Lesson 49: Nahum; Habakkuk Zephaniah

November 28- December 4
Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah
"His ways are everlasting"

Materials: a picture of Christ, poster board, markers
Opening Song: "Jesus once was a little child" (Children's Songbook, 55)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Show a picture of the Savior. Ask your family to go around the room and share one word that describes Jesus Christ. 

Lesson: 

This week, as we read from the books Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, we will hear prophesies about the destruction and captivity Israel and other nations that failed to keep the covenant. They worshiped false gods, became complacent, became prideful, and failed to trust in the Lord. 

These prophets also encouraged their readers to come unto Christ and that Israel would one day again be gathered. Read Zephaniah 2:3. We all know what it means to seek the Lord--it means to come unto Christ in our hearts and in our actions. What does is mean to seek righteousness? (Choosing the right, keeping the commandments, trying to be good). What does Zephaniah mean when he says, "seek meekness?" What is meekness?

A meek peson is one who is "Godfearing, righteous, humble, teachable, and patient under suffering." (Guide to the Scriptures, "Meek, meekness." churchofjesuschrist.org) The Savior used the word meek when he chose to describe himself; "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Mathew 11: 29). 

Elder Bednar gave a talk about meekness in April 2018 General Conference. He said, "The Christlike quality of meekness often is misunderstood in our contemporary world. Meekness is strong, not weak; active, not passive; courageous, not timid; restrained, not excessive; modest, not self-aggrandizing; and gracious, not brash. A meek person is not easily provoked, pretentious, or overbearing and readily acknowledges the accomplishments of others" ("Meek and Lowly of Heart"). 

Activity: Righteousness/meekness poster 

Before FHE: using markers write the words below all over a standard sized poster board. Tape the pasteboard onto a bank wall with masking tape. 

righteous, responsive, willing, submissive, strong, restrained, active, courageous, modest, gracious, teachable, humble, acknowledging, grateful, god-fearing, weak, passive, prideful, timid, excessive, self-aggrandizing, brash, easily provoked, pretentious, over bearing, apathetic,  stubborn

Directions: Have family members use a marker and come up one at a time to circle words that have to do with being righteous or meek. Have each family member pick one word that has been circled. How can you use this attribute to be more Christlike?

Christ was the ultimate example of meekness. Elder Bendar said, "The Savior declared, 'Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.' Meekness is an essential aspect of the divine nature and can be received and developed in our lives because of and through the Savior’s Atonement. I testify that Jesus Christ is our resurrected and living Redeemer. And I promise that He will guide, protect, and strengthen us as we walk in the meekness of His Spirit."

Bear your testimony of the Savior and how you have tried to emulate Christlike attributes. 

Closing Song: "Seek the Lord early" (Children's Songbook, 108)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Eggnog Cheesecake recipe here