Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth, by Greg K. Olsen

October 3–9

Isaiah 58–66

“The Redeemer Shall Come to Zion”

As you study the beautiful doctrine in these chapters, invite the Spirit to guide you to the messages that will be most meaningful to class members.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

You could invite class members to write on the board the references for verses that inspired them during their scripture study this week. As a class, you could then look up those verses and talk about the truths found there. These insights could lead to deeper discussion of one or more of the principles listed below.

Teach the Doctrine

Isaiah 58:3–12

Fasting brings blessings.

• To help class members discuss why and how the Lord has commanded us to fast, you could create two columns on the board labeled “Ye Shall Not Fast as Ye Do This Day” and “The Fast That I Have Chosen.” Then class members could read Isaiah 58:3–7, filling in the first column with descriptions of how the Israelites were fasting and the second column with descriptions of fasting as the Lord intends. How do these descriptions affect the way we view fasting? Class members could also share how, in their experience, fasting leads to the blessings the Lord promised in verses 8–12.

• Some class members might have had experiences explaining to others why we fast. Invite them to share what they said. You could also invite a member of the bishopric to talk about how fast offerings are used. Or you might share one of the examples from President Henry B. Eyring’s message “Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 22–25). How do fasting and paying fast offerings help to “undo the heavy burdens” of ourselves and others? (Isaiah 58:6).

Isaiah 61:1–3; 63:7–9

Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.

• When Jesus Christ announced to the people of Nazareth that He was the Messiah, He quoted from Isaiah 61:1–3 (see Luke 4:16–21; see also the video “Jesus Declares He Is the Messiah,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Perhaps class members could read Isaiah 61:1–3 and talk about why these verses are a good description of the Savior’s mission. You might list on the board each thing the Savior was anointed to do and discuss what each one means. How did the Savior fulfill these aspects of His mission during His mortal life? How has He fulfilled them in our lives?

• Class members could also read Isaiah 63:7–9 and share how Jesus Christ has blessed them in these ways.

• Isaiah 61:1–3 uses beautiful and poetic language to describe Jesus Christ’s power to redeem what seems ruined. To help illustrate these verses, consider sharing a story about something that was thought to be lost or ruined but was turned into something even more beautiful. For examples, see the video “Provo City Center Temple” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org; see also “Additional Resources”) or the story at the beginning of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message “He Will Place You on His Shoulders and Carry You Home” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 101–4). Class members could talk about how they have seen the Lord give people something beautiful when they thought their lives were ruined.

Isaiah 65:17–25

At His Second Coming, the Lord will “create new heavens and a new earth.”

• Isaiah 65:17–25 describes conditions on the earth after the Savior’s Second Coming. You could invite class members to review these verses searching for answers to questions like these: How will life on the “new earth” be different from the way life currently is on earth? What do you find in these verses that causes you to rejoice?

Additional Resources

The Lord “does not leave us in the ashes.”

After recounting how a fire nearly destroyed the Provo Tabernacle, allowing it to be rebuilt later as the Provo City Center Temple, Sister Linda S. Reeves said: “The Lord allows us to be tried and tested, sometimes to our maximum capacity. We have seen the lives of loved ones—and maybe our own—figuratively burned to the ground and have wondered why a loving and caring Heavenly Father would allow such things to happen. But He does not leave us in the ashes; He stands with open arms, eagerly inviting us to come to Him. He is building our lives into magnificent temples where His Spirit can dwell eternally” (“Claim the Blessings of Your Covenants,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 119).

Improving Our Teaching

Get to know those you teach. Each person you teach has a unique background, perspective, and set of talents. Consider these differences as you seek to help all learn in meaningful and memorable ways. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 7.)