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Rend Your Heart

A fake-apology face-off, a husband who buys back the wife who left, a human knot of love, and a promise that the Spirit will pour out on sons and daughters

  • 🧭 Youth 11–14
  • Week 47
  • 📅 Sunday, November 22, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

The Lord wants my real heart, not a show; no matter how far I wander He keeps inviting me back, and He pours out His Spirit on young people like me.

I can turn to the Lord with my whole heart, not just on the outside, and listen for the Spirit He promised to pour out on the youth.

Study it yourself firstRead Hosea 1–6; 10–14; Joel in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Hosea 1–6; 10–14; Joel)
Know the chapters

Hosea preached to the northern kingdom of Israel (often called Ephraim) in the years before Assyria carried it away. The Lord asked Hosea to make his own family a living message. Hosea married a woman named Gomer, who later broke her marriage covenant and left him for other lovers. Hosea 2 turns her story into Israel’s: Israel chased other gods and didn’t even realize the Lord was the one who had given her everything (2:5–8). Yet the Lord promises to “allure her” back, “speak comfortably unto her,” and make the valley of trouble “a door of hope” (2:14–15). He will betroth her to Himself forever “in lovingkindness, and in mercies” (2:19–20). Keep the story gentle for this age: she left the marriage and chased other things; he went and brought her home.

In Hosea 3, the Lord tells Hosea to go love her again, and Hosea literally buys her back for fifteen pieces of silver and some barley (3:2). That is a picture of the Redeemer: Jesus Christ paid the price to bring us back. In Hosea 11 the Lord remembers teaching Ephraim to walk, holding him by the arms, and drawing him “with cords of a man, with bands of love” (11:3–4). The book ends with an invitation to return and a promise: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely” (14:1, 4).

Hosea and Joel both warn against religion that is only for show. The people’s goodness was like a morning cloud that burns off by noon (Hosea 6:4). The Lord wants “mercy, and not sacrifice” (6:6); Jesus quoted that verse twice to religious leaders who cared more about rules than people (Matthew 9:13; 12:7). In Joel, after a locust plague wipes out the crops, the Lord says to turn to Him with all your heart: “rend your heart, and not your garments” (Joel 2:12–13). In Bible times people tore their clothes to show grief. The Lord wanted the inside to change, not just the costume.

Joel also promises that the Lord will restore “the years that the locust hath eaten” (2:25) and then pour out His Spirit on all flesh, so that “your sons and your daughters shall prophesy” (2:28). When the angel Moroni visited Joseph Smith in 1823, he quoted this prophecy and said it was about to be fulfilled (Joseph Smith—History 1:41). The Spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus (Revelation 19:10). A deacon or a Young Woman who bears a simple testimony, or follows a quiet prompting to text a struggling friend, is part of that fulfillment.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Hosea 3:1–2, Hosea 14:1–4 and Joel 2:12–13, 28. Run the Fake Sorry Face-Off, tell the Hosea story from your phone or tablet, then play the Still Small Voice game. Ask the discussion questions and end with “I will love them freely.” No supplies needed.

What to bring2 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Read Hosea 1–3 once so you can tell the story in your own gentle words. You don’t need to explain every detail.
  2. Bookmark Hosea 2:14, 2:19 and 3:2 for your Scripture Readers, and Joel 2:28–29 and Joseph Smith—History 1:41 for the scripture step.
  3. Pick a spot across the room as the “finish” for the Still Small Voice game (a chair works).
  4. If your mirror isn’t cold, put the glass in a fridge for a few minutes before church, or just use a window.

If your class is wild

  • The Fake Sorry Face-Off is supposed to be ridiculous. Let them ham it up; the funnier the fake, the clearer the point.
  • Some youth will giggle at a story about a husband and wife. Keep moving, keep it gentle, and focus on the buying back. Some youth may have a parent who left or a family going through divorce: say plainly that Hosea is a picture of how the Lord loves us, not a rule about what any family should have done.
  • In the human knot, let groups form however they’re comfortable (boys and girls separately is fine). If a knot is truly stuck after two minutes, let them break one grip and retry.
  • Still Small Voice gets LOUD. That’s the point. Show the Noise Meter, then drop to silence right after and notice how different it feels.
  • If anyone looks uncomfortable when you talk about wandering and coming back, don’t single them out. Say “all of us” a lot.

The 25-minute plan25 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

Fake Sorry Face-Off

3 min

Over-the-top fake apologies make it obvious what Joel meant by rending your heart instead of your clothes.

  1. Pick two volunteers and give them a scenario: you ate your sibling’s leftovers · you left your friend on read for three days · you broke your mom’s favorite mug.
  2. Round 1: the most dramatic FAKE apology possible. Fall to your knees, wail, pretend to rip your shirt (mime only). Class votes on the most dramatic.
  3. Round 2: the same two give a short, real apology in one sentence. Class votes: which one would you actually believe?
  4. SAY“In Bible times, people tore their clothes to show they were sorry. Joel 2:13 says the Lord wants you to tear your heart instead. Today is about the real thing.”
🌪️ Mime only. Nobody actually rips anything.

Class screen: 🎭 Fake sorry vs. real sorry: which one would you believe? · Joel 2:13

2. Story

Scripture Story: Bought Back

6 min

Hosea’s marriage shows how the Lord keeps loving and buys back people who have wandered away.

  1. Hand out roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode). Everyone not named watches closely: they’ll be asked what the story is really about.
  2. Give the Scripture Readers Hosea 2:14, 2:19 and 3:2.
  3. Read the scenes gently. Pause for readers and actions.
  4. After scene 6, ask: “Who is Gomer in this story?” Let them work it out: Israel, and really, all of us. Ask: “Who paid the price to bring us back?”
🌪️ If giggling starts, pause and say: “This is actually one of the most loyal love stories in the Bible.” Then keep going.

Class screen: 💰 A prophet who paid to bring his wife home · Hosea 1–3

3. Wiggle break

Cords of Love Human Knot

2 min

Untangling a human knot pictures the Lord drawing His people back to Him with “bands of love” (Hosea 11:4).

  1. Groups of 5–7 stand in a tight circle. Everyone reaches in and grabs two different hands, not the people right beside them.
  2. Without letting go, untangle into one circle. Step over, duck under, twist.
  3. When a group finishes, they shout, “Bands of love!”
  4. SAY“Hosea 11:4: the Lord draws us back ‘with cords of a man, with bands of love.’ He doesn’t yank. He stays connected while we untangle.”
🌪️ Two-minute timer. Slow and careful; nobody yanks an arm.
⏱️ Big Timer (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🪢 Untangle without letting go! · Hosea 11:4

4. Object lesson

The Morning Cloud

3 min

A fog that vanishes in seconds shows what Hosea meant by goodness that doesn’t last.

  1. Have a youth breathe on the cold mirror or glass. Everyone watches the fog disappear. Time it.
  2. Read Hosea 6:4. Say: “The Lord said Israel’s goodness was like a morning cloud: there at church, gone by lunch.”
  3. Read Hosea 6:6. Ask: “What’s the difference between religion for show and real devotion?” (Jesus quoted this verse to the Pharisees in Matthew 9:13.)
  4. Ask: “What makes goodness last past Sunday?”

Class screen: 🌫️ Goodness like a morning cloud: here, then gone · Hosea 6:4, 6

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A small mirror or a cold drinking glass (for the morning-cloud fog)

Fog the Screen

  1. Hold up your phone or tablet (or use a window). Have a youth breathe on it. Everyone watches the fog vanish. Time it.
  2. Read Hosea 6:4 from your scriptures: goodness like a morning cloud, gone by lunch.
  3. Read Hosea 6:6. Ask: “What’s the difference between religion for show and real devotion?”
  4. Ask: “What makes goodness last past Sunday?”
5. Scripture

Your Sons and Your Daughters: Joel 2:28

3 min

Joel 2:28 shows the youth that the Lord’s promised outpouring of the Spirit is meant for them, right now.

  1. Read Joel 2:28–29. Say: “When the angel Moroni visited Joseph Smith, he quoted this and said it was about to be fulfilled (Joseph Smith—History 1:41).”
  2. Ask: “What does it mean for a 12-year-old to prophesy?” Read Revelation 19:10: the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
  3. List real examples: bearing a simple testimony, a thought during the sacrament, a prompting to text a friend, a feeling at the temple.
  4. Teach the motions and say Joel 2:28 together twice.

Class screen: 🌧️ Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. That means you. · Joel 2:28

6. Game

Still Small Voice

3 min

Finding one quiet voice in a noisy room shows how we learn to hear the Spirit.

  1. One youth, the Listener, closes their eyes on one side of the room. Across the room is the finish chair.
  2. Secretly point to one youth as the Guide. The Guide can only whisper directions (“Step left… forward…”). Everyone else talks, hums and gives WRONG directions at normal volume.
  3. Show the Noise Meter. The Listener tries to follow only the Guide to the finish chair. Play twice.
  4. Ask: “How did you pick out the right voice?” (You knew it, you focused, you slowed down.) Say: “The Spirit speaks quietly. Learning His voice takes practice and a little less noise.”
🌪️ Wrong-direction givers stay in their seats; nobody steps in the Listener’s path. The Guide walks beside the Listener to keep them safe.
🐭 Noise Meter (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🤫 Follow the one quiet voice through all the noise · Joel 2:28

7. Talk it over

Coming Back

3 min

Honest questions about wandering, returning and real devotion.

  1. Use the Name Spinner to pick who answers first, then open it up. Two or three questions is plenty.
  2. Keep it “we,” not “you.” Everyone drifts sometimes.
  3. Share a short example of when you felt the Lord invite you back.
💬 Ask the class
  • Gomer didn’t realize where her good things were really coming from (Hosea 2:8). What good things in your life might come from God without you noticing?
  • What are the “distractions” that pull people our age away from the Lord, slowly, not all at once?
  • Hosea 14:2 says “take with you words, and turn to the LORD.” What words would you use to come back?
  • What’s the difference between being sorry because you got caught and being sorry in your heart?
  • How can we help a friend come back without making them feel judged?
🎡 Name Spinner (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🏠 How do people drift, and how do they come back? · Hosea 14:1–4

8. Testimony

I Will Love Them Freely

2 min

End with the Redeemer who paid the price to bring every one of us home.

  1. Read Hosea 14:4. Say: “‘Freely’ means He doesn’t make you earn it back first. He heals and He loves.”
  2. SAY“Hosea paid fifteen pieces of silver to bring Gomer home. Jesus Christ paid with His life, in Gethsemane and on the cross, so none of us is ever too far gone.”
  3. Share a short testimony of the Savior’s love for people who wander, including you.
  4. Give the challenge and ask a youth to offer the closing prayer.

Class screen: 💗 “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely” · Hosea 14:4

9. Game

Forehead Guess: Hosea and Joel

4 minBONUS

A fast Heads Up–style round reviews the people and symbols from Hosea and Joel.

  1. Tap Forehead Guess. The guesser holds your phone or tablet on their forehead; the class gives clues without saying the word.
  2. Tilt down for got it, up to pass. 45 seconds per guesser.
  3. Hard mode: clues must be given in one word only.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess: Hosea and Joel

10. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A team quiz reviews Hosea and Joel.

  1. Split into Team Hosea and Team Joel. Tap Scripture Showdown.
  2. Teams huddle for 10 seconds, then their captain answers. Rotate captains.
  3. Bonus point for naming the chapter.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown: Hosea vs. Joel

Story drama

Bought Back

Hosea 1–3 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • HoseaThe prophet who keeps loving, keeps providing, and finally pays to bring his wife home.
  • GomerHosea’s wife, who walks away after other things, ends up with nothing, and is brought home.
  • The DistractionsTwo or three youth who wave invisible shiny things and call, “Over here! This way!”
  • The SellerCounts out the price when Hosea buys Gomer back: fifteen pieces of silver and some barley.
  • Scripture ReadersThree youth read Hosea 2:14, 2:19 and 3:2 straight from the scriptures.

Scenes

  1. 💍🧔 A prophet whose family became a message

    The Lord asked Hosea to do something unusual: to let his own family become a message to Israel. Hosea married a woman named Gomer, and they had children. Israel was about to learn what faithfulness really looks like.

    🎬 Hosea and Gomer stand side by side. The Distractions wait in a corner, whispering.

  2. 🚶‍♀️✨ Gomer walks away

    Gomer broke her covenant and left. She went after other people and other things that seemed exciting. She even believed the good things in her life came from them, not from the husband who was quietly providing them all along.

    🎬 The Distractions wave and call: “Over here!” Gomer walks slowly toward them. Hosea watches, hand on his heart.

  3. 🏜️💔 Ending up with nothing

    The things she chased didn’t love her back. Eventually she had nothing left, and in Hosea 3 we learn she could only come home if someone paid a price for her.

    🎬 The Distractions turn their backs and walk off. Gomer sits alone on the floor.

  4. 🗣️💗 “I will… speak comfortably unto her”

    Here’s the twist. Hosea 2 turns Gomer’s story into Israel’s story. The Lord says He won’t give up. He will go after His people, speak kindly to them, and turn their valley of trouble into a door of hope.

    🎬 Scripture Reader 1 reads Hosea 2:14. Hosea starts walking toward Gomer.

  5. 💰🌾 Fifteen pieces of silver and some barley

    The Lord told Hosea to go love her again. Hosea didn’t wait for Gomer to fix everything herself. He went to where she was and paid the price to bring her home.

    🎬 Scripture Reader 2 reads Hosea 3:2. The Seller counts coins into Hosea’s hand: “…thirteen, fourteen, fifteen.” Hosea offers Gomer his hand.

  6. 🏠💞 Betrothed forever

    This is the Lord’s promise to every wandering person: I will bind you to Me forever, in lovingkindness and mercy. Hosea bought Gomer back. Jesus Christ paid a far greater price to buy all of us back. That’s why He is called the Redeemer.

    🎬 Scripture Reader 3 reads Hosea 2:19. Hosea and Gomer walk home together. Everyone else stands up quietly: this is everyone’s story.

Key verse

Joel 2:28 ↗
“I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions”
In plain words: The Lord will pour His Spirit out on everyone, and young men and young women will testify of Him by that Spirit.
🙌 “I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh” = hands high, then pour down over everyone · “your sons and your daughters shall prophesy” = point around the room at the youth · “your old men shall dream dreams” = hands together by your cheek like sleeping · “your young men shall see visions” = hand over eyes, looking far.

More verses

Joel 2:13 ↗
“rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness”
In plain words: Change on the inside, not just for show. The Lord is kind and patient.
Hosea 14:4 ↗
“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely”
In plain words: When we slide away, the Lord heals us and loves us without holding back.
Hosea 6:6 ↗
“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings”
In plain words: The Lord cares more about a kind, real heart than about showing off religion.
Hosea 11:4 ↗
“I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love”
In plain words: The Lord pulls us back with love, not force.

Forehead Guess words16 words

  • 🧔 Hosea
  • 👩 Gomer
  • 📜 Joel
  • 🦗 Locust
  • 💰 Fifteen pieces of silver
  • 🌾 Barley
  • 🌫️ Morning cloud
  • 💧 Dew
  • 🪢 Cords of love
  • 💔 Rend your heart
  • 🤲 Redeemer
  • 🗣️ Prophesy
  • 💭 Dreams
  • 👁️ Visions
  • 👼 Moroni
  • 🧒 Ephraim
Clues for each word
  • Hosea: Prophet who bought his wife back
  • Gomer: Hosea’s wife who walked away
  • Joel: Prophet who saw a locust army
  • Locust: Bug that ate every crop
  • Fifteen pieces of silver: Part of the price Hosea paid
  • Barley: Grain Hosea paid along with the silver
  • Morning cloud: Goodness that burns off by lunch
  • Dew: The Lord will be like this to Israel
  • Cords of love: How the Lord draws His people back
  • Rend your heart: Not your garments
  • Redeemer: The One who buys us back
  • Prophesy: Joel says sons and daughters will do it
  • Dreams: Joel says old men will have them
  • Visions: Joel says young men will see them
  • Moroni: Angel who quoted Joel to Joseph Smith
  • Ephraim: The Lord taught him to walk
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown9 questions

  1. What was the name of Hosea’s wife?
    • A. Ruth
    • B. Gomer
    • C. Esther
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Gomer Hosea 1:3. Her story became a picture of Israel wandering from the Lord.

  2. What did Hosea pay to bring his wife home?
    • A. Fifteen pieces of silver and barley
    • B. Thirty pieces of gold
    • C. A flock of sheep
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Fifteen pieces of silver and barley Hosea 3:2. It points to Jesus Christ, the Redeemer who paid the price to bring us back.

  3. In Hosea 6:4, Israel’s goodness is compared to what?
    • A. A rock
    • B. A mighty river
    • C. A morning cloud
    Show answer

    ✅ C. A morning cloud Here in the morning, gone by noon. The Lord wants goodness that lasts.

  4. The Lord said He desired mercy rather than what?
    • A. Sacrifice
    • B. Silence
    • C. Music
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Sacrifice Hosea 6:6. Jesus quoted it to the Pharisees in Matthew 9:13.

  5. How does the Lord say He draws His people in Hosea 11:4?
    • A. With chains of iron
    • B. With cords of a man, with bands of love
    • C. With a loud trumpet
    Show answer

    ✅ B. With cords of a man, with bands of love He pulls us back with love, not force, like a parent teaching a child to walk (11:3–4).

  6. What destroyed the crops in the book of Joel?
    • A. A flood
    • B. A fire
    • C. Locusts
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Locusts Joel 1–2 describes a locust army that ate everything. Then the Lord promised to restore it all (2:25).

  7. Joel said to rend what instead of your garments?
    • A. Your tent
    • B. Your heart
    • C. Your scroll
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Your heart Joel 2:13. The Lord wants real inner change, not a show.

  8. Who will prophesy when the Lord pours out His Spirit?
    • A. Your sons and your daughters
    • B. Only kings
    • C. Only priests in the temple
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Your sons and your daughters Joel 2:28. The Spirit is for young men and young women too.

  9. Who quoted Joel 2:28 to Joseph Smith in 1823?
    • A. John the Baptist
    • B. Peter
    • C. The angel Moroni
    Show answer

    ✅ C. The angel Moroni Joseph Smith—History 1:41: Moroni said the prophecy was about to be fulfilled.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Israel, Israel, God Is Calling Hymns, no. 7

    Hosea’s whole message: the Lord keeps calling His wandering people home. Find it ↗

  • Redeemer of Israel Hymns, no. 6

    Hosea buying Gomer back points to Jesus Christ, the Redeemer. Find it ↗

  • The Spirit of God Hymns, no. 2

    Celebrates the Spirit being poured out in the latter days, as Joel promised. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

The Real Thing

Pick one thing you do mostly for show (a rushed prayer, a “sorry” you didn’t mean, scripture reading just to check a box). This week, do it for real, from your heart, and notice what changes.

Text the parents

Today in class we read Hosea and Joel: a prophet who bought back his wife who had left, a locust army, and the Lord’s promise to pour out His Spirit on sons and daughters. We talked about real devotion versus religion for show. Ask your youth: “What’s the difference between rending your heart and rending your garments?”

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

🌲 Growing Like Lebanon · 4 min

  1. Read Hosea 14:5–8. List every plant and growing thing (lily, roots, olive tree, corn, vine, fir tree).
  2. Ask: “What’s the Lord promising people who come back to Him?”
  3. Challenge: draw one of the images and write what it means for you.

🌱 Break Up Your Fallow Ground · 3 min

  1. Read Hosea 10:12. Explain that fallow ground is a field left unplowed so long it’s gone hard.
  2. Ask: “What habits could break up hard ground in your heart?” (Prayer, repentance, the sacrament, service.)
  3. Point out “it is time to seek the LORD.” Ask: “Is there ever a wrong time to start?”

🦗 The Years the Locust Ate · 3 min

  1. Pour water into a cup until it’s half full. Say: “This is what the locusts left.” Then fill it to overflowing.
  2. Read Joel 2:25–26. Ask: “What kind of losses can the Savior restore?”
  3. SAY“Repentance doesn’t just stop the damage. The Lord promises to restore.”

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

All Youth 11–14 lessons