Lesson 53

1. Lesson 53

2. What does God teach us about confession and absolution?

3. What are the two parts of confession? Psalm 32:5 Then 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

4. What are the two parts of confession? Psalm 32:5 Then 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)

5. 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.

6. Key Point #1 The two parts of confession are that we confess our sins and then receive God’s assurance of unconditional forgiveness.

7. 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

8. 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

9. What does God want us to say when we confess our sins? Ephesians 4:25-28 Therefore 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

10. 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

11. What does God want us to say when we confess our sins? Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death… deserve death

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. How do we receive the assurance that we are forgiven (absolution)? Luke 24:46-47 He 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.”

16. How do we receive the assurance that we are forgiven (absolution)? 1 John 1:9 If 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

17. How do we receive the assurance that we are forgiven (absolution)? Psalm 32:5 Then 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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. How do we receive the assurance that we are forgiven (absolution)? James 5:16 Therefore 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

21. Key Point #3 We receive the assurance that we are forgiven through God’s Word, a pastor, or a fellow Christian.

22. 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?

23. 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?

24. 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?

25. 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?

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. Search the hymnal… • For hymns that have to do with confession and absolution. • For a prayer for personal confession of sins to God.

29. 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?

30. 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.

31. 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?”

32. Lesson God urges me to confess that I am a sinner and assures me that I am forgiven.

33. Vocabulary… “Confession” admitting sins

34. Vocabulary… “Absolution” announcing forgiveness

35. Vocabulary… “Penance” (Roman Catholic doctrine) works that need to be done to merit forgiveness

36. Vocabulary… “Fruits of Repentance” works that will be done out of thankfulness for forgiveness