If your class is meeting online, invite students to bring index cards and pens/pencils with them to class.

Confessing their sins and pledging to serve God put the people of Israel back on the right path.

• What were the sins the Israelites confessed? (Answer: Intermarrying with idolatrous tribes.)

No one here has ever married someone from an idolatrous tribe, but just because our specific situation is different doesn’t mean we don’t have things to confess as well. When we acknowledge that we have made a mistake and set out to do what is right, God hears us and gives mercy…not just forgiveness for what we’ve done wrong, but help in continuing to do what is right instead.

It can be difficult, though, to remember to confess our sins to God. Confession isn’t easy to do! One way to remember to confess to God is to make it a part of our daily routine. Write the acronym ACTS: “adoration,” “confession,” “thanks,” and “supplication” on your whiteboard or screenshared document. Hand out index cards and pens/pencils to your students (or invite them to have those items ready at home). When we pray, we should include praising God or “adoration,” along with “confession,” “thanks,” and “supplication”—that means asking God for things we need.

Instruct students to write out the acronym, along with what each word stands for, on their index card. Then, give students a moment to pray using the acronym. When the students have finished, challenge them to use their card this week to confess their sins as they enter into a time of prayer. Encourage them to use this format daily so that they keep lines of communication open with God.

To close, lead them in an ACTS format prayer. Dear Lord, You are amazing! You give us a way to obtain mercy and get rid of our guilt. We confess that we have not always come to You with our struggles, our temptations, and our failings. Thank You for giving us this opportunity, and please help us to run to You when we need to confess our sins.