Gospel of Mark Part 6: Jesus' Preaching Ministry II [Small Group Discussion]

Title: Repent and Believe – Entering the Kingdom of God

Scripture Focus: Mark 1:14–15 – “Now after John had been delivered up into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”

OPENING QUESTION

Why do you think Jesus began His ministry by calling people to repent and believe rather than simply telling them God loved them?

BACKGROUND

In our last study, we saw that Jesus began His ministry by proclaiming the Kingdom of God—a spiritual reign that is both present and future. But His message didn’t stop at announcing the Kingdom; it included a personal call for each hearer to respond: Repent and believe in the gospel. These two actions—turning away from sin and trusting in God’s truth—are inseparable for anyone who wants to enter the Kingdom of God.

KEY POINTS

1. The Call to Repent

• Meaning of Repent: Not simply sorrow, but a change of mind that leads to turning from sin to God.

  • Godly sorrow leads to repentance and life (2 Corinthians 7:9–10).

  • Worldly sorrow leads to death—remorse without change.

    
    

• Examples:

  • Godly sorrow – Peter weeping after denying Jesus (Luke 22:62), the prodigal son returning to his father (Luke 15).

  • Worldly sorrow – Judas’ remorse leading to suicide (Matthew 27:3–5), Pharaoh’s repeated regret without real change.

    
    

• Repentance Today: Still essential for forgiveness (Luke 24:46–47; Acts 17:30). True repentance produces works consistent with that change (Acts 26:20).

  
  

2. The Call to Believe (Put Your Trust In)

• Meaning of Believe: A firm trust or conviction that leads to action.

  • Faith is assurance and conviction about unseen realities (Hebrews 11:1).

  • True belief results in obedience to God’s Word.

    
    

• Believe Today: We must believe in God (Hebrews 11:6) and in Jesus for forgiveness and eternal life (John 8:24; John 20:31).

  
  

• What We Must Trust In:

  1. Jesus reigns over all (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20–22; 1 Peter 3:22).

  2. Obedience to the gospel brings entrance into the Kingdom (Colossians 1:12–14).

  3. Perseverance leads to an eternal inheritance (2 Peter 1:10–11).

  4. Persistent sin keeps people from the Kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Ephesians 5:5).

     
     

3. Repentance and Faith Together

• Repentance without faith can lead to self-reliance.

• Faith without repentance is empty profession.

• Together, they mark the beginning of true discipleship and Kingdom living.

  
  

  

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Why do you think Jesus always tied repentance to belief rather than separating them?

2. What’s the difference between feeling sorry for sin and truly repenting?

3. How does real faith show itself in daily life?

4. Why do you think so many reject the need for repentance today?

5. How can we help others see the necessity of both repentance and belief?

   
   

APPLICATION

To enter the Kingdom of God, we must respond to the gospel message as Jesus commanded—by repenting and believing. This means a daily choice to turn from sin and a daily trust in Christ’s reign over our lives. The gospel is not just good news to hear—it’s a call to action, to submit to God’s authority now and to live in light of His coming Kingdom.

MEMORY VERSE

Acts 17:30 – “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now commanding men that everyone everywhere should repent.”

PRAYER FOCUS

Pray for a heart sensitive to God’s conviction and for the courage to repent when He reveals sin. Ask for a deep and growing faith that actively trusts Jesus’ reign and looks forward to His Kingdom.

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