Lesson 53. What does God teach us about confession and absolution?

Lesson 53

What does God teach us about confession and

absolution?

What are the two parts of confession?

Psalm 32:5Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did

not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will

confess my transgressions to the LORD”— and you forgave the guilt of

my sin.God urges us to

confess

What are the two parts of confession?

Psalm 32:5Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did

not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will

confess my transgressions to the LORD”— and you forgave the guilt of

my sin.

God assures us of his

forgiveness (absolution)

Luke 15:17-24“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my

father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and

went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him;

he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against

heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his

finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So

they began to celebrate.

Key Point #1

The two parts of confession are that we confess our sins and

then receive God’s assurance of unconditional forgiveness.

What does God want us to say when we confess our sins?

Psalm 19:12

Who can discern his

errors? Forgive my

hidden faults.

Confess ALL sins

What does God want us to say when we confess our sins?

Psalm 51:5

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the

time my mother conceived me.

sinful from birth

What does God want us to say when we confess our sins?

Ephesians 4:25-28Therefore each of you must put off

falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of

one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down

while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has

been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something

useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with

those in need.

thoughts, words, actions

What does God want us to say when we confess our sins?

Isaiah 59:2

But your iniquities have separated you

from your God; your sins have hidden his face

from you, so that he will not hear.

separated us from

God

What does God want us to say when we confess our sins?

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death…

deserve death

Key Point #2

God wants us to confess that we are sorry for all our sins and that

we deserve nothing from him but punishment.

Using your own thoughts and words, write a general

confession of sins to God. Include the four things

mentioned in the lesson that God wants us to say.

How do we receive the assurance that we are forgiven (absolution)?

Psalm 32:5

I said, “I will confess my

transgressions to the LORD”— and

you forgave the guilt of my sin.

How do we receive the assurance that we are forgiven (absolution)?

Luke 24:46-47He told them, “This is what is written: The

Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the

third day, and repentance and

forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at

Jerusalem.”

How do we receive the assurance that we are forgiven (absolution)?

1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will

forgive us our sins and purify us

from all unrighteousness.

in God’s Word

How do we receive the assurance that we are forgiven (absolution)?

Psalm 32:5Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did

not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will

confess my transgressions to the LORD”— and you forgave the guilt of

my sin.at public worship

How do we receive the assurance that we are forgiven (absolution)?

Psalm 38:4

My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too

heavy to bear.

How do we receive the assurance that we are forgiven (absolution)?

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season;

correct, rebuke and encourage—with

great patience and careful instruction.

through a pastor in private

confession

How do we receive the assurance that we are forgiven (absolution)?

James 5:16Therefore confess your sins to each

other and pray for each other so that

you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is

powerful and effective.

through a fellow Christian in

private confession

Key Point #3We receive the assurance that we are forgiven through God’s

Word, a pastor, or a fellow Christian.

Mr. Stephens didn’t want to confess to his pastor about the

money he had taken from the cash register in the store at which he

worked, even though he felt ashamed. He thought his pastor

would call the police and get him arrested. Is his thinking correct? What should the pastor do if Mr.

Stephens confesses to him?

If someone came to you to apologize for sinning against

you, why would it be important, besides saying, “I forgive you,” to say, “God

forgives you,” too?

In the Large Catechism, Martin Luther told Christians they should be glad to run more than a hundred miles for confession and not want to be urged to come. They should rather compel the ministers to give them the opportunity. Why do you

think he said that?

Where is the best place to meet with your pastor to confess

something that troubles you? In your home? In his home? In his

office at church? At the communion rail? Somewhere

else? Why?

Agree or Disagree?

If you show up late for a Sunday service and miss the confession of

sins and absolution, you really haven’t missed much, because you can still confess your sins silently and receive forgiveness from God in his Word which you read and

hear.

Agree or Disagree?

If someone comes to a pastor for private confession and

absolution, it would be helpful if the pastor placed his hand on

that person’s head as he announces God’s forgiveness.

Search the hymnal…

• For hymns that have to do with confession and absolution.

• For a prayer for personal confession of sins to God.

Why, in the order for Private Confession in the hymnal (p.154-155), do both the

minister and the penitent person say certain parts together?

Sometimes it’s hard to concentrate on the confession

and absolution at the beginning of the Sunday service because we’ve said and heard the same words so many times. Give two

pieces of advice on how to concentrate better.

Role Play

Have the “parent” tell the “child” that he knows the child has lied about where he went the previous

evening. Have the child admit that he lied and then, with a sad face, ask for forgiveness. Have the

parent say, in his own words, that he will not count the wrong against the child, nor will God. Then ask the class, “How did it feel, aside from the situation

seeming artificial, to listen in on a conversation like this? Why did it feel that way?”

Lesson

God urges me to confess that I am a sinner and assures me that

I am forgiven.

Vocabulary…

“Confession”

admitting sins

Vocabulary…

“Absolution”

announcing forgiveness

Vocabulary…

“Penance”(Roman Catholic doctrine)

works that need to be done to merit forgiveness

Vocabulary…

“Fruits of Repentance”

works that will be done out of thankfulness for

forgiveness