In the Workshop--Lesson 9--Confession is Good for the Soul--Matthew 3 + Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.  When you hear that the Kingdom is here in our midst, what needs to be done in your life to be prepared to participate in it?  What role does confession play in preparing for participation in the Kingdom of the LORD?  What difficulties do you have with confession?

2.  Why does preparing for the Kingdom involve going out into the wilderness?  How have you been led through the wilderness in preparation for God’s Kingdom?  What has being in the wilderness taught you?

3.  How are repentance and confession tied together?  Why does repentance require confession?  How are repentance and confession separate things one must do to be prepared for the Kingdom? 

4.  Since Jesus didn’t have any sin to confess, how is He our model for confession?  How did His life and His teachings confess His faith in the LORD?

5.  Why do you think Jesus had Peter confess His love for Jesus three times instead of the specific way he had failed Him?  Is this a model for us in our confession?  How is confession part of building or rebuilding Kingdom community?

6.  Why is our instinct to hide or cover up when we rebel against what God says?  What advice do you have for someone with an area of their life that needs to be brought into the light?  What is your image of God, and how does this open up or inhibit your willingness to confess what you need to share?

7.  How does confession help David to be a “man after God’s own heart”?  How does confession help to prepare one for the Kingdom of God?  Do you see the connection of these two examples from the OT and the NT?

8.  How would a life inventory help you with confession?  What concerns do you have with doing a life inventory?  What community do you have to assist you and encourage you in such a venture?

9.  How have you seen abuse leave scars and lead to further abuse?  Why does being the victim of abuse leave a person feeling so powerless?  How does confession help a person to regain power?