Leader Guide

Objective
Sin is a part of our mortal life. The issue is not “if” we will sin, but “when” we will sin. We are not perfect. In this lesson, your students will discover the meaning behind and the importance of confessing sin, asking forgiveness of God, and receiving His forgiveness.

Warm Up
Give your participants a few minutes to fill out the Sins of My Childhood section of the Student Guide.

Survey your group for some of what they included in their lists. Follow with these questions:  

• What has been your experience of what happens when we confess our sins?
• Why is confession necessary?

Transition
Say something like, “We all have sinned, and we all will sin. We would like to think that we will never do something wrong again, but we are not perfect. Our God loves us and longs for us to recognize when we have disobeyed Him. Let’s discover what confessing our sins means, about asking for and receiving forgiveness. As we learn about this, we can walk in a more healthy relationship with God.”

The Video
Ask your group to turn in the Confession Snapshots section of the Student Guide. Use the artist’s website to give a little background on these musicians from Australia. Show the video of the song as your group works through the exercise. 

When the video has ended, have your group members share their observations. Follow by discussing these questions together:

• What is the significance of doubt in keeping us from a close relationship with God and causing us to sin?
• What do the writers mean by “we want drive-through peace and instant hope”?
• Why are they confessing this as a sin?
• What do you think the three boys represent?
•  Why is the line, “with our white flag sailing in the night” critical for confessing and asking for forgiveness?

Transition
Say something like, “When we confess our doubt, our need to fix things ourselves, and our disobedience, God can begin to do a new work in us. We read about Biblical heroes and might think they were almost perfect. Today we read the confession of King David, who not only had an affair with another man’s wife, but had the husband killed! Let’s see what we learn from this passage about confession and forgiveness.

Bible Study
Direct your group to turn to the Forgiveness Map section on their Student Guide. Read Psalm 51:1-12 and then have the students work on the exercise individually. When they are finished, gather your group members back together to share their answers. Follow with these questions:

• What are the ingredients of confession, according to these verses?
• Why is remembering that God has taught us wisdom, even in the womb, important?
• How does this relate to confession and forgiveness?
• What would a “willing spirit” look like?

Wrap Up
Say something like, “If we are to be sustained and stay strong in our walk with God, confession, asking forgiveness of God, and receiving His forgiveness are essential. As we identify our sin and name it, God can heal and restore us.”

Give your group a few moments, if they would be willing, to write on a scrap paper or index card a sin they need to confess. When they are done, have them give their cards to you, with no names, and let them know that only you will see it. Explain that you will pray for these confessions. Offer a general prayer for your students as they daily learn to confess and ask forgiveness more consistently.

Playlist
This song is featured on “The Linc: Racism” Spotify playlist – which is the perfect way to remind your students what you’ve taught them in this session. To share it with them, click the live link.