1. Read the main passages for this week s lesson, recording your insights and questions: Luke 5:1-11 Acts 26:15-20 Psalm 119:57-60

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1 SESSION 10 CONVERTED (PART 1) IN THIS SESSION, we will look at the nature of true repentance. We will see that repentance is a response to God s gracious call to salvation. We feel sorrow for our sin in light of God s goodness and mercy to us; we turn from our sin and embrace Jesus as our Savior, and then strive to obey Jesus as our King. Repentance results in a changed life with a missional focus that leads us to call others to repentance. STEPS TO PREPARE 1. Read the main passages for this week s lesson, recording your insights and questions: Luke 5:1-11 Acts 26:15-20 Psalm 119: Review the Teaching Plan (pp ). Refine the lesson plan based on your group s particular needs. Adjust the plan if necessary. 3. Study the Expanded Lesson Content (pp ). Determine what elements of this lesson are most applicable to your particular group. Consider ways to personalize the lesson content for you and your class. 4. Pray for the Lord s guidance as you lead your group through this material. LESSON OUTLINE TRUE REPENTANCE 1. Is sorrow for sin (Luke 5:1-11). 2. Is turning toward Christ (Acts 26:15-20). 3. Leads to obedience (Ps. 119:57-60). The Gospel Project for Students 113

2 SESSION 10 SESSION 10 TEACHING PLAN NOTES: CONVERTED (PART 1) CONNECT OPTION 1 Begin with the label given to Romanian believers repenters and why Romanians embraced this terminology. Explain how the concept of repentance is central to Christianity (p.118). How would you define repentance in your own words? Discuss a time when you repented of something. Was the repentance lasting? Explain. Is it possible to be a Christian without repenting of sin? Explain. OPTION 2 Lead a few students to discuss a time when their parents (or perhaps a coach or teacher) forced them to apologize, but they really didn t want to. Then, encourage those same students to share a time when they apologized and really meant it. Lead students to discuss the difference between the two apologies. Point out that the difference is whether the repentance came from the heart or not. If you really cared for the offended party, repentance was genuine, natural, and most likely resulted in life-change. In the cases where the apology was forced, the offender probably valued him- or herself more than the offended party, and so they felt no repentance. TRANSITION In this session, we will look at the nature of true repentance. We will see that repentance is a response to God s gracious call to salvation. We feel sorrow for our sin in light of God s goodness and mercy to us; we turn from our sin and embrace Jesus as our Savior, and then strive to obey Jesus as our King. Repentance results in a changed life with a missional focus that leads us to call others to repentance. 114 Leader Guide

3 CONVERTED (PART 1) CONVEY TRUE REPENTANCE 1. IS SORROW FOR SIN. Use the example of a young child to explain the difference between remorse and repentance. Then introduce Luke 5:1-11, and encourage students to notice what Simon Peter does in response to Christ s power (p.119). Show how Peter recognized his sinfulness in light of Christ s perfection. Explain how the apostle Paul wrote of godly grief leading to repentance. It goes beyond mere remorse (pp ). How would you describe the difference between remorse and repentance? Highlight the contrast between fear-driven repentance and repentance as a response to God s goodness. Show how biblical warnings are issued in love (p.120). What does fear-driven repentance look like? Why is it important that our repentance be a response to God s goodness, not just a fear of punishment? TRUE REPENTANCE In recent years, our culture has become fascinated with coffee. As my own knowledge of coffee grew, I found myself becoming very particular about my cup of coffee. The goodness of real, quality coffee led me to realize how bad the stuff I used to drink was. Scripture tells us that it is the goodness of God that leads us to realize our sin and need for repentance. How is the kindness of God a comfort in times when we might need to repent? NOTES: Explain how repentance is about an inward change of heart, not merely our outer acts of penance (p.120). What are some actions people perform to earn their way to God? What do these acts look like when placed beside the marvelous grace of God? At this point, consider using the story True Repentance in the Personal Study Guide (p.87) as a way to illustrate this point. A brief synopsis has been provided for you in the sidebar. 2. IS TURNING TOWARD CHRIST. Transition from repentance beginning with remorse and show how this leads to a renouncing of sin. Set up the apostle Paul s testimony in Acts 26:15-20 by encouraging your group to note the ways Paul describes conversion in this passage (p.121). Discuss the three ways Paul described repentance: From darkness to light. Use the example of the fall festival maze to communicate the need to turn toward the light (pp ). From the power of Satan to God. Use the example of changing citizenship and the dramatic questions asked by ancient Christians during baptismal services to communicate the transfer of kingdoms (p.122). Why is it important for us to see repentance from both sides turning from sin and turning to Christ? The Gospel Project for Students 115

4 SESSION 10 TRANSFORMED In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Eustace, a terrible boy, accidentally falls into a Narnian adventure. During a stop on an island he is turned into a dragon. Aslan tells him to bathe in the well. Eustace tries to scrape off the scales. The experience is painful, but Eustace allows Aslan to clear the scales, then he bathes in the well and is restored to a boy. He comes to love Aslan, and his heart is made beautiful. Just as Eustace allowed Aslan to scrape off his ugly scales, we must come to Christ and ask to be cleansed of sin. We are powerless to renounce sin on our own. It is only through the work of Christ that we can find freedom and forgiveness from sin. How does embracing Christ as Savior give your life new purpose and meaning? From sin to works worthy of repentance. Explain that all good deeds should showcase the worth of God and the beauty of the gospel (p.122). At this point, consider using the story Transformed in the Personal Study Guide (p.89) as a way to illustrate this point. A brief synopsis has been provided for you in the sidebar. 3. LEADS TO OBEDIENCE. Read Psalm 119:57-59 and discuss the way the psalmist turns toward the Lord and then cultivates a life of repentance with urgency (p.123). Why is it necessary to have a sense of urgency in our commitment to live in repentance? How can we encourage one another to repent regularly? Connect these truths about repentance to our responsibility to join God in His mission. Use Peter and Paul as examples (p.123). What is the connection between repentance and our mission as Christ s followers? At this point, consider using the story Ironman in the Personal Study Guide (p.91) as a way to illustrate this point. A brief synopsis has been provided for you in the sidebar. IRONMAN To race in the Ironman Triathlon requires long and intense months of preparation. It is one of the most elite athletic competitions in existence. Ironman participants must be absolutely purposeful about how they train. The result of true, godly repentance is moving forward in purposeful obedience. Turning from our sin, we are called to be intentional in our obedience to Christ. What are some practical ways that God might be calling you to be more purposeful in your obedience to Him? 116 Leader Guide

5 CONVERTED (PART 1) COLLIDE The Bible s teaching on repentance has fallen out of circulation in the pulpits of many churches, being reduced to a brief mention in passing or something that is secondary to Christian faith and living. NOTES: When was the last time you heard a message on repentance? If Jesus teaching on repentance is so important, why do you think it is often unspoken in our churches today? Given the lack of exposure to the biblical teaching on repentance, students are all the more in need of the truths of this session. Moreover, in light of the easy believe-ism of our culture the belief that mental consent is all that is needed for salvation students today need to know what Jesus and the apostles meant when they talked about repentance. What have you learned about repentance in this session? How does it change the way you live today? Finally, it is good for students to recognize the connection between repentance and living on mission for Christ. By showing students that an authentic repentant lifestyle offers light to those who do not know Christ, you encourage them all the more to walk in righteousness before others. How does our repentance help us witness to others? How might the lack of repentance in our lives hurt our witness to others? Additional suggestions for specific groups are available at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources And for free online training on how to lead a group visit MinistryGrid.com/web/TheGospelProject The Gospel Project for Students 117

6 SESSION 10 SESSION 10 by Trevin Wax EXPANDED LESSON CONTENT CONVERTED (PART 1) TRUE REPENTANCE IS SORROW FOR SIN, IS TURNING TOWARD CHRIST, AND LEADS TO OBEDIENCE. OPENING ILLUSTRATION AND DISCUSSION STARTER Are you a repenter? I ll never forget the first time I was asked that question. It was shortly after I moved to Romania, where I was involved in mission work for five years. At some point in the last century, the evangelicals in that country received the derogatory label of repenters a word in Romanian that indicates the fact that there was a time when they repented of sin, turned to Christ and now seek to live in a state of repentance. Rather than resist the label, our Romanian brothers and sisters embraced it. That s exactly who we are, they said. And we call everyone everywhere not to a life of nominal Christianity, but to a life of repentance. The more I ve reflected on that title, the more I believe it sums up a key distinction between Christians and the world. We repent. We believe in conversion a turning away from sin toward God in faith as a response to God s gracious initiative in calling us to salvation. Christianity hinges on repentance, a journey of putting to death our sins and living for the One who has saved us. How would you define repentance in your own words? Discuss a time when you repented of something. Was the repentance lasting? Explain. How would you describe the difference between remorse and repentance? 118 Leader Guide

7 CONVERTED (PART 1) TRUE REPENTANCE IS SORROW FOR SIN (LUKE 5:1-11). There is a difference between true repentance and remorse. There are ways to make yourself feel bad about doing something, to manufacture a feeling of remorse. A child who comes home with a note from the teacher, informing her parents about her bad behavior at school, may feel bad for prideful reasons (because she is embarrassed) or for reasons relating to the consequences of her actions (she gets grounded from playing outside perhaps). She may feel remorse for her behavior. But is this repentance? The difference between remorse and repentance doesn t go away when we are young adults. We may feel bad about the consequences of losing our temper, or we may feel bad about the fallout with a friend after we were caught talking bad about them behind his or her back. Remorseful people shed tears just as repentant people do. The difference is what is motivating those tears. True repentance is sorrow for sin in light of God s goodness and power. We see an example of true repentance in this story we find in the Gospel of Luke. Simon Peter, the fisherman, encountered the goodness and power of Jesus Christ. Immediately, he recognized his own sinfulness and worshiped the Savior. Take a look: FURTHER COMMENTARY In the presence of this Peter responded much like Isaiah did (cf. Isa. 6:5). The request is not to be taken literally, for where would Peter have expected Jesus to go? Rather it is idiomatic for Lord, be merciful to me a sinner or Forgive me or something like, What is a Holy One like you doing with a sinner like me? Peter s sense of his own sinfulness was not due to disobedience in Luke 5:5a but to a general unworthiness (cf. 7:6; Job 42:5-6) as he confronted the Lord s might and majesty. 1 Robert H. Stein On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch. And Simon answered, Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets. And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees, saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men. And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:1-11) What I love about this story is how the goodness and power of Jesus stirred up repentance in the heart of Peter. Amazed at Jesus power, he fell to his The Gospel Project for Students 119

8 SESSION 10 FURTHER COMMENTARY Repentance is godly sorrow for one s sin together with a resolution to turn from it. There are other forms of regret over one s wrongdoing that are based on different motivations. If we have sinned and the consequences are unpleasant, we may well regret what we have done. But that is not true repentance. That is mere penitence. Real repentance is sorrow for one s sin because of the wrong done to God and the hurt inflicted upon him. This sorrow is accompanied by a genuine desire to abandon that sin. There is regret over the sin irrespective of sin s personal consequence. 2 Millard J. Erickson knees, confessed his sinfulness, and then left everything behind to follow Christ. This is the evidence of true repentance. It is more than remorse or regret over the consequences of one s sin. There is sorrow, to be sure, but this sorrow is grounded in the recognition that we are totally undeserving of salvation. Peter recognized how sinful he was in light of Christ s perfection. He also recognized that he could not stand in the presence of such holiness. This statement shouldn t be interpreted as Peter not wanting to be with Jesus; instead, it s a sign he saw himself as unworthy to be with Jesus. That s a sign of true repentance. The apostle Paul wrote that godly grief leads to repentance. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he wrote: As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death (7:9-10). Remorse is the starting point of repentance, but it is not all repentance entails. Judas, for example, felt remorse after betraying Jesus, but his grief was worldly, leading to death by suicide. Peter, on the other hand, felt remorse after denying Christ, but his grief led to a life on mission for Christ s kingdom. His repentance and restoration helped to shape him into one of the greatest preachers the world has ever known. Another sign of true repentance is that we feel sorrow for sin because of God s goodness, not just His judgment. In other words, repentance is a response of the heart to the grace of God. It is not driven merely by fear of punishment. Peter didn t repent because he was afraid of judgment; he repented because he had just witnessed a miraculous display of kindness. In Romans 2:4, the apostle Paul spoke of repentance in terms of God s kindness, restraint, and patience. It is God s kindness that intends to lead us to repentance. When we recognize how we deserve immediate death for our sins, we are stunned by the graciousness of a God who allows us to continue breathing, living, going about in this world. It s not the fear of hell that leads us to repentance, but the kindness of God to warn us against going there. What does fear-driven repentance look like? Why is it important that our repentance be a response to God s goodness, not just a fear of punishment? True repentance is a response to God s power, not a work of our own power. For centuries, many Christians saw repentance as synonymous with doing penance. The way to turn to God was to do good works in order to win His favor. But throughout Scripture, we see repentance as an inward change, not just outward actions. This is why the prophet Joel commanded the people to rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God (Joel 2:13). Why? 120 Leader Guide

9 CONVERTED (PART 1) For he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. There s that kindness and patience of the Lord again! In light of God s goodness and power, our hearts are moved toward God on the inside, not just the outside. God isn t interested in us ripping our clothes as an impressive display of seriousness. He wants to see us changed from the inside out. What are some actions people perform to earn their way to God? What do these acts look like when placed beside the marvelous grace of God? 2. IS TURNING TOWARD CHRIST (ACTS 26:15-20). Repentance begins with remorse, but it quickly moves to a renouncing of sin and embracing of the Savior. When the apostle Paul stood before King Agrippa and recounted his conversion experience, he made clear that his mission was to call people to repent, to turn from one way of life to another. It is a change of mind and heart that leads to a changed life. Look carefully at how he describes his task in calling people to repentance: And I said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. (Acts 26:15-20) Up until his conversion, Paul was not only someone who resisted the gospel; He actively persecuted Christians. Once he became a believer, however, he had to renounce his former resistance to the gospel and commit instead to spread it! Talk about a 180-degree turnaround! He had initially gone from village to village looking to round up Christian converts and put them in jail. Now he would go from village to village to make Christian converts. And he would be the one to go to jail for his faith. In his commission to spread the gospel, Paul called for faith and repentance. In this passage, conversion is expressed in three ways: turning from darkness to light (v. 18), turning from the power of Satan to God (v. 18), FURTHER COMMENTARY The gospel brings light, opens one s eyes to the truth in Christ. Paul further described this as a turning from the power of Satan to the power of God. The sharp dualistic language of light and darkness is found throughout the New Testament and is metaphorical for two divergent ways of living. The one way can be described in various ways living according to the world, under Satan, in darkness, in sin, apart from God, totally self-centered existence. The alternative is life in Christ, a life marked by righteousness, walking in the light, directed by God and not by self. Paul concluded his summary of the gospel by noting the two results that come to the one who responds by faith in Christ. First is the forgiveness of sin, the removal of the barrier that separates one from God. With that barrier removed, the way is then clear for the second result assurance of a place, a portion among the saints in God s eternal kingdom. One could hardly give a more succinct presentation of the gospel. Paul may have been describing his commission from Christ. He did more than relate the commission, however. He used the opportunity to carry it out on that occasion. He preached the gospel to Agrippa and the Gentiles gathered there. 3 John B. Polhill The Gospel Project for Students 121

10 SESSION 10 FURTHER COMMENTARY The first act of true repentance introduces the penitent into the Christian life. But this act is not a mere legal transaction which is over and done with once for all. It is a permanent moral process going on every day. Every renunciation of sin, every putting off of the old man, is in essence the repetition of the first act of repentance. Hence it is an attitude of the soul to be cultivated. The definite and positive renunciation of sin in every form should become the fixed habit of the soul. 4 E. Y. Mullins VOICES FROM THE CHURCH The repentance that Christ requires of His people consists in a settled refusal to set any limits to the claims which He may make on their lives. 5 J. I. Packer and turning from sin to do works worthy of repentance (v. 20). Let s take a look at each of those in turn. From darkness to light. First, note the metaphor of turning from darkness to light. When I was a kid, I remember what fun it was to go through mazes during the fall. At fall festivals, I would get in line to enter a dark room where a makeshift maze of hay bales and cardboard boxes had been set up. Maneuvering around that maze was not easy. You d take wrong turns in pitch black boxes, feeling your way through, until eventually you d see the soft glow of light ahead. Before we come to Christ, we are moving around this world in the dark, unable to see the beauty of Christ and unwilling to accept the light. But once we repent, we turn from darkness to light. We pursue the light, no longer content to stumble around in the dark. We have a purpose given to us by the Light of the World who has shone in our hearts. From the power of Satan to God. Secondly, note how Paul described this turning more personally than just light and darkness. He called people to turn from the power of Satan to God. We are switching kingdoms. Just as a person who is applying for citizenship in one country usually renounces their former citizenship, we pledge allegiance to King Jesus and renounce Satan and his power. Why is it important for us to see repentance from both sides turning from sin and turning to Christ? From sin to works worthy of repentance. There s one more aspect of repentance that Paul mentioned in this chapter: turning to God and doing works worthy of repentance. The renunciation of sin is not all that repentance entails. Turning to God implies we replace those evil deeds with good ones, with actions that are worthy of our new identity in Christ. Don t misunderstand worth does not refer to us earning favor with God or somehow becoming deserving of repentance. We do not deserve God s grace; that s why it s grace unmerited favor. The works described here refer to living in light of our new identity. It implies that repentance is valuable, which means we should act in a way that showcases its value. All of our good deeds should showcase the worth of God and the beauty of the gospel. What are some deeds that do not fit in a repentant person s life? 3. LEADS TO OBEDIENCE (PS. 119:57-60). Imagine this scenario. You are sightseeing in a European city, walking down streets looking for a national landmark. You ask someone on the street where the landmark is and find out you are going the wrong way. At this point, you have a choice to make. You can continue on your path, assuming you know better than the local. Or you can turn around and go the other direction. But 122 Leader Guide

11 CONVERTED (PART 1) that turning around involves taking steps in the new direction. It would be silly to take the advice of the local person, turn around, and then stand still. You won t reach the landmark simply by turning. You have to take steps in the other direction. In considering the nature of repentance, we ve focused on the turning around aspect. It s important for us to also focus on taking steps of obedience as a result of true repentance, a true turning. We see this in the language of turning we find in the Old Testament. Here is a portion of Psalm 119, where the psalmist, in response to the Lord s all-consuming worth (v. 57), requests grace from the Lord, considers his ways, and then turns his steps back to God (v. 59): The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words. I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments. (Ps. 119:57-60) The change of mind wrought by repentance (v. 59) results in taking steps back toward God. The repentant sinner now has a desire to keep God s Word (v ). His obedience is purposeful, and there is a sense of urgency attached to it. Note how the psalmist, after turning his feet, now hurries without hesitation to keep God s commands. Repentance is not something that comes naturally. We cultivate a life of ongoing repentance on purpose. We consider our actions in light of God s grace toward us through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Then, we walk in a new way of life, committing daily to follow our Savior. We put to death the deeds of the flesh as we walk by the Spirit. Why is it necessary to have a sense of urgency in our commitment to live in repentance? How can we encourage one another to repent regularly? One of the primary ways we take steps of purposeful obedience is to join God in His mission. Earlier, we looked at the story of Peter s repentant spirit in response to Christ s miraculous display of power and grace. He felt sorrow for his sin and he committed to following Christ. We should remember, however, how that story ended. His following Christ entailed fishing for people. He didn t simply renounce sin; he also received an evangelistic commission. The same held true of the apostle Paul. We saw earlier how he recounted his conversion experience to King Agrippa. Note that Paul s repentance was expressed in his embrace of this new calling on his life: to summon others to turn from darkness to life. The repentant person is not content to step into the light and leave everyone else in the dark. We should not be content with celebrating our freedom from Satan s tyranny while we dismiss the countless people around us still in chains. Repentance entails a life of mission. The purposeful FURTHER COMMENTARY Portion often means the share of land the Lord allocated to each Israelite family when his people took possession of Canaan Statutes reminds us that God has made the covenant with us on his own terms and that it witnesses to the kind of God he is. It is one of the terms of the covenant that I should bring my life into line with his [Ps. 119:59]. Commands means simply orders, and is about doing what you are told. It gives no leeway for prevarication or delay [v. 60]. 6 Michael Wilcock FURTHER COMMENTARY Since believers are not perfected in this life and the flesh relentlessly assaults the Spirit, there is need for continual repentance subsequent to conversion Ongoing repentance in the Christian life involves sorrow for sin, a deliberate turning from sin, honest confession of known sins (1 John 1:8-9; James 5:16), making restitution wherever possible (Acts 26:20), mortifying the old nature (Col 2:11; 3:5,8-9), and putting on the new self (Col 3:10). Repentance thus is an important constituent in the believer s life of sanctification and perseverance until finally perfected in glory. 7 Bruce Demarest The Gospel Project for Students 123

12 obedience on display in our lives of ongoing repentance is a missional obedience. As we walk worthy of repentance, we call others to follow Jesus. VOICES FROM THE CHURCH God help us! We who are Christians are still painfully inconsistent We still await the final transformation that lies ahead of us. But we look back and see that we are not what we were. 8 D. A. Carson What is the connection between repentance and our mission as Christ s followers? CONCLUSION Though they were derided as repenters, Romanian believers understood that this label said something true about them. They embraced the label because they embraced the identity. They understood that the Christian life is one of repentance. No matter the intentions of those who might mock them, the term was accurate. Christians turn from their sin (repentance) and turn to Christ for salvation (faith). Conversion involves both repentance and faith. Though we have examined the nature of repentance in this session, both repentance and faith are inseparable. Believers repent, and repenters believe. And repentant believers then extol the beauty of our Savior, through our words and deeds, that others may join us in the light. REFERENCES 1. Robert H. Stein, Luke, vol. 22 in The New American Commentary (Nashville: B&H, 1992), Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 3 rd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2013), John B. Polhill, Acts, vol. 26 in The New American Commentary (Nashville:B&H, 1992), Edgar Young Mullins, The Christian Religion in Its Doctrinal Expression (Philadelphia: Judson Press, 1938), J. I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Downers Grove: IVP, 2008), Michael Wilcock, The Message of Psalms , in The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove: IVP, 2001), Bruce Demarest, The Cross and Salvation (Wheaton: Crossway, 1997), D. A. Carson, The God Who Is There (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2010), Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby, Experiencing God Dayby-Day (Nashville: B&H, 1998), 155. VOICES FROM THE CHURCH Repentance involves a radical change of heart and mind in which we agree with God s evaluation of our sin and then take specific action to align ourselves with His will The evidence of repentance is not words of resolve, but a changed life. 9 Henry T. Blackaby 124 Leader Guide