For children ages 3 to 6

Joel 1

Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)

2 min read · Updated August 8, 2026
By Jasper & Review team
Bible
By Jasper & Review team

The Explanation

Long ago there lived a man. His name was Joel. Joel was a prophet. That means: God spoke to him. And Joel told the people what God said.

One day Joel had bad news. Very bad news. He walked through the land and he called out loud: "Listen, everybody! Listen to me!"

Then Joel told what had happened. There had come grasshoppers. Lots and lots of grasshoppers. So many, you could not count them. The sky went dark from all those wings.

The grasshoppers came down on the fields. They ate everything up. The corn, gone. The wheat, gone. The grapes on the vines, gone. The figs on the trees, gone. Even the bark on the trees, gone.

The fields were empty. The trees were bare. There was no bread. There was no wine. There was no honey. The people were sad. The animals were sad. The cows walked around and mooed, because there was no grass. The sheep were hungry too.

Joel said: "Cry, people! Come to God. Tell him you are sad. Do not stay away from him now."

What Does This Mean?

It was a very sad time. Everything was empty. And Joel said something important. He said: do not stay far from God now. Come close. Tell God everything.

Because God wants to hear it. Also when it hurts. Also when you are scared. Also when everything feels empty.

The Common Thread

God does not run away when it is sad. God stays close. Later Jesus came. Jesus knows what sad is. Jesus cried too. And Jesus said: "Come to me. All of you. I am here."

When the fields were empty, God still wanted to listen. When your heart feels empty, God still wants to listen. God is like that. Always.

For You

Sometimes there is a day when everything feels wrong. You fell down. Your tower fell over. Your friend went home. Your ice cream fell on the ground.

Then you can be sad. That is okay. And you know what? You can tell God. Just say it out loud. Or whisper it soft. God hears you. Always.

You do not have to be brave. You do not have to be big. You may just come, the way you are.

Talk About It

When was the last time you were really sad? What happened?

Do you think God listens when you talk to him? Even very softly?

Praying Together

Dear God,

Sometimes I am sad.

Sometimes things go wrong.

Then I come to you.

Thank you that you listen.

Thank you that you are close.

Amen.

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Questions about Joel 1

Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.

What is Joel 1 about?
Long ago there lived a man. His name was Joel. Joel was a prophet. That means: God spoke to him. And Joel told the people what God said.
What does Joel 1 say?
The grasshoppers came down on the fields. They ate everything up. The corn, gone. The wheat, gone. The grapes on the vines, gone. The figs on the trees, gone. Even the bark on the trees, gone.
What does Joel 1 teach us about God?
It was a very sad time. Everything was empty. And Joel said something important. He said: do not stay far from God now. Come close. Tell God everything.
What can toddlers learn from Joel 1?
When the fields were empty, God still wanted to listen. When your heart feels empty, God still wants to listen. God is like that. Always.
Why is Joel 1 an important Bible story?
You do not have to be brave. You do not have to be big. You may just come, the way you are.

What others discovered

Insight Editorial on verse 5

The locusts stripped the vines, and the first people God calls are the ones least likely to notice anything but their cups: "Wake up, you drunkards, and weep!" Their comfort was cut off, and suddenly they could feel again. Sometimes losing the thing that numbed you is the kindest wound God gives. What would you grieve if it were taken this week?

— Faith.Network Editorial
Insight Editorial on verse 12

Joel counts the losses tree by tree, vine, fig, pomegranate, palm, apple, and then names the one that hurts most: "for joy has withered away from the sons of men." He doesn't hide it or spiritualize it. Sometimes the honest prayer is simply admitting the joy is gone. God can work with that. He cannot work with pretending.

— Faith.Network Editorial
Insight Editorial on verse 13

Come, lie all night in sackcloth, you ministers of my God." Not a quick prayer before sleep. A whole night on the ground, because the grain and drink offerings had stopped coming. Notice what the priests mourn: not their lost income, but an empty house of God. When your own worship dries up, do you grieve it, or just move on?

— Faith.Network Editorial
Insight Editorial on verse 19

Yahweh, I cry to you, for the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness." Joel doesn't wait for the smoke to clear before he prays. He brings God the burned field, not the explanation. Notice where he turns: toward the very One who let the fire come. Can you pray like that, when you have nothing but the loss to hand over?

— Faith.Network Editorial

Looking for something for slightly older children?

We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).

Open in the Children's Bible tool

For parents and teachers: Written especially to be read aloud to children ages 3 to 6. Use it as a starting point for a conversation with your child, not as the only source. This explanation is generated automatically by language models. While we strive for theological soundness, the software can make mistakes.

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