Storytime in Galilee, by Del Parson

Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14: Lesson 156

Zechariah 1–8

“Turn Ye unto Me”

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

After 50 years of captivity in Babylon and Persia, a remnant of the house of Israel had physically returned to their holy land, but spiritually they were still far from the Lord. Through the prophet Zechariah, the Savior renewed His invitation, “turn ye unto me” (Zechariah 1:3), with the promise that He would “dwell in the midst of [His people]” (Zechariah 2:10). This lesson can help you understand ways you can turn to the Lord.

Study the Scriptures

Why do some people turn away from Jesus Christ? What are some reasons teenagers might turn away from the Lord?

Old Testament prophets declared to Israel the Savior’s invitation to turn or return to Him regardless of the reason they had turned away. Sometimes we turn away without recognizing that we are drifting. As you study Zechariah, seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost to help you in your personal circumstances.

During this lesson, you will be invited to tag several passages as “Turning to God.” As you read each passage, look for what it teaches about turning or returning to the Lord.

Read Deuteronomy 4:30–31 and Nehemiah 1:9, looking for the promised blessing of turning to the Lord. Consider tagging both as “Turning to God.”

After half a century of captivity, many Israelites were allowed to return to Jerusalem and the surrounding area. Even though they had physically moved back and some were rebuilding the temple (see Ezra 5:1–2; 6:14), many people still hadn’t spiritually returned to the Lord. He sent the prophet Zechariah to help the people turn to Him so that He could “dwell in the midst of [them]” (Zechariah 2:10).

Read Zechariah 1:1–3, looking for what the Lord invited His people to do. Be sure to tag verse 3 as “Turning to God.”

Each of the following passages teaches truths about how we can turn to the Lord. As you read each passage, complete the following steps.

1. Mark words or phrases in each passage that help you complete the statement “I can turn to the Lord by …”

   Example: After reading Zechariah 1:4, you might use “Turn ye now from your evil ways” or “hearken unto me” to complete the phrase this way: “I can turn to the Lord by turning away from evil and hearkening unto Christ.”

2. Tag the marked phrase as “Turning to God.”

3. Ponder how the truth taught in the passage might look in your life.

   • Zechariah 1:4

   • Zechariah 3:7 (“I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by” can refer to feeling clean and worthy in the presence of heavenly messengers; see footnote c.)

   • Zechariah 7:9–10

   • Zechariah 8:16–17 (Note the phrase “peace in your gates.”)

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 turning to God help me?

Read the following scenarios. Choose one that you relate to, and follow the three steps below the scenarios.

• Hannah’s feelings were hurt by someone she thought was a friend.

• Akeno enjoys watching videos on her phone.

• Mindy’s life has been very busy lately.

• Luca has been frustrated with his family.

In your notebook:

1. Add details to the scenario by listing some things this person might be doing that could turn them away from the Lord.

2. Choose one of the passages you tagged from the “Study the Scriptures” section that could help this person.

3. Find one or more other scripture passages or short statements by Church leaders that could help.

Option B

What does turning to God look like?

Choose two or more of the following five resources. Look for truths that can help you turn to God.

1. Enos 1:1–6 – Enos’s experience turning to the Lord

2. Mosiah 27:23–30 – Alma the Younger’s experience turning to the Lord

3. Sister Joy D. Jones, former Primary General President, taught:

   

   Try to learn a little more each day. Heavenly Father doesn’t expect you to be able to do everything at once. Life is about learning and growing a little at a time. He wants you to keep trying. And He wants you to enjoy it!

   Sometimes we are hard on ourselves. We think, “I failed. I can’t do it,” and then we give up. But the Savior is saying, “Keep going. I’m right here to help you!” Because of Jesus Christ, we don’t have to do it alone. We can get up and try again with His help. That’s what this life is all about. (“A Little Better Every Day,” Friend, Jan. 2020, 20)

4. President Russell M. Nelson, “Peacemakers Needed,” from time code 3:54 to 8:15

5. Elder Allen D. Haynie of the Seventy, “Remembering in Whom We Have Trusted,” from time code 6:20 to 7:43

Share one of these sources with a family member or friend. Ask them the following questions:

1. What are some ways that you have turned to the Lord?

2. What have Church leaders said that has helped you turn to the Lord?

Now What?

In your notebook, write down one or two things you feel could help you turn to the Lord. Prayerfully invite your Heavenly Father to help you with your efforts.

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you understand ways you can turn to the Lord.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• One or two things you feel could help you turn to the Lord.

• A truth you learned from Zechariah, including how knowing this truth might bless a teenager.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?