New Life Christian Church

Rhythms of the Christian life - The Rhythm of Confession

Sermon for Sunday February 5, 2012 at New Life Christian Church, Hudson NH, Pastor Ken Heath.

Discussion Guide: The Rhythm of Confession (Psalm 32)

Today’s sermon spoke about the need to be in “confession-mode” throughout the flow of our daily lives in order to be restored in spiritual strength and in intimacy with God. The sermon highlighted five key steps from the life of David in Psalm 32. Review those steps below and start the process of applying them to the daily “rhythm” of your life.

1. Approach God with your guilt (Psalm 32:1-4) •    Do you allow yourself to feel guilt or have you learned to “numb” yourself to the reality of it? •    Is your first impulse to bring your guilt to God or to avoid God with your guilt (e.g. Adam & Eve)?

2. Acknowledge your sin (Psalm 32:5a).  Which of the following reflects you: •    I usually recognize my actions as sins right away and own up to them •    I sin so much and so often that I lose track from one sin to the next •    Like David, it may take me weeks or months to acknowledge my repeated sin •    I don’t sin and I’m offended that you would even think it possible

3. Agree with God about your sins (Psalm 32:5b) •    What is sin? •    Why should it bother you? •    Have you ever found yourself labeling the actions of someone else as “sin” but when you committed those same actions you labeled them as “personal choices”? Why is it so hard to agree with God that we have sinned?

4. Ask for forgiveness, protection, and deliverance (Psalm 32:5c-7) •    What impact does God’s forgiveness have on you? •    Which do you seek most from God: forgiveness, protection or deliverance? •    Read Matthew 6:9-13. Is Jesus suggesting that we ought to be praying for protection and deliverance as much as forgiveness? What difference might it make?

5. Accept a new path to follow (Psalm 32:8-11) •    What risks do we take if we don’t follow a new path after being forgiven? •    What action should you take if you happen to “fall” while on this “new path”? •    Can you share an example from your life when you chose a new path or direction after confessing your sin to God

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