QUOTE : Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Study 1. Psalm 32 is an account of how David felt when he tried to hide his sin. List the effects of unconfessed sin as mentioned in verses 3 through 5. Have you been feeling any of these effects lately? If so, what can you do to change that situation? 2. Think of various actions for which we often feel guilty because we cannot forgive ourselves. How can we know whether our guilt is brought about by ourselves or by God? 3. Reread the account of the fall of humanity in Genesis 3. What evidence is there that Adam and Eve felt guilty when God came to them? What characteristics of guilt are found in the record? What was God’s response to Adam and Eve’s need? In what ways can you relate to Adam and Eve’s actions? How do you think God will respond to you when you come to Him with humility, seeking forgiveness? 4. Once we have confessed our sins, we must continually thank God for His pardon. Memorize these verses and recite them as an expression of praise to God for His forgiveness: Psalm 32:1-2; Romans 8:33-34; 1 John 1:9. 5. Take some time now to pray and think about the times when you have not felt forgiven for your sins. Ask God to change your attitude toward His sacrifice and to bring you to a place where you can accept His forgiveness and move forward. (Chapter 8 will further address how we separate our “feelings” from God’s truth.)