Introduction: Both John the Baptist and Jesus seemed to lead with the message that their listeners should “repent.” What does it mean to repent? When we studied the Lord’s Prayer, we found that Jesus recommends that we pray for our needs before we ask forgiveness for our sins. If Jesus does not place forgiveness first in His model prayer, why is repentance the lead message for both John and Jesus? Is repentance about more than sin? Let’s dive into the Bible to see what we can learn about the full meaning of repentance!
I. What Repentance Means
A. Read Matthew 3:1-2. What is the lead thought for John’s preaching? (To repent.)
B. Read Matthew 4:17. How did Jesus begin His preaching?(He said, “Repent.”)
C. If both John the Baptist and Jesus believed that they should begin their message with the command to “repent,” what do you think that says about the importance of repentance?
D. Look again at Matthew 3:2 and Matthew 4:17. What is the reason why both John and Jesus say that people should repent? (“The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”)
1. What does that mean? (Read Daniel 7:13-14. I think Jewish listeners understood this to mean that the Messiah would now usher in His earthly kingdom.)
2. What would that have to do with repenting?
E. Let’s leave aside the idea of Jesus coming as a conquering king, and consider the spiritual side of this message. How should their understanding of salvation change now that Jesus has arrived? (The Greek word translated “repent” fundamentally means “to change one’s mind” or “to think differently afterward.” The listeners should think of salvation differently.)
1. What fundamental change in thinking should the listeners of John and Jesus make after learning of Jesus? (Jesus’ arrival would reveal with new clarity that salvation is based on grace. The perfect life of Jesus, His death on our behalf, and His leading the way to heaven are completely at odds with the concept of righteousness by works. The listeners are asked to completely change their approach to salvation.)
II. False Faith
A. Read Matthew 3:9. How did some of the listeners react to the message that they should repent? (They thought they were fine because they had “Abraham as [their] father.”)
1. Let’s think deeply about that idea. Are there Christians today who think that they need no repentance regarding sin because of their relationship with Jesus? (I see a strong parallel between those who say that they are saved by grace alone (which is true), and as a result believe that nothing more is required of them. In effect, some of John’s listeners asserted, “If Abraham is our father, we have all that is required.”)
B. Read Luke 3:3 and Luke 3:7-8. What does John tell those who were coming to him for baptism? What does he say to those who placed their faith in Abraham being their father? (John tells them to “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.”)
C. Read Matthew 3:8. Note again that John uses this same phrase that tells us that there is “fruit” that is consistent with repentance. What is that fruit? (Read Luke 3:10-14. John mentions some specific “fruits.” They are sharing with those in need, being honest with money, not extorting money by threats or false accusations, and being content with your wages.)
D. Read Luke 3:9. John uses the term “fruit” as something that comes from trees. John also distinguishes the root of the tree from the fruit of the tree. If we are symbolized by these trees, is John saying that if we do not bear fruit we will be cut down and thrown into the fire, meaning that we will not have eternal life?(John is not saying that we must produce fruit so that God will save us. Instead, he says, in effect, “If your repentance is real, it will show up in your life.” If your repentance is not real, then you are not part of God’s kingdom.)
E. Read John 15:1-4. What is the essential requirement for bearing fruit? (Abiding in Jesus. This is one reason why just determining to refrain from sin is not actual repentance. It does not work without this connection.)
III. Confronting Sin
A. Read Matthew 22:1-6. What is the relationship between the invited guests and the king? (Their attitudes range from ignoring the king, to being more interested in business than in the king, to being hostile to the king.)
1. Notice that verse 2 compares this story to the kingdom of heaven. How well does this description of the invited guests fit your view of the people in the world today?
a. If they look like the world, why are they the “invited guests?”
B. Read Matthew 22:7. Should we believe in an intentional judgment by God?
1. Do you think this judgment included those who were merely disinterested and not hostile? (What we know for sure is that they did not come to the wedding feast.)
C. Read Matthew 22:8-10. The original guests were not “worthy.” How would you describe the new invitees? (They were a mixed bag. They were “both bad and good.” But they all answered the invitation.)
D. Read Matthew 22:11-12. Since these current guests were found on the roads, would they have been dressed to come to a wedding?(These facts tell us that they would not be. They were out doing various things. They were not traveling on the road to come to the wedding feast for the king’s son.)
1. Why do you think this “friend” was speechless when asked about the absence of his wedding garment? (He had no excuse that he thought would make sense.)
a. What are his potential excuses? (No one offered him a robe. He missed the line for getting a robe. He was absent-minded when it came to robes.)
b. I asked you to consider his potential excuses for a good reason: this friend must have had some other excuse that he now realizes is not good enough to state. What do you think that might be? (He was proud of his own clothes. He did not need a robe from the king. His self-righteousness has just been confronted by the king.)
c. Why do you think the king called him “friend?”
2. The title to this section is “Confronting Sin.” Has this guest confronted the nature of his clothes versus the king’s robe? (I think this person thought he did not need to change. It is like Luke 3:8, where the listeners were thinking that having Abraham as their father was good enough. They did not have to repent, accept Jesus, or bear fruit.)
E. Read Matthew 22:13. Is this man now treated as a friend? (Far from it! He is tied up and cast into outer darkness.)
F. Read Matthew 22:14. Who in this story were called? (The original people received an invitation that they spurned. The road people were called and attended the feast.)
1. Does this mean that there are at least two stages of sifting? (Yes.)
2. The man cast out represents a third level of sifting. What is it? What is required to be “chosen?” (Relying on the righteousness of Jesus given to you as a free gift is the basis for you being chosen.)
3. Is “fruit” a stage of sifting? (No. But it reveals whether you have opened your arms to accept grace.)
IV. Forgiveness
A. Read 1 John 1:6-9. What will God do if we confess our sins? (He will forgive them.)
B. Read Psalm 103:10-13. What is God’s attitude towards those who ask for forgiveness? (He removes our “transgressions.” He does not repay us for our sins.)
C. Read Psalm 103:14. Have you heard someone say, “We are only human?” Does this reflect God’s thinking? (That is what this text seems to say. God realizes that we are weak.)
D. Read 2 Corinthians 2:5-8. Paul writes of the person who sinned being overwhelmed by “excessive sorrow.” Do you know of people like this? People whose sorrow over sin becomes excessive?
1. What should you do to help?
E. Friend, will you repent, accept the free gift of Jesus’ righteousness, and then live a life consistent with God’s grace? Why not commit to this right now and ask the Holy Spirit to empower your future?
V. Next week: Setbacks.
Copr. 2026, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail, but it is lost one week, you can find it by clicking on this link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you study.
