What does it mean to repent?

What Does It Mean to Repent? describes repentance as a change of direction: turning away from a life organised around ourselves and returning to God in trust and obedience. Through Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians, this booklet distinguishes between sorrow that remains trapped in regret and sorrow that produces change. Then it turns to two men who failed Jesus badly, Judas and Peter, and considers why remorse alone did not lead them to the same place.

Peter’s restoration in John 21 provides gives us hope. Jesus does not leave him hiding in failure. He calls him back, confronts what has happened, restores their relationship and sends him forwards again. Repentance becomes part of the continuing life of discipleship: recognising where we have wandered, returning to Christ and allowing Him to lead us again.

This resource includes:

• a biblical definition of repentance
• the distinction between regret and genuine turning back to God
• studies of Judas, Peter and the Corinthian church
• reflection on confession, forgiveness and restoration
• questions for examining where your own allegiance may have drifted

A shared invitation

Our Daily Bread Ministries wants to be a companion in the recurring work of discipleship, including the times when following Jesus means admitting that we have gone the wrong way. This resource is offered freely. If you would like to help us provide the same opportunity to others, a donation supports the Bible resources we share without charge.