The Discipline of Confession Summary and Analysis

The discipline of confession is the first of the corporate disciplines. He starts the chapter with a quote from Augustine of Hippo, "The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works." That could be the whole chapter summarized. A person cannot really do the great work of God without first admitting to and taking responsibility for the mistakes they make. Fear usually is what keeps a person from confessing. But God loves so unconditionally, He wants to forgive us and love us and help us be the people He knows we are capable of being.

There are two sides to this discipline, the giving of a confession and the receiving of a confession—both are important. The goal of examination of conscience is to ask God to open our minds and...