Anyone who teaches the Small Catechism must make confession. It is not optional. You cannot teach the 6th chief part and not partake without being a hypocrite. You cannot exhort others to make use of this gift, to suffer this cross, if you yourself will not. You will learn from the penitent side of the confessional how to preach the Law. You will learn what sins really are and how devastating they are. From the confessor side you will also learn the burden of the law. You will have to hear things you don’t want to know. You will see that all men are equally yoked and hurting. You will feel the power of forgiveness in the tears of the penitents and you will receive that same forgiveness and joy.