Joel Lesson Plan (B09-L05)

Warm-up activity

Watch this video on “Locust Plagues” from BBC Earth (note there maybe an ad at the start of the video…may want to pre-play before class and pause at the start of the video):

Ask afterwards:

• [msosa_restrictprompt] All Sunday School teachers, administrators, and clergy within the diocese can register!

Lesson

There are 3 passage sections you can divide the students into 3 groups and have each group work on a separate passage and then have them come back and present the passage and discussion about it.   Or if time, can have all groups work on each passage one at a time.

For your convenience a word document with the passages can be gotten from here.

Background

• There is some uncertainty about the timeframe
  • The Sunday School book says 4th century (note that is why the book adds the line about the Greeks being mentioned in 3:6.)
  • Other scholars also say 800s, 700s BC are possible.
• The book starts out and something bad has just happened
  • What do you think has just happened?
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  • In the midst of this calamity Joel calls on the people to repent and fast to God
    • The main point of the book is call for people to return to God and repent

Passage 1 – How to fast

Break the kids up into groups and have the kids read the following passages and compare:

• Joel 2:12-17
• Matthew 6:16-18

Compare what Jesus said about fasting to what Prophet Joel said about fasting.
What does Jesus mean by “anoint your head and wash your face”?
What does Joel mean by “rend your heart”?

[msosa_restrictprompt] All Sunday School teachers, administrators, and clergy within the diocese can register!

Passage 2 – Prophecy about the Holy Spirit

Have the kids read the following passages on their own in groups and discuss.

• Joel 2:28-32
• Acts 2:14-21

What event in the New Testament is referred to here?
What event was Peter speaking at? 

[msosa_restrictprompt] All Sunday School teachers, administrators, and clergy within the diocese can register!

Passage 3 – The Day of the Lord

Split the kids up in groups and have them discuss the following passages

• Joel 2:1-11
• Joel 3:14-18

How is the “Day of the Lord” depicted? Good, fearful, dreaded, etc…

[msosa_restrictprompt] All Sunday School teachers, administrators, and clergy within the diocese can register!

Wrap-up

Play Kahoot!

• Kahoot is a online quiz where kids can compete in realtime.
• You will need:
  • an internet connection
  • 1 phone/tablet device per team
  • 1 table/display device that whole class can see
• Link to play: [msosa_restrictprompt] All Sunday School teachers, administrators, and clergy within the diocese can register!