Gospel Study App

Come Follow Me 2026 · Week 47

Week 47

Family Activities

November 16–22 · Hosea 1–6; 10–14; Joel

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This week's one thing

The Lord keeps His covenant with us and welcomes us back every time we turn to Him.

Opener: The Dirty Dish Towel Vote

an old dish towel or raga little dirt, coffee grounds, or ketchupa bowl of warm waterdish soap

Hold up the clean towel and have everyone rank these from easiest to hardest to forgive: a sibling who took your snack, a friend who broke a promise, someone who hurt you over and over. Then smear the towel with dirt and ask, 'Should we throw it away?' Wash it in the soapy water in front of everyone and wring it out. Ask, 'Who chose to keep this towel instead of tossing it?'

Israel broke their covenant again and again, and the Lord still said, 'I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely' (Hosea 14:4).

Scripture Story

Hosea is a prophet, and he loves his wife, Gomer. On their wedding day they make promises to each other. But Gomer leaves. She breaks her promises and goes far away, and soon she ends up in trouble, where other people own her like a servant. Hosea could say, 'She left. I'm done.' Instead, the Lord tells him, 'Go, love her again.' So Hosea walks to the place where Gomer is. He takes out fifteen pieces of silver and a big sack of barley, and he pays to buy her back (Hosea 3:1–2). He brings her home. The Lord tells Israel that His love for them is just like that. 'I will betroth thee unto me for ever,' He says (Hosea 2:19). Even when His people wander, He comes looking for them and pays the price to bring them home. What do you think Gomer was feeling when she saw Hosea coming to buy her back?

Discussion Questions

Little Kids (ages 4–7)

  • Have you ever lost something you loved, like a toy or a blanket? How did you feel when you found it?
  • When you say sorry, what does Mom or Dad do?

Big Kids (ages 8–11)

  • Hosea paid to bring Gomer home even though she was the one who left. Why would someone do that?
  • Is it harder to say sorry to someone or to forgive someone who said sorry to you? Why?

Teens

  • Joel says, 'Rend your heart, and not your garments' (Joel 2:13). What is the difference between looking sorry and changing inside, and how can you tell which one you're doing?

This Week's Challenge

Hold a silent scripture hunt on Sunday. During the week, each person reads in Hosea or Joel and marks one favorite verse. On Sunday, everyone reads their verse aloud with no explanation, and after each verse the family shares one word that describes it. Write the words on a paper and tape it to the fridge.

Song Suggestions

🎵 Help Me, Dear Father🎼 I Stand All Amazed

Seeds of Seeking

Ages 3-10~10 min
paper cuppaper towela few dry beans from the pantrywatermarker
  1. 1

    Step 1: Write 'Seek the Lord' on the cup with a marker and decorate it.

  2. 2

    Step 2: Fold a damp paper towel into the cup and tuck two or three beans between the towel and the cup wall.

  3. 3

    Step 3: Set the cup in a sunny window and add a few drops of water each day while the family reads one verse together.

  4. 4

    Step 4: Check every morning for sprouts.

Hosea taught, 'Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord' (Hosea 10:12), so small daily efforts help faith grow.

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