Devotional with Your Child (for Confirmation)

The goal of confirmation is not to see whether your child knows the right answers, but whether they are personally trusting in Jesus Christ as He is offered in the gospel. As parents, our role is not to pressure our child toward confirmation, but to prayerfully discern whether the Lord has given them a credible profession of faith.

The following passages are intended to lean into the first two PCA membership vows with our children ("1. Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope except in His sovereign mercy? 2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?")

Have your child read the text, then share with them the main truth which summarizes the passage. Then ask the questions to consider with your child. 

Seven Passages to Read and Reflect Together 

1. Romans 3:23–24, “²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” 

Main truth: Everyone has sinned. Salvation is God's free gift. 

Q to consider: Who has sinned? To be "justified" means saved -- who gives this to us as a gift?

2. Romans 5:8, “⁸ but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Main truth: God loves us, and he shows it (not merely saying it). Christ died for sinners. 

Q to consider: How did God show you his love?

3. Ephesians 2:8–9, “⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Main truth: We are saved by grace and grace alone. Faith is how we receive this gift, but our faith is not what saves us. What we put our faith in, that is what saves us.

Q to consider: Can anyone earn salvation? What about our heroes/heroines, do they need grace, too? God doesn't require our works to save us -- do you believe that what Jesus did for you is enough to save you?

4. John 3:16–18, “¹⁶ “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” 

Main truth: Responding by faith to the Son, Jesus Christ. 

Q to consider: How does God want us to respond to his gift of love? Do you believe in who Jesus is (that he is the Son of God) and what he did (that he came to save sinners from their sin and hell, which is separation from God)?

5. Isaiah 53:5–6, “⁵But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Main truth: Jesus bore all of our sins.

Q to consider: Why do Christians treasure the cross of Jesus so much? When have you strayed away like sheep, away from God's will?

6. Luke 18:9–14, “⁹ He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: ¹⁰ ‘Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” ¹³ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.’”

Main truth: God gives mercy to the humble, not to the proud.

Q to consider: Do you feel like being a Christian means being more like the Pharisee sometimes? If so, when? How can we pray more humbly like this tax collector?

7. Philippians 3:9, “⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—” 

Main truth: Trust in Christ, not in yourself. Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in Christ alone.

Q to consider: Where do Christians find their confidence to know that they are "righteous" (meaning, acceptable) before God? How can we always know that God will not reject us but receive us as his children?

Signs of Readiness

Look for humble trust in Jesus Christ, more than polished answers, more than a commitment to obedience, to church, etc. Is there an acknowledgement of sin that separates us from a holy God? Is there an acknowledgement that Christ is their true and only Savior? Is there a desire to grow as a follower of Christ (or a desire for a desire)? We're looking for small, incremental, yet genuine profession of faith in Christ. It may take time, so walk with them in patience and prayerfulness.

Always feel free to ask additional questions. Here are a few suggestions: 

• Is there anything that’s still confusing? 

• Why is this good news for you personally?

• If a friend asked you how someone becomes a Christian, how would you guide them? 

• If a friend asked you what a Christian basically believes, how might you answer them?

• What's a Bible verse that reminds you of the gospel, or one that moves your heart?

I’m praying for you and your family. 

Heavenly Father, give your covenant children hearts that truly know and love Jesus, and faith that receives and rests upon him. Help us parents to be patient, wise, and full of grace as we walk together with our children. In Jesus’ name. Amen.