Introduction
A first communion or a confirmation is a milestone in a young person's faith, and a moment for a whole family and congregation to give thanks. Whatever your tradition, these 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, can help you pray, write a card or prepare a short word of blessing. They are grouped into five themes: young faith, remembering Jesus at his table, belonging to the church, growing in Christ, and confirming your faith by the Spirit. Read them with the child or teenager, and let each verse open a conversation about following Jesus.
Young Faith
1. 1 Timothy 4:12
"Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity."
Paul tells young Timothy that nobody should look down on his youth, and that he can set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. Young believers are not only the church of tomorrow; they are part of the church today. Encourage the young person you love to see their faith as real and valued. Read all of 1 Timothy 4.
2. Psalm 119:9
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word."
How can a young person keep their way pure? By living according to God's word. This is a gentle question and a clear answer. It is not about rules for their own sake, but about a path lit by Scripture. Give a Bible as a gift, and promise to read it together, so that the word can become a daily friend. Read all of Psalm 119.
3. Matthew 19:14
"But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”"
Jesus welcomed children and said the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them. He does not ask a child to understand everything before coming to him. Children trust, receive and love simply, and this is the way into the kingdom. Jesus is glad to see this child come. Read all of Matthew 19.
4. Proverbs 8:17
"I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me."
Wisdom says, I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me. For a young believer, this is a lovely promise: God is not hiding. Anyone who seeks him with an honest heart will find that he has been near all along. Encourage curiosity, questions and prayer. Read all of Proverbs 8.
Remembering Jesus at His Table
5. Luke 22:19
"He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.”"
On the night before he died, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and told his disciples to do this in memory of him. Communion is a way of remembering what Jesus gave for us. Explain to a child that when we eat and drink together, we say thank you for his love. Every tradition celebrates it with reverence and gratitude. Read all of Luke 22.
6. 1 Corinthians 11:26
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."
Every time believers eat the bread and drink the cup, they proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Communion looks back to the cross and forward to his return. It is both a memory and a hope. Invite a young believer to take part with a prepared heart, thankful for Jesus and looking to the day he comes again. Read all of 1 Corinthians 11.
7. John 6:35
"Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
Jesus calls himself the bread of life: whoever comes to him will not hunger, and whoever believes in him will not thirst. Bread feeds the body, but Jesus feeds the soul. As you prepare a young person for communion, remind them that the real gift is Jesus himself, who satisfies our deepest needs. Read all of John 6.
8. Psalm 34:8
"Oh taste and see that Yahweh is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."
Taste and see that the Lord is good. This verse invites us to experience God, not just to hear about him. Whether at the Lord's table or in prayer, a child can taste his goodness in small ways: forgiveness, joy, peace. Ask them what they have noticed about God's goodness lately, and give thanks together. Read all of Psalm 34.
Belonging to the Church
9. Acts 2:42
"They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer."
The first believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to breaking bread and to prayer. These habits still describe a healthy church life. For a young person joining the community more fully, they offer a simple plan: learn, belong, remember Jesus and pray. Read all of Acts 2.
10. Romans 12:5
"so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another,"
Paul says that we are many, yet one body in Christ, and members of one another. Joining the church means belonging, not just attending. A teenager who is confirmed becomes part of a family that prays for them and carries them. Thank God for that family, and encourage the young person to belong. Read all of Romans 12.
11. 1 Corinthians 12:27
"Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually."
You are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. Every young person has something to give: a gift, a question, a smile or a prayer. Tell them clearly that the church needs them, and look for a small way for them to serve soon after their first communion or confirmation. Read all of 1 Corinthians 12.
12. Ephesians 2:19
"So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God,"
You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of his household. A young believer may feel unsure about where they fit. This verse answers clearly: in Christ you belong. Welcome them warmly, learn their name, and make a place for them at the table. Read all of Ephesians 2.
Growing in Christ
13. Psalm 119:105
"Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path."
God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light on our path. A lamp does not light the whole road at once, only the next steps. That is enough. Teach a young person to open the Bible each day and ask, What is the next step you want me to take, Lord? He promises to show the way. Read all of Psalm 119.
14. John 15:5
"I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Jesus says he is the vine and we are the branches, and that apart from him we can do nothing. The image is simple enough for a child: branches grow when they stay connected. Encourage the young person to stay close to Jesus through prayer, Scripture and church, and to trust him to produce good fruit in time. Read all of John 15.
15. 2 Peter 3:18
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."
Peter ends his letter with a call to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Faith is not a single day but a lifelong growth. First communion and confirmation are important steps, not finish lines. Celebrate them, then keep walking, learning and loving Jesus more each year. Read all of 2 Peter 3.
16. Joshua 1:9
"Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”"
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Young people face many pressures, and a confirmation day does not remove them. But it can remind them of the strongest promise: God goes with you. Say it to them, pray it over them, and write it in a card. Read all of Joshua 1.
Confirming Faith by the Spirit
17. Romans 10:9
"that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Paul sums up the heart of Christian faith: confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. A confirmation day is a moment to say this publicly. Pray that it becomes the young person's own living trust and not only a family tradition. Read all of Romans 10.
18. Philippians 1:6
"being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. This is a great encouragement for a young believer: God is the one who started the work in them, and he will not abandon it. Parents and godparents can rest in that too, trusting that God keeps loving the child they are raising. Read all of Philippians 1.
19. Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”"
Jesus promised that his followers would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them, and would be his witnesses. Pray that the young person will rely not only on their own courage but on God's power to live for him at school, at home and among friends. Read all of Acts 1.
20. John 14:26
"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you."
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as a Counselor who will teach us all things and remind us of what Jesus said. What a gift for a young believer who is just beginning to learn! You are not alone in understanding the Bible or in making choices. The Spirit helps, teaches and brings the right words to mind. Read all of John 14.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Bible verse for a first communion card?
John 6:35 is a favorite, because Jesus says he is the bread of life. Luke 22:19 and Psalm 34:8 also work well for a young person. Choose a short verse, write it by hand, and add a sentence telling the child how glad you are for them.
What is the difference between first communion and confirmation?
Practices differ between churches. First communion usually marks the first time someone takes part in the Lord's Supper, while confirmation is a time when a young person affirms their faith and is received more fully into the church. Ask your own church or pastor how they understand and celebrate each.
How can parents encourage a child after first communion or confirmation?
Keep the habits going: pray together, read a short Bible passage, and attend church as a family. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 reminds parents to talk about God naturally in daily life. Share your own story of faith, and let your child see that you keep growing too.