Each Saturday during Lent, we will take some time as a church family to practice a different spiritual exercise together. Today, we are practicing self-examination & confession.
Definition:
Self-examination is a process whereby the Holy Spirit opens my heart to what is true about me. It is a way of opening myself to God within the safety of divine love so that I can authentically seek transformation. Confession embraces Christ’s gift of forgiveness and restoration while setting us on the path to renewal and change. (Psalm 139:23-24; Psalm 32:1-2; James 5:16).
Reflection Questions:
- Does your confession tend to be along the lines of “Forgive my sins, dear Lord” rather than specifically naming your sins one by one before the face of God? What does the lack of specific confession do to self-awareness?
- What experiences have affected your ability to give and receive forgiveness? Talk to God about what this means.
- When have you tasted the joy of a good confession? What was that like for you?
- What is it like for you to confess your sins before a friend or confessor?
- Which of your sins hurts those closest to you?
Spiritual Exercises:
- Set aside some time for confession and self-examination. In the presence of God ask for light to pierce your defenses. Then ask yourself: who have I injured recently through thoughtlessness, neglect, anger, and so on? As the Holy Spirit brings people to mind, confess your feelings about these people to God. Ask God to forgive you and if need be, to give you grace to forgive them. Write an apology, make a phone call, or confess out loud in an attempt to put the relationship back on track.
- Turn to Psalm 32 or 51. Use the psalm as a way of bringing your own sins before God. How does God meet you in these confessions of David?
- Ask some of your family and close friends to help you see your blind spots. Ask questions like, what do I do that hurts you? How could I better love you? What is it like to be with me? Do I show interest in others or mostly talk about myself? Let their answers guide you in a time of confession.
- Imagine the kind of person you would like to become in your old age. Then look at your life and assess whether or not the way you live now is preparing you to become this person. Confess where you need to change. Ask God and the community of faith for help.
Led by Joran Weitzer
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