The Freedom of Confession

Step 5: The Freedom of Confession

Step 5: We confess our sins and shortcomings to God, to ourselves, and another human being as an act of repentance.

James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

• Confession → Prayer → Healing

Five Benefits of Confession

____________

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Psalm 32:5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Confession breaks the ____________ of ___________.

Psalm 34:5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

Confession ___________ my ______________ with God.

James 4:8 Come near to God, and God will come near to you....

Confession removes the ___________.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Confession ___________ the ___________ to healing.

James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

How to Make Confession a Daily Habit

________ to God ____________ every day.

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

__________ things quickly.

Ephesians 4:26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Stay _____________ to someone.

Ephesians 4:26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

__________ to live in ___________.

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”

Don’t go back to ___________.

John 3:21 “But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

Leaders Questions:

• What is something I’ve been hiding, carrying, or struggling with that I know needs to be confessed? How has keeping it hidden affected me?
• Have I ever experienced freedom, healing, or peace after finally being honest with God or another person? What changed when I stopped hiding?