Come Follow Me for Teens: "I am Doing a Great Work" (Ezra and Nehemiah)

This week’s Come Follow Me for Teens episode focuses on Ezra 1–7 and Nehemiah 1–8: “I Am Doing a Great Work.”

These chapters tell the story of God’s people returning to Jerusalem after years of captivity. The temple had been destroyed, the city remained damaged, and many sacred things had been lost. Yet the Lord was not finished with His people. He stirred hearts, opened doors, sent prophets, and strengthened ordinary individuals to begin rebuilding what had been broken.

The story of Cyrus teaches youth that God loves all His children and can work through people we may not expect. Cyrus was a Persian king who was not part of the covenant people, yet the Lord “stirred up” his spirit and inspired him to allow the Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. His example helps teens see that God’s work is not limited to one culture, background, or faith tradition. He can use teachers, coaches, neighbors, friends, leaders, and people from many different walks of life to bless His children and accomplish His purposes.

The rebuilding of the temple teaches that Jesus Christ can restore holy things that have been weakened, damaged, or lost. The people began by rebuilding the altar and then laying the foundation of the temple. Some shouted for joy while others wept as they remembered what had once stood there. Their experience reminds us that rebuilding can involve both sorrow and hope. A testimony, relationship, sense of worth, spiritual habit, or connection with God may not be restored all at once, but the Savior does not give up on us. Through repentance, faith, worship, and small acts of obedience, He can help us begin again and eventually make us joyful.

Nehemiah’s story teaches youth that once something holy has been rebuilt, it must also be protected. By the time Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, the temple had already been restored, but the city’s walls remained broken. As Nehemiah and the people began repairing them, opposition came through ridicule, threats, fear, false accusations, and repeated attempts to distract them from the work.

When his enemies invited him to leave the wall and meet with them, Nehemiah answered, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.” His declaration helps teens recognize the value of what Jesus Christ is building in their lives. A testimony is a great work. Keeping covenants is a great work. Preparing for the temple or a mission is a great work. Learning to hear the Holy Ghost and becoming more like the Savior are great works worth protecting.

We also compare Nehemiah’s refusal to come down with the Book of Mormon story of Lahonti, who was gradually persuaded by Amalickiah to leave his place of strength and was eventually poisoned “by degrees.” Together, these stories show that the adversary may not ask us to abandon our faith all at once. More often, he tries to pull us away through small compromises, distractions, pressures, and invitations to come down just a little.

This episode invites teens to ask: Who has God used unexpectedly to bless my life? What holy thing might Jesus Christ be helping me rebuild? What influences, temptations, or distractions could weaken what He is building? And how can I respond with Nehemiah’s resolve: “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down”?

The message of Ezra and Nehemiah is deeply relevant for teens today: Jesus Christ gathers, rebuilds, and strengthens His people. He can work through unexpected individuals to bless our lives. He can restore what feels damaged or lost. And when opposition comes, He can help us remember the Lord, protect our faith, and continue the great work He has given us to do.

As teens place Jesus Christ at the center of their lives and protect what He is helping them build, they can find greater hope, joy, spiritual strength, and courage to remain faithful.

Get the full Study & Teaching Guide here:

https://joshdowns.com/cfm-resources