Doctrine: Repentance

Text: Jonah 1–4 Lesson 12 Doctrine: Repentance

YOU hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas

Repentance rises as a major theme of the book of Jonah. God rescued Jonah after his repentant prayer from the belly of the fish. God relented destroying Nineveh when the people repented. Jonah 2:1-9; 3:6-10 True repentance is a work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit convicts a person of sin and leads them to turn to Christ in faith. Repentance and faith go hand in hand. A truly repentant person trusts Christ for the forgiveness from sin and the Holy Spirit for deliverance from sin’s power. Repentance involves godly sorrow over sin – its offense against God and the accompanying damage to self and others. Turning from sin and to God in obedience gives evidence of repentance. Human sorrow over sin’s consequences, or regret and remorse alone, do not reveal true repentance. Beyond salvation through Christ, repentance is a regular part of spiritual growth and the ongoing process of sanctification in the life of a believer. When I do not believe that my sin puts me in peril, I do not repent. I am left carrying the guilt and penalty for my sin myself. I miss the salvation from sin that Christ died to provide. As a believer, when I fail to regularly repent as the Holy Spirit convicts me of my sin, my spiritual growth will be stunted. When I believe that Spirit-led repentance offers me hope, forgiveness, and cleansing, I regularly and willingly confess my sin to God. I trust Him for the power to live a new life. My identity and security are found in Christ alone, not my performance. Over and over again, I experience the blessings and joy of salvation and see evidence of God’s work in my life.

The blessing of repentance gives evidence of God’s grace and kindness (Romans 2:4). o Do you see repentance as a profound blessing from God? Why? o What blessings might unrepented sin cause you to forfeit? o God understands that we sin regularly. He has made a way for cleansing and wholeness through His Son. o What would life be like if God did not make a way for repentance? How will you rejoice that He has made a way?

Repentance is a regular part of sanctification and spiritual growth. o God desires our wholehearted devotion. As we grow, we confess and turn from specific sins. o How has God used this lesson to lead you to recognize particular sins and experience the blessing of repentance? o When you look back over your life, can you point to a specific sin from which God has delivered you?

Recognize God’s grace when He convicts you of sin and calls you to Himself. o Have you learned to welcome the promptings of the Holy Spirit? o How have you trained your ear to recognize His voice? o We should not avoid or delay repentance when convicted of sin, but run to the fountain of cleansing Christ provides. o How has God allowed you to experience joy and shown you His unconditional love by leading you to repentance?