Now you are the body of Christ,
and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27
Our confirmation class begins at age 10 with 4th graders.
It has been developed out of the awareness that, for many young people, confirmation class is the first intensive encounter with Christian faith and the Christian church.
We feel that this first encounter should ideally take place during a stage of the child's development when it is open and ready for it. Most fourth graders absolutely enjoy singing, playing, listening to stories, and creative activities.
This way, the children experience faith and congregational life as something positive and joyful.
Even memorizing biblical texts, at this age, is not a tedious thing to do like later in life during puberty.
In a playful way, the children at this early age easily learn texts that can help carry them through life and through difficult times.
At the same time, this program includes small group work where the children can participate and get involved much more than it would be possible in a large group. These small groups are led by volunteer parents.
This year, we have three small groups which meet on one afternoon of the week. Once a month, the whole group meets for class with the pastor.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
There are different kinds of working,
but in all of them and in everyone is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given
for the common good.
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts;
and though all its parts are many, they form one body.
So it is with Christ.
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
If the foot should say,
Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,
it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
And if the ear should say,
Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,
it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.
If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be?
If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them,
just as he wanted them to be.
If they were all one part, where would the body be?
As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, I don't need you!
And the head cannot say to the feet, I don't need you!
On the contrary,
those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
and the parts that we think are less honorable
we treat with special honor.
And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,
while our presentable parts need no special treatment.
But God has combined the members of the body
and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
so that there should be no division in the body,
but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it;
if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ,
and each one of you is a part of it.