Feb. 25 - 1st Tuesday of Lent: Return

Opening “Welcome. As we enter this season of Lent, we’re stepping into a time the Church has historically set aside for reflection, repentance, and renewal. Lent isn’t about beating ourselves up—it’s about clearing space so God can do deep work in us. Turn to Joel in the OT.

1. RETURN — Joel 2:12–13

Read:’ 12 'Even now', the Lord says,

'Return to me and respect me.

Eat no food. Weep and be very sad.

13 Show me that you are sorry.

It does not help if you tear your clothes into pieces. That does not help if you are not sorry.'

Return to the Lord, your God.

He is kind and he is full of grace.

He does not get angry quickly and he is full of love.

He is sad that he had to send troubles to you.

Teaching: “Lent begins with a call to return. Not because God is angry, but because God is gracious and compassionate. Repentance is not God shaming us—it’s God inviting us home. Think of the prodigal son: the father runs toward him before he can even finish his apology.

That’s the heart of God toward us.”

Joel tells us his father's name, but he says nothing about himself. Some students think that he wrote his book about 850 years before the birth of Jesus. Other students think that he wrote it about 330 years later than that. The important thing is that Joel has a message from God.

During Joel's time Nearly all God's people have forgotten to love God. And they have forgotten to obey him. So, God allows bad things to happen. There is no rain. (Look at Joel 1:20.) The plants do not grow well, and insects come to eat them (Joel 1:4). And these things are only a beginning.

Joel tells the people to think about these bad things. (Look at Joel 1:2-13, 15-20.) He tells the people to change their attitude to God (Joel 1:14; 2:12-17). He tells them that they should love God again, as they did before. And they should obey him again. If they do this, then God will do good things for them (Joel 2:18-20, 32). God will send his Holy Spirit to them (Joel 2:28).

Joel then tells the people about a special day that is coming. He calls that day 'the Day of the Lord'. (Look at Joel 3:14.) On that day, great things will happen (Joel 2:28-32). God will punish his people's enemies (Joel 3:1-21). Then God will give peace to his people again (Joel 3:16, 20).

 “Let’s reflect on where God might be inviting us to return.”

“Where have I drifted—maybe slowly, quietly—from God’s heart?”

“What does returning look like in my daily habits?”

Practice for the week: “Choose one habit to return to—prayer, Scripture, generosity, or silence. Keep it simple and intentional.”