Sacred Grove, by Brent Borup

September 12–18

Isaiah 13–14; 24–30; 35

“A Marvellous Work and a Wonder”

Before you can help others discover truths in the book of Isaiah, you need to discover truths for yourself. As you read this week, consider which truths you feel impressed to emphasize in class.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

To encourage class members to share what they are learning from Isaiah, you could ask them how they would respond to someone who says, “The book of Isaiah is just too hard to understand.” What has helped us find meaning in Isaiah’s teachings? What scripture passages have inspired us?

Teach the Doctrine

Isaiah 24:21–23; 25:6–8; 26:19; 28:16

The writings of Isaiah point us to Jesus Christ.

• Like Nephi, members of your class may have delighted in Isaiah’s witness of Jesus Christ (see 2 Nephi 11:2). You might ask them to share any verses they found in their reading this week that taught them about the Savior. Or you could invite class members to share what they learn about Jesus Christ from Isaiah 24:21–23; 25:6–8; 26:19; 28:16 or other verses that you found in your study. Why are these truths valuable to us?

  

  He Comes Again to Rule and Reign, by Mary R. Sauer

Isaiah 24:1–5; 28:1–8; 29:7–10; 30:8–14

Apostasy means turning away from the Lord and His prophets.

• This week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families suggests pondering some of the metaphors Isaiah used to describe the consequences of turning away from the Lord and rejecting His prophets. Invite class members to share what they learned. Or you could invite them to each review one of the following passages: Isaiah 24:1–5; 28:7–8; 29:7–10; 30:8–14. Based on what they read, they could complete this sentence: “If we turn away from the Lord, we are like …” What can we do to stay faithful to the Lord and avoid apostasy? (See “Additional Resources” for some suggestions.) How does the Lord bless those who stay faithful to Him?

• To begin a discussion about the attitudes and behaviors that can lead us to apostasy, you could invite class members to search Isaiah 24:1–5; 28:1–8; 29:7–10; 30:8–14. Ask them to search for things that people in Isaiah’s time were thinking and doing. Make a warning label on the board that says Warning: The following attitudes and behaviors can lead to apostasy. Class members could list on the board what they find in the verses. Give them an opportunity to share how they safeguard themselves or their families from apostasy.

Isaiah 29:13–24; 30:18–26; 35

The Lord can restore things that are lost or broken.

• Here’s a question you could write on the board that might help class members ponder Isaiah 29: How do Isaiah’s writings relate to the Restoration of the gospel in our day? Encourage them to think about this question as they silently read Isaiah 29:13–24. If they need help, they could also review passages like these: 2 Nephi 27:6–26; Joseph Smith—History 1:17–19, 63–65. After they talk about the question on the board, they could discuss why “marvellous” and “wonder” (Isaiah 29:14) are good words to describe the Restoration of the gospel. What do we learn about the Restoration from “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World”? (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

• Chapters 30 and 35 of Isaiah contain several passages that could inspire greater faith in the Lord’s power to bless those who turn to Him. To help class members discover these passages, you could invite them to study either Isaiah 30:18–26 or Isaiah 35. Ask them to share words or phrases they find that could help someone turn to the Lord for redemption.

Additional Resources

Staying faithful to the Lord and His Church.

President M. Russell Ballard gave the following counsel to help us stay faithful to the Lord and His Church:

“We need to experience a continuing conversion by increasing our faith in Jesus Christ and our faithfulness to His gospel throughout our lives—not just once but regularly [see Alma 5:26]. …

“… The words of the Lord are found in the scriptures and the teachings of the apostles and prophets. They provide us counsel and direction that, when followed, will act like a spiritual life jacket and will help us know how to hold on with both hands. …

“In addition to developing the habit of personal scripture reading, we need to be like the sons of Mosiah and give ourselves ‘to much prayer, and fasting’ [Alma 17:3]” (“Stay in the Boat and Hold On!” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 90–91).

Improving Our Teaching

Express confidence in learners’ abilities. Some people in your class may not be confident in their ability to learn the gospel. Reassure them that as they strive to learn, the Holy Ghost will teach them. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 29–30.)