Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14

Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14

Overview

The prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied to the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild the temple. The Jews faced opposition to building the temple and had stopped work on it. Haggai invited the people to consider their ways and make building the temple a priority. He extended promises from the Lord if they would do so. Zechariah extended the Lord’s invitation to repent and turn to Him. Zechariah also prophesied of the Savior’s Second Coming. He described the final great war in Jerusalem and how the Messiah would come to deliver His covenant people.

Help learners recognize the Lord’s love, power, and mercy in their lives. Students need to do more than just know about the love, power, and mercy of Jesus Christ; they need to experience it for themselves. To learn more about how you can do this, see “Help Learners Recognize the Lord’s Love, Power, and Mercy in Their Lives” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2022], 8). For an example of how you can help learners recognize the Lord’s love, power and mercy, see Lesson 157: “Zechariah 10–14.”

Prepare to teach

The following information gives you ideas of what you may need to prepare in advance for each lesson.

Haggai

Lesson purpose: To help students put God first in their lives.

• Student preparation: Invite students to make a list of things they do on a typical day. Students could label which things they feel are most important and ponder why they consider those things important. They could bring their lists to class.

• Items: Clear jar, rocks, and sand; a permanent marker to write on the rocks

• Videos: “The Soul’s Sincere Desire” (3:28); “Put On Thy Strength, O Zion” (13:56) from time code 11:27 to 12:06

• Content to display: Statement from Elder Bednar

• Image: A drawing of a jar with sand on the side

Zechariah 1–8

Lesson purpose: To help students understand ways they can turn to the Lord.

• Student preparation: Invite students to ponder what they would say to a friend who feels far away from the Lord’s love. Students could prepare to share their advice with the class. Students might ask a trusted friend or parent what counsel they would give in this situation.

• Image: An image of the Savior

• Handout: “We Can Turn to the Lord By …”

Zechariah 7–14

Lesson purpose: To help students feel confident that the Savior will be with them during the events preceding the Second Coming.

• Student preparation: Invite students to read “Second Coming of Jesus Christ” in Topics and Questions (Gospel Library). Encourage them to come to class prepared to share what they learned or what questions they have.

• Image: An image of the Savior’s Second Coming

• Handout: “What Will the Savior Do For …”

• Video: “Come, O Thou King of Kings” (3:43)