Meeting guide · command 1

Repent & Believe

Turn from the old way of life and trust the good news of God’s kingdom.

Read

Read the complete passage aloud.

Primary passage

Matthew 4:17

17 From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

World English Bible

Mark

Mark 1:15

15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”

World English Bible

Jesus begins proclaiming that God’s kingdom has drawn near. His call is both repentance and faith: turn toward God and entrust yourself to the good news.

Discuss

Listen carefully to what Jesus says.

  1. What does Jesus command?
  2. What does this passage reveal about Him?
  3. Where do we resist this command?
  4. What is difficult or unclear?
  5. What attitudes, loyalties, or habits do these passages call us to turn from, and what good news are we being asked to trust?

Practice

Choose one specific act of obedience.

Name one specific pattern that conflicts with Jesus’ kingdom. Confess it to God, take one concrete step away from it, and replace it with an action of trust.

Return

Come back and discuss what happened.

What did you turn from, what act of trust did you take, and what resistance or freedom did you notice?

Close together

Pray. Then prepare to teach.

Pray

Jesus, show us where we need to turn, and give us faith to receive and live by the good news of your kingdom.

Teach

Explain repentance and belief as two movements of one response: turning from sin and entrusting ourselves to Jesus and His good news.