“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” — James 5:16
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Explain biblical confession to God and to a trusted person
- Distinguish godly sorrow from shame
- Describe safe, wise practices for confession
- Prepare a simple personal inventory with Scripture
Lesson Notes
Into the Light
Truthful Confession brings what is hidden into the light. David wrote, When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long (Psalm 32:3). Then, I acknowledged my sin unto thee... and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin (Psalm 32:5).
God's promise is sure: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy (Proverbs 28:13).
Confessing to God and to One Another
Confession to God brings forgiveness. Confession to a trusted, mature believer brings healing and accountability: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed (James 5:16). Secrets lose power when they are spoken to a safe person.
Choose wisely: a pastor, chaplain, mentor, or mature same-gender believer who keeps confidences, does not gossip, and points you to Christ.
Godly Sorrow, Not Shame
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death (2 Corinthians 7:10). Godly sorrow says, I did wrong, and God can make me new. Worldly sorrow and shame say, I am hopeless.
We confess our own wrongs, never the wrongs done to us. A woman who was abused, assaulted, or exploited has nothing to confess about that harm. Healing from wounds may involve telling a safe person or counselor what happened, but that is not confession of sin.
A Simple Personal Inventory
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD (Lamentations 3:40). A personal inventory is a prayerful, written look at your life with God: patterns you see, people affected, and where you need His grace.
- Begin with Psalm 139:23–24.
- Write in general terms. Do not write details of crimes, cases, victims, or other people in materials that may be read by others or inspected.
- Include strengths and God's faithfulness, not only failures.
- If the inventory stirs painful memories, stop, breathe slowly, pray, and talk with the chaplain or a counselor.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Truthful Confession | Stage 3: bringing what is hidden into the light with God and a trusted person (James 5:16) |
| Godly sorrow | Sorrow over wrong that leads to repentance and life (2 Corinthians 7:10) |
| Personal inventory | A prayerful written look at one's life, patterns, and need for grace |
| Accountability | Letting a trusted person know your struggles and check on your progress |
In-Class Activities
Godly Sorrow or Shame?
Read ten statements. Mark each G (godly sorrow) or S (shame or worldly sorrow). Rewrite three shame statements as godly sorrow statements using 1 John 1:9 or 2 Corinthians 7:10.
Choosing a Safe Person
In small groups, list the qualities of a safe person to confess to and the warning signs of an unsafe one. Then write the roles (not names) of two safe people you could go to.
Assignment: Inventory Practice
Using the guidance in the lesson, write a one-page practice inventory. You may write about your own life in general terms or about a composite person.
- Begin with Psalm 139:23–24 written out.
- Name two patterns (habits or strongholds) and how they affected you and others, in general terms only.
- Name two strengths or ways God has been faithful.
- Write a short prayer of confession and thanks based on 1 John 1:9.
Do not include details of crimes, cases, victims, or other people. This page will be checked for completion only and returned to you.
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Psalm 32:3 describes how keeping silence weighed David down. Is there anything you have been carrying in silence that you would like to bring to God, and perhaps to a safe person? Write only what you choose. God already knows and still loves you.
Prayer focus: Ask God to search your heart, to cleanse you as He promised, and to lead you to safe people who will pray with you.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
Secrets in the Light
David knew the weight of a secret. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long (Psalm 32:3). Hidden sin does not stay quiet. It weighs on the body, the mind, and the soul.
Then David spoke. I acknowledged my sin unto thee... and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin (Psalm 32:5). God's promise is just as sure for us: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Confession to God brings forgiveness. Confession to a safe person brings healing. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed (James 5:16). When Carla finally told her chaplain about a pattern she had hidden for years, she said it felt like setting down a heavy bag she had carried everywhere. (Carla is a composite example.)
One more truth matters deeply: we confess our own wrongs, never the wrongs done to us. If you were harmed, that harm is not your sin. Telling a safe person or counselor what happened is a step toward healing, not confession. And when you write an inventory, keep it in general terms, with no details of cases or other people.
Think About It
- What makes confession feel risky? ______________________
- Who is a safe person you could confess to? ______________________
- How is godly sorrow different from shame in your own experience? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 4
When I Kept Silence
When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.— Psalm 32:3 (KJV)
Secrets grow heavier the longer they are kept.
Reflect: What silence has weighed on you?
Pray: Lord, I don't want to carry this in silence anymore.
Do: Bring one hidden thing to God in prayer today.
Faithful and Just
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.— 1 John 1:9 (KJV)
God's forgiveness rests on His faithfulness, not on how we feel.
Reflect: Do you believe God has forgiven what you confessed?
Pray: Lord, thank You for being faithful to forgive.
Do: Write 1 John 1:9 and underline the word all.
Confess and Forsake
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.— Proverbs 28:13 (KJV)
Confession opens the door to mercy and change.
Reflect: What would forsaking a pattern look like this week?
Pray: Lord, give me mercy and help me turn.
Do: Choose one small step away from an old pattern.
Godly Sorrow
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.— 2 Corinthians 7:10 (KJV)
Godly sorrow leads to life. Shame leads to despair.
Reflect: Is your sorrow pointing you toward God or away from Him?
Pray: Lord, give me godly sorrow, not shame.
Do: Rewrite one shame thought as a godly sorrow thought.
Search Me
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.— Psalm 139:23–24 (KJV)
We invite God to search us because He loves us and leads us.
Reflect: What would you want God to show you?
Pray: Lord, search me and lead me.
Do: Pray Psalm 139:23–24 morning and evening.
Module Quiz
- 1.
First John 1:9 promises that if we confess our sins, God is:
- 2.
According to James 5:16, confessing faults one to another leads to:
- 3.
Which describes godly sorrow?
- 4.
A woman who was abused needs to confess the abuse as her sin.
- 5.
Name three qualities of a safe person to confess to.