Some  people  have  a  misunderstanding  of  what  repentance  is.  Repentance  is  not  perfection but a change in direction. We’re going to talk about the parable of the prodigal son, or the lost son. Jesus is telling a story that perfectly illustrates what it means for an individual to repent. 
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In Luke 15:11-12 Jesus said, “And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.â€The younger son wanted his inheritance before his father died, which is quite unusual, but his father granted the request and gave his sons their inheritance. 
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Verse 13 says, “And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.â€ The younger son took all of his wealth, his part of the inheritance, went into a distant country, and wasted it in riotous living. One translation says, “partying and spending the money on prostitutes.â€
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Verses 14-15 read, “And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land[The  land  became  destitute  and  people  were  starving];  and  he  began  to  be  in  want.  And  he  went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swineâ€(brackets mine). He got a job working for a man in that country and was sent to feed the pigs. 
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Verse 16 says, “And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks of that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.â€ He was so hungry, at the point of starvation, and he said “Just give me  the  pig’s  food—anything,â€  but  no  one  gave  him  anything.  He  had  squandered  all  of  his  inheritance. 
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Verse 17 continues, “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!â€ One translation says, “when he came to his senses.â€ In other words, his father’s servants had more than enough food, and he was dying from hunger.He made a decision—he repented. Repentance is a change of mind, a change of heart that causes a person to turn around and move in a new direction. 
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In verses 18-19, he said, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.â€  “Just  make  me  a  slave,  father.  I’ve  sinned  against  you,  squandered  your  living,  and  sinned  against  God. Just make me a slave.â€ 
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Then he rose and went to his father. Repentance is more than just a change of attitude, a change of mind, and a change of heart; it leads a person to act on what they believe, to turn around (or return) and go in a new direction. 
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We’ve all turned away from God, our Father, and from heaven, our home. The Bible says in Isaiah 53:6 that “all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way,â€ but God in His mercy took our sins and laid them on Jesus.The story continues in verses 20-24. “And he arose, and came to his father.â€ 
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One night I was telling this story to a man who had never heard it before, and he just knew that when the son returned, his father would say, “Son, look what you’ve done. You’ve wasted all my wealth, all I accumulated in my life. Be one of my slaves.â€ 
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Most earthly fathers would probably be very angry and have an attitude like that, but notice the attitude of this father: “But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion [love came out of his heart for his son], and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 
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And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merryâ€ (brackets mine). They began to have a party.
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I  once  told  this  to  a  man  who  said,  “I  see  what  Jesus  is  saying.  If  I’ll  just  turn  to  the  heavenly Father for mercy and say ‘Father, I’ve sinned against you, and I’m not worthy to be your son,’ He’ll accept me.â€ Our heavenly Father will have compassion, and He won’t make you a slave. He’ll restore you to full sonship with Him. God is waiting. Have you turned away? 
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Why don’t you turn to God, your Father, and to heaven, your home, today?
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Scriptures: Luke 13:1-5 2 Peter 3:9 Luke 16:19-31 Acts 26:18 Acts 26:20 Matthew 7:21-23 Isaiah 55:7 Luke 15:7 Acts 3:19 
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Questions:
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1. Define repentance.
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2. Read Luke 13:1-5. What must one do in order not to perish?
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3. Read 2 Peter 3:9. What is God’s desire for all people?
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4. Read Luke 16:19-31. In Luke 16:28, why did the rich man want someone to come back from the dead and speak to his brothers?
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5. Read Luke 16:30. What must these brothers do in order to avoid this place of torment (hell)?
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6. Read Acts 26:18. Although it doesn’t specifically say, this verse is talking about repentance. What will happen to those who repent?
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7. Read Acts 26:20. In the last part of this verse, three things are stated that the Gentiles should do. What are these three things? 
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8. Read Matthew 7:21-23. What did Jesus say these people practiced instead of the will of God?
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9. What does this show you about the importance of true repentance versus lip service toward God? 
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10. Read Isaiah 55:7. What must the wicked do?
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11. What two things must the unrighteous do?
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12. What will God do for the person who does those things stated above?
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13. Read Luke 15:7. What is heaven’s reaction to one sinner who repents?
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14. Read Acts 3:19. If you repent and are converted, what will happen to your sins?
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Answers:
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1. Define repentance.<br>
→ A. It is an “about faceâ€ to a new commitment
→ B.It is a change of mind
→ C. A change of heart that results in one turning to God, from one’s old ways to God’s ways
→ D. A change of direction, not perfection
→ E. To make a decision that changes the total direction of one’s life
→ F. Turning from old ways and totally committing to God and His ways
→ G. Turning to a Person, to God through Jesus Christ
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2. Read Luke 13:1-5. What must one do in order not to perish?<br>→ Repent

3. Read 2 Peter 3:9. What is God’s desire for all people?<br>→ That all come to repentance

4. Read Luke 16:19-31. In Luke 16:28, why did the rich man want someone to come back from the dead and speak to his brothers?<br>→ So that they could avoid coming to this place of torment

5. Read Luke 16:30. What must these brothers do in order to avoid this place of torment (hell)?<br>→ They must repent

6. Read Acts 26:18. Although it doesn’t specifically say, this verse is talking about repentance. What will happen to those who repent?<br>
→ A.Eyes will be opened
→ B.Turn from darkness to light
→ C. Turn from power of Satan to God
→ D. Receive forgiveness of sins
→ E.Receive inheritance
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7. Read Acts 26:20. In the last part of this verse, three things are stated that the Gentiles should do. What are these three things?<br>
→ A. Repent
→ B. Turn to God
→ C. Prove their repentance by their deeds
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8. Read Matthew 7:21-23. What did Jesus say these people practiced instead of the will of God?<br>→ Iniquity or lawlessness
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9. What does this show you about the importance of true repentance versus lip service toward God?<br>→ Salvation is from the heart, not lip service
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10. Read Isaiah 55:7. What must the wicked do?<br>→ Forsake their way
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11. What two things must the unrighteous do?<br>→ Forsake their thoughts and return to the Lord
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12. What will God do for the person who does those things stated above?<br>→ Have mercy and pardon abundantly
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13. Read Luke 15:7. What is heaven’s reaction to one sinner who repents?<br>→ There is rejoicing in heaven
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14. Read Acts 3:19. If you repent and are converted, what will happen to your sins?<br>→ My sins will be blotted out
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