T1L12 Repentance and Conversion [Discipleship Class]

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Lesson 12: Repentance and Conversion

Scripture Focus: Acts 2:38 “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Opening Question: What comes to mind when you hear the word repentance, and why do people often misunderstand it?

Background: Throughout Scripture, repentance is not presented as a mere emotional reaction. It is a Spirit-wrought turning of the whole person away from sin and toward God. The early church preached repentance (as Jesus also did) as essential because it expresses the inward turning of the heart that accompanies genuine faith.

Conversion is the moment when God brings a sinner from death to life, creating a new heart that desires holiness and produces fruit.

Key Points

1.   What Repentance Means Repentance is a Spirit-enabled change of mind that leads to a change of direction. Jesus opened His public ministry with the call to repent Matthew 4:17.

God now commands all people everywhere to repent Acts 17:30. True repentance is not simply regret. It engages the mind, the emotions, and the will.

Paul describes godly sorrow as sorrow that produces repentance leading to salvation 2 Corinthians 7:10.

2.  Why Repentance Is Necessary Jesus taught plainly that without repentance, there is no life Luke 13:3.

The apostles echoed the same message as they called their hearers to repentance so that their sins might be wiped away Acts 3:19.

God forgives those who confess and forsake their sin 1 John 1:9.

3.  Repentance and Faith Together Scripture never separates repentance from faith. Paul summarized his ministry as urging repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ Acts 20:21.

To turn to God in faith necessarily means turning away from sin. Both movements happen simultaneously in authentic conversion.

4. What Repentance Involves Repentance begins when the Spirit convicts the heart of sin John 16:8.

Godly sorrow follows. Confession is made honestly before God 1 John 1:9.

The sinner turns from sin and, where possible, makes wrongs right, as seen in Zacchaeus’s humble restitution Luke 19:8.

5.  Conversion: God’s Transforming Work Conversion is the change God brings about when a sinner believes. The old nature passes away and a new creation emerges 2 Corinthians 5:17.

God rescues us from the domain of darkness and transfers us into the kingdom of His beloved Son Colossians 1:13.

Though conversion is complete in a moment, growth continues throughout the Christian life.

6. The Fruits of Repentance True repentance produces visible change. John the Baptist called for fruit worthy of repentance Matthew 3:8.

That fruit appears in transformed behavior, new love for God and neighbor, and a growing desire for holiness Titus 2:11–12.

Joy and peace accompany those whom God has forgiven Romans 5:1.

7.  Ongoing Repentance Though conversion happens once, repentance continues daily. Believers confess their sins and receive ongoing cleansing 1 John 1:9.

We resist the hardening of the heart by responding quickly when the Spirit brings conviction Hebrews 3:7–8.

Application Ask God regularly to reveal hidden sin.

Practice swift repentance instead of delaying confession.

Watch for the fruit of changed behavior as evidence of genuine repentance.

When wrongs have harmed others, seek forgiveness and make restitution where possible.

When sharing the gospel, speak clearly about the necessity of both faith and repentance.

Discussion Questions

1.  When have you experienced genuine repentance that resulted in clear change?

2. How would you explain the difference between regret and godly sorrow?

3. Are there habits or attitudes God has been bringing to mind that you have resisted surrendering?

4. What practices help cultivate a heart that repents quickly and sincerely?

5. How might a clearer understanding of repentance change the way you share the gospel?

Memory Verse Acts 3:19 “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

Endnotes

1.  Matthew 4:17, Acts 17:30, 2 Corinthians 7:10

2. Luke 13:3, Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9

3. Acts 20:21, Luke 19:8

4. 2 Corinthians 5:17, Colossians 1:13

5. Matthew 3:8, Titus 2:11–12, Romans 5:1, Hebrews 3:7–8

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