of God Day 4, Lesson 3: Conscience, God's Voice In Us Objective The conscience guides us to do what is right, warns of sin, and instructs to repent when we have fallen; The conscience works properly when it is bound to God’s Word and the voice of the congregation Learning Outcome Describe what the conscience is and how it functions Confirmation Exercise Questions None Reference Material Booklet Song: Listen, precious young believer, / To your heart your Friend is speaking: / “Friend, I know that you are tempted. / It is you that I am seeking.” (SHZ 486 v.1) Booklet Text: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Gen. 39:7-12; Dan. 1:8; Ps. 103:8-13; Gen. 3:7,8; 1 Sam. 24:5; 2 Sam. 24:10; Job 15:20-25; 27:5,6; Ps. 32:3,4; 38:1-22; 40:11,12; 51:1-19; Prov. 16:25; Jer. 6:15; Luke 11:33-36; Acts 24:16; Rom. 2:14, 15; 7:15-23; 1 Tim. 1:18,19; 3:9; Heb. 9:14; 10:22; Isa. 1:16,18; 1 Pet. 3:15-17; 1 John 3:20-21; 1 Cor. 4:3-5; Ps. 139:23,24 CURRICULUM Lesson 3.5 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS It is significant that God wishes to forgive and cleanse the conscience. Student will know how to care for his/her conscience. RESOURCES Christian Doctrine 16; Keep Faith and a Good Conscience, J. Bloomquist, Phoenix Winter Services, Feb 1998; VZ: Faith and Good Conscience Discussed, H. Huhdanpää, Feb 1999, page 7; Decision-Making Tied to God’s Word and Good Conscience, J. Stewart, Mar. 2015, page 2 Previous Next

< Back December 15, 2024 Happy Third Advent Sunday! Click the link below to see a video featuring song of Zion 54, As Lately We Watched O’er Our Fields. As Lately We Watched Christmas Peace Previous

< Back December 14, 2024 Click the audio link below to hear a poem titled There Was No Room. To read the poem, click the link. There Was No Room There Was No Room Previous

< Back Confirmation Day 7: Mission Work: Go Ye Therefore and Teach All Nations Day 7, Lesson 1: In the World, Not of the World Objective A believer is a citizen of the Kingdom of God and this world; A believer is a light unto the world and a salt of the earth Learning Outcome Write down a few examples of how a believer lives according to God’s word in the midst of this world. Confirmation Exercise Questions None Reference Material Booklet Song: When evil’s power round the world is growing, / O God, oppose it with a greater might, / That we would hear it: Music overflowing / Your people’s hymn from realms of gentle light. (SHZ 540 v.4) Booklet Text: I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:15,16) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Matt. 6:33; Matt. 10:16; John 3:19; 17:9-11, 14-17,19,25; 18:36,37; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; Gen. 39:9; 2 Cor. 7:1; Col. 3:17; Jer. 29:7; 2 Cor. 5:9; Matt. 6:24; Matt. 5:13-16; 10:32,33; 2 Tim. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:14-17; Matt. 18:20; 28:20; Mark 16:18; Luke 10:19 CURRICULUM Lesson 6.1 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS A Christian's conscience is bound to God's Word, he/she cannot always do something because, "Everyone else is doing it." A Christian wishes to live as he/she believes at home and in public and work constructively in the society in which he/she dwells. God also wishes them to fulfill His will in the various situations of social life. God wants us to confess faith in word and deed in life's situations and thus confess the Lord. Christ has promised to be with His own every day, everywhere. RESOURCES The Treasure Hidden in a Field, J. Uljas, pages 95-99 VZ: A Citizen of Heaven in the World, Bible Class Lesson, Jun. 1979, page 90 In the World, But Not of the World, M. Kamula, Jan 1982, page 3 In the World, But Not of It, Confirmation students, Sept. 2007, page 9 In the World, But Not of the World, D. Wuollet, Sep 2012, page 5 LLC Website: Love Not the World, T. Stewart, Summer Services Youth Presentation, 2009 Blessed are They that Hear the Word of God and Keep It, H. Parks, Winter Services, 2011; Be Ye Not Unequally Yoked Together with Unbelievers, R. Haapala, Winter Services, Youth Presentation, 2015 Previous Next

< Back Confirmation Day 4: The Holy Spirit, The Spirit of God Day 4, Lesson 2: God's Kingdom, Our Mother Objective Small, holy group of believing people; The workplace of the Holy Spirit is in the congregation where it continues the work of Christ Learning Outcome Describe what our Mother congregation is and where it can be found. Confirmation Exercise Questions #13. What are some of the names given in the Bible for the congregation or kingdom of God? Mother, Mount Zion, the pillar and ground of truth, the True Vine, the sheepfold, Jerusalem, the golden candlestick, the Bride of Christ. #20. What is meant by the office of the keys? The authority that Jesus gave to His own to forgive sins. #21. Where and with what words did Jesus authorize His own to forgive sins? In John 20:22, 23, where He said “Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” Reference Material Booklet Song: Jerusalem, God’s Zion, came down from heav’n above. / She’s our beloved mother, whom we, her children, love. / It’s here that God is dwelling, in Spirit here is found; / Of truth it is the pillar and is its very ground. (SHZ 188 v.1) Booklet Text: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Luke 12:32; 1 Tim 3:15; Eph. 5:31,32; 1 Thess. 1:6 Matt. 7:21-23; Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11, 12; John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7-13; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; Acts 2:2-4; Acts 19:13-16; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 4:20; 6:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 3:4,5; 1 Thess. 1:5; 4:7, 8; 2 Tim. 1:14; Rom. 8; John 20:22,23; Acts 2:38; Matt. 7:21-23; Acts 19:13-16 CURRICULUM Lesson 2.8 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS God has a congregation here on earth; it is made up of believers who are joined by the bonds of the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is explained in the Bible, the third article of the Creed, and Luther’s explanation of the third article of the Creed. RESOURCES By Faith 21; Christian Doctrine 44-49; The Holy Spirit and Its Work, V. Juntunen, The Sheepfold Tender, pages 102-111. Previous Next

< Back December 2, 2024 Click the audio link below to hear a poem titled Christmas Peace Eternal. To read the poem, click the link. Christmas Peace Eternal Christmas Peace Eternal Previous

< Back Confirmation Day 2: God, the Triune God Day 2, Lesson 3: The Bible, God's Written Word Objective God reveals His will in the Bible; The Bible is a Holy Book needing the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to open understanding Learning Outcome Give an example of how God reveals His will in the Bible. Confirmation Exercise Questions #7. Where did the Scriptures come from? Holy men of God spoke and wrote as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. #8. What is the main message of the Old Testament? The promise of the coming Messiah, our Lord, Jesus Christ. #9. What is the main message of the New Testament? The fulfilment of the Old Testament promise concerning Christ. #14. The living Word of God is compared to a two edged sword. What are the two edges? The Law and the Gospel Reference Material Booklet Song: The Lord has given us His Word / That we may learn of Him. / A precious book He gave to say / We may be free from sin. (SHZ 446 v.1) Booklet Text: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:20,21) Additional Reference Material SCRIPTURE Scripture: Eph. 6:17; Gal. 1:8; Ps. 119:105; 12:6; Isa. 40:8; Jer. 23:29; John 12:48; Rom. 2:16; John 14:26; 1 Cor. 2:10-14; Eph. 1:17; 3:15; 1 Pet. 1:12; 2 Pet. 1:20,21; John 5:39 CURRICULUM Lesson 1.1 ADDITIONAL LESSON POINTS While God speaks to us in nature, the fate of our lives, and the phases of nations, He especially speaks to us in Holy Scripture and our Redeemer Jesus Christ. Holy Scripture is given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is thus God’s own word. The Bible is not an encyclopedia of history, the world, and nature and its phenomena, but rather the revelation of God's works for the redemption and salvation of man. The Bible speaks of God. Pictures and narratives attempt to illustrate what God is like. • The Bible is Christian faith and life's highest guide. The Bible is a closed book that is opened by the Holy Spirit. It is to be read with prayer. Students will be able to use the Bible and want to study it daily. Students will become acquainted with Jesus’ teachings by reading together or individually one of the gospels during confirmation school. RESOURCES By Faith 2; Christian Doctrine 4, 5, 6, and 7. (p1) By Faith 2; Christian Doctrine 4, 5, 6, and 7. (p2) The Treasure Hidden in a Field, J. Uljas, p. 19-26; God’s Word is the Highest Authority, J. Frantti - Crossing the Current, Pages 11-14 LLC Website: From a Child Thou Hast Known the Holy Scriptures, J. Frantti, LLC Winter Services, 1999, Youth Presentation Previous Next