Some Questions
- Reflect on the personal experience which was in your mind at the beginning of the week or on one which the Joel readings called to mind. Which day’s reading did you find most helpful? Which most irritating or hurtful? Can you work out why.
- How did your experience of disaster help you to enter into the feelings of Joel’s hearers and what did they say to you?
- In your own experience of disaster who gave you most help, who emerged as the agents of renewal, and who else benefited from your experience? Write down names of individuals, groups, organisations, etc and remember them regularly in your prayers of thanksgiving and intercession.
- Recall one or two occasions when you have experienced deep distress to the point of giving up and only then found a way forward. How did the experience help you?
Some Activities
- Think of one or two situations in your immediate environment where ‘inclusiveness’ is so desperately needed. Then dream your dream and share your vision.
- In most disasters or crises there are those who seize the opportunity to turn it to their advantage. Think of some recent disaster similar to the one here and see if you can find any examples of others equally ready to use the crisis to bring about radical and positive change.
- In the light of Joel 3: 9-11 and Mason’s comments on Micah 4: 3 engage in discussion with others as to what you tell your children about ‘swords and plowshares’.