An Unexamined Faith...

This week three of our five Daily Devotions at Fourth Church were written by the youth of Fourth Church Rising on our spring retreat two weeks ago. I am really proud of the devotions these youth wrote and I hope you enjoyed them too. I wrote the final devotion of the week, and it pretty much sums up my thoughts about this year's great confirmation class.

Scripture Reading: Genesis 18:17–25

Reflection
More so than any other confirmation class I have led, the youth of this year’s Fourth Church Rising have taken my challenge to explore their faith through honest questioning and have run with it. Over the course of the past eight months, it seems that we have hardly left a theological or spiritual stone unturned. And even though this has left us with many questions, I think our faith is stronger for it.

I often use this story of Abraham’s encounter with God to demonstrate what it means to be in a faithful relationship with God yet also willing to ask difficult questions about God, even to God. Abraham clearly had a deep, personal, trusting relationship with God. But he wasn’t afraid to ask a bold question when confronted with a situation he didn’t understand. “Shouldn’t God do what is just?” asks Abraham. “Shouldn’t God do what is right?”

According to Plato, Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I often think the same thing about faith. An unexamined faith is not worth believing.

Through confirmation and beyond, our youth are remarkably good at this. It is my hope and prayer for our church that the rest of us might do the same.

Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for allowing me to ask even the most difficult questions about you, our relationship, and the world we live in. Thank you for meeting me in those questions and helping me to know that you are always with me. Amen.

Confirmation Devotions 3

This week three of our five Daily Devotions at Fourth Church were written by the youth of Fourth Church Rising on our spring retreat two weeks ago. I am really proud of the devotions these youth wrote and I hope you will enjoy them too.

Scripture Reading: John 15:1–7

Reflection
We are the vine branches, Christ is the vine, and God is the vine tender, and the fruit that we bear represents our faith and good deeds. When we stray from God, we begin to wither, like a plant without sun. But when we abide in Christ, and Christ abides in us, we grow and flourish. Jesus laid down his life for us in the ultimate expression of unconditional love and with the hope and expectation that we will share that love with the world. In Christ, God gave us a new covenant that elevated us from servant to friend.

During this year of confirmation, Christ has made his love known to us and delivers us from sin. Although we are still imperfect, he heals us along the way. This year, we have learned certain truths about God and have a deeper understanding of how important our relationship with him is to us in our life journey.

Prayer
Dear Lord our God in heaven, I am like a branch on the vine, and you are the vine tender. Your love and grace help me to bear fruit. Without you, I will wither and die. Thank you for your Son, our sun, Jesus. Thank you for the love you have shown me. I abide in you, and you abide in me, and I will share your love with the world. In Christ's name I pray this. Amen.

Written by Kerry Grady and Kathi Rodak’s Circle: Maddy Campion, Henry Feldman, Adam Ringwood, Hannah Sharpe, and Will Wardrop. Other members of this Circle: Zach Antonio, Lizzie Guynn, Emily Vander Weele, and Taylor Crowl.

Confirmation Devotions 2

This week three of our five Daily Devotions at Fourth Church were written by the youth of Fourth Church Rising on our spring retreat two weeks ago. I am really proud of the devotions these youth wrote and I hope you will enjoy them too.

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:25–33

Reflection
We are part of the confirmation class of 2008 and are writing this reflection while on retreat in Saugatuck. In this passage, Jesus asks his disciples to give up all of their possessions. We debated whether Jesus was being unreasonable or not. It reminded us of the time in Genesis when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.

The point of this story, like the story in Genesis, is that Jesus wanted his followers to make him their first priority. Confirmation is about deciding whether you want to commit to Jesus or not, which is what was happening in this story. However, being confirmed or being a disciple is not determined by fancy words or ceremonies; it is determined by what you believe.

Prayer
Dear God, please help me to truly commit to you and to see your everlasting love. Amen.

Written by Andrew Karaba and Jane Tuma’s Circle: Erin Bennett, Alexis Chaney, Laurel Doak, John McGuinnis, Henry Meserow, and Lauren Wiebe. Other members of this Circle: Swayze Brumfield, Geoff Dohrmann, and Thomas Rossley.

Confirmation Devotions 1

This week three of our five Daily Devotions at Fourth Church were written by the youth of Fourth Church Rising on our spring retreat two weeks ago. I am really proud of the devotions these youth wrote and I hope you will enjoy them too.

Scripture Reading: Genesis 12:1–9

Reflection
Why did God choose Abram? The story doesn’t really say. Perhaps it was because he had the most to lose. He didn’t choose to follow God because of greed or a desire to increase his wealth. His following God therefore demonstrates his great faith.

Was this a test from God? If so, why would God need to test Abram? Is it because God didn’t know what Abram would do? Shouldn’t God know things like that?

Maybe it’s like when teachers give us tests. These tests aren’t just for the teachers—they’re also for us. These tests force us to think and study, to learn for ourselves. Maybe this is what God wanted for Abram.

For many of us, confirmation has been a leap of faith. We too have made a metaphorical journey. We are on the threshold of our new lives. We are starting out on something that is changing us, something that can make changes in our lives. After confirmation, we won’t know how the rest of our lives will turn out, how things will change.

We still have lots of questions. It’s not necessarily that we fully believe right now, but we would like to believe sometime. We are on a journey toward that kind of belief.

Prayer
O God, thank you for the ability to follow the paths we choose, like Abram who came before us. Give me the strength to journey through the tests and challenges life offers. May your blessings rain down upon us. Amen.

Written by Nicholette Andrews’ Circle: Alexandra Brown, Andrea Cladek, Rebecca Lewis, Nicholas Phalen, Kathryn Sabol, and Mac Sinclair. Other members of this Circle: Tom Cox and Jack Kint.