Flipbooks

Two of the milestones in life where the greatest num- ber of young people disconnect from church are after eighth-grade graduation (confirmation for many) and after high school graduation. Each of these gradua- tions, these transitions, results in isolation and separa- tion from church for many. So it's easy for churches to look at graduation with trepidation rather than as an opportunity. Instead, we need to look at these milestones from the students' perspective and ask, "What do they need in this time of transition?" Moving from middle school to high school or from high school to college is a huge milestone. But these big transitions are also filled with a lot of unknowns. "What if I don't fit in at my new school?" "Will I be good enough to make the team?" "What if I picked the wrong college?" "Will my rela- tionship last long-distance?" The questions, worries, and doubts can go on and on. Graduation is a time of tremendous excitement but also tremendous change. What is it that students need amid so much change? They need something that doesn't change—something that's constant. That's the church's role in these times of transition. We are to be an anchor amid all the change that's going on. We are to be a constant amid everything else that's changing. We are to tell our young people that while their circumstances are rapidly changing, our God does not change: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever" (Isaiah 40:8). The facts that God's Word doesn't change and that His promises are true have numerous application points, but let's zoom in on one of those: what God says about our identity. This is one of the main ways that we can connect faith with the milestone of graduation. God's Word never changes, His promises are true, and that means that you are who He says you are. That's not go- ing to change whether you struggle in your new school or thrive academically, if you don't make the team or if you're a starting player, if you change your major or you don't, or if your relationship works out or not. No matter what happens, you are who God says you are. And what does God say about you? You have been created in His image (Genesis 1:27), He sent His Son to die for you and forgive all your sins (Romans 5:8), and He has brought you into His family in Baptism (Titus 3:5–7). You are God's loved, forgiven, valuable child. That's who you are! You are who God says you are. As you seek to bring this message to your graduates, I'd encourage you to begin by thinking more about the months after graduation than just the graduation party. That doesn't mean that you skip the party. But also think about how you can continue to support your graduates and, as a church, be the constant in their lives in the weeks and months after graduation. Here are two ideas to connect your graduates to the anchor of God's Word in this major life transition: • If you're going to get your graduates a gift, get them something that will connect them to a community because that's what they need. Words of Strength and Promise, for example, is a book of topical devotions that will apply God's Word to their lives. But give them even more than that— give them a community. Invite graduates to a small group where they can read through one of those devotions each week together and discuss the topic and pray for one another, either in person or through a video call. • Get some key mentors—adults, parents, and peers—to write letters to members of the grad- uating class. Have them write about their hopes for the graduates, adding favorite memories and reminders of God's promises that they are who God says they are. Mail your graduates one of these let- ters each month to highlight their constant connec- tion to the church. These are two ways among many that you can connect with your middle and high school youth in these im- portant milestones in their lives. Look at graduation as a time not to worry if your youth will come back but as a crucial opportunity to connect them to our constant God, whose promises are true regardless of the chang- ing circumstances in life. w Confirmation is just the first step to living a life following God as an adult. Let confirmation-age teens ponder what living their life in Christ is like while being encouraged and inspired to grow in their faith. Find this title and others listed in this magazine at cph.org/llresources. CONFIRMED IN CHRIST Lutheran Life 13

• Cover