Isaiah 58–66

Consider writing the word Fasting on the board and asking questions like the following:

• What comes to mind when you think about the topic of fasting?

• What are some questions you or others might have about the law of the fast? (Consider writing students’ questions on the board.)

Invite students to ponder their own feelings about and experiences with fasting. Encourage them as they study today to consider how they could make fasting a more meaningful part of their lives.

Explain that Isaiah 58 was addressed to the people of Judah who were practicing outward religious observances—such as fasting—but their hearts were far from God. (This is an example of context that can help students better understand the scriptures they are going to study. To learn more about this skill, see “Understanding the Scriptures in Context” in Scripture Study Skills.)

Invite students to create a table like the following in their personal notes. Then invite them to read Isaiah 58:1–12 and add their insights to the chart. It may be helpful to explain that a “bulrush” (verse 5) is a tall, thin grass that droops. The word “sackcloth” (verse 5) is coarse material that people wore during times of mourning.

After sufficient time, invite students to discuss their insights with a partner or small group. You could also discuss questions like the following together as a class:

• What concerns did the Lord have about how the people approached fasting? What can we learn about the real purpose of fasting from these verses?

• Which of the Lord’s promises for obeying the law of the fast stood out to you the most? In what ways do you think proper fasting invites those specific blessings?

Consider writing the following truth on the board: If we fast as the Lord intends, we bring relief to those in need and receive temporal and spiritual blessings from the Lord. Then consider asking:

• What are some ways we can fast as the Lord intends?

You could invite students to imagine they have a friend who questions the importance of fasting and fast offerings. Invite them to find scriptures or statements from Church leaders that they could share with their friend. They could find resources on their own or study some of the following:

• Matthew 4:2–11; Luke 2:36–38; Mosiah 27:8–24; Alma 17:2–3

• Henry B. Eyring, “Is Not This the Fast That I Have Chosen?,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 22–25

• Topics and Questions, “Fasting and Fast Offerings,” Gospel Library

After sufficient time, give students an opportunity to share what they found with a partner, small group, or the class. You might also ask a question like the following:

• How can fasting help you develop a stronger relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

• What blessings has the Lord given to you or someone you know because of fasting? (As part of this discussion, you could show the videos “Fasting: Young Single Adult Ward, Amanda” [2:41] or “Fast Offerings: A Simple Commandment with a Marvelous Promise” [3:01].)

  

  2:41
  

  3:2

You could conclude by giving students time to record any impressions they received as they studied. Encourage them to set a specific goal to better live the Lord’s law of the fast.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

You might begin class by inviting students to reflect on their feelings about the Sabbath day by pondering questions like the following:

1. How do I currently feel about the Sabbath day? Do I look forward to it, endure it, or something else? Why?

2. What helps me feel close to the Lord on the Sabbath? What distracts me from Him?

3. When have I experienced joy through Sabbath-day observance?

Invite students as they study today to consider specific ways they can increase their joy in the Lord on His holy day.

Remind students that Isaiah 58 begins with Isaiah teaching the Jews about the importance of properly obeying the law of the fast (see Isaiah 58:1–12). Isaiah then shared important teachings about the Sabbath day.

Invite students to read Isaiah 58:13–14, looking for (1) ways the Lord invited the people to honor the Sabbath and (2) the blessings for doing so. (You could point students to the entry for Isaiah 58:13–14 in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.) Then consider asking the following questions:

• How would you describe the Lord’s invitations from verse 13 in your own words?

• How would you summarize His promises from verse 14?

After your discussion, help students see how the following truth is taught in verses 13–14: If we honor the Lord by keeping the Sabbath day holy, we will have joy in our relationship with Him and receive temporal and spiritual blessings.

Invite students to write down a question they have about the Sabbath day that they would like to explore more deeply. For example, they could choose one of the questions mentioned in the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson:

I am intrigued by the words of Isaiah, who called the Sabbath “a delight” [Isaiah 58:13]. Yet I wonder, is the Sabbath really a delight for you and for me? …

The Savior identified Himself as Lord of the Sabbath. It is His day! Repeatedly, He has asked us to keep the Sabbath or to hallow the Sabbath day. We are under covenant to do so.

How do we hallow the Sabbath day? …

How can you ensure that your behavior on the Sabbath will lead to joy and rejoicing? In addition to your going to church, partaking of the sacrament, and being diligent in your specific call to serve, what other activities would help to make the Sabbath a delight for you? What sign will you give to the Lord to show your love for Him? (“The Sabbath Is a Delight,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 129–30)

Give students time to search for scriptures, statements from Church leaders, lyrics from hymns, or other Church resources to find insights that can help them answer the question they chose to focus on. Examples of helpful resources could include:

• Guide to the Scriptures, “Sabbath Day” (Gospel Library)

• Topics and Questions, “Sabbath Day” (Gospel Library)

• Russell M. Nelson, “The Sabbath Is a Delight” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 129–32)

After sufficient time, give students time to share their question and the insights they gained from their study with a partner or small group.

Consider showing the video “The Sabbath Is a Delight” (2:54). You could then discuss additional insights students gain from the video about honoring the Sabbath day.

2:54

Invite the students to share experiences they have had with the Sabbath day that have brought them closer to the Lord.

To conclude, allow students time to ponder ways they can experience greater joy in the Lord on the Sabbath day. Invite them to record any areas where they could better align their hearts and Sabbath activities with honoring the Lord on His day.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Consider beginning by sharing the following scenario, or create one of your own:

Invite students to discuss the following question with a partner:

• If you were Anna, how might you respond to Lee’s questions?

Explain that Isaiah 61 contains an important prophecy about the Messiah and His mission. The Savior quoted a portion of this prophecy during His mortal ministry and declared that the prophecy would be fulfilled through Him (see Luke 4:16–21). Isaiah’s prophecy can help us understand some of the many ways Jesus Christ can help us.

Write the following phrase on the board:

• Heavenly Father sent Jesus Christ to …

Invite students to read Isaiah 61:1–3, 10–11, looking for ways they could complete the phrase on the board. (You could also have them read the entry for Isaiah 61:1–2 in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.)

Have students write on the board truths they discovered that complete the phrase. Students may share statements like the following:

Heavenly Father sent Jesus Christ to …

• Preach the gospel to the poor, afflicted, and humble.

• Heal the brokenhearted.

• Free the captive.

• Comfort those who mourn.

• Give beauty and joy to those weighed down.

• Help us obtain eternal life.

To explore these truths further, students could choose one of the phrases on the board. Then invite them to search the scriptures or other resources in Gospel Library to find an example that shows the Savior illustrating that truth. (If students need help, you could suggest that they study one or more of the following scriptures: Mark 2:1–12; 5:24–34; John 11:20–36; Mosiah 24:8–21; Alma 36:16–21.)

After sufficient time, have students share what they found with a partner or small group. You could then discuss questions like the following together as a class:

• What does the account you selected teach you about how Jesus Christ can fulfill His mission for you in your life?

• How have you seen Jesus Christ bring about His work of healing, redemption, or comfort in your life or in the life of someone you know?

As part of your discussion of the previous question, you could show a video that illustrates Jesus Christ’s involvement in someone’s life. For example, you could consider showing “His Grace—Am I Beyond Saving?” (6:25) or “Feeling the Lord’s Love and Goodness in Trials” (4:18).

6:25

4:17

Refer to the scenario shared at the beginning of this activity. Encourage students to consider if there is anything they would add to their response based on what they learned or felt today. You may want to have a few students share their additional insights with the class.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

You could begin by singing or reading the lyrics to the hymn “When the Savior Comes Again” (Hymns—For Home and Church). Invite students to share words or phrases from the hymn that describe blessings they look forward to.

4:3

Explain that the final chapters in the book of Isaiah contain Isaiah’s teachings and prophecies about the Savior’s Second Coming and the Millennium. Invite students as they study today to look for truths that can help them look forward with faith to the Savior’s millennial reign.

Invite the students to read Isaiah 65:17–25, looking for what Isaiah taught about the conditions on earth during the Millennium. Then consider asking:

• How would you summarize what the conditions will be like for the Lord’s people when the Savior returns to the earth? (Students may share various truths like this one: When the Savior returns to the earth, His people will enjoy happiness, peace, and prosperity during the Millennium.)

To further explore this truth, invite students to imagine they have a friend or family member who has never heard of the Millennium. Invite students to prepare a brief summary they could share to explain what it will be like to live during the Millennium when the Savior comes again. (This study activity can give students an opportunity to practice the skill “Searching in the Scriptures and in Gospel Library” in Scripture Study Skills.)

To help students get started, you could list a few resources like the following on the board:

• Revelation 20:1–3; 21:3–4; Doctrine and Covenants 45:55–59

• Topics and Questions, “Millennium”; Guide to the Scriptures, “Millennium” (Gospel Library)

Give students an opportunity to share their summaries with a partner or small group. After their discussion, you could ask:

• What evidence of God’s love and mercy did you find in what you studied?

• What are some of the conditions associated with the Millennium that you look forward to the most? Why?

Encourage students to consider how what they have studied today could impact their lives moving forward. Give them some time to write down the thoughts or impressions they received from the Holy Ghost in their personal notes. Testify of the truths you have discussed today.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”