Class Video Below Study Notes
Summary
In a detailed study class on confession and repentance, Elder Ken Schmidt emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s relationship with God, emphasizing the need for personal reflection on sin as per biblical teachings. The class acknowledges the significant mentions of repentance (588), confession (92), and forgiveness (310) across scriptures, reaching nearly a thousand references of these themes. Ken points out that repentance signifies a turning from sin toward God, as defined in both Hebrew and Greek: turning or reorienting oneself toward divine love and grace. Throughout the class, a distinction is made between the human tendency to feel guilt and the divine requirement of sincere repentance and faith in Jesus for salvation. Ken warns against the idea that one’s actions, including feeling sorry or performing rituals, could earn forgiveness, stressing that it is faith in Christ’s sacrifice that brings redemption. Furthermore, the class highlights the necessity for private confession to God rather than reliance on rituals and external practices for forgiveness. Ken encourages all to recognize their sins but underscores the simplicity of repentance: turning back to Jesus and embracing Him as the source of salvation.
Highlights
- Emphasis on Divine Connection: The study class underscores that confession and repentance align believers with God.
- Scriptural References: Nearly 1,000 references in scripture underline the importance of repentance and confession.
- Meaning of Repentance: Repentance means turning away from sin and turning towards God, as illustrated in both Hebrew and Greek definitions.
- Simplicity of Confession: The act of confessing sin involves openly recognizing one’s shortcomings to God, rather than relying solely on rituals.
- Faith Over Actions: True forgiveness is rooted in faith in Jesus’s sacrifice, not in the intensity of sorrow or behavioral actions.
- Avoiding Legalism: The session critiques any notion that forgiveness can be earned through works or intense feelings of guilt.
- Role of the Holy Spirit: Ken mentions that the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding individuals towards true repentance through love and conviction.
Key Insights
- Relationship with God as Central: Understanding one’s relationship with God is paramount to grasping the concepts of confession and repentance. Ken stresses that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, establishing the need for divine grace and redemption through faith in Jesus Christ. This foundational understanding lays the groundwork for concepts discussed and emphasizes the need for a personal relationship with God rather than mere adherence to ritualistic practices.
- The Nature of Repentance: The definitions explored in Hebrew and Greek reveal that repentance is not merely a stop to sinful behaviors but an active turning towards God. The imagery illustrated with a soldier turning 180 degrees serves as a relatable metaphor, reminding believers that repentance involves a change in direction that includes a renewed relationship with Jesus, who is the focus of their faith.
- Simplicity of the Gospel Message: Ken’s insistence on keeping the message simple—turning to Jesus—serves as a reminder that the complexities of human-made doctrines should not overshadow the straightforward nature of the Gospel. This perspective refocuses faith on Christ rather than self-constructed standards of worthiness, holding that salvation is offered freely to all who repent and believe.
- Risk of Legalism: The discussion around confessing to a priest versus a personal confession to God highlights the risk of commodifying salvation through routines and rituals. Historical examples, such as Martin Luther’s struggles with confession practices, illustrate how emphasis on works can divert attention from the core element of faith required for salvation, thereby advocating for a reliance on personal faith rather than religious traditions.
- Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow: The distinction made between healthy, Godly sorrow that leads to repentance and worldly sorrow that can lead to despair is crucial for understanding genuine repentance. The class contextualizes biblical sorrow in the framework of seeking God—true sorrow guides one to recognize their need for redemption rather than merely feeling guilty, thus reinforcing the message of love and restoration as central to the faith-based approach.
- Confession as Self-awareness: Confession is portrayed as an act of acknowledging one’s failings and realizing separation from God, leading to a clear pathway back to His grace. By imploring believers to be blunt in admitting their wrongdoings to God, Ken shifts the focus to internal honesty as a means of reconciling with God, moving away from mechanical or perfunctory examination of conscience.
- Call to Collective Repentance: The class underscores the necessity for society as a whole to engage in collective reflection and repentance, citing the need for unity in recognizing the collective failures and turning towards God for healing. This invitation accentuates accountability not only on an individual level but also encourages interconnected civic and communal responsibility in witnessing the impact of sin in social constructs.
In conclusion, the study class provides a comprehensive exploration of confession and repentance that prioritizes a heartfelt connection with God over ritualistic practices and behavioral modifications. By framing repentance as a simple yet profound turning towards Jesus, it invites believers to embrace their faith with sincerity and grace, fueling their relationship with God through acknowledgment of their failings and reliance on His redemptive love.
The Disciplines Class - Repentance and Confession
March 30th, 2025 with Elder Ken Schmidt
2025 First Quarter Theme: Cultivating a Heart for God
(Click Here to View or Download The Slides From This Class)
(Click Here To Download a Printable and Shareable PDF of the Class Notes)
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