Study Questions for April 19, 2026

Confessions by Reid Schultheis
Read Romans 10:9; James 5:16; Psalm 32:1-5; and 1 John 1:7-9.

1. Reid shares about the "terrifying" experience of making his first confession in a dimly lit room as a child. Why is it so uncomfortable for us to lay out our "inside reality" to God or to another person?
2. Read Romans 10:9. Reid notes there is a big difference between saying "I believe there is a God" and "I believe Jesus is the Lord". What does it mean to you personally to declare that Jesus has the right to demand you live a certain way?
3. Read James 5:16. Reid points out that while we often focus on the "sexy" second half of this verse about powerful prayer, the first half is an "abundantly clear" command. Why is it important to see confession as a requirement of discipleship rather than an optional suggestion?
4. Biblical Anthropology. The sermon explains that we are "embodied souls"—material and immaterial entities joined together. How does the truth that sin is stored up in our bodies (affecting us physically) change your understanding of why we need to deal with it?
5. Read Psalm 32:3-5. David describes his body "wasting away" and his strength "evaporating" when he refused to confess. Have you ever felt a physical or emotional weight lift after finally being honest about a struggle or sin? Discuss.
6. Forgiveness vs. Healing. Reid argues that we go to God for forgiveness, but we often go to one another for healing. How does having a brother or sister in Christ stay with you after a confession help you experience the love of God, rather than just knowing it as a fact?
7. Read 1 John 1:7-9. The text links "living in the light" with having "fellowship with each other." Reid states that our relationship with Jesus is deeply personal but not private. How do your "hidden" sins impact the rest of the church body, even if no one else knows about them?
8. Sins of Omission. Beyond direct hurts, the sermon mentions that sin robs the church of the time, energy, and resources you could have used to serve your neighbor. How does this perspective convict you to prioritize reconciliation within your community?
9. The Heart of Confession. Reid emphasizes that confession is not a "secret sauce"—it is an act of trust in the finished work of Jesus. Why must we be convinced that Jesus’ sacrifice was "sufficient" before we will ever be brave enough to confess?
10. The Seven A’s. Review Ken Sande’s "7 A’s of a Good Confession" (Address everyone, Avoid 'if/but', Admit specifically, Acknowledge hurt, Accept consequences, Alter behavior, Ask for forgiveness). Which of these is usually the hardest for you to include in an apology?
11. Close in Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind any specific person you need to confess to this week. Pray for the humility and courage to value God's glory and the unity of the church above your own comfort.

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Analogy for Understanding: When we sin, it is like thunderclouds rolling in to block out the sun. We know the sun (God’s love) is still there, but we can no longer feel its warmth on our skin. Confessing our sins to one another is like the wind that parts the clouds, allowing us to once again experience the reality of the grace that was there all along.