Proverbs 1–4; 15–16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1–3; 11–12

You could invite students to share some advice they have been given in their lives that has been helpful to them. You might also ask:

• What makes good advice?

• How do you decide whose advice you can trust?

Explain that the book of Proverbs can be viewed like advice from a friend. It is a collection of poetic wisdom from the Israelites. Many of the proverbs are attributed to King Solomon. (For additional context, see “What is the book of Proverbs?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.) Encourage students as they study from the book of Proverbs today to consider what guidance the Lord would give them.

Invite students to study Proverbs 1:1–7, looking for some of the purposes of the proverbs. Invite them to share what they found. (If needed, you could also read together “Proverbs 1:7. What does it mean to fear the Lord?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.)

Consider introducing the skill “Identifying Gospel Truths in the Scriptures” from Scripture Study Skills. Students could then practice this skill by studying verses from one or more of the following chapters, looking for gospel truths that they feel can benefit their lives.

• Proverbs 2

• Proverbs 3

• Proverbs 4

• Proverbs 15

• Proverbs 16

• Proverbs 31

After they study, students could write the truth they found most meaningful on the board, along with its accompanying scrpture reference.

• If we keep the Lord’s commandments, He will bless us with peace (see Proverbs 3:1–2).

• The way we speak can help or hurt others (see Proverbs 15:1–2).

• Virtue is more valuable than worldly wealth (see Proverbs 31:10).

You might invite a few students to choose a truth from the board that they want to hear more about. The person who wrote the truth could then read the scripture to the class and share why the truth from that passage stood out to them.

Encourage students to select one or more truths from the board that they want to think about more deeply. You could then display the following options and give students time to complete one of them:

1. Create a visual (drawing, meme, or other image) that depicts ideas from the verse you chose.

2. Find a few related scriptures that might be good cross-references for the truth or passage you chose. Consider marking them in your scriptures.

3. Write an explanation of how the verse you chose could help a young adult follow the Savior’s example or become more like Him. If possible, you could also find an example from the Savior’s life in which He illustrated this truth.

After students finish, invite them to share insights from their experience with a partner or small group.

Encourage students to think of a time in their life when following wise counsel brought them closer to Jesus Christ. A few students could share their experience with the class.

Invite students to choose one of the truths from the book of Proverbs written on the board that they would like to apply to their own lives. Encourage them to write down the truth and seek to act on that counsel.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

You could display an image of the Savior like the one below and write the word Trust on the board. Invite students to ponder how much they trust Jesus Christ. They might also ponder aspects of their lives where it is easy to trust the Lord and aspects where it is challenging.

As needed, explain that the book of Proverbs is a collection of wise counsel that can help us come closer to Jesus Christ. Encourage students as they study to think about (1) areas of their lives where they could more fully trust in Jesus Christ and (2) what makes Him worthy of their trust.

Read Proverbs 3:5–6 as a class. (If time permits, you could also invite students to memorize these verses. For ideas about how to do this, see “Memorizing Scripture Passages” in Scripture Study Skills.)

Consider asking questions like the following to help students discuss their insights about these verses:

• How would you summarize the truths taught in these verses? (Students could identify truths like these: If we trust in the Lord with all our heart, He will direct our paths. Trusting in the Lord requires us to rely on Him more than on our own understanding.)

• Why might we sometimes be tempted to rely on our own knowledge more than on the Lord?

• What are some attributes of Jesus Christ that could inspire you to trust in Him? (As part of this discussion, you could invite students to find a passage of scripture that demonstrates an attribute they thought of. Examples could include Isaiah 55:8–9; 2 Nephi 26:24; or Jacob 4:10.)

You could write the following phrases from Proverbs 3:5–6 on the board:

• Trust in the Lord with all thine heart

• Lean not unto thine own understanding

• In all thy ways acknowledge Him

• He shall direct thy paths

Invite students to choose one or more of the phrases and then find related scriptures or statements from Church leaders that help provide more insight into the phrase. They could share with a partner or with the class what they discovered.

Consider inviting students to share circumstances young adults commonly face that require them to trust in the Lord (examples could include dating, receiving an education, serving in the Church, repenting, dealing with mental health struggles, having unanswered gospel questions, and so on.) Write these on the board, and then invite students as partnerships or small groups to choose one of the circumstances listed. Then ask them to discuss questions like the following:

• What might it look like for someone to trust in the Lord in this situation? What specific actions could they take?

You could invite students to think of a time when they chose to trust in the Lord with all their heart. A few willing students could share how the Lord supported them as they relied on Him. As part of this discussion, you might also consider watching the videos “Trust in the Lord” (3:30) or “Faith Crisis: What Do We Do When We Feel Nothing?” (5:55).

3:30

5:55

Encourage students to identify an area in their life where they could more fully trust in the Lord. Invite them to make a plan to help them put more trust in the Savior.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

You could begin by discussing the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson:

I have learned that the most crucial question we each must answer is this: To whom or to what will I give my life? (“The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again,” Liahona, Nov. 2024, 122)

• Why do you think the answer to President Nelson’s question is crucial?

Invite students to ponder how they might answer President Nelson’s question. Encourage them as they study today to reflect on adjustments they could make to their priorities to align with the things that will ultimately matter most.

Explain that the book of Ecclesiastes records the reflections of a person called “the Preacher” (Ecclesiastes 1:1). In chapter 2, the Preacher describes several ways he sought to find meaning in life. Invite students to read Ecclesiastes 2:1–10, looking for behaviors the Preacher described.

Next, invite students to read Ecclesiastes 1:1–2; 2:11; and 3:14, looking for some of the conclusions the Preacher made. You could then discuss questions like the following:

• What do you think the Preacher meant when he said that “all is vanity”? (If needed, you could read together “Ecclesiastes 1:2, 14. What does it mean that ‘under the sun … all is vanity’?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.)

• What did the Preacher declare about God in Ecclesiastes 3:14? How do you think remembering this could affect our priorities?

Explain that Ecclesiastes concludes with another important truth. Invite students to read Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 and identify this truth. (After they read, help students identify a truth similar to this one: If our focus is more on God and following Him than on worldly pursuits, we will find purpose in life and be better prepared for the Final Judgment.)

Invite students to imagine they know someone who feels unfulfilled after prioritizing worldly pursuits over God. Give students a few minutes to find a scripture or statement by a Church leader that could help that person see the value in turning to God. (Some examples of scriptures they could study include Matthew 6:33; John 6:27; 2 Nephi 9:51; and 3 Nephi 13:20–21.) Encourage students to share the scripture or statement they found with a partner or small group.

Remind students of President Nelson’s statement from the beginning of this learning activity. You could then share the next portion of his statement:

My decision to follow Jesus Christ is the most important decision I have ever made. … That choice has made all the difference! That decision has made so many other decisions easier. That decision has given me purpose and direction. (“The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again,” 122)

• What difference has following Jesus Christ made for you?

To conclude, you could invite students to write down one or more things of eternal significance that they would like to spend more time pursuing so they can strengthen their relationship with God. Encourage them to set a goal to prioritize these things. You could invite a few willing students to share their goals if they are not too personal to share.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”