Isaiah 40–49

You could begin by asking students to suggest some common fears that young adults have. Consider writing students’ answers on the board. Then you might invite students to record their response to the following questions:

• What are some things that make you feel afraid?

• What helps you feel less afraid?

As students study Isaiah 40–43, encourage them to prayerfully seek the Holy Ghost’s direction to help them find more comfort in challenging moments.

Explain that in Isaiah’s time, the people of Jerusalem had good reason to fear. They were nearly destroyed by the Assyrians before being miraculously delivered during the reign of King Hezekiah (see Isaiah 36–38). Isaiah also prophesied that in a future day, the Jews would be carried away captive into Babylon (see Isaiah 39:5–7). Isaiah 40 contains words of encouragement and hope for those who were discouraged or afraid.

Ask students to read Isaiah 40:1–2, looking for the message the Lord gave through Isaiah to His people. Invite students to share what they found.

Display the following scripture passages, and invite students to read several or all of them, looking for reasons we can find comfort in the Lord. If needed, you could explain that the word “worm” in Isaiah 41:14 can mean “meek and humble” (see Isaiah 41:14, footnote a).

• Isaiah 40:9–11, 28–31

• Isaiah 41:10–14, 17–20

• Isaiah 42:5–7

• Isaiah 43:1–2, 25

You could have students write words or phrases from the passages on the board that might have been a comfort to the Israelites. Then invite various students to share a word or phrase they wrote on the board and explain to the class why it stood out to them.

After sufficient time, invite students to share what truths we can learn from the Lord’s comforting words to the Israelites. Using comments from students, identify a truth like this one, and write it on the board: We can face our fears with faith because God will be with and strengthen His covenant people.

It may be helpful to reread Isaiah 41:10–14 together as a class to help students see how the bolded truth is taught in those verses. You could also point out that the lyrics for verse 3 of “How Firm a Foundation” (Hymns, no. 85) were inspired by Isaiah 41:10. Consider singing this hymn together or inviting students to read its lyrics. Invite students to share words or phrases from the hymn that could help them trust in the Lord and face their fears with faith.

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You might also consider discussing questions like the following:

• What do you know about the Lord that can help you have faith when you face fearful or difficult situations? (As part of this discussion, you could have students share scriptures about the Lord that support their answers.)

• When have you seen the Lord provide comfort during fearful situations in your own life or the lives of others?

To conclude, invite students to reflect on what they have learned or felt today that could help them face their fears with greater faith in Jesus Christ. You could encourage them to choose a phrase from the verses they have studied today that inspires them to trust in the Lord. Encourage them to write it down and place it somewhere visible to help them when they feel afraid.

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Consider beginning by discussing the following questions together as a class.

• What are some of the most common challenges young adults face? (You could write students’ answers on the board.)

• What are some sources that people might look to as they try to deal with these challenges?

• What makes some sources of help better than others?

Invite students to reflect on how often they turn to the Savior when they face challenges or questions. Encourage them as they study to pay attention to spiritual promptings that can help them put greater trust in Jesus Christ.

Explain that the children of Israel in Isaiah’s day struggled to put the Lord first in their lives. Instead, many of them turned to false gods, such as idols, for help. The Lord wanted them to understand why they should trust in Him rather than relying on things that could not help them.

Before this study activity, you might introduce the skill “Finding Patterns in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills. Arrange students into partnerships or small groups. Invite them to read the following sets of verses, looking for a repeated idea that is taught. You could also have students study the entries related to these passages in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.

• Isaiah 43:10–11

• Isaiah 44:6, 8

• Isaiah 44:21–24

• Isaiah 45:5–6

• Isaiah 45:17–18

• Isaiah 45:20–22

• Isaiah 46:9–10

Ask the following questions to promote discussion:

• What repeated phrases or teachings did you notice from these verses?

• What truths did you discover about Jesus Christ that could help someone trust in Him over anything or anyone else? (As needed, you could point out the phrase “there is none else” in Isaiah 45:5–6, 18 and the similar phrases in Isaiah 45:21–22 to help students identify a truth like this: Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, is the only one who can save us.)

Invite students to list on the board something young adults might put their trust in instead of God.

• Why might someone be tempted to trust in these things instead of God?

Invite students to imagine they learn of someone who tends to rely more on something listed on the board than on the Lord after that person approaches them for advice. Encourage them to find scriptures or statements from Church leaders that could help this person.

After sufficient time, invite them to share what they discovered with a partner or small group. You could also discuss questions like the following together as a class:

• What has helped increase your desire to trust Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ above anything else?

• What blessings have you experienced as you have put Them first?

You could conclude by inviting students to ponder adjustments they could make in their lives to put the Lord first. Encourage them to write down their ideas or other impressions they may have received from the Holy Ghost. Testify of the truths you have discussed today.

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Consider asking a few volunteers to share with the class their responses to the following questions:

• Have you ever felt overlooked or forgotten by someone? If so, what was that experience like for you?

• When was a time when someone thought of you or remembered you? How did that make you feel?

Explain that Isaiah’s message in Isaiah 48–49 was directed to Israelites who had broken their covenants with the Lord. Isaiah warned that the people would be afflicted because of their wickedness. To comfort the people, Isaiah shared a message of hope about Jesus Christ. Encourage students as they study to write down feelings or impressions they may have, or evidence they see that testifies that the Lord has not forgotten them.

Invite students to read Isaiah 49:8–23, looking for messages of hope that Isaiah shared. (You could also have students read the entries for Isaiah 49 in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.) To help students share their insights, consider asking questions like the following:

• What are words or phrases from these verses that stood out to you? Why?

• What truths do you see in these verses that could help us when we feel discouraged or forsaken? (One truth students might mention is something like the following: The Lord loves us, and He will never forget us.)

To help students better understand this truth, consider inviting them to find examples in the scriptures that illustrate the Lord remembering and showing love for individuals or groups of people. (Examples include 2 Nephi 4:20–21; Mosiah 24:13–15; and Mark 6:46–51.) Invite students to share what they found with a partner or small group.

You might also share the following statement by President Jeffrey R. Holland:

The Savior reminds us that He has “graven [us] upon the palms of [His] hands.” Considering the incomprehensible cost of the Crucifixion and Atonement, I promise you He is not going to turn His back on us now. When He says to the poor in spirit, “Come unto me,” He means He knows the way out and He knows the way up. He knows it because He has walked it. He knows the way because He is the way. (“Broken Things to Mend,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2006, 71)

Consider asking students to share experiences that have helped them know that the Lord loves them and has not forgotten them.

As part of your discussion of the previous question, you could show the videos “The Savior Wants to Forgive” (5:50) or “How Sarah Found Happiness” (5:09).

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If time permits, you could ask students to imagine they or someone they know feels that the Lord has forgotten them. Invite students to write a note to themselves or their friend based on what they have learned today. They could share truths they know about the Lord and actions that could be taken to feel the Lord’s love.

You could conclude by displaying the following statement by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency:

Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love for you. (“The Love of God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 22)

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