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

2 Chronicles 14–16: “If Ye Seek Him, He Will Be Found of You”

“2 Chronicles 14–16: ‘If Ye Seek Him, He Will Be Found of You,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“2 Chronicles 14–16: ‘If Ye Seek Him, He Will Be Found of You,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30: Lesson 90

2 Chronicles 14–16

“If Ye Seek Him, He Will Be Found of You”

Some people might seek Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ only when things are going well. Others might cry out for Their help only in times of trouble. Like Asa, the king of Judah, we can seek the Lord during both peaceful and difficult times. This lesson can help students make a plan to seek the Lord.

Student preparation: Invite students to make a list of ways they could seek the Lord in their lives.

Possible Learning Activities

Seeking to find

Consider beginning the lesson by inviting students to think about how we look for things that are lost. You could list or display a few things that vary in value, such as a pencil, an important homework assignment, a cell phone, a gift from a loved one, and so on. Ask students what efforts they would put into finding each item if it were lost.

Why do your efforts to find something differ depending on what you are looking for?

Consider writing Seek the Lord at the top of the board.
What do you think it means to seek the Lord?

If students struggle to answer, you might ask how they get to know someone and develop a good relationship. Then ask how they might seek to know and develop a relationship with the Lord. You might explain that the Hebrew word for seek in the verses they will study today (2 Chronicles 14:4; 15:2, 12; 16:12) is darash and means to search for, ask, visit, pursue, consult, or apply oneself to.

In your study journal, respond to the following questions:

What are some things that you or others you know have done to seek the Lord?
How much effort do you give to seek the Lord?

As you study today, look for ways you can seek the Lord. Write any thoughts or feelings that come to you from the Holy Ghost.

An example of seeking the Lord

Consider sharing or summarizing the following paragraph.

The books of Chronicles and Kings cover roughly the same time period. In 2 Chronicles 14–16 and 1 Kings 15, we read an account of King Asa, the third king of Judah.

You could create the following chart on the board to help students with the next activity. Students could also create the chart in their study journals.

How Asa and his people sought the Lord	How the Lord blessed them
How Asa and his people sought the Lord	How the Lord blessed them

Consider separating students into four different groups. Ask each group to read a different set of the following verses. A student from each group could write what they learned on the board.

If students need help understanding “groves” in 2 Chronicles 14:3, explain that they were places where people worshipped false gods.

Read one of the following sets of verses, looking for what Asa and his people did and how God blessed them:

2 Chronicles 14:3–7. During a time of peace
2 Chronicles 14:9–13. When the Ethiopians attacked
2 Chronicles 15:1–9. During a time of peace
2 Chronicles 15:10–12, 15. During a time of peace

Ask the following question to help students identify a truth from what they have studied. As students share, add their responses to the chart on the board.
What did you learn from the experiences of Asa and his people?

Using the students’ words, help them identify truths such as the following:

As I seek the Lord with all my heart, He will give me rest (2 Chronicles 14:7; 15:15)
If I seek the Lord, I will find Him (2 Chronicles 15:2)

As students share, consider asking follow-up questions to help them think about what some of the words or phrases might mean. For example, you might ask, “What do you think it means to find the Lord?” or “What might it look like for the Lord to give us rest?”

For teachings that might help with these or other questions, see the Additional Resources section.

Seeking and finding the Lord

Help students make connections between Asa’s life and their own lives. You might relabel the existing chart on the board with How I can seek the Lord in the left column and How the Lord might bless me in the right column. Then invite students to do the following in groups or on their own.

In addition to what Asa and his people did, add to the left-hand column of your list ways you can seek the Lord. These ways might come from your own experience, examples in scriptures or Church history, or talks from Church leaders.

What can distract us from seeking the Lord?
What helps you seek the Lord despite distractions?

Consider inviting them to mark the phrase “he will be found of you” in 2 Chronicles 15:2. To help students think of ways we can find the Lord, ask the following.
How has the Lord blessed you or someone you know as you have sought Him?

After students share, encourage them to write their thoughts in the right hand column of the chart. You might want to testify that the blessings students shared could be evidence that they have found Him.

Making a plan

Help students act on something they have felt or learned during the lesson. To do so, encourage them to consider the impressions they might have received from the Spirit throughout class. Also, in lesson 87, students revisited their scripture study goals as a way to come closer to the Lord. If useful, they could evaluate how their goals are going and decide if they would like to use their goals in this plan as well.

Pick one thing you can do to seek the Lord. Answer the following questions in your study journal. Plan how you can include this action in your life.

Why do you think this action might help you find the Lord more in your life?
What challenges might you face as you strive to do this?
What specific steps can you take to do it despite these challenges?

Consider ending class with your own testimony of the blessings of seeking the Lord.

Additional Resources

2 Chronicles 14:6–7. What does it mean to find rest in the Lord?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

18:44

Despite the distractions and distortions that swirl around us, you can find true rest—meaning relief and peace—even amid your most vexing problems. (“Overcome the World and Find Rest,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 96)

What does seeking the Lord require?

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

14:47

Being aware of all that is necessary for us in this life, the Savior invites us to seek Him in every thought and to follow Him with all our heart. This gives us the promise that we can walk in His light and that His guidance prevents the influence of darkness in our life.

Seeking Christ in every thought and following Him with all our heart requires that we align our mind and desires with His. The scriptures refer to this alignment as “stand[ing] fast in the Lord” [Philippians 4:1]. This course of action implies that we continually conduct our lives in harmony with the gospel of Christ and focus daily on everything that is good. Only then may we achieve “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” and which will “keep [our] hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” [Philippians 4:7]. (“Seek Christ in Every Thought,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 82–83)

What blessings come from seeking the Lord?

One example is Moroni’s testimony in Ether 12:41. Also, Elder Craig C. Christensen of the Seventy taught the following:

7:9

Supplemental Learning Activities

Alternative beginning

Consider writing the word Quest on the board. Ask students the following question:

What comes to your mind when you think of this word?

After giving students a chance to respond, display the following statement from Elder José A. Teixeira of the Seventy.

9:43

The Lord said, “[Seek] me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” [Doctrine and Covenants 6:36]. Seeking the Lord and feeling His presence is a daily quest, a worthwhile effort. (“Seeking the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 96)

How might seeking the Lord and feeling His presence be “a daily quest”?

After students have had time to discuss, you could invite them to answer the reflection questions at the beginning of the lesson.

Relying on our Captain

To help students consider what it means to rely on the Lord, you could study the account in 2 Chronicles 13 of Abijah, Asa’s father. Explain that the Israelites split into two kingdoms: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. A war broke out between Israel, led by King Jeroboam, and Judah, led by King Abijah.

Invite students to read 2 Chronicles 13:4, 10–12, marking words or phrases that show where Abijah and his people turned. If helpful, you might explain that burning sacrifices and incense, setting shewbread on the table, and lighting the lamps (verse 11) were all a part of priests’ duties for worshipping in the temple.

Help students identify a truth like God is our Captain. You could invite students to cross-reference verse 12 to Hebrews 2:10: “the captain of their salvation.”

What do you think it means to have God as our Captain?
What do you know about God that makes Him a good Captain?

Then invite students to read 2 Chronicles 13:13–20, looking for what happened because Abijah and his people relied on God as their Captain. After they read, you might want to invite students to mark the phrase “because they relied upon the Lord God” in verse 18.

How has God helped you as you have relied on Him?

Choosing not to rely on God

To help students avoid the mistake of not relying on God, you could finish Asa’s story in 2 Chronicles 16. Explain that Asa turned away from Him later in life.

Invite students to read 2 Chronicles 16:1–12, looking for two examples of how Asa chose not to rely on God. Help students understand that Asa took silver and gold from the temple to buy Syria’s help in defeating Israel (see 2 Chronicles 16:1–6). Asa also did not seek the God’s help with his illness (see 2 Chronicles 16:12). If needed, you might explain that Asa wasn’t wrong to seek the help of physicians, but he didn’t also seek God’s help. (For more on this concept, see Dallin H. Oaks, “Healing the Sick,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 47.)

What fears might Asa have had that led him not to rely on God?
What are situations where teenagers might experience similar fears?
What do you know about God that could help someone rely on Him in a difficult situation?