The Second Coming, by Harry Anderson
Isaiah 40–49: Lesson 120
Isaiah 44–47
“Beside Me There Is No God”
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
Every day, we encounter influences that test our commitment to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. In Isaiah’s time, some Israelites turned to worshipping other gods. In response, the Lord lovingly but firmly cautioned them against false worship. This lesson can encourage you to focus on God above all else in your life.
Study the Scriptures
If you were to ask teenagers in your area who their heroes are, who do you think they might include? Make a list of your personal heroes. Put a star next to the ones who seem to have the most influence in your life.
Bishop W. Christopher Waddell of the Presiding Bishopric shared the following counsel about our heroes:
When I was a young boy, my first heroes were athletes. … Although we admire and respect many talented and remarkable men and women for their abilities and contributions, the degree to which they are revered, if taken to an excess, can be the equivalent of the children of Israel worshipping a golden calf in the desert of Sinai. …
The hero—our hero, now and always—is Jesus Christ, and anything or anyone that distracts us from His teachings, as found in the scriptures and through the words of living prophets, can negatively impact our progress on the covenant path. (“More Than a Hero,” Liahona, Nov. 2023, 90)
Think about the people on your list as you ponder the following questions:
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Do any of the heroes on your list distract you from your worship of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
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Are there any interests, activities, or objects that might distract you from worshipping Them?
The children of Israel in Isaiah’s day struggled to put the Lord first in their lives. Instead, they turned to false gods, such as idols, for help. In Isaiah 44–46, the Lord describes the Israelites’ worship of false gods. He reminds the people that they created, worshipped, and prayed to idols made of the same wood they used to make fires and cook food.
Read Isaiah 44:6, 8, and 46:9. Mark what the Lord wanted the children of Israel to understand about the focus of their worship.
President Russell M. Nelson taught:
I reaffirm a profound teaching of President Ezra Taft Benson: “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, … lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace.”
Think about how these truths can help you put God first in your life.
Review the following study options. Complete one or more. Then complete the “Now What?” section at the end of the lesson.
Option A
How can I increase my confidence in Jesus Christ?
Study two or more of the following passages. As you read the verses slowly and carefully, look for what we can learn about Jesus Christ that gives us confidence to put Him first in our lives. Tag truths that give you confidence in Him as “confidence,” “Jesus Christ,” or another tag of your choice.
Discuss with a family member or friend what you learned about the Savior that gives you confidence in Him. Share how understanding these truths about Jesus Christ could help someone who finds it difficult to put Him first in their lives. You might also talk about what helps you put Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ first in your life.
Option B
How can I practice putting God first in my life?
To help you practice putting Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ first, choose one of the following scenarios:
Anna enjoys fashion. She spends her free time studying the latest trends and works most nights and weekends to earn money to buy more items. Anna is often too tired for prayers or scripture study and sometimes misses church to work or sleep.
Jaron often discusses different religious views with a friend whose opinion he values. Sometimes his friend disagrees with the teachings of God’s prophets and apostles. Jaron is starting to wonder which prophetic teachings he should accept and follow.
In your notebook, respond to the following:
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What might make it hard for this person to put Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ first in their life?
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What might be a good first step this person could take to put Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ first in their life?
Now What?
Make a plan to put Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ first in your life. You could fill the handout below titled “Making a Plan” or use the steps it suggests in your plan. Listen for impressions from the Holy Ghost as you determine what you would like to do to accomplish your goal.
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To encourage you to focus on God above all else in your life.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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How the truths you found in Isaiah can help someone develop confidence in Jesus Christ.
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Your plan to put God first in your life.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?