Lesson 25 Confess Your Sins

Transcription

1 Lesson 25 Confess Your Sins Lesson Objectives: The objective of this lesson is to help children and teens: Understand the importance of being open and honest about sins committed. Understand the need to confess sin to others particularly when we are struggling in a particular sin. Know the benefit of having the support of the body of Christ when struggling in sin. Recognize that it is normal to struggle with sin but it becomes a problem when we try to hide it. Know how a Christian is to respond when he sees someone who has confessed Christ stray away from faith in Christ. Memory Verse: James 5:19-20 Scriptural References: James 5:16-20 Activity for children: Follow the instructions provided on the last page of this lesson entitled: Instructions on how to assemble coloring page project for younger children. Use these coloring pages as you explain the lesson or you can explain the lesson and use the coloring pages as means of reviewing the lesson. Activity for older children and teens: Read the scenarios before the discussion below and ask the question: What would you do? Ask the students to be honest about their responses. At the end of the lesson review the scenarios read at the beginning of class and ask the question: What should you do? allowing students to apply the scriptures learned to the scenarios. Discussion Last week we discussed what James instructs believers to do in times of illness. They must acknowledge the fact that they are sick. The believer must go to the elders of the church and ask for prayer. The elders are to pray for him anointing him with oil. James says the result of obeying these instructions is healing and forgiveness of sins. We pointed out that anyone can come to the elders for prayer but it is God who determines who will be healed. It is not always God s will to heal because we are told in scripture of times when there will be sickness. The faith to be healed and the prayer of faith are granted by God. We discussed the prayer of a righteous man and what that means. Everyone has the opportunity to be righteousness and accomplish much through prayer. James points out that Elijah was a man like us yet he was able to stop the rain for three years and six months with his prayers because God heard and answered him. God still performs miracles today but they are done for His purposes according to His will. All Christians should be encouraged by this scripture to live a righteous life looking to God during times of illness trusting Him to heal or give the strength to endure. Today we are going to discuss in more detail the importance of confessing sin and the need for Christians to be accountable for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Last week we stated that according to James 5:15-16 healing could not occur if unconfessed sin is present. This is not only true for physical healing but this is particularly true for spiritual healing. The Bible tells us in many places that those who love sin love darkness (John 1:1-9, Pr. 2:13, John 3:19-21). Darkness hides and covers so that anything engulfed by it cannot be seen. Those who love sin and evil will keep their deeds hidden. The fact that they keep it hidden is evidence that they prefer wrong over right. Those who love righteousness are drawn to the light (Eph. 5:8-13, John 3:19-20). Unlike darkness, light exposes. Those who really desire to be righteous are willing to except whatever consequences that result from exposing their deeds to the light. To avoid being open and honest about wrong is to choose to keep your wrong deeds in the dark. To confess sin to Christ and to those who belong to Christ is to expose it to the light. The result of exposing wrong deeds generally includes shame. Many people choose to keep sin hidden to avoid shame. Shame for wrong doing is evidence of a healthy conscious and sensitivity to sin. The lack of shame is a symptom of dull conscious and a hard heart. Only when a person wants righteousness bad enough to be willing to endure shame will they confess sin 118

2 openly. Not all sin has to be confessed to other people. Sometimes we only need to confess sin to Christ and ask for forgiveness. Sin can only be forgiven with exposure and openness before Christ. But if the sin is something that we are struggling with or likely to commit again it needs to be confessed openly to others so that we can be set free from the bondage of that sin. When we confess our sins to others it is important to know who to confess our sins to. Sins can be confessed to parents, a pastor, deacons, Sunday school teacher, or a brother or sister in Christ. Once the sin is confessed to others there is a support system of prayer in place. This strengthens the Christian, minimizes satanic attack, holds the Christian accountable, helps fellow Christians know what the prayer needs are and provides the opportunity to receive wisdom on how to avoid the pitfalls of falling back into that sin. James not only says we are to confess our sins to one another but when we see a brother (or sister) going astray we are to confront them. We are not to ignore it or pretend we do not see it. We are not to avoid confrontation to prevent offending him or her. Genuine love confronts, imitation love avoids confrontation. James says in verse 19 that we are to turn our brother back to truth and in so doing we save him from spiritual death covering a multitude of sins. James is particularly speaking of a person who is straying away from the Christian faith. We are to seek to turn them back to genuine faith in Christ. Review the scenarios again giving some possible answers as to how students should respond in the each scenario: What Should You Do? Scenario #1- Confront your friend about the need to be in a church where truth is being taught. Talk to your pastor or Sunday school teacher about your friend s decision. Talk to your parents about how to handle the situation. Scenario #2- Talk to your parents about what is going on. As your friend speaks with you about what he is doing it is important for you to make sure your friend understands that what he is doing in wrong and that you do not want to be a part of it. Scenario #3- Confront your friend about the need to be in a church where truth is being taught. Let your friend know that there is only one God and that is the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no other enlightened path. All other paths lead to darkness. Talk to your pastor or Sunday school teacher about your friend s decision. Talk to your parents about how to handle the situation. Scenario #4- Confess what you have done to Christ asking for his forgiveness. Confess to your parents and the girl you stole the money from and return her money. If stealing is a struggle for you confess to your pastor, Sunday school teacher or deacon church or youth group asking them for prayer. Scenario #5- Confess what you have done to Christ asking for his forgiveness then confess to your mother. You should confess before going on the trip. If dishonesty is a struggle for you confess to your pastor, Sunday school teacher or deacon, church or youth group asking them for prayer. 119

3 What would you do? Make the following statements to the class: The following stories are about young people who have professed to be Christians. When you think of how you would respond in each situation be honest and don t just give a Bible study answer or the answer that you think the teacher wants to hear but what would you really do? Then we will discuss what the proper response should be according to God s word. Scenario #1 A friend has just told you that she had a lot of fun at the church on the corner and plans to start going there instead of the church you both attend. Her parents have told her it is ok. Her parents do not attend church anywhere. You have discovered that this is a group that does not believe the Bible is really God s word and believes Christ was a good man and prophet but not the messiah. What would you do? Scenario #2 Your best friend has been frustrated because his mom never has the money to buy him the things he would like to have. He has told you that he met a guy near the school who offered him money to sell drugs. He has excitedly told you that he has made $ in one week. During the Sunday school hour his parents believe he is in Sunday school when he is actually selling drugs outside in the back of the church. What would you do? Scenario #3 You and your friend have just left church and are at the park to hangout after church. During your conversation together you have discovered that your friend has decided to leave the church you both have been attending together for 2 years. Your friend s parents have recently begun attending a cult. The parents of your friend have left the choice up to your friend stating: You can remain a Christian or pursue a more enlightened path with us. What would you do? Scenario #4 You are sitting next to a girl who is careless with her purse. She walks away leaving her purse open and there is a $10.00 bill, a $20.00 bill and several one dollar bills hanging out of the purse. It is within your reach and you suspect she will not even notice it missing until the end of the day. You are the only person left in the room so you take it. Several days later the two of you talk and she does not appear to have suspected you of anything. She casually mentions that her brother took her money but he will never admit to it. What would you do? Scenario #5 You are taking a test that you really want to pass with a good grade. Your mom as told you that the only way you can go on the trip you have been planning is if you make a good grade on this test. The teacher has repositioned the chairs but you noticed that the student to the left of you is positioned in a place where his answers can be seen from the mirror in front of you. This student is a straight A student. You decide to copy his answers so you look in the mirror and you are able to answer most of your questions with his answers. You later find out that you made an A on the test. Your mother is so excited and has told you that she is very proud of you. You feel guilty but you go on the trip. What would you do? (At the end of the lesson review the above scenarios and ask What should you do?) 120

4 NEVER HIDE YOUR SINS, CONFESS YOUR SINS 121

5 1 22 Appendix A 122

6 123 Appendix B

7 124 Appendix C

8 FORGIVENESS Appendix D 125

9 Instructions on how to assemble coloring page project for younger children: 1. Make copies of the coloring pages for each child. 2. Assemble the pages in order. (Appendix A-D) 3. Staple the pages together at the top two corners as seen in figure one. 4. Use the pages to flip through (figure 2) while explaining the following: Hidden sin-- When you do something wrong you will be tempted to hide it but you cannot hide anything from the Lord Jesus. If you try to hide it you will feel bad inside. Underneath the hidden sin is (Flip the page to guilt) Figure 2 Guilt- guilt is a horrible feeling. Sometimes guilt makes you do more bad things to try to hide the guilt. The guilt is there because the Lord Jesus sees what you have done and He wants you to come to him. If you want to be free from the sin and guilt (Flip the page to confessed sin/shame) Figure 1 Confessed Sin/Shame- You must confess what you have done. You need to confess to the Lord Jesus asking His forgiveness and you may need to talk to your parents, teacher or pastor. Even though you may feel some shame at first once you ve confessed your sin, you will be free from the guilt, sin and shame because (Flip the page to forgiveness) Forgiveness-God forgives you when you truly repent. Repent means you are sorry for disobeying God s law and you make the decision to turn from that sin and trust the Lord Jesus to help you to never do it again. Once you are forgiven you will have God s peace and joy inside. 126

10 Bibliography All scripture quotations are from The New American Standard Bible or The New King James Bible. The New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. Lahabra Ca.: The Lockman Foundation. The Thompson Chain-Reference Study Bible New King James Version B.B. Kirkbride Bible Company, Inc. Sermons from Pastor Willie Woodmore, Pastor of Trinity Community Church. Sermon dates: May 11- May 15, 2011, Oct. 16, 2011, Nov. 6 - Nov 27, 2011, Jan Feb. 12, MacArthur Jr, John F. The MacArthur Study Bible. Word Publishing Ellsworth, Roger. Opening Up James. Ryelands Road, Leomisnter, England: Day One Publications Wiersbe, Warren. The Bible Expository Commentary. Wheaton Illinois: Victor Books Thomas, Robert L. New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Updated edition. Anaheim, California: Foundations Publications, Inc Swanson, James. Nave s Topical Bible. Logos Research System, Inc Vine, W.E, Unger, Merrill F., White, William Jr. Vine s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc MacArthur Jr, John F. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, James. Chicago Illinois: Moody Press Grudem, W. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House,