Week 8 • Impending Judgment (Joel 1)
Memory Verse: Psalm 119:125
In each reading assignment look for a . . .
Sin to Confess • Promise to Claim • Attitude to Change • Command to Obey • Example to Follow
Psalm 119:113-120 Personal Study Notes:
Psalm 119:121-128 Personal Study Notes:
Proverbs 8 Personal Study Notes:
Proverbs 9 Personal Study Notes:
Joel 1 Personal Study Notes:
Accountability Question
Did everyone read all five assignments?
What application points did you find?
Group Participation
Where are we on our ministry project?
Have someone take requests and lead prayer.
Have someone tell the story or paraphrase.
Have someone read the Bible passage.
Have someone facilitate the Bible study using the weekly discussion questions.
Weekly Discussion Questions
Israel is experiencing a natural disaster. A massive locust invasion and drought has destroyed their land. The prophet Joel is using this disaster to warn Israel about impending judgment in the near future. While also looking forward to a final judgment for the enemies of God.
Why do we only call destructive weather acts of God and not favorable weather?
How are the locusts described in v 5-7? How vast was the destruction (1:9-12). Give some examples of how it has affected the land.
Who does God tell to consider the meaning of the locust plague and drought?
Why does he tell them to repent following this natural disaster?
Read Col 1:16-17, James 5:17, Numbers 16:30-34. From these passages what can we say about God’s responsibility in natural disasters?
Read Job 1:8,16,19; 2:3. Is every natural disaster a punishment from God?
Read Gen 3:17-19, Rom 8:19-22. In much the same way that God allows evil people to commit evil acts, God allows the earth to reflect the consequences sin has had on creation.
The first reaction for many after a natural disaster is, “Why would a good God allow this to happen to innocent people?”. How would you answer?
We know that God is good. What are some good and God glorifying things that come out of natural disasters?
Prayer: Father, help us to remember you when life weighs down on us. May we see your providence, mercy, and justice even in the natural events that we experience. Remind us that your are our sovereign God over all things.