Confession and Commitment
Jon: Do you guys want to hear a question or statement?
Cassidy: Neither! That question makes me panic.
Aidan: Statement! Let’s get it over with!
Jon: Today, we are going to learn about confession and commitment!
Discussion Episode
Nehemiah 9 – 10
About the Story
Cassidy: Ok, Storytime! Last week on the Bible Story Podcast, Jon and Bradon shared the importance of reading God’s word.
Aidan: The whole remnant of Israel listened to the leaders reading scripture from morning until noon, and then they listened to the teaching about it.
Jon: That’s a long time; imagine if this podcast was 6 or 8 hours.
Cassidy: Let’s not do that. Not only would people get bored of us, but you would probably fall asleep since you are so old.
Aidan: Jon, wake up – you can’t just fall asleep like that.
Jon: Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, you guys, I am right in front of you. I am not sleeping. I can’t believe you guys would say that!
Aidan: Nobody can see you except us. I mean, how do they know you didn’t just doze off for a bit? Old people do that, you know!
Cassidy: Aidan, he wasn’t sleeping; he was resting his eyes while remembering the naughty things he did as a child!
Jon: Oh my goodness, you two! I love you guys; this is just like my story with my brother Dave, except I am Dave! You are only supposed to learn good things from me!
Cassidy: We are getting you off track, which is a lot of fun, but It’s time for the story! Let’s focus!
Application
Aidan: What I like about this is the people didn’t just say they were sorry and did not do much about it. They were committing to a different way of living and did it together. Everybody was sorry, and everyone committed to this new way of life!
Jon: So what is the lesson?
Cassidy: Confession and commitment are better together. Suppose we are sorry but don’t commit to changing our behaviour, then our confession doesn’t mean much.
Aidan: And if we make significant commitments without acknowledging the hurtful and wrong things we have done, our commitments may come across as shallow or manipulative.
Jon: Confession and commitment are better together, which leads me to this; Dave, if you are listening, I promise not to get you in trouble with Mom by lying.
