Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Old Testament Lessons
Title Page
Lessons 1–2
Introduction to the Teacher Manual
- 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

Isaiah 25: Waiting for the Lord

“Isaiah 25: Waiting for the Lord,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Isaiah 25: Waiting for the Lord,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Isaiah 13–14; 22; 24–30; 35: Lesson 117

Isaiah 25

Waiting For the Lord

A young woman kneels at her bedside and looks out the window as if she is pondering or waiting for an answer to her prayer.

How do you respond when it seems as though your earnest prayers go unanswered? Throughout scripture, the Lord and His prophets have emphasized our need to be waiting for the Lord (see Isaiah 25:9), patiently seeking blessings and answers. This lesson can help students understand the importance of waiting for the Lord.

Student preparation: Invite students to reflect on a time when they or someone they know had to patiently wait for an answer or blessing from Heavenly Father. They could prepare to share what makes the experience of waiting easy or difficult for them.

Possible Learning Activities

Developing patience by practice

To test children’s ability to patiently wait, researchers placed a large marshmallow in front of several four-year-olds. The children were told that they could eat the marshmallow immediately. However, if they were able to wait 15 minutes, they would be given two marshmallows. Only 30 percent of the children were able to wait.

What do you think might have made the difference between the children who could wait and those who could not?
When have you had difficulty waiting for something? What made it challenging for you?

At times, Heavenly Father may ask us to wait for a desired answer or blessing. Sometimes, He might not provide the desired answer or blessing in the way or at the time we want.

What are some examples of blessings or answers from the Lord we may need to patiently wait for?

Students may mention waiting for confirmation that the Book of Mormon is true, seeking healing blessings for a sick loved one, or petitioning Heavenly Father for answers to their gospel questions.

To help students identify how this lesson applies to their individual needs, provide an opportunity for them to ponder the following self-assessment questions.
What blessings or answers from Heavenly Father are you currently waiting to receive? What might He ask you to wait for in the future?
What makes waiting for something from Heavenly Father easy or difficult for you?

As you study today, seek the help of the Holy Ghost to increase your understanding of the importance of waiting on the will and timing of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. You could prayerfully invite Heavenly Father to strengthen your ability to wait patiently.

Patiently waiting for the Lord

It might be helpful to share with students that the Lord sent the prophet Isaiah to the nation of Judah during a chaotic time of political and social uncertainty. Isaiah 25 reminds the house of Israel of the great blessings they have and will receive from the Lord.

Read Isaiah 25:1–4, 6–9, looking for what the Lord had already done for Israel and what He would do for them in the future.

What blessings stand out to you?
According to verse 9, what does the Lord ask us to do to receive His blessings?

Help students identify a truth such as if we wait for the Lord, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. You could write the phrase “wait for the Lord” on the board.

Invite students to imagine a friend asked them to explain what this phrase means. Help students create an explanation for this phrase. If students need additional help understanding what it means to wait for the Lord, you could share the following statement.

Elder Robert D. Hales (1932–2017) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

In the scriptures, the word wait means to hope, to anticipate, and to trust. To hope and trust in the Lord requires faith, patience, humility, meekness, long-suffering, keeping the commandments, and enduring to the end. (“Waiting Upon the Lord: Thy Will Be Done,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 71)

Is there anything you would add to help someone understand what it means to wait for the Lord?
Why do you think it is important to the Lord that we learn to wait for Him? How does that help us become more like Him?

Great blessings promised to those who wait on the Lord

To help students see other blessings the Lord has promised to those who wait for Him, you could use the following scripture study skill activity. This activity helps students practice linking or cross-referencing verses to help increase their understanding of the principle.

Select one or more of the following verses to study: Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 40:31; Doctrine and Covenants 133:45. Look for additional blessings the Lord promises to those who wait for Him.

What might the blessings of waiting for the Lord look like today?

Students might share blessings like peace, joy, or strength while they are waiting for the Lord.

As an example of blessings that came after waiting on the Lord, you could show President Uchtdorf’s story in the video “Continue in Patience,” from ChurchofJesusChrist.org, time code 1:07–2:41. Invite students to look for what President Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, did to act in faith as he waited for the promised blessings of following the Word of Wisdom.

2:42

After you display the following questions, you might share a brief experience you have had while students think about how they would respond.
When have you had an experience of waiting for an answer or blessing?
What have you done that has helped you wait for the Lord?

We are to actively wait for the Lord

Providing an opportunity for students to share what they have studied can make it easier for them to recognize their learning and growth. One way to do this would be with the activity below. If useful, invite students to think of additional details to add to the scenario to make it relevant to them.

Imagine you were asked to give advice to someone struggling while waiting for a blessing or an answer to their prayers. In your study journal:

List something you have learned today that has helped you understand the importance of waiting on the Lord. You might share something you know about the Lord that has helped you.
Write down a passage from Isaiah 25 or another scripture that could be helpful for someone actively waiting on the Lord.
Write down something you feel would be helpful for someone to do while they are waiting for the Lord’s answers and blessings. You could include an experience when you or someone you know has experienced the Lord’s blessings.

Consider concluding class by sharing how you have come to know that you can trust the Lord as you wait for Him.

Additional Resources

What if I am struggling to wait upon the Lord?

Sister Amy A. Wright, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, shared:

10:39

Oftentimes we can find ourselves … patiently—or sometimes impatiently—“wait[ing] upon the Lord.” Waiting to be healed physically or emotionally. Waiting for answers that penetrate the deepest part of our hearts. Waiting for a miracle.

Waiting upon the Lord can be a sacred place—a place of polishing and refining where we can come to know the Savior in a deeply personal way. Waiting upon the Lord may also be a place where we find ourselves asking, “O God, where art thou?”—a place where spiritual perseverance requires us to exercise faith in Christ by intentionally choosing Him again and again and again. I know this place, and I understand this type of waiting.

… I learned in a profound way that deliverance from our trials is different for each of us, and therefore our focus should be less about the way in which we are delivered and more about the Deliverer Himself. Our emphasis should always be on Jesus Christ!

Exercising faith in Christ means trusting not only in God’s will but also in His timing. For He knows exactly what we need and precisely when we need it. When we submit to the will of the Lord, we will ultimately receive substantially more than that which we had desired. (“Christ Heals That Which Is Broken,” Liahona, May 2022, 83–84)

President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

14:19

[T]here will be times in our lives when even our best spiritual effort and earnest, pleading prayers do not yield the victories for which we have yearned, whether that be regarding the large global matters or the small personal ones. So while we work and wait together for the answers to some of our prayers, I offer you my apostolic promise that they are heard and they are answered, though perhaps not at the time or in the way we wanted. But they are always answered at the time and in the way an omniscient and eternally compassionate parent should answer them. My beloved brothers and sisters, please understand that He who never sleeps nor slumbers cares for the happiness and ultimate exaltation of His children above all else that a divine being has to do. He is pure love, gloriously personified, and Merciful Father is His name. (“Waiting on the Lord,” Liahona, Nov. 2020, 115–116)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Isaiah 25:8—“Wipe away tears from off all faces”

Students may benefit from a discussion of how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can comfort us while we wait for relief from feelings of sorrow. If appropriate, you might invite students to share some experiences that teenagers have that may cause them to feel sad. Then invite students to read Isaiah 25:8, looking for what the Lord promises to do for all those who experience sorrow in this life.

When have you experienced Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s comfort when you feel sorrow?
What are some ways we can strive to be like Them and help someone who is feeling sad?

You could show the video “He’ll Be There” (2:43). Through song, a young man shares his witness that Christ will comfort us in our sadness.

2:42

Isaiah 26:19—The dead wait for the Resurrection

To help students understand how we can serve our ancestors who are waiting for their temple work to be performed, consider showing a picture of a waiting room or sign that says, “Waiting Room.” Invite students to discuss the following question.

From what you know of the plan of salvation, how is the spirit world like a waiting room for our ancestors?
What could it mean to them to “wait for the Lord”?

Students could read Isaiah 26:19, looking for the promise to all of Heavenly Father’s children.

How might this verse be helpful to someone who has lost a loved one?

Invite students to share how these spirits were “waiting for the Lord.” Consider asking students to discuss how our efforts to gather Israel can assist these spirits who are waiting for the Lord in the spirit world.