Our church also seems to be under the false impression that confirmation is Bible study graduation. Isn’t there a mind-set in our church populace that if a person can endure the "tortures" of grade school confirmation he will have learned all that he will ever need to know about God? No more Bible study will ever be necessary. Isn’t confirmation viewed as a kind of doctorate in Christianity? It seems to be overwhelming sentiment that after confirmation a person stands on the pinnacle of spiritual erudition. And if anyone suggests that more Bible study is not only beneficial but essential, these spiritual giants will proudly point to the wall and say, "Look at my confirmation certificate and my picture. Can anyone so cherubic and clothed in such radiant white robes need more contact with the Scriptures?
That’s an attitude that crosses all ages, income, and social groupings. It’s amazing! Even those intelligent and very responsible individuals in our congregations who realize a need for continuing education in their particular field, have a hard time seeing the same need for their souls. It’s the same with our brothers and sisters who see no need for refresher courses in spiritual health matters, but would never go to a doctor who is satisfied to practice medicine solely on the basis of his med-school education.
We might add that our synodical system helps to promote that mentality. For which age groups is our Sunday school material intended? Pre-school through eighth grade. It makes it seem as though school children need Bible study. Added to that is a lack of concentration on encouraging Scripture study among teens by providing a Sunday morning Bible class geared specifically for them. We do our teens a disfavor by not making Bible-study a part of our program for them. What are we teaching them with youth group meetings that center on recreation? We also promote the idea that Bible class is just for children when we pastors make it a point to get our members to send their children to Sunday school, but fail to encourage parents also to attend. So in essence we as parents are teaching them the very thing we wish them not to do.
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