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The Grace of Grief

Joel 1:1–12

Alex Hogendoorn – February 15, 2026

Tagline

Jesus meets us in honest mourning—where worship begins, salvation takes root, and the Spirit forms prophetic hearts.

Sermon Summary

Joel begins in disaster. A fourfold "locust plague" or series of disasters—wave after wave after wave—left the land stripped bare and gladness dried up. Whether read in its ancient context or through the lens of our own layered losses, Joel speaks to compounded sorrow: when pleasure fails, work collapses, and even religious routine cannot comfort us. Instead of offering quick fixes, Joel calls God’s people to mourn. Not to panic. Not to strategize. But to bring their grief honestly before the Lord.

Yet this mourning is not despair. It is the beginning. Mourning becomes the first step in true worship, because worship begins with bringing our whole reality before God. It is the first step in salvation, because we only call on a Saviour when we know we need saving. And it is the first step in prophetic formation, because the Spirit shapes us into the likeness of Jesus—the True Prophet—who wept over Jerusalem, at Lazarus’ tomb, and from the cross. There is no grace without grief. Resurrection will come—but first, we learn to weep with the Son.

Group Discussion Guide

Icebreaker Question (pick one)

  1. Playful: Can you remember a time when one disaster seemed to pile on top of another?

  2. Meaningful: Can you think of a time when “powering through” didn’t work—and you had to finally slow down and face your grief honestly?

Opening Prayer

Ask the Spirit to speak through the word and to lead your time together.

Scripture Reading

Read Joel 1:1–12 aloud as a group.

Main Discussion Questions

God Revealed

What do we learn about God from this passage and sermon? How does it shape your understanding of him that he invites mourning rather than demanding performance?

Humanity Mirrored

The sermon identified pleasure, work, and religion as common coping strategies. Which of these do you see most clearly in yourself? What happens when those strategies fail?

Gospel-Centered Vision

How does mourning prepare the way for salvation? Why is admitting our need such a central part of the gospel story?

Transformed Living

The Spirit forms prophets through shared sorrow rather than outrage. How might responding in grief  first rather than fear or anger reshape our response to suffering, cultural tension, or personal pain?

Sharing and Witness

Who have you had a chance to listen to that has been needing to grieve honestly before God? 

For Further Study

  1. Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
  2. Psalm 42:3–5 – The psalmist models honest lament while still anchoring hope in God.
  3. Isaiah 53:3–4 – The Messiah is described as a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.
  4. Matthew 5:4 – Jesus promises blessing to those who mourn.
  5. Luke 19:41–44 – Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, revealing the heart of the True Prophet.
  6. John 11:33–36 – Jesus weeps at Lazarus’ tomb, even knowing resurrection is coming.
  7. Romans 8:22–26 – Creation groans, and the Spirit helps us in our weakness with groanings too deep for words.
  8. 2 Corinthians 7:10 – Godly grief leads to repentance and salvation without regret.
  9. Hebrews 4:15–16 – We approach a High Priest who sympathizes with our weakness.
  10. Acts 2:16–21 – Peter quotes Joel, showing that the Spirit’s outpouring fulfills the promise that God’s people become prophetic witnesses.

 

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