14 Habits of Highly Effective Disciples

Lesson 2: CONFESSION

Introduction

“Confession and repentance are hard. But the difficulty associated with these ancient practices makes them powerful reminders in our lives.”

- Wiles, pg. 28

Question

How CURRENT and COMPREHENSIVE is

the confession of my sin?

Psalm 51:1-3, 10, 17 & 1 John 1:9

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 119: Fast Facts• Psalm 51 is arguably the most famous of the penitential

psalms– King David’s trail of sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11-12)

• Coveted her• Stole her from her home• Committed adultery with her• Tried to manipulate her husband Uriah into sleeping with her to cover

up their actions• Tried to manipulate her husband Uriah a second time by getting him

drunk [in hopes of him going home to sleep with her]• Murdered her husband Uriah after intentionally putting him out in

battle• Took Bathsheba as his wife after the death of her former husband Uriah

Psalm 119: Fast Facts• Numerology– Number “4” (Psalm 51: 5-1=4)• The number “4” is representative of “testing” of some kind

in the Bible [i.e. Israelites wander for 40 years, Christ tempted after 40 days in the desert]

– Number “6” (Psalm 51: 5+1=6)• The number “6” is representative of “mankind/humanity”

and/or “imperfection” in the Bible [i.e. humans created on the sixth day, infamous “666” as the Mark of the Beast]

…Food for Thought?

InvestigationThought: Why are three different words used to describe his actions?

• Transgression– The infringement or violation of a law, command, or duty

• Iniquity– The quality of being evil

• Sin– A spiritual act of wrongdoing; disobedience against God