The Day of the Locusts, the Day of the Lord—Joel 1:1–3:21
Topics: Blessing, Darkness, Fasting, Forgiveness, Future, God, Holiness, Holy Spirit, Jealousy, Judgment, Mourning, Nature, People, Prayer, Restoration, Sin, Suffering, War
Open It
1. *If you lived in an area known for natural disasters—earthquakes, brush fires, flooding, or the like—how would this knowledge affect you?
2. When have you most enjoyed the world of nature?
Explore It
1. Who was Joel? (1:1)
2. What was the prophet’s opening appeal? (1:2–4)
3. What was the nature of Joel’s call to mourn? (1:5–13)
4. What specific instructions were to be given to all the people? (1:14)
5. *Why was the locust plague meaningful? (1:15–20)
6. *What was significant about the coming Day of the Lord? (2:1–11)
7. *What was the nation’s only hope against utter destruction? (2:12–14)
8. Why were the people told to congregate? (2:15–17)
9. In response to real repentance, what did God promise to do immediately? (2:18–27)
10. What future deliverance would God provide? (2:28–32)
11. How would God judge the nations? (3:1–16)
12. How would Israel respond to God’s incredible display of power? (3:17)
13. What would mark Israel’s ultimate restoration? (3:18–21)
Get It
1. When natural disasters strike people and places throughout the world, what bothers you most?
2. If a family in your community lost all their belongings to a house fire, what would you do?
3. If you were unexpectedly faced with economic hardship, to whom would you turn for help?
4. How does your church band together to fight spiritual battles?
5. *If Joel were to preach an ominous sermon about the impending Day of the Lord, how would your congregation likely respond to his words?
6. *In terms of Joel’s imagery, how would you describe the spiritual condition of your church: about due for an invasion of locusts? prepared to fast, mourn, and wear sackcloth? ready for a ripe harvest and an outpouring of the Lord’s Spirit?
7. When is it appropriate to fast and mourn?
8. What is true repentance?
9. How have God’s blessings healed wounds in your life?
Apply It
1. How can you provide emergency assistance to a family or group facing unexpected personal loss and hardship?
2. *When can you take time to fast and pray for your church?
3. What is one creative way you can acknowledge your dependence on the Lord this week?
Adult Questions for LESSONmaker (2024). Bellingham, WA: Logos, p. Joe 1:1–3:21.