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 17–20: Finding Principles in the Scriptures

“2 Chronicles 17–20: Finding Principles in the Scriptures,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“2 Chronicles 17–20: Finding Principles in the Scriptures,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30: Lesson 91

2 Chronicles 17–20

Finding Principles in the Scriptures

Do you ever wonder what you can do to draw closer to Jesus Christ? The Old Testament king Jehoshaphat was a great example of doing just that. His people had fallen away from God and engaged in idol worship. Jehoshaphat chose to follow Jehovah and helped his people do the same. This lesson can help students learn to identify gospel principles from the scriptures.

Student preparation: Consider inviting students to reflect on what they are learning in their personal and family study of the scriptures. They could come to class ready to share a principle they found and how it helps them.

Possible Learning Activities

Anchors of safety

Show the following picture of someone rock climbing.

If you were to climb a cliff, what equipment would you need?
Why is this equipment necessary?
If we compare our lives to climbing a cliff, what has the Lord given you to help you safely succeed?

Students might share a variety of answers. As they do, thank them for their responses, and ask why these things would help. The following answer is the focus of this lesson.

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

You and I can be assured of reaching worthy objectives in life by understanding and consistently following correct principles rooted in revealed truth.

Principles are anchors of safety. They are like the steel anchors a mountaineer uses to conquer otherwise impossible cliffs. They will help you have confidence in new and unfamiliar circumstances. They will provide you protection in life’s storms of adversity. (“The Power of Correct Principles,” Ensign, May 1993, 32)

One of the ways that Heavenly Father has lovingly provided us with true principles is through the scriptures. As we study the scriptures, we seek to identify these principles or statements of truth that can help us in our lives.

It might be helpful to have students reflect on their current ability to identify principles in the scriptures. Here is one way to do this.

Take a moment to ponder the following questions:

How confident am I in my ability to identify principles?
How well do I understand how principles can help me in my life?

As you study this lesson on the life of Jehoshaphat, seek the help of the Holy Ghost to identify true principles that can help you.

Principles from the life of Jehoshaphat

Following the death of his father, Jehoshaphat became king of Judah. Israel and Judah had both fallen away from the Lord Jesus Christ. They worshipped false gods.

Read 2 Chronicles 17:3–4; 19:4, and see what you learn about Jehoshaphat. (Note: Baalim refers to false gods.)

What impresses you about Jehoshaphat?

When Jehoshaphat came into power, his people were in apostasy. Jehoshaphat made many efforts throughout his kingdom to help his people follow Jehovah (Jesus Christ). During this time, the enemies of Jehoshaphat came up to battle against his people. What happened in these circumstances illustrates a variety of principles.

Consider explaining the following study skill to identify principles.

One way to identify a principle is to look for how two things relate. For example: because of A, B happens. Or because a person does A, the Lord promises or gives B.

Read through the following verses as a class to give students an opportunity to practice using the skill.

Read 2 Chronicles 17:6 and 19:3, looking for principles in the life of Jehoshaphat. (Note: high places and groves were places to worship false gods.)

Some principles students might identify are:

As we focus our lives on God, we can more easily remove evil from our lives (see 2 Chronicles 17:6).
As we remove evil from our lives, we are more prepared to seek God (see 2 Chronicles 19:3).

Why are these principles helpful?

After identifying principles from the previous verses as a class, invite students to practice identifying principles in small groups or on their own. Have them use the following verses.

Read 2 Chronicles 20:1–9, 14–17, 20–22, looking for additional true principles.

Some principles students might identify are:

As we fast and pray for deliverance, the Lord will be with us in our challenges (see 2 Chronicles 20:1–4, 14–17).
As we seek the Lord in His temple, He will hear and help us (see 2 Chronicles 20:9).
As we believe in the Lord and his prophets, we will prosper (see 2 Chronicles 20:20).
As we praise the Lord through music, He will bless us (see 2 Chronicles 20:21–22).

If students struggle to identify principles, consider writing some or all of the principles above on the board. Invite students to identify which of the verses studied teach each principle.

Understanding principles

For the following activity, students can use any of the principles above, or they can use a principle that they learned recently in their personal or family study.

Choose a principle you would like to learn more about. Prepare a two-minute talk on this truth that includes the following:

A verse or verses you read in 2 Chronicles about this principle, and why you selected it
Other scriptures or words of the prophets that help you understand this principle
A time when the Savior or someone else in scriptures or Church history exemplified this principle
Ways you feel this principle from the Lord can help us or keep us safe
An experience when you or someone you know acted according to this principle, and any blessings from the Lord that came as a result

Students could share their talks with a partner or small group. Or you might invite a few willing students who studied different principles to share their talks with the class. Between each student’s talk, you could invite the class to share any comments or questions they have about the principle the student shared.

Make sure to provide enough time for students to prepare and share their two-minute talks.
From what you learned today, why is it useful to strive to find the principles that the Lord has given us in scripture?
How might you use what you learned today in your family and personal study?

Additional Resources

What is a principle?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Stated succinctly, a gospel principle is a doctrinally based guideline for the righteous exercise of moral agency. Principles derive from broader gospel truths and provide direction and standards as we press forward on the covenant path. (“The Principles of My Gospel,” Liahona, May 2021, 123)

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances. A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances. It is worth great effort to organize the truth we gather to simple statements of principle. (“Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 86)

Why identify and live by principles?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Learning, understanding, and living gospel principles strengthen our faith in the Savior, deepen our devotion to Him, and invite a multitude of blessings and spiritual gifts into our lives. Principles of righteousness also help us to look beyond our personal preferences and self-centered desires by providing the precious perspective of eternal truth as we navigate the different circumstances, challenges, decisions, and experiences of mortality. (“The Principles of My Gospel,” Liahona, May 2021, 123–24)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Alternative beginning

Ask students to share how they might plot and make a successful journey across the ocean. What would they need to know?

Share the following from Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

Man has always benefited from obedience to true principles. The fearless Polynesians in precarious craft crossed an immense ocean for destinations thousands of miles away. That feat was accomplished not by chance but by adherence to sound principles of celestial navigation. They prepared carefully and did not succumb to temptations to deviate from their course or delay en route. In like manner, you and I can be assured of reaching worthy objectives in life by understanding and consistently following correct principles rooted in revealed truth. (“The Power of Correct Principles,” Ensign, May 1993, 32)

The rest of the story

If you feel like students would benefit from learning more about the story of Jehoshaphat and his people, consider summarizing or reading the following paragraph:

Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah went to war with the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, also called the land of Edom (See Bible Map 10). They approached the war singing praises to God. God then blessed them by causing confusion among their enemies, who turned on and killed one another. Jehoshaphat’s people then collected significant treasures from their deceased enemies.

You could then invite students to read 2 Chronicles 20:26–30, looking for how else Judah was blessed for their faithfulness.

Faithfulness over time

You might point out that Jehoshaphat and his people were also examples of doing many righteous actions over time.

President Dallin H. Oaks taught the following, emphasizing the importance of our continual efforts over time:

We are taught many small and simple things in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, these seemingly small things bring to pass great things. …

None of these desirable small and simple things will lift us to great things unless they are practiced consistently and continuously. (“Small and Simple Things,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 89, 91)

How did you see this principle exemplified by Jehoshaphat?
Why do you think faithfulness over time is essential for us to become more like Jesus Christ?