What Makes a Confirmation Verse Meaningful?

Thinking back to your confirmation, were you given the choice to pick out your verse? If so, how did you do it? Was there a specific reason you selected it?

I remember at my own confirmation service, the pastor read each student’s verse out loud before they were confirmed. For many confirmands, the idea of selecting a meaningful confirmation verse can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few suggestions to help you, your student, or your child to select a meaningful confirmation verse.

Pick a verse that you can easily memorize.

If you have a longer passage of Scripture that you love, consider using a smaller part of it as your confirmation verse. Alternatively, look for a familiar verse from the Psalms, the Gospels, or Paul’s letters that can be memorized quickly. When you need encouragement, it’s helpful to have a confirmation verse that you can repeat as God’s personal promise to you, write down on a notecard and carry around, or pray over.

Helpful verses:

• “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
• “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long.” (Psalm 25:5) 
• “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)
• “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
• “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Select a verse that inspires you or provides hope.

Inevitably, everyone experiences a season of life when they feel stuck, discouraged, or just plain exhausted. Having an encouraging confirmation verse that you can turn to will help to lift your spirit in these times. Maybe this verse reminds you of the promises God made to you at your Baptism, or maybe it’s a promise that God made to His people. Perhaps it’s a Bible verse that talks about healing or one that reinforces the blessings received in faith.

Helpful verses:

• “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
• “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
• “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
• “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39)
• “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

Choose a verse that has significant meaning to your relationship with God or His Word.

When you think about your relationship with God, what sticks out to you? The Lord has so many wonderful characteristics! He is loving, patient, kind, forgiving, holy, a protector. These qualities might be worth connecting to your confirmation verse.  

Helpful verses:

• “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
• “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
• “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)
• “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
• “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Consider a verse that helped you through a tough time.

If you’ve encountered hardship, can you think of a Bible passage that you frequently turn to for help? Maybe it’s a verse that can be used as a prayer or as a reminder of God’s constant presence and faithfulness. Having this kind of confirmation verse can be comforting in difficult situations.

Helpful verses:

• “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
• “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) 
• “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
• “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)
• “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) 

Ask a parent or grandparent about their confirmation verse.

If you’re still not sure about what verse to choose, talk to a trusted adult about their confirmation verse. Ask your mom, dad, a grandparent, or an uncle or aunt about their verse and why they picked it. They may even have some ideas about a verse that makes them think of you, or they can give you some suggestions on ways to narrow down a list of potential confirmation verses.

When I couldn’t quite decide, I talked with my mom about her confirmation verse. She had chosen Philippians 4:13, which reads: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” As I reflected on my life up to that point, I realized that I had gone back to that verse often through the years for various reasons. It had been encouraging to me before exams or athletic competitions and also offered comfort during tough seasons. It was really special to hear my pastor read that verse to me before I was officially confirmed.

Helpful verses:

• “This God—His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.” (2 Samuel 22:31)
• “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)
• “I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength.” (Habakkuk 3:18–19)
• “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6–7)
• “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” (1 Timothy 6:11)

Help your child or student select a confirmation verse with the printable list below, which includes translations from both King James Version (KJV) and English Standard Version (ESV).