Lesson 5 - Repentance

Study Goals:

• To convey what repentance is and that it is a prerequisite to salvation/baptism. “Turn or burn” stated in a tactless way. (Luke 13:3, Acts 17:30-31)
• Clarify that repentance involves being sorry, but it is much more than just being sorry. (2 Corinthians 7:8-11, Acts 26:19-20)

REPENTANCE – What is it?

What do think of when you hear the word “repent?”

• NOTE: After asking this initial question, let your student know that this study will be devoted to explaining what repentance is. “Repent” has become a “christianese” word that is rarely used in everyday conversations. Your role in this study is to explain repentance in a practical, biblical way and to expose common misunderstandings about repentance. Biblical repentance is a change of mind/heart that leads to a change of behavior. Begin by reading the following passage together. The NCV is included for your benefit, to help you in explaining the background and meaning of the passage. It can be helpful to read the NCV out loud to help clearly define the concept for your student.

Luke 13:1-5 “Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Luke 13:1-5 (NCV) “At that time some people were there who told Jesus that Pilate had killed some people from Galilee while they were worshipping. He mixed their blood with the blood of the animals they were sacrificing to God. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think this happened to them because they were more sinful than all others from Galilee? 3 No, I tell you. But unless you change your hearts and lives, you will be destroyed as they were! 4 What about those eighteen people who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were more sinful than all the others who live in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you. But unless you change your hearts and lives, you will all be destroyed too!”

Does Jesus seem to view repentance as optional or essential?

• NOTE: Explain that Jesus was speaking to “good” people who thought that bad things were happening to others due to their sinfulness. Jesus is trying to make these “good” people realize that a disastrous fate awaits them and anyone who is unwilling to have a change of mind that leads them to a change of action. The choice that God gives each of us is simple: Repent or die.

Why do you think Jesus would say the same thing twice?

• It is very important that you and I understand the significance of repentance.
• The choice is obvious and serious: “repent” or “perish”.
• One can’t be saved without repentance! No exceptions!

• NOTE: The following passage is good to read to clarify the essentials of repentance before moving on in the study. The message is simple… Repent of _____ or risk God’s judgment!

Acts 17:30-31 “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice…”

What fate awaits the person who refuses to repent?

• They will face God’s judgment.
• One can’t afford to be “ignorant” about repentance.

REPENTANCE – How it Shows Up in Life

Acts 26:15-20 “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ 19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”

• NOTE: Make sure you explain the background of the passage. Let your friend know that the Apostle Paul had at one time hated Christ and persecuted Christians. However, Paul had a radical change of heart and mind that lead to a radical change of his behavior. Explain that in this passage Paul is sharing his newfound faith by telling King Agrippa the story of how he became a disciple and what God called him to do.

What assignment was given to Paul?

“I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God…”

In verse 20 Paul tells that he accomplished his task through preaching. What was his message to the people?

• “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”

What would happen if the people Paul preached to responded correctly to his message?

• “…that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
• Simply stated they would be saved.
• NOTE: This is a good time to mention that repentance is simply an act of faith. If Paul’s audience truly believed his message, repentance would be a natural outcome. Repentance is simply a manifestation of life changing faith.

What does Paul’s message to Agrippa say to you?

• If you are to receive the “forgiveness of sins,” you must commit to changing your life's direction. You must repent.
• NOTE: The next passage is designed to make it completely clear that repentance requires life change. Being “sorry” is not enough. Once again it is essential that you explain the background of this passage. Explain that the Corinthian church had a member who was committing incest by having sex with his mom/stepmom. Originally the church did nothing, thinking that they were being gracious, accepting and non-judgmental. God, through Paul, sent the church a letter telling them to confront the man’s sin. Paul’s God-inspired, hard-hitting letter to the church hurt their feelings but saved their souls. He told them that by doing nothing about the man’s sin they were aiding Satan, dooming the sinner, and endangering their own souls. (See I Corinthians 5 for specifics). Paul simply and plainly called the people to repent, to be sorry enough to change. The church responded, and in doing so left us with some valuable lessons about repentance.

2 Corinthians 7: 8-11“Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.”

Why was Paul sorry, then happy about making the Corinthians sorry?

• Hurting them was not Paul’s goal, helping them was.Helping them required hurting them.
• It was better for them to hurt now, for a short time, than tobe lost forever in Hell.
• Paul was happy because “they became sorry as God intended.”
• NOTE: There is a way of being sorry that is not pleasing to God. One must have the right kind of sorrow.

Paul mentions two kinds of sorrow - what are they?

• Godly sorrow and Worldly sorrow

What do you think worldly sorrow is?

• Sorry I got caught.
• Sorry, but not sorry enough to change.
• Sorry like the Devil, sorry enough to tremble but not enough to turn.

James 2:19 “Do you believe that there is only one God? Good! The demons also believe—and tremble with fear.”

• It’s demonic to claim to believe but not change my behavior!

What do you think Godly sorrow is?

• Sorrow that leads to repentance, to a change of behavior.

What is the ultimate result of Godly sorrow?

• Leads to salvation – You will be saved!
• NOTE: Paul said that “Godly sorrow” is preceded by attitudes of the heart that result in a change of direction. Discuss these with the student asking if they possess the positive attitudes that bring about a change of direction. If not, it’s a sign they possess “worldly sorrow.” If so, further encouragement and study of the love and judgment of God is necessary. Remember, Godly sorrow precedes repentance and repentance must precede baptism. If the student’s not sorry enough to change, the student’s not ready to be baptized!

• Earnestness: A serious attitude toward.
  • Are you really serious about changing?
• Eagerness to clear yourself: Excitement about change
  • Are you eager to change?
• Indignation: Being angry that you blew it
  • Do you blame others or accept personal responsibility?
• Alarm: Being afraid enough of sin that you run from it
  • Are you ready to stay away from sin?
• Longing: Wanting deeply to be different
  • Down deep do you really want to change?
• Concern: Bothered by my sin
  • Are you concerned or care-free about your sin?
• Readiness to see justice done: Willingness to do right regardless of the cost
  • Will you do whatever it takes?

Repentance starts with Godly sorrow on the inside and continues with change that is visible on the outside. What changes in your life would your friends first notice if Godly sorrow leads you to repentance?

• NOTE: Sharing your story of repentance can help your student make personal application. Things like: “I didn’t go to church even on Christmas or Easter but now I wouldn’t miss a week.” “The first thing that my friends noticed was a change in the way I talked. My language was really foul until I became a Christian.” “I would never, ever think about talking about Jesus. I believed that religion was one of those personal things but I repented and started sharing my faith to anyone who would listen.” Think of specific changes that you made that can help your student understand the broad nature of repentance.

Acts 2:36-40 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

What part of this verse might indicate that these people had experienced Godly sorrow?

• “they were cut to the heart!”
• This “cutting” on the inside led them to ask questions about what they needed to do on the outside.

What did Peter tell them to do in response to their question?

• “repent and be baptized every one of you…”

What benefits did Peter say they would receive if they chose to respond properly?

• “…for the forgiveness of sins… And you will receive the gift of the holy spirit,….Save yourselves…”

From these verses does it seem that they would receive the benefits if they refused to repent?

From these verses does it seem that they would receive the benefits if they refused to be baptized?

Which comes first, repentance or baptism?

• NOTE: Explain that repentance precedes baptism in this verse and in the process of salvation. Baptism is a useless ritual unless the one being baptized is willing to repent.

CLOSE EACH STUDY BY CALLING THE STUDENT TO A COMMITMENT AND A CHALLENGE

COMMITMENT: Are you ready to repent, that is have a change of mind and heart that leads you to a change of life?

• NOTE: Explain that a yes answer means that one is ready to move on to the baptism segment. Remind the student that repentance, a change of direction is not a one-time decision for the disciple of Christ. It is their lifestyle! Let your student know that the next study will begin with the last verse covered in this study.

CHALLENGE: Begin to examine your life for areas in need of repentance. Make a list, ask God to help you change and share the list with a mature believer who can assist you in these areas.