What is Confession and Absolution?
Confession and Absolution is a gift God has given to the church. We join in confession of our sins and receive the assurance, from God through the pastor, that our sins are forgiven.
What does Confession and Absolution have to do with our worship?
Worship is an interaction with Jesus Who is present among us. In order to remain in God’s presence our sins must be removed. Confession and Absolution is the means by which we know that we can stand in God’s presence because Christ has absolved us of our sins. The rest of our interaction with Christ is built on, and a response to, the forgiveness we have received from Christ.
What does the Bible say about this?
Psalm 51 – David prays for forgiveness and restoration, trusting that God will provide what He has promised.
Luke 18:9-14 – Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee who did not repent (and did not feel a need to), and the tax collector who simply asked in faith for God’s mercy. The tax collector is declared righteous by God.
John 20:21-23 – Jesus gives the church the power to forgive and retain sins.
1 John 1:8-2:2 – God condemns those who think they have no sin, but is faithful to forgive those who confess their sins in faith.
Suggestions
Saying “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you” is the most fundamental aspect of family life. Make the most of these opportunities to teach that God forgives our sins. Our forgiveness is a result of His forgiveness. Assure your family members that they are forgiven by God and you. Tell them that in thanks to God for His forgiveness, we forgive. Remind them of the confession and absolution in the worship service, and how God assures us, through the pastor, that our sins are forgiven. You may want to use the following hymns: Lutheran Service Book: 570, 609, 610, 611, 761
Object Lesson
Find something that you can break and fix. Break it and fix it in front of your family. Tell them that Jesus died to fix us. We were broken in sin, but He died to take our sins away. When we are sorry for the bad things we do, He forgives us. That fixes us with God. We use the same thing with each other. Just as Jesus forgives us, we should forgive others when they do bad things to us. If Jesus forgives all the bad things we do, we can forgive the things others do.
Prayer
Lord, we are sorry for the bad things we do. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for our sins. Thank You for forgiving us. Help us to forgive as You have forgiven us. Help us also to remember that when the Pastor tells us we are forgiven, that it is You speaking through him. Amen.