The Flight of the Prisoners, by James Tissot and others

July 11–17

2 Kings 17–25

“He Trusted in the Lord God of Israel”

Review the impressions you recorded during your personal study of 2 Kings 17–25 this week. What passages from these chapters do you feel will be most meaningful to members of your class?

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

When class members share what they are learning at home in their scripture study, other class members may feel inspired to study the scriptures throughout the week. You could begin class by inviting class members to respond to a question like “What has the Holy Ghost taught you as you have read the assigned chapters this week?”

Teach the Doctrine

2 Kings 18:28–36; 19:1–7, 14–19

We can stay true to the Lord when our faith is challenged.

• The truths in 2 Kings 18–19 can help us know how to respond when our faith is challenged. How will you help class members discover these truths? You could invite class members to share several reasons why they believe in God and His plan. Then they could search 2 Kings 18:28–35, looking for reasons the Assyrians gave the people in Jerusalem not to trust in the Lord. How does Satan try to persuade us to doubt our faith today? Class members could then search 2 Kings 19:1–7, 14–19 for what we can learn from Hezekiah about how to respond when our faith is challenged. How does the Lord help us overcome challenges to our faith? What other suggestions do class members have for renewing their faith and trust in the Lord?

• You could invite a class member to come to class prepared to summarize the conversation that the Assyrians had with Hezekiah’s officials near the walls of Jerusalem (see 2 Kings 18:17–36). Before he or she tells the story, invite class members to imagine that they are residents of Jerusalem listening to this conversation. What thoughts or feelings might they have? What might they do? You could give class members portions of Elder David A. Bednar’s message “Therefore They Hushed Their Fears” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 46–49) and invite them to look for counsel that could sustain them during times of fear or doubt. How has our faith in Jesus Christ sustained us during challenging times?

2 Kings 22:8–20; 23

The scriptures can turn our hearts to the Lord.

• Discussing the power the word of God had in the lives of King Josiah and his people can inspire class members to seek that same power in their own lives. You could begin a discussion by inviting class members to imagine how their lives might be different if they did not have the scriptures. Then they could search 2 Kings 22:8–11; 23:1–6, 21, 24 to find out how Josiah and his people changed when they heard the word of God from scriptures that had been recently rediscovered in the temple. How have the scriptures helped us come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

• The dramatic changes that the word of God had on Josiah and many people in his kingdom could inspire your class members to seek similar changes in their lives. After discussing these changes (see 2 Kings 23:1–6, 21, 24), class members could share experiences in which a scripture passage or account made a difference in their lives. Perhaps they could talk about why they were receptive to the message of that scripture at that time in their lives. The statement in “Additional Resources” may add to your discussion.

  

  The scriptures can help turn our hearts to the Lord.

Additional Resources

Rediscover the scriptures.

President Spencer W. Kimball said:

“I am convinced that each of us, at some time in our lives, must discover the scriptures for ourselves—and not just discover them once, but rediscover them again and again. …

“I feel strongly that we must all of us return to the scriptures just as King Josiah did and let them work mightily within us, impelling us to an unwavering determination to serve the Lord. …

“I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns. I find myself loving more intensely those whom I must love with all my heart and mind and strength, and loving them more, I find it easier to abide their counsel” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball [2006], 62–63, 67).

Improving Our Teaching

Use scripture study helps. One way to help class members understand the scriptures is to point them to resources like the Guide to the Scriptures and Gospel Topics articles (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). They can also find helpful information in the “Thoughts to Keep in Mind” sections in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families.