Confess: Explore what it means to confess and how to engage in the practice of confessing. Confession begins with seeing the choices and actions we take in relation to God’s desires for us and the world. To confess, first we must see our wrongdoing, also called sin, against God or others. Then we must acknowledge our sin. As we practice confession, we move from sin to repentance, which is feeling remorse and the desire to do better in the future, and to repair and restore what has been broken, if that is possible. The practice of confession is not a one-time deal; it’s a cycle that we repeat throughout our lives. We practice confessing as a way of being in right relationship with God and with others, trusting in the steadfast and unconditional love God has for us. “If we confess our sins, [God] who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). This leader’s guide uses the Adult Reflection Guide to lead a small group study on the practice. This guide contains a summary of the practice and the four (or six) sessions, background information on the Bible study for the session, and any preparation the leader may need to do ahead of the session. There are different options of activities and discussions to choose from throughout the session. Participants are asked to read through the Adult Reflection Guide, if possible, before each session. There are other great resources for adults in the Congregational Guide.
