My Confirmation: A Guide for Confirmation Instruction

Rating:
Summary: A clearly written UCC confirmation textbook
Review: The thing that I like about this book is that it is clearly written for confirmation students at the 7th and 8th grade level. I also like the clear chapter divisions and the questions for students at the end of each chapter.

Now the things that concern me about the book are some of the theological positions. For example, in the chapter on the Bible, we're told that the Bible contains the word of God. But saying that the Bible contains the word of God is a lot different from saying that the Bible IS the word of God. Moreover, the door is left wide open for the reader to decide for him or herself which parts of the Bible constitute the word of God.

Another concern that I had was the chapter about Jesus Christ. It never mentions that Christ shed his blood on the cross for our sins and that Christ is the only way to God. The emphasis is heavier on Jesus as a moral example than on Jesus as our only hope for salvation.

I did find the chapter on foreign missions very helpful. It lists 7 things that UCC foreign missionaries do around the world. Unfortunately, none of the seven mentioned bringing the gospel of Christ to lost people.

The chapters dealing with the history of the United Church of Christ and the work of the United Church of Christ were more helpful for me. I was able to use this material and teach our confirmands a lot about our heritage.

I have to admit that this is the best UCC confirmation material currently available. But because of its theological errors, I would recommend either using the work with wisdom and caution. Or you could do what I did and write your own curriculum, using some of the more helpful material from this book as a guide.

Rating:
Summary: A clearly written UCC confirmation textbook
Review: The thing that I like about this book is that it is clearly written for confirmation students at the 7th and 8th grade level. I also like the clear chapter divisions and the questions for students at the end of each chapter.

Now the things that concern me about the book are some of the theological positions. For example, in the chapter on the Bible, we're told that the Bible contains the word of God. But saying that the Bible contains the word of God is a lot different from saying that the Bible IS the word of God. Moreover, the door is left wide open for the reader to decide for him or herself which parts of the Bible constitute the word of God.

Another concern that I had was the chapter about Jesus Christ. It never mentions that Christ shed his blood on the cross for our sins and that Christ is the only way to God. The emphasis is heavier on Jesus as a moral example than on Jesus as our only hope for salvation.

I did find the chapter on foreign missions very helpful. It lists 7 things that UCC foreign missionaries do around the world. Unfortunately, none of the seven mentioned bringing the gospel of Christ to lost people.

The chapters dealing with the history of the United Church of Christ and the work of the United Church of Christ were more helpful for me. I was able to use this material and teach our confirmands a lot about our heritage.

I have to admit that this is the best UCC confirmation material currently available. But because of its theological errors, I would recommend either using the work with wisdom and caution. Or you could do what I did and write your own curriculum, using some of the more helpful material from this book as a guide.

Rating:
Summary: A UCC perspective
Review: This book reflects the theology of the United Church of Christ. That they may all be one. [John 17:21]is the motto of our denomination. The following excerpts are from the UCC web page. Please don't say that this book is theological wrong if you don't understand the theology of this denomination. This book is an excellent introductory course on the UCC. I am proud to teach my confirmands the traditions of a worshiping congregation that allows them to critically think about the bible. I am also proud to be a member of a "welcoming church" that accepts people of all races, sexual preferences, and description.
The primacy of the Bible is as a source for understanding the Good News and as a foundation for all statements of faith. It recognizes that the Bible, though written in specific historical times and places, still speaks to us in our present condition. It declares that the study of the scriptures is not limited by past interpretations, but it is pursued with the expectation of new insights and God's help for living today.

We affirm that the authority of God as revealed in Jesus Christ and interpreted with the aid of the Holy Spirit stands above and judges all human culture, institutions and laws. But we recognize our calling both as individuals and as the church to live in the world:

To proclaim in word and action the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To work for reconciliation and the unity of the broken Body of Christ.
To seek justice and liberation for all.

This is the challenge of the United Church of Christ. This is the challenge of a church looking forward in the 21st century.
AMEN! Please see Affirming Faith, which is the updated version of this text, with a student and leader guide. See also Becoming and Belonging (all from the United Church of Christ Press) which shows different models of teaching confirmation.

Rating:
Summary: A UCC perspective
Review: This book reflects the theology of the United Church of Christ. That they may all be one. [John 17:21]is the motto of our denomination. The following excerpts are from the UCC web page. Please don't say that this book is theological wrong if you don't understand the theology of this denomination. This book is an excellent introductory course on the UCC. I am proud to teach my confirmands the traditions of a worshiping congregation that allows them to critically think about the bible. I am also proud to be a member of a "welcoming church" that accepts people of all races, sexual preferences, and description.
The primacy of the Bible is as a source for understanding the Good News and as a foundation for all statements of faith. It recognizes that the Bible, though written in specific historical times and places, still speaks to us in our present condition. It declares that the study of the scriptures is not limited by past interpretations, but it is pursued with the expectation of new insights and God's help for living today.

We affirm that the authority of God as revealed in Jesus Christ and interpreted with the aid of the Holy Spirit stands above and judges all human culture, institutions and laws. But we recognize our calling both as individuals and as the church to live in the world:

To proclaim in word and action the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To work for reconciliation and the unity of the broken Body of Christ.
To seek justice and liberation for all.

This is the challenge of the United Church of Christ. This is the challenge of a church looking forward in the 21st century.
AMEN! Please see Affirming Faith, which is the updated version of this text, with a student and leader guide. See also Becoming and Belonging (all from the United Church of Christ Press) which shows different models of teaching confirmation.