Confirmation (6th Grade Sunday School)

Our vision is to be a church where God lives in us and through us
as we make disciples for Jesus Christ.

Confirmation is a part of this vision for the church, as it helps us to create disciples of Jesus Christ. We use a dedicated team of parents, church members, and staff to teach the class throughout the school year.

What is Confirmation?

  • Confirmation is a time set-aside by the church to teach and nurture boys and girls in the basics of the Christian faith and our understanding of that faith as United Methodists. The purpose is to prepare these young people to be able to decide for themselves if they are ready to make a personal commitment to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit as well as to the church.
  • If the person has already been baptized, he or she has the opportunity to formally and publicly accept their baptism, professing Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Similarly, if they have not been baptized then they have the opportunity to be baptized.
  • Many people ask, “If my child has already been baptized, can he or she be re-baptized?” We, as United Methodists, believe that baptism is only a once in a lifetime event. Therefore, we do not rebaptize.
    Why? We believe that God continues to maintain the covenant God made with the person in baptism even if we do not remember and even if we were too young to understand the meaning of baptism when we were baptized. When we are confirmed, we are making a personal commitment, making that commitment just as important as our baptism.
  • When a youth has been baptized and confirmed, he or she will be a full member of the United Methodist Church.

Who may attend Confirmation?

  • Confirmation at FUMC is geared towards 6th graders, but anyone in 6th-8th grade who has not been confirmed is encouraged to participate.

What do we use to teach Confirmation?

  • First and foremost, we teach using the Bible as our primary source. In addition to the Scriptures, though, we use a 39-week curriculum called Claim the Name to help guide our study. It was written by Walt Marcum, an ordained United Methodist Youth Pastor that has worked with youth since 1968! This curriculum is designed to help 6th-8th graders:
    • Claim the name Christian:
      To confess Jesus Christ as their Savior, put their whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as their Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races.
    • Claim the name United Methodist:
      To be loyal to the United Methodist Church, doing all in their power to strengthen its ministries, by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, and their service.

Where does Confirmation take place?

  • Confirmation takes place on the 3rd floor of the Education Wing at FUMC in room 304-B (over by the pool tables).

What time does Confirmation meet?

  • Confirmation meets on Sundays from 9:15-10:15am during the Sunday School hour allowing time for Confirmands and their families to attend worship at either 8:30am or 10:30am.

Will Confirmands do other activities?

  • Yes! Confirmands will have the opportunity to:
    • Attend other churches and learn about how they worship;
    • Share in fellowship activities and an overnighter;
    • Take part in the Annual Christmas in April Retreat;
    • Share in times with an adult mentor;
    • Share in mission projects; and MORE!

For more information about Confirmation,
contact Rev. Troy Sims, Christian Education Pastor: 940-766-4231, x229.

For many children’s activities and events, you will need to fill out a Medical Release Form.
CLICK HERE download and print the form.


Confirmation to Start on Sunday, August 23, 2009

confirmationConfirmation for those entering the 6th Grade for the 2009-2010 School Year will begin on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 9:15am.  If you have a child (or know a child) going into the 6th Grade that will be participating in this important aspect of raising a child in faith, fill out the form below!

Confirmation is a time set-aside by the church to teach and nurture 6th grade boys and girls in the basics of the Christian faith and our understanding of that faith as United Methodists. The purpose is to prepare these young people to be able to decide for themselves if they are ready to make a personal commitment to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit as well as the church.  Here at FUMC, we do Confirmation throughout the school year during the Sunday School hour (9:15-10:15am).

Check out this list of topics and some special events coming this school year in Confirmation:

  • 1-Beginning the Journey / 2-What is Confirmation (led by Rev. Sims)

  • 3-What Is a Christian? / 4-What Is the Church?

  • 5-Our Jewish Heritage

  • A trip to the House of Jacob Synagogue

  • 6-The Church’s History

  • 7-Our Common Heritage With All Christians

  • A trip to a local Roman Catholic Church

  • 8-Our Protestant Heritage

  • 9-Our United Methodist Heritage

  • 10-Our Heritage As a Local Congregation (usually involves a “trip” to our heritage room)

  • 11-United Methodists Talk Funny

  • 12-Worship (led by Jeff Ginn)

  • 13-Our Hymnal (led by Kristen Gossett)

  • 14-Holy Communion (led by Rev. Goodrich)

  • 15-Baptism and Confirmation (led by Rev. Dillard)

  • 16-The Social Principles

  • 17-Mission and Outreach: Called Into the World

  • 18-Faith: To Trust, To Believe, To Commit

  • 19-How United Methodists Approach Belief (led by Rev. Sims)

  • The Bible: 20-The Book for Christians / 21-Guide to Faith, Belief, & Life / 22-A Tool of Faith (led by Rev. Sims)

  • 23-Who Is The God We Worship?

  • Let Us Pray:  24-Talking With God / 25-Listening to God (led by Jeff Ginn)

  • 26-In the Image of God / 27-What is Sin?

  • 28-Who is Jesus? 29-What Did He Do?

  • 30-Who is the Holy Spirit?

  • 31-The End of the World and Life After Death

  • 32-Our Historical Beliefs:  The Creeds

  • 33-I Choose Jesus Christ

  • 34-I Choose to Live as a Christian

  • 35-I Choose Life in the Spirit

  • 36-The Call to Christian Discipleship

  • 37-The Vows of Confirmation

  • 38-Our Decision to Claim the Name

  • Usually in February, we will do an overnighter to the Dallas area, which includes an event with about 1,000 other confirmands from the North Texas Annual Conference, a mission project, worship at an African-American UM Church, fun events, and more!

  • Usually in April, we will do a retreat at Camp Chaparral (near Iowa Park) to focus on our spiritual gifts.  There, the kids will also write their Affirmation of Faith.
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Posted on August 19th, 2009 by tsims

2009 Confirmation Christmas in April Retreat

Six confirmands, three youth helpers, and seven adults participated in this annual Confirmation Retreat on April 18-19 where the confirmands learn about their spiritual gifts and how they can use them in their own ministries in the church. It was GREAT!



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Posted on April 20th, 2009 by tsims

Confirmation Christmas In April Retreat Coming SOON!

The Confirmation Class will be going to Camp Chaparral on April 18-19, 2009 for the Annual Christmas in April Retreat.  At this retreat, the Confirmands will:

  • Learn about their Spiritual Gifts and how they can use them in the church;
  • Write an Affirmation of Faith;
  • Choose if now is the right time for them to make a public profession of faith.

The cost for Confirmands will be $45 each.  Please contact Rev. Sims BEFORE April 12 if you plan to attend!

It will be great!

For more information about Confirmation,
contact Rev. Troy Sims, Christian Education Pastor: 940-766-4231, x229.

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Posted on April 7th, 2009 by tsims

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