Our Eyes are Upon Thee
From The Chapel
July 26, 2026
Come Follow Me: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-home-and-church-old-testament-2026/30?lang=eng
Scripture Focus: 2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives and Take-Home Thoughts to Ponder
1. “Seeking the Lord” requires deliberate, wholehearted action. A primary theme of these historical accounts is what it truly means to “seek” God. Throughout the books of Chronicles, seeking the Lord is not described as a passive interest but as an active, passionate posture of the heart
. Students should ponder whether their daily habits reflect a sincere, intentional effort to seek the Lord through earnest prayer, heartfelt worship, and obedience, rather than just going through the motions
.
2. Recognizing our complete dependence on God is our greatest strength, while pride is our greatest peril. The contrasting reigns of King Jehoshaphat and King Uzziah teach a powerful lesson about humility. Jehoshaphat found miraculous deliverance because he was willing to admit his weakness, praying, “we have no might… neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee”
. Conversely, Uzziah was marvelously helped by God until he became strong and successful; tragically, “when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction”
. Students should ponder how to handle success and spiritual prosperity without losing the foundational humility that keeps them anchored to the Savior
.
3. The Lord offers profound grace to imperfect people whose hearts are sincerely directed toward Him. During Hezekiah’s restoration of the Passover, many attendees were not ritually clean according to the strict laws of the sanctuary
. Yet, Hezekiah prayed for them, asking the Lord to pardon everyone who had “prepared his heart to seek God”
. The Lord heard the prayer and healed the people, demonstrating that He values our sincere, inward devotion and repentance far more than flawless outward performance
. Students should take home the comforting thought that God meets our imperfect but sincere efforts with His abundant compassion
.
5 Scriptures for Weekly Study and Pondering
You can provide this list to your students (both youth and adults) with the accompanying questions to guide their personal study during the week:
1. 2 Chronicles 14:11
“And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude…”
To Ponder: Think about a current trial where you feel like you have “no power.” How can you practice resting entirely on the Lord this week, just as King Asa did?
2. 2 Chronicles 20:12
“O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”
To Ponder: Why is it sometimes difficult to admit to God that we “know not what to do”?
How does shifting your focus (your “eyes”) from your problems to the Savior change your ability to handle adversity?
3. 2 Chronicles 26:15–16
“…And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God…”
To Ponder: King Uzziah handled adversity well but failed when he became prosperous
. What spiritual “ballast” or daily habits can you develop to keep your heart from being lifted up in pride when you experience success?
4. 2 Chronicles 30:9
“For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall find compassion… for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.”
To Ponder: This is one of the clearest declarations of God’s unchanging mercy in the Old Testament
. Who in your life currently needs you to extend this same type of compassion and grace to them?
5. 2 Chronicles 30:18–20
“…But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.”
To Ponder: What does this teach us about the Savior’s grace when our efforts to follow Him are sincere, even if we fall short of perfection?
How can you better “prepare your heart” for worship this coming Sunday?
Lesson
Lesson Plan 1: Adult Sunday School (Ages 18+)
Title: “Our Eyes Are Upon Thee” – Seeking the Lord in the Kingdom of Judah
Introductory Slide
Visual: A reverent, photorealistic image of the ancient Jerusalem temple at sunrise.
Text: “Our Eyes Are Upon Thee: Lessons of Faith, Humility, and Deliverance from the Kings of Judah.”
Opening Thought: Welcome, brothers and sisters. Today we will journey through the reigns of four kings of Judah—Asa, Jehoshaphat, Uzziah, and Hezekiah. Their lives are a mirror to our own, reflecting the profound peace that comes from seeking the Lord and the tragic consequences of relying on the arm of flesh.
Historical and Scriptural Context
Following the division of Israel, the Southern Kingdom of Judah faced constant threats from surrounding empires (like Assyria and Syria) and the internal spiritual decay of idolatry
.
The chronicler of these histories emphasizes one primary, overarching theme: what it truly means to “seek” the Lord. In Chronicles, “seeking God” is not passive; it involves the whole heart, fervent prayer, destroying personal idols, and keeping covenants
.
Identification of 5 Major Themes
Trusting God in Our Extremity
Standing for Truth in Compromising Times
The Power of Dependent Prayer
The Subtle Peril of Pride
Compassion, Grace, and Covenant Renewal
Theme 1: Trusting God in Our Extremity (King Asa)
Relevant Scripture: 2 Chronicles 14:11 – “Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee…”
Engaging Discussion Question: King Asa began his reign trusting God completely against a million-man army, but later in life, he relied on foreign alliances and physicians instead of the Lord
. Why is it sometimes harder to trust God after we have experienced years of success and stability?
Actionable Step: Identify one current challenge where you are relying on your own intellect or resources. Consciously surrender it to the Lord in prayer this week.
Interactive Activity: “The Timeline of Trust.” Have the class draw a quick timeline of their lives on a piece of paper. Ask them to mark their “Zerah” moments—times of impossible odds where they relied entirely on God—and to reflect privately on whether their current daily trust matches those moments of extremity.
Theme 2: Standing for Truth in Compromising Times (The Prophet Micaiah)
Relevant Scripture: 2 Chronicles 18:13 – “And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.”
Engaging Discussion Question: Micaiah faced immense pressure to simply agree with 400 false prophets and tell the king what he wanted to hear
. How can we cultivate Micaiah’s courage to stand for revealed truth in a world that pressures us to conform to popular opinions?
Actionable Step: Speak up for a gospel truth this week in a gentle, conversational way when the opportunity arises among co-workers or friends.
Interactive Activity: “The Echo Chamber.” Read a popular secular philosophy prevalent today, then read a quote from the living prophet or scriptures. Discuss as a group how to graciously but firmly declare the prophet’s truth without being combative.
Theme 3: The Power of Dependent Prayer (King Jehoshaphat)
Relevant Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:12 – “O our God… we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”
Engaging Discussion Question: Jehoshaphat openly admitted his weakness and ignorance to God in front of his people. How does acknowledging our absolute dependence on God actually become our greatest spiritual strength?
Actionable Step: When faced with an overwhelming parenting, career, or calling issue this week, begin your prayer with Jehoshaphat’s exact words: “I know not what to do, but my eyes are upon thee.”
Interactive Activity: “Shifting the Gaze.” Have the class write down the “great company” (adversity) currently invading their peace. Then, instruct them to physically turn the paper over and write “My Eyes Are Upon Thee.” Discuss how shifting our focus from the trial to the Savior changes our spiritual capacity.
Theme 4: The Subtle Peril of Pride (King Uzziah)
Relevant Scripture: 2 Chronicles 26:16 – “But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God…”
Engaging Discussion Question: Uzziah was marvelously helped by God until he became strong, at which point he usurped priesthood authority in the temple
. Why does prosperity so often breed pride, and how can we handle success without our hearts being “lifted up”?
Actionable Step: Express profound gratitude to God daily for your specific talents and successes, acknowledging that He is the source of all your strength.
Interactive Activity: “The Ballast of Humility.” Show a picture of a large ship. Explain the concept of “ballast”—heavy weight placed in the hull to keep a ship from capsizing when its sails are full of wind
. Discuss what spiritual practices act as our “ballast” when the winds of prosperity and success fill our sails.
Theme 5: Compassion, Grace, and Covenant Renewal (King Hezekiah)
Relevant Scripture: 2 Chronicles 30:18-20 – “The good Lord pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek God… though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.”
Engaging Discussion Question: Many Israelites who came to Hezekiah’s Passover were not perfectly, ritually clean, but their hearts were right. What does the Lord’s merciful response teach us about His grace and how He views our imperfect but sincere efforts to keep our covenants?
Actionable Step: Extend grace to someone in your ward or family who is trying to do good but falling short of perfection, just as the Lord extended grace to Israel.
Interactive Activity: “Heart Over Habit.” Read 2 Chronicles 30:9 (“For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him”
). Have a brief open-floor testimony sharing of times class members felt the Lord’s healing grace when their efforts were sincere but imperfect.
Lesson Plan 2: Youth Sunday School / Aaronic Priesthood / Young Women (Ages 11-12)
Title: “Kings, Battles, and Choices” – Choosing to Seek the Lord
Introductory Slide
Visual: A dynamic, cinematic illustration of ancient kings, soldiers, and prophets.
Text: “Kings, Battles, and Choices: How to Trust God When Things Get Tough.”
Opening Thought: Welcome everyone! Today we are going to look at the stories of four ancient kings. Some made incredible choices, and some made terrible mistakes. Their stories are filled with massive armies, miracles, a prophet who wouldn’t back down, and a king who got a terrible disease. Let’s dive in and see what they teach us about following Jesus Christ today!
Historical and Scriptural Context
Thousands of years ago, the land of Israel was split into two kingdoms. We are focusing on the Kingdom of Judah.
The people were constantly surrounded by massive, scary enemy armies. Sometimes the kings trusted God to fight their battles, and they won miraculously! But sometimes they forgot God, worshipped idols, and became prideful
.
Identification of 4 Major Themes
Trusting God Keeps Us Safe
Being Brave Enough to Stand Alone
Praying When You Are Scared
The Danger of Pride
Theme 1: Trusting God Keeps Us Safe (King Asa)
Relevant Scripture: 2 Chronicles 14:11 – “Help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee…”
Engaging Discussion Question: King Asa was facing a massive army, but he trusted God, and God gave him peace and victory
. When you have a really hard test at school or a problem with friends, how do you show God that you trust Him?
Actionable Step: When you are worried this week, read a favorite scripture to remind yourself that God is protecting you.
Interactive Activity: “The Umbrella of Trust.” Bring an umbrella to class. Ask a youth to hold it. Ask, “Why do we trust this to keep us dry when it rains?” (Because of what it’s made of, we’ve seen it work before). Compare the umbrella to trusting the Lord. He is our spiritual umbrella. Have the youth name “rainstorms” they face (bullying, fear, anxiety) and how trusting Jesus keeps them safe
.
Theme 2: Being Brave Enough to Stand Alone (The Prophet Micaiah)
Relevant Scripture: 2 Chronicles 18:13 – “As the Lord liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.”
Engaging Discussion Question: The prophet Micaiah had 400 people yelling at him to just agree with them, but he chose to speak the truth anyway
. Has there ever been a time when everyone else was doing the wrong thing, and you had to stand alone? Was it hard?
Actionable Step: Choose one standard from For the Strength of Youth (like media, language, or kindness) and promise to stand up for it this week, even if your friends don’t.
Interactive Activity: “The River and the Rock.” Have all the youth walk in a circle in the same direction, pretending to be a strong river current. Choose one youth to be the “Rock” (Micaiah) who has to stand still in the middle or walk the opposite way. Discuss how much energy it takes to go against the flow of the world, and how the Holy Ghost gives us that strength.
Theme 3: Praying When You Are Scared (King Jehoshaphat)
Relevant Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:12 – “We know not what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”
Engaging Discussion Question: King Jehoshaphat literally told God, “I have no idea what to do right now.” Why is it okay to tell Heavenly Father that we are scared or confused?
Actionable Step: Say a prayer this week where you are completely honest with Heavenly Father about something you are afraid of, and ask Him to guide your eyes to Him.
Interactive Activity: “Blindfold Guide.” Set up a few light, safe obstacles. Blindfold a volunteer (representing Jehoshaphat who “didn’t know what to do”). Have another youth stand at the end of the room and verbally guide them through the obstacles. Explain that just like the blindfolded youth had to focus their ears on the guide, we must focus our “eyes” (and hearts) on the Savior when we are lost.
Theme 4: The Danger of Pride (King Uzziah)
Relevant Scripture: 2 Chronicles 26:16 – “But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction…”
Engaging Discussion Question: Uzziah was amazing at first—he built towers, armies, and had God’s help. But he became so proud that he tried to do things in the temple he wasn’t supposed to do, and he was cursed with leprosy
. How can we be really good at sports, school, or music without becoming prideful?
Actionable Step: Compliment someone else on their talents this week. Celebrating others helps keep us humble!
Interactive Activity: “The Falling Tower.” Bring a set of wooden blocks or plastic cups. Have the youth help build a tall tower. As they add a block, have them name a blessing, talent, or accomplishment (like Uzziah’s victories)
. Once the tower is tall, explain that pride is thinking we built this all by ourselves without God. Pull out the bottom block (representing humility) and let the tower fall. Discuss how remembering God is the foundation of our success!