Lesson 4b in the Personal Bible Study Series
Helpful Hints
Use this lesson if the student needs more information on repentance than what was briefly covered in lesson 4, especially if you are aware of sins in this person’s life that may be difficult to overcome. It is important to establish godly sorrow, so think of questions that will lead in that direction.
Lesson 4b: True Repentance (PDF version)
Instructions: Read each passage of Scripture, then answer the questions underneath. For additional Scripture references, refer to the corresponding numbers at the end of the lesson.
THE MEANING OF REPENTANCE:
1. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10
What produces repentance?
Are you genuinely sorry for the sins you have committed?
What is the difference between godly sorrow and the sorrow of the world?
2. Matthew 12:41; Jonah 3:10
Did the people of Nineveh repent as a result of Jonah’s preaching?
What did this involve?
FRUITS OF REPENTANCE:
3. Acts 26:19-20
Is repentance to be manifested in one’s life? How?
4. John 8:10-11
If you repent of a particular sin, how is that evidenced?
5. Matthew 5:23-24
If you have sinned against someone, would repentance include trying to make it right?
6. Acts 9:19-22, 26
Are there sometimes ongoing consequences even after repentance?
Could there be any possible ongoing consequences of sins you have committed?
THE IMPORTANCE OF REPENTANCE:
7. 2 Peter 3:9
Is it the Lord’s will that you come to repentance?
8. Acts 17:30-31
Does God require you to repent? Why?
9. Acts 3:19
Is repentance necessary to have your sins taken away?
Do you want to be forgiven of your past sins?
10. Luke 13:3, 5
What will happen if you do not repent?
Does it matter to you whether or not you are spiritually lost?
11. 2 Timothy 2:24-26
Is the opportunity to repent a blessing from God?
Do you intend to take advantage of this opportunity or reject it?
12. Romans 2:4
What should lead you to repentance?
Do you appreciate God’s patience and goodness?
13. Hebrews 6:4-6
Is it possible to become so hardened in sin that you cannot repent?
Should you repent before this happens to you?
CONTINUED REPENTANCE:
14. 1 John 1:8,10
Is it possible to be sinlessly perfect?
15. Acts 8:12-13, 18-22
Will repentance be necessary both before and after one becomes a Christian?
CONCLUSION:
A. What is repentance?
B. What is the evidence of repentance in one’s life?
C. Is salvation possible without repentance?
D. Will you make an attempt to repent of your sins?
Additional Scripture References
- Psalm 38:18; 51:1-4; Acts 2:37-38; cf. Matthew 19:22; Mark 6:26
- Acts 3:19, 26; Acts 26:18, 20; 1 Thessalonians 1:9
- Matthew 3:8; 21:28-31; Luke 3:8; 2 Corinthians 7:9-11; Galatians 1:23
- Prov. 28:13; John 5:14; Romans 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:28; Colossians 3:5-10
- Matthew 7:12; Luke 19:8; Acts 19:18-20; cf. Leviticus 5:6-7; 1 Samuel 12:3
- Genesis 3:17-19; 4:8-12; 2 Samuel 12:9-14; Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Rom. 5:12
- Matt. 9:13; Mark 2:17; 6:12; Luke 5:32; 15:7, 10; 2 Cor. 12:20-21; 1 Tim. 2:3-4
- Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 2 Corinthians 5:10
- Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 5:31; 8:22; 26:18
- Matt. 11:20-24; 25:30,41,46; Luke 10:13-16; Col. 3:6; Rev. 2:5, 20-21; 20:12-15
- Acts 5:31; 11:18; Luke 24:47; 2 Peter 3:9
- Romans 11:22; 1 Corinthians 15:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 2:1-3
- Matthew 13:14-15; Romans 2:5; Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 Timothy 4:1-2
- Matthew 18:15, 21, 35; Romans 3:10, 23; 7:13-25; Philippians 3:12-13
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; 5:6-7; Galatians 2:11-14; 6:1; James 5:19-20
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).