Confess: Explore what it means to confess and how to engage in the practice of confessing. Confession begins with seeing the choices and actions we take in relation to God’s desires for us and the world. To confess, first we must see our wrongdoing, also called sin, against God or others. Then we must acknowledge our sin. As we practice confession, we move from sin to repentance, which is feeling remorse and the desire to do better in the future, and to repair and restore what has been broken, if that is possible. The practice of confession is not a one-time deal; it’s a cycle that we repeat throughout our lives. We practice confessing as a way of being in right relationship with God and with others, trusting in the steadfast and unconditional love God has for us. “If we confess our sins, [God] who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Congregational Guide. The Congregational Guide provides materials for the pastor, educator, and church leaders to connect the practice with congregational worship and life.
