Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the Teacher Manual
Lessons 1–2
Welcome to the Old Testament
- Lessons 1–2
  Welcome to the Old Testament
- Lessons 3–6
  Moses 1; Abraham 3
- Lessons 7–9
  Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5
- Lessons 10–12
  Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5
- Lessons 13–15
  Genesis 5; Moses 6
- Lessons 16–18
  Moses 7
- Lessons 19–21
  Genesis 6–11; Moses 8
- Lessons 22–24
  Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2
- Lessons 25–28
  Genesis 18–23
- Lessons 29–32
  Genesis 24–33
- Lessons 33–34
  Genesis 37–41
- Lessons 35–37
  Genesis 42–50
- Lessons 38–40
  Exodus 1–6
- Easter
- Lessons 41–44
  Exodus 7–13
- Lessons 45–47
  Exodus 14–18
- Lessons 48–51
  Exodus 19–20; 24; 31–34
- Lessons 52–55
  Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19
- Lessons 56–57
  Numbers 11–14; 20–24; 27
- Lessons 58–60
  Deuteronomy 6–8; 15; 18; 29–30; 34
- Lessons 61–64
  Joshua 1–8; 23–24
- Lessons 65–67
  Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16
- Lessons 68–70
  Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–7
- Lessons 71–73
  1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–16
- Lessons 74–76
  1 Samuel 17–18; 24–26; 2 Samuel 5–7
- Lessons 77–80
  2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11
- Lessons 81–82
  1 Kings 12–13; 17–22
- Lessons 83–85
  2 Kings 2–7
- Lessons 86–89
  2 Kings 16–25
- Lessons 90–91
  2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30
- Lessons 92–93
  Ezra 1, 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
- Lessons 94–96
  Esther
- Lessons 97–99
  Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42
- Lessons 100–103
  Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46
- Lessons 104–106
  Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86
- Lessons 107–108
  Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150
- Lessons 109–112
  Proverbs 1–4; 15–16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1–3; 11–12
- Lessons 113–116
  Isaiah 1–12
- Lessons 117–118
  Isaiah 13–14; 22; 24–30; 35
- Lessons 119–122
  Isaiah 40–49
- Lessons 123–125
  Isaiah 50–57
- Lessons 126–129
  Isaiah 58–66
- Lessons 130–133
  Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20
- Lessons 134–137
  Jeremiah 31–33; 36–38; Lamentations 1; 3
- Lessons 138–141
  Ezekiel 1–3; 33–34; 36–37; 47
- Lessons 142–145
  Daniel 1–7
- Lessons 146–148
  Hosea; Joel
- Lessons 149–151
  Amos; Obadiah; Jonah
- Lessons 152–154
  Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah
- Lessons 155–157
  Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14
- Lessons 158–160
  Malachi
Lessons 166–170
Life Preparation Lessons
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Lessons 166–170
  Scripture Study Skills
- Lessons 171–176
  For the Strength of Youth Guide
- Lessons 177–180
  Building Self–Reliance
- Lessons 181–187
  Physical and Emotional Health
- Lessons 188–191
  Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Lessons 192–195
  Succeed in School
- Lessons 196–200
  Missionary Preparation
- Lessons 201–204
  Temple Preparation
- Lessons 205–208
  Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

Judges 2–4: Turning to the Lord for Deliverance

“Judges 2–4: Turning to the Lord for Deliverance,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Judges 2–4: Turning to the Lord for Deliverance ,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16: Lesson 65

Judges 2–4

Turning to the Lord for Deliverance

Jesus healing a lame man. Outtakes include some of the other cast members, Jesus and disciples, and Jesus helping the lame man up by the hand.

After the children of Israel entered the promised land, they chose to disobey the Lord’s commandment to drive out all of the wicked inhabitants. As a result, many Israelites adopted the wicked practices of these people and lost the Lord’s protection. However, each time the Israelites cried unto the Lord for deliverance, He “raised up a deliverer” for them (Judges 3:9). This lesson can help students understand the Savior’s role as our Deliverer.

Student preparation: Invite students to think of a time when the Savior delivered (rescued or set free) someone in the scriptures, someone they know, or themselves. Students could identify what the individual or individuals did to reach out to the Savior for deliverance.

Possible Learning Activities

Patterns

To prepare students to learn about a spiritual pattern found in the book of Judges, consider displaying the following numerical patterns. Invite small groups of students to fill in the missing numbers.

Find the next two numbers in each of the following sequences:

A. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, ,

B. 1, 3, 7, 13, 21, 31, ,

C. 1, 4, 3, 6, 5, 8, 7, ,

D. 10, 11, 6, 8, 4, 7, 4, ,

If students need help, you could share the following patterns:

A: +2

B: +2, +4, +6, and so on

C: +3, −1, +3, −1

D: +1, −5, +2, −4, +3, −3, and so on

What are situations in our lives when it might be helpful to identify patterns?
Why is it important to recognize spiritual patterns in our lives?

Today as you study a spiritual pattern the Israelites experienced in the book of Judges, think about how it could apply to your life. Invite the Holy Ghost to teach you more about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as you study this pattern.

The cycle of sin and deliverance

When the Israelites entered the promised land, the Lord commanded them to drive out the wicked inhabitants (see Deuteronomy 7:1–4). Many Israelites chose not to fully obey this commandment. They allowed some of the wicked inhabitants to remain (see Judges 1:21, 27–28). In Judges 2–4, we learn about a spiritual pattern, or cycle, the Israelites experienced because they repeatedly failed to follow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Invite the students to study the following verses with a partner or small group, looking for the pattern of behavior that occurred among the Israelites. Students could summarize each set of verses with a word or phrase. They could then write that word or phrase in the appropriate box on their diagrams.

1. Judges 3:5–7 (Note: Baalim is the plural form of Baal, a false god worshipped in Canaan. The term groves refers to “a living tree or a tree-like pole, set up as an object of worship” [Bible Dictionary, “Grove”].)

2. Judges 3:8

3. Judges 3:9 (first phrase of verse)

4. Judges 3:9–11

After students have studied the verses, invite them to share the words or phrases they included on their diagrams. If needed, you could offer the following suggestions for each box: 1. Sin; 2. Consequences; 3. Cry unto the Lord; 4. Deliverance through the Lord. To help students record this cycle in their scriptures, you could invite them to write the word or phrase from each box by each set of verses.

Then display the following instructions. Give students a few minutes to study some or all of the references.

To see other examples of this cycle in Judges 2–4, study some of the following references. As you notice different elements of the cycle, you could label them in your scriptures. (Note: Not every element of the cycle will appear in every set of verses.)

Judges 2:10–18

Judges 3:12–15, 26–30

Judges 4:1–4, 14–16

What can we learn about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ from this cycle in Judges 2–4?

As students share answers to the previous question, consider pointing out their insights that show God’s love and attributes. One way to do this is to make simple statements after students share. You could say, “Thank you for your insight about the merciful nature of Jesus Christ” or “I’m grateful for your reminder of the power the Savior has to deliver us” or “Why is it important to know that Heavenly Father also has that attribute that you noticed in the Savior?” (For additional training on helping students come unto Jesus Christ, see “Help Learners Strengthen Their Relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ” in Teacher Development Skills [2022], 9.)

Some truths students might discover about the Lord in these passages are:

If we choose to reject the Lord, we will lose His guidance and protection in our lives.

As we choose to turn to the Lord and call upon His name, He will deliver us.
How do you think understanding these truths could affect your life?

The Deliverer

Explain that one of the titles of the Savior is Deliverer (see 2 Samuel 22:2). Students could read and compare Mosiah 7:33 to Judges 3:9. Ask them to share how the individuals who helped deliver the Israelites in the book of Judges symbolize Jesus Christ.

To help students pause and personalize what they have been learning, you could write “me” on the board in the center of the cycle. Invite students to ponder where they might currently be in the cycle. Ask them to think about situations in their lives where they need the Savior’s deliverance.

Elder Kyle S. McKay of the Seventy testified of how Jesus Christ is the Great Deliverer:

11:39

I bear witness that Jesus Christ is the Great Deliverer, and in His name, I promise that as you turn to Him with real intent and full purpose of heart, He will deliver you from everything that threatens to diminish or destroy your life or joy. (“The Immediate Goodness of God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 107)

What thoughts or feelings do you have as you reflect on this statement?

Consider giving students time to list in their journals or on the board any threats that could “diminish or destroy [their] life or joy.” If helpful, students could study the article “The Savior Can Deliver Us” (Jessica Z. Strong, For the Strength of Youth, Dec. 2022, 2–4), looking for examples.

Next to the list they created, students could write responses to the following question.
What are some ways the Savior can deliver us when we turn to Him?

Help students discover additional ways the Savior can deliver us as we turn to Him. They could think of examples of the Savior’s deliverance in the scriptures, their own lives, or the lives of people they know. You could invite students to find scriptures that teach about the Lord’s power to deliver, such as Alma 36:27–29; 38:5. They could also read “7 Ways the Lord Can Deliver You” (David A. Edwards, For the Strength of Youth, Apr. 2022, 18–20).

Invite volunteers to share their insights. You could also invite them to explain how remembering these examples can help them strengthen their faith and trust in the Savior.

Demonstrate understanding

To help students demonstrate their understanding of the Savior’s role as Deliverer, display the following instructions. They could complete the activity with a partner or a small group.

Create a scenario about a young person who needs the Savior’s deliverance from a certain situation.
Write a paragraph that summarizes what you have learned about how the Savior can deliver this person.

Consider having students complete step 1 and then share their scenario with a different partnership or group. They could then complete step 2 in response to the other group’s scenario.

You could conclude this lesson by sharing an experience or testimony of the Savior’s power to deliver.

Additional Resources

What was the role of Israelite judges in the book of Judges?

The book of Judges is named for the various rulers, called “judges” (Judges 2:16–19), who are the book’s central figures. These judges were generally military leaders and fighters more than preachers of righteousness (see Bible Dictionary, “Judges, the”).

Why is it important to regularly turn to the Lord?

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

13:44

The book of Judges records that after Joshua died, “there arose another generation … which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel” [Judges 2:10].

Despite the astonishing heavenly interventions, visitations, rescues, and miraculous victories the children of Israel witnessed during the lifetimes of Moses and Joshua, within a generation the people had abandoned the Way and began walking according to their own desires. And, of course, it did not take long before they paid the price for that behavior.

Sometimes this falling away takes generations. Sometimes it happens in a matter of years or even months. But we are all susceptible. No matter how strong our spiritual experiences have been in the past, as human beings we tend to wander. (“Daily Restoration,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 78)

How can I receive the Lord’s deliverance?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught:

The Lord always wants to lead us to deliverance through our becoming more righteous. That requires repentance. And that takes humility. So the way to deliverance always requires humility in order for the Lord to be able to lead us by the hand where He wants to take us through our troubles and on to sanctification. (“The Power of Deliverance” [Brigham Young University devotional, Jan. 15, 2008], 4, speeches.byu.edu)

Judges 4:4. What is a prophetess?

A woman who has received a testimony of Jesus and enjoys the spirit of revelation. A prophetess does not hold the priesthood or its keys. Though only a few women in the scriptures are called prophetesses, many prophesied, such as Rebekah, Hannah, Elisabeth, and Mary. (Guide to the Scriptures, “Prophetess,” Gospel Library)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Choices and consequences

Students might benefit from sharing what they learned about choices and consequences from the cycle of sin and deliverance in the Book of Judges. They could apply what they learned to real-life situations. To help with this, you could provide students with short scenarios that represent people in different “boxes” of the cycle. The following are examples:

A youth is rebelling against God.
A youth is struggling with addiction and feelings of low self-worth because of choices they have been making.
A youth has chosen to humbly turn to the Lord and repent of past mistakes.
The life of a youth is going well. Their life isn’t perfect, but they feel blessed by the Lord in many ways.

Students could respond to the scenario with advice that they might give someone in that situation. You might ask questions like the following:

What advice or warnings might you give this youth?
What could you invite them to do?
What would you want to remind them about the Lord?

Judges 4–5. Deborah

To help students see how one person’s faith in Jesus Christ can help others choose to act in faith, consider watching “Deborah the Prophetess” (2:10). Deborah was one of the judges the Lord used to deliver Israel.

2:9

Students could then share other scripture examples, or examples from their own lives, of people whose faith has motivated the students to trust the Lord.

Serving other gods

Students might need help connecting the choices the children of Israel made to their own lives. Consider having them read Judges 2:11–13, 17, 19; 3:7. Help them identify that the children of Israel abandoned the Lord and worshipped other gods. You might want to acknowledge that in many cultures today, it may seem strange to think about worshipping objects. However, idolatry occurs when we place our hearts and trust in anything above the Lord (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, 146). You could place students in partnerships. One partner could list “modern-day false gods” people might follow and ways that following these false gods cause people to abandon the Lord. Examples might include celebrities, money, or popular culture. The other partner could list ways that we can follow Heavenly Father and blessings that can come as we do. Partners could then share their lists with each other.