Chapter 4

Repent and Prepare

Understand the difference between repentance, regret, confession, good fruit, and attempts to earn forgiveness.

Read from the KJV
  • Matthew 3:7–12
  • Luke 3:7–14
John teaches families, tax collectors, and soldiers about repentance.
Main Answer

Repentance is more than feeling bad. It is a Godward change of heart and direction that produces honest fruit.

What Is Repentance?

A person may feel bad because wrongdoing was discovered or consequences followed. Those feelings may accompany repentance, but biblical repentance is a Godward change of heart and direction in which a sinner turns from sin toward God.

Religious Confidence Was Not Enough

John warned people not to rely on ancestry while refusing repentance. Christian families can make a similar error by trusting family reputation, Bible knowledge, church attendance, or baptism instead of Christ.

Fruit That Fits Repentance

John told people with extra clothing or food to share. He told publicans to collect only what was appointed and soldiers to reject violence, false accusation, and dishonest gain. The actions did not purchase forgiveness; they showed that repentance was more than empty words.

Grace and Good Works

Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works. Believers are then created in Christ unto good works. Grace comes first; good fruit follows.

Fantasticamos Truth Compass

Scripture Says

John demanded fruit suitable for repentance and gave practical instructions.

A Careful Interpretation

Repentant fruit is evidence of change, not payment for grace.

Family Application

Confession should be truthful and followed by appropriate correction.

Scripture Does Not Say

Enough good behavior can erase sin.

KJV Vocabulary

Repentance
Turning from sin toward God.
Meet for repentance
Suitable for repentance.
Publican
A tax collector.
Extortion
Taking through threats or abuse of power.

Ariel’s Investigator Question

Why did John give different instructions to tax collectors, soldiers, and ordinary people?

Alice’s Look-and-Tell

Which shows repentance: hiding a broken item or telling the truth and helping repair it?

Repentance or Regret?

Classify each situation honestly.

Parent Answer Guide
  1. A child is sorry only because someone discovered the wrongdoing. — Regret only
    Embarrassment or fear of consequences is not the same as repentance.
  2. A child tells the truth, seeks forgiveness, and helps repair the harm. — Repentance with fitting fruit
    Truth and correction fit repentance but do not purchase forgiveness.
  3. A child performs one kind act to prove forgiveness is unnecessary. — Trying to earn or excuse
    Good works cannot replace mercy and Christ.
  4. A child blames someone else for what he did. — Not repentance
    Blame avoids truthful confession.

Fruit Worthy of Repentance Challenge

Choose every action that fits John’s teaching.

Which actions are consistent with John’s teaching?
Parent Answer Guide

Correct choices:

  • Share when you have more than you need
  • Tell the truth
  • Be content
  • Correct dishonest gain

Family Discussion

  1. Why is being caught different from repentance?
  2. Can good deeds earn forgiveness?
  3. Why does genuine repentance produce fruit?

Challenge Extension

Explain: Good fruit is evidence of repentance, not the price of forgiveness.

Parent Teaching Note

Do not pressure a child into claiming a spiritual experience merely to end correction. Guide truthful confession, appropriate restitution, honest prayer, and dependence on Christ.

Chapter Knowledge Check

1. What is repentance?
2. What did John tell people with extra food or clothing?
3. Can fruit purchase salvation?
4. What did John tell soldiers not to do?
Parent Answers
  1. Turning from sin toward God
  2. Share with those in need
  3. No
  4. Use violence or false accusations for gain