ACTS of Prayer - Part 3 [Notes]

Join us for "The ACTS of Prayer," a six-week series designed to help you grow with God and others through the gift of prayer. Each week, we’ll explore different types of prayer—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication—while addressing questions like, “Am I doing this right?” and “Why does God answer some prayers but not others?” Whether you’re new to prayer or looking to deepen your connection with God, this series will provide Biblical insights and practical tools to help you experience the power of prayer in a meaningful and guilt-free way.
Takeaway: Confession: being honest with God about our sin
ACTS of Praying 
  •  Adoration
  •  Confession
  •  Thanksgiving
  •  Supplication 
Confession: being honest with God about our sin
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
– Matthew 6:12 (HCSB)
Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.
– 1 John 1:5-10; 2:1-2 (HCSB)
Confession: being honest with God about our sin 
  1. Confession reminds us of who God is and who we are 
Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.
– 1 John 1:5 (HCSB)
Adoration: praising God for who He is
Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.
– James 1:17 (HCSB)
  • If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. – 1 John 1:8 (HCSB)
  • If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. – 1 John 1:10 (HCSB)
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
– Romans 3:23 (HCSB)
This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them.
– 1 Timothy 1:15 (HCSB)
Confession: being honest with God about our sin
  1. Confession reminds us of who God is and who we are 
  2. Confession reorients us to what God says is right and wrong
If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth.
– 1 John 1:6 (HCSB) 
Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus.
– Romans 8:1 (HCSB)
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
– 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (HCSB) 
Confession: being honest with God about our sin
  1. Confession reminds us of who God is and who we are 
  2. Confession reorients us to what God says is right and wrong
  3. Confession restores fellowship with God, our Heavenly Father
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
– 1 John 1:9 (HCSB)
"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
– Luke 15:20 (HCSB)
 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.
– 1 John 2:1-2 (HCSB)
Confession: being honest with God about our sin
  1. Confession reminds us of who God is and who we are 
  2. Confession reorients us to what God says is right and wrong
  3. Confession restores fellowship with God, our Heavenly Father

Discussion Questions // 

  1. Pastor Josh shared his stories of the stolen orange in middle school and the broken car mirror in high school. Have you ever had a moment like that—where you knew something was wrong but tried to justify or hide it? Read Proverbs 28:13. Why do we sometimes try to cover up our sins rather than confess them? 
  2. Confession reminds us of who God is and who we are. Read 1 John 1:5-8. What does it mean that "God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him?" How does recognizing God’s holiness impact the way we see our own sin? Why is it dangerous to deceive ourselves about our sin?
  3. Confession reorients us to what God says is right and wrong. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. How does Scripture help us recognize and correct areas in our lives where we are not walking in truth? Why is it important to let God’s Word, not our feelings or culture, define right and wrong? Can you think of a time when confession helped you course-correct and return to God’s way?
  4. Confession restores fellowship with God, our Heavenly Father Read 1 John 1:9 and 1 John 2:1-2. If Jesus has already paid for our sins, why does confession still matter in our daily walk with God? How does confession help us experience God’s love and grace rather than shame and guilt?
  5. Next Steps: If confession restores fellowship with God, what is one step you can take this week to be more honest with Him in prayer? In what situations might confessing sin to a trusted believer (James 5:16) help bring healing and accountability?

Worship Setlist // 

Take You at Your Word // Crowns Down // I Won't Forget // Homecoming

Devotional // 

Each week, a new devotional will be available. This devotional is based on the previous Sunday's message, and it aims to take the message further and help you dive deeper into the topic. You can find the devotionals at the link, or sign up to receive weekly emails.

Catch Up // 

You can watch or listen to past messages online!

Give // 

Your financial gift to support what God is doing at The Ridge makes ministry possible. Thank you for your generosity. We cannot do any of what God has asked us to do here at The Ridge without your faithful and cheerful giving.
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