LGC - Hunger Gains Part 1

Hunger Gains (Part 1)

Rhordan Wicks

INTRODUCTION

A new year is an opportune time to assess our spiritual walk and ask ourselves, “How hungry am I for the things of God?”

When left unguarded, it is easy for the believer to slip into a form of spiritual coma. “Symptoms of this condition can include apathy toward worship and the Word, contentment with the bare minimum of spiritual disciplines, indifference toward the lost, and even a lack of conviction in sin.

Do these strike a chord in you? Identifying a spiritual coma in yourself is not a cause for condemnation or accusation but an invitation to ask for revival.

What does revival mean, and how does it happen? In this series, we will examine the Word to see how God sends revival into the hearts of His people. This week, we begin with the book of Joel.

DISCUSSION

Pre-Bible study question:

What do you understand about “revival”? Have you ever experienced it on a personal or corporate level?

A well-known promise of revival can be found in Joel 2:28-29. While some of us may have heard of this glorious promise from God many times, it is equally important that we know what God thinks of our place in that promise. Let us walk through Joel 1 and 2 to understand better where the prophet calls the people of God to stand before looking at where we are today.

Joel 1:1-12 describes a locust invasion that had taken place, where all agriculture was destroyed. Joel 2:1-11, in turn, represents a future “day of the Lord” when an army will invade, destroying everything in their path. Destruction and disaster sets the context for the promise of revival.

a. Where are destruction and disaster in your context today – in your life, family, community, Singapore, Southeast Asia?

b. How do you feel about these?

c. Where do you think God is in the midst of these?
Read Joel 1:13-14 and 2:12-17.

a. Where does the prophet see God in destruction? (see 2:13-14, 17)

b. In both situations, he calls for “a solemn assembly” and “a fast” (ESV). What is their purpose?

c. What is the role of the priesthood? (see 1:13 and 2:17) Why should they be called to mourn, and what are they mourning for?

d. If the church is called to be a royal priesthood (cf. 1 Peter 2:9), what posture should we adopt in situations of destruction and disaster?
“Then the Lord was jealous for his land and took pity on his people.” (Joel 2:18 NIV)

a. What does God’s response seem to depend on?

b. What does His response reveal about His character and nature?
We finally land on Joel 2:28-32.

a. From what we’ve read, what observations can we make about revival?

b. What should we be prepared to expect?

c. How do you feel now?

WHAT WILL YOU DO

The book of Joel is just one of the many prophetic books that show us God’s judgment and mercy coming together for the purpose of reviving the hearts of His people.

Take the time to assess where you are at in your spiritual walk. How can you respond to God in light of what He has revealed through today’s study? What are some practical steps you can take to be aligned with His will? Here are some examples:

Regularly fast and pray for your heart to be awakened and sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
Have a posture of constant expectancy for His move, which includes gathering in a solemn assembly and praying with God’s people regularly.
Step into your priestly role by interceding for the awakening of the church and the conversion of the lost to God.

MEMORY VERSE

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.”

Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?

– Joel 2:12-14 (ESV)

AN E1R1 REFLECTION

The Feast of Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus (Matt 2:1-12). While we often remember this as a part of the Christmas story, it is easy to overlook that this is possibly the first physical appearance of Jesus to the Gentiles. Their response to Jesus is one of worship, giving us a beautiful foretaste of how the nations will one day worship Him as they learn of Him through the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 2:13 states that we Gentiles were once “far off” and unable to know God. However, the Gospel is readily available to all today because Jesus died for our sins. Let us not take this reality for granted.

Lean into His Word and know God. And let it spur us on to give this precious gift to the people around us.