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

Job 21–24; 38–40; 42: Seeing Trials with an Eternal Perspective

“Job 21–24; 38–40; 42: Seeing Trials with an Eternal Perspective,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Job 21–24; 38–40; 42: Seeing Trials with an Eternal Perspective,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42: Lesson 99

Job 21–24; 38–40; 42

Seeing Trials with an Eternal Perspective

Job and His Friends by Ilya Repin. Job's wife grieves behind him, while his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, observe his impoverished condition.

Have you ever wondered why God allows suffering? Are there other questions you have asked during your trials? In vain, Job and his friends tried to determine the reasons for Job’s suffering. While God did not give a reason, He did help Job see his trials in a higher and holier way. This lesson can provide students with an opportunity to help others view their trials with an eternal perspective.

Student preparation: Provide students with the question “Why does God allow us to experience trials?” Invite them to find answers using divinely appointed sources, such as the scriptures, teachings from Church leaders, or their parents. They could also ask family members or friends how they would answer the question.

Possible Learning Activities

Why do bad things happen?

Consider beginning class by writing the following questions on the board. Invite the class to create two more questions people might ask while trying to understand their trials. Add these two questions to the board and number them 5 and 6. These questions will be referenced throughout the lesson.

“I must be doing everything wrong. Why else is life so hard for me?”
“If I’m following the gospel, why am I not able to avoid trials and suffering?”
“I thought God loved me. Why is He making my life so difficult?”
“If God is real, why doesn’t He stop peoples’ suffering?”

It could help to acknowledge that some students might have asked similar questions during trials. Encourage students to be kind and respectful as they discuss the following question.

What are some assumptions people might be making when they ask questions such as these?

After the discussion you could invite students to ponder the following question. They could write their responses in their study journals.
Do you think you could help someone turn to the Lord and find answers to these types of questions? Why or why not?

Studying divinely appointed sources can invite the Holy Ghost into our learning. Pay attention to insights He might teach you as you read the scriptures and statements in this lesson. Consider how these insights could help others answer questions about their trials. Doing so might help you gain greater understanding of your own trials.

Job and his friends

Consider displaying an image of Job, such as the one at the beginning of this lesson. Invite students to briefly discuss with a partner what they remember about the story of Job. You could then share the following:

During Job’s trials he had three friends visit him. Job and his friends tried to determine the reasons for his suffering. Their limited perspective led to inaccurate assumptions.

Using the verses below, consider inviting the left side of the class to study what Job believed about his suffering and the right side to study what Job’s friend, Eliphaz, believed. Or you could summarize these verses and move on to the heading “An eternal perspective.” Summarizing would allow more time for students to study the conclusion of Job’s story and to discuss the handout.

Read Job 19:6–11, looking for what Job assumed about God.
Read Job 22:5–10, looking for what Eliphaz assumed about Job.

What inaccurate assumptions did each person have?

If students need help understanding what they read, you could explain that Job felt God had caused his trials and had abandoned him. Eliphaz falsely accused Job of mistreating others. He believed Job’s suffering was the result of wickedness.

An eternal perspective

As Job continued struggling through his trials, God spoke to him. God asked Job many questions about the creation of the world, which Job could not answer (see Job 38–41).

Read Job 38:4–7, looking for examples of the questions God asked Job.

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained God’s response to Job’s inability to answer Him:

It was as if God had patiently and kindly said to Job, “If you cannot answer even one of my questions about the earth that I have created, is it possible that eternal laws exist that you do not understand? Are there assumptions you have made that are invalid? Do you understand my motives and how my plan of salvation and exaltation works? And can you foresee your future destiny?”

God in His wisdom knows that a vital part of our mortal experience is to not know everything. There is something about trusting Him that allows us to progress to become like Him. (“Trust God and Let Him Prevail,” Liahona, Aug. 2022, 5)

What does this statement help you understand about God and trials?

As students respond, consider pointing out that God did not provide a reason for Job’s suffering.

Read Job 42:1–6, looking for Job’s response to the Lord.

What stands out to you from Job’s response?
What have you learned from Job’s story that can help us better understand our trials?

Students might identify many truths, including God can help us view our trials with an eternal perspective.

Job acknowledged his limited understanding compared with God’s knowledge and Job changed the way he viewed his trials. He came to know his suffering was not a result of sin or divine punishment. God blessed Job greatly at the end of his life (see Job 42:12–13).

Understanding trials

We might not always understand the reasons for our challenges. However, the Lord has provided divine sources that can help us view our trials with an eternal perspective.

2026 Old Testament Seminary Teacher Materials

When students complete the handout, consider inviting them to reread the six questions about trials that were written on the board at the beginning of class. You could then lead a class discussion with questions such as the following:

What did you learn that could help someone with these questions view their trials with an eternal perspective?
How have you seen the teachings you studied be true in your own trials?
What are you learning about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as you listen to what others are sharing?

Conclusion

Allow students to role-play helping others view their trials with an eternal perspective. You could do this by placing students in pairs. Provide each pair with a six-sided die. Display the following instructions. You could modify the instructions if dice are unavailable.

Refer to the six questions about trials written on the board as you and your partner complete the following activity:

Choose one person to roll the die.
If you rolled the die, ask your partner the question on the board that corresponds with the number you rolled. (For example, if you rolled one you would ask, “I must be doing everything wrong. Why else is life so hard for me?”)
If you did not roll the die, answer the question your partner asked. Use insights you gained from class to help your partner view their trials with an eternal perspective. Include thoughts or feelings you have about Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ.
Switch responsibilities and repeat the activity one more time. If the same number gets rolled, roll again.

Consider concluding by adding your witness to the things students have shared today.

Additional Resources

Why does God allow bad things to happen to us?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency explained:

18:56

After Job repented and so became more holy, the Lord blessed him beyond all he had lost. But perhaps the greatest blessing for Job was to have increased in holiness through adversity and repentance. He was qualified to have greater happiness in the days he had yet to live.

Greater holiness will not come simply by asking for it. It will come by doing what is needed for God to change us. (“Holiness and the Plan of Happiness,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 102–103)

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency shared:

12:10

Tribulation and challenges are the common experiences of mortality. Opposition is an essential part of the divine plan for helping us grow [see 2 Nephi 2:11], and in the midst of that process, we have God’s assurance that, in the long view of eternity, opposition will not be allowed to overcome us. With His help and our faithfulness and endurance, we will prevail. Like the mortal life of which they are a part, all tribulations are temporary. (“Be of Good Cheer,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 70)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Doctrine and Covenants 122:7. “These things shall give thee experience”

If students share insights they gained from Doctrine and Covenants 122:7, you could invite them to link the phrase these things to the following statement.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Experiencing these things ourselves can endow us with Christlike empathy for those who are afflicted. “My heart will always be more tender after this than ever it was before,” Joseph realized while in jail. He wished he could be with the Saints to comfort and console them. “I never could have felt as I now do,” he explained, “if I had not suffered the wrongs that I have suffered” [“Letter to Presendia Huntington Buell, 15 March 1839,” [1], josephsmithpapers.org]. (“How Merciful the Lord Has Been,” Ensign or Liahona, Oct. 2018, 63)

What impresses you from this statement?
How have your trials prepared you to show Christlike empathy for others?

The premortal life

Explain that to help Job gain an eternal perspective, God asked Job questions about many things, including the premortal life.

As students read Job 38:4–7, ask them to look for what these verses can teach us about premortal life.

Why do you think these questions might have been helpful for Job to consider?

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

11:28

Some might ask when faced with such suffering, how could Almighty God let this happen? And then that seemingly inevitable question, why did this happen to me? Why must we experience disease and events that disable or call precious family members home early or extend their years in pain? Why the heartaches?

At these moments we can turn to the great plan of happiness authored by our Heavenly Father. That plan, when presented in the pre-earth life, prompted us all to shout for joy [see Job 38:7]. Put simply, this life is training for eternal exaltation, and that process means tests and trials. It has always been so, and no one is spared. (“Special Lessons,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 80)

When we face challenges, why might it help to remember that we rejoiced at the opportunity to experience life on earth?

Spiritually nearsighted

After students discuss the handout, consider watching “Let God Prevail” from time code 5:50 to 8:25. Invite students to look for insights President Russell M. Nelson shared about viewing our trials with an eternal perspective.

18:52

Acquiring spiritual knowledge

If there is time at the end of class, you could invite students to review the story of Job, looking for ways he used the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge.

Place students into three groups. Ask each group to read a different principle of Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2023). Have them look for the following:

Words or phrases in your assigned paragraphs that remind you of Job.
How Job used those principles while enduring his trials.