STEPS TO CHRIST STUDY GUIDE & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

CHAPTER 3

REPENTANCE (Part 1, pages 23-27 )

Study Guide

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1. How can we come to Christ? Only through Christ can we be made right with God. But how can we come to Christ? Can we do this in our own strength?

2. What is Repentance? Repentance is required of all who would be saved. But what is repentance? “Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it. We shall not renounce sin unless we see its sinfulness; until we turn away from it in heart, there will be no real change in the life.” (p.23) There is a false repentance. One can be sorry for the consequences of his sin and not for the sin itself. One can be sorry for getting caught but not for the wrong that was done. Esau, Judas Iscariot and Pharaoh displayed this kind of repentance—sorrow for the consequences of their sins but had no

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genuine change of heart. Forced confession is not genuine repentance.

3. Drawn to Christ Only as one is drawn to Christ is the consciences awakened to the destructive nature of sin and the holiness of God’s character as revealed through His holy law. When we are drawn to Christ, we see “the love of God, the beauty of holiness, the joy of purity;” and we long “to be cleansed and to be restored to communion with Heaven.” (p. 24)

4. David’s Prayer David’s prayer recorded in Psalm 51 is an example of sincere repentance. He prayed, not just for pardon but for a heart, a transformed desire for purity and the ability to find joy in holiness. He prayed: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;

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according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

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Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

5. Beyond our reach. “A repentance such as this, is beyond the reach of our own power to accomplish; it is obtained only from Christ, who ascended up on high and has given gifts unto men.” (p. 25) True repentance is not natural, it is supernatural, “for it is the goodness of God that leads to repentance.” (Romans 2:4) 6. Before we repent. Although repentance is necessary in the process of salvation, “The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed the invitation of Christ, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28). It is the

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virtue that goes forth from Christ, that leads to genuine repentance.” (p.26) So we do not repent before we come to Christ. We come to Christ and He leads us to repent. “We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience than we can be pardoned without Christ.

7. The source of every right impulse Christ is the source of every right impulse. He is the only one that can implant in the heart enmity against sin. Every desire for truth and purity, every conviction of our own sinfulness, is an evidence that His Spirit is moving upon our hearts.” (p.26) Our focus, therefore, must be on Jesus and not on our sins. Only His power enables us to recognize our sins.

8. He will draw us to himself. Jesus said, “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32)

Discussion Questions

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“In dying for sinners, Christ manifested a love that is incomprehensible; and as the sinner beholds this love, it softens the heart, impresses the mind, and inspires contrition in the soul.” (p.27) We can resist the love of Christ and refuse to be drawn to Him, but if we do not resist and keep looking to Him. He will draw us to Himself.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1 . How only can we be made right with God? ___________________________________________________ 2 . What is true repentance and how does it differ from the false? __________________________________________________ 3 . How can the conscience be awakened to the evil nature of sin ? __________________________________________________

Discussion Questions 4 . Must we repent before we come to Christ ? ___________________________________________________ 5 . Where should our focus be if we are to be led to repentance ? ___________________________________________________ 6. David’s prayer reveals the nature of true repentance—what three things are included in genuine repentance ? ___________________________________________________ 7 . What softens the sinner’s heart, impresses the sinner’s mind and leads to contrition in the soul? ___________________________________________________

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