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

Habakkuk: Waiting for Answers to Our Sincere Questions

“Habakkuk: Waiting for Answers to Our Sincere Questions,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Habakkuk: Waiting for Answers to Our Sincere Questions,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah: Lesson 153

Habakkuk

Waiting for Answers to Our Sincere Questions

When the prophet Habakkuk had questions about the wickedness around him, he sought and waited for answers from the Lord. Like Habakkuk, we can turn to the Lord with our questions. This lesson can help students understand how to maintain their faith in Jesus Christ when they have questions that seem to go unanswered.

Student preparation: Invite students to ask a friend or family member if they have ever struggled with difficult questions that seemed to go unanswered. If so, students can ask what this person did to remain faithful to the Lord as they waited for answers.

Possible Learning Activities

Having questions is natural

Hold up a jar labeled with a question mark in one hand and another jar labeled with a picture of Christ in the other hand. Explain that one jar represents questions or concerns we might have and the other jar represents our faith in the Lord and His gospel.

Invite students to think about the following question before reading the statement from President Uchtdorf.

Line are of a Person having questions and concerns

Is it possible to struggle with difficult questions and have faith in Jesus Christ and His restored Church at the same time?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, taught:

44:24

Inquiry is the birthplace of testimony. Some might feel embarrassed or unworthy because they have searching questions regarding the gospel, but they needn’t feel that way. Asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a precursor of growth.

God commands us to seek answers to our questions and asks only that we seek “with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ” [Moroni 10:4]. When we do so, the truth of all things can be manifested to us “by the power of the Holy Ghost” [Moroni 10:5].

Fear not; ask questions. Be curious, but doubt not! Always hold fast to faith and to the light you have already received. (“The Reflection in the Water” [Church Educational System fireside for young adults, Nov. 1, 2009], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Why do you think youth need to understand what President Uchtdorf taught?

Difficult questions

The Lord called Habakkuk to be a prophet to the kingdom of Judah before the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Like other prophets, Habakkuk had questions and sought understanding from the Lord (see Jeremiah 12:1; Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–6).

Read Habakkuk 1:2–4, looking for questions Habakkuk struggled with. In your study journal, describe how someone today might express similar questions or concerns.

Invite students to share what they wrote. They might share things such as the following:

Lord, are you hearing me? (verse 2)
Why is there so much violence and sin all around me? (verse 3)
Why do bad people get away with so much evil? (verse 4)

Give each student a small piece of paper to write down their answers to the following prompt.

Like Habakkuk, we too might have questions. Write down a difficult question you might have that you feel hasn’t been answered yet.

Students could put what they wrote in the jar representing our questions.

Hold up the jar of questions and set down the jar representing our faith in Jesus Christ. Explain that when we have questions, we might be tempted to set aside our faith in Jesus Christ because we don’t have answers.

What is the danger of setting aside our faith and relationship with the Lord when we have questions?

Hold both jars in your hands and explain that we don’t have to set aside our faith in Jesus Christ because of questions. We can move forward with trust in the Lord as we look for answers.

As you study Habakkuk, pay attention to impressions from the Holy Ghost that might help you move forward with faith in the Lord as you wait for answers.

Looking to God

Throughout the rest of the lesson, you might consider periodically inviting students to add things to the jar of faith. If you do this, give students several small pieces of paper to write what they learn from Habakkuk or their classmates about why or how to trust the Lord.

In response to Habakkuk’s questions about the wickedness in his society, the Lord said that He would “raise up the Chaldeans” (Babylonians) to punish the children of Israel (see Habakkuk 1:6). Habakkuk wondered why the Lord would allow the wicked Babylonians to conquer his people (see Habakkuk 1:12–17).

Read Habakkuk 2:1–4, looking for what Habakkuk chose to do as he struggled with his questions and how the Lord responded.

What did you find?

You might ask follow-up questions like “What do you think it looks like to ‘watch to see what [God] will say’? (see Habakkuk 2:1)” or “What does it look like to ‘live by [our] faith’? (see Habakkuk 2:4).”

You might invite students to add something they are learning to the jar of faith.

Explain that the Lord told Habakkuk that the Babylonians would eventually be punished for their wickedness (see Habakkuk 2:5–20).

Read Habakkuk 3:17–19, looking for how Habakkuk chose to live by his faith in the Lord.

If students need help understanding Habakkuk 3:17–18, you could explain that in verse 17, Habakkuk described several undesirable outcomes (plants not providing fruit, fields not providing crops, and so on). In verse 18, he said that he would “rejoice in the Lord” regardless of the outcome.

You could also explain that “hinds’ feet” in Habakkuk 3:19 refers to deer feet, which enable deer to climb difficult ground. This image suggests that the Lord will give us the ability to climb our metaphorical mountains.

How do Habakkuk’s attitudes and actions show his faith in God?

Help students see from Habakkuk’s example that we can choose to remain faithful to the Lord while waiting for answers to our sincere questions.
What do you know about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that helps you trust Them while waiting for answers?

As students share what they know, you might ask follow-up questions like “How did you come to know that about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?”

You might invite students to add what they are learning from Habakkuk or their classmates to the jar of faith.

How to move forward

What are you learning that could help a young person choose to remain faithful to God as they wait for answers?

Students could share experiences of when they or someone they know chose to faithfully trust God while waiting for answers. You could also share your own experience or testify of why you trust Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Encourage students to write down what they have learned today that will help them trust the Lord as they wait for answers. Students could add these ideas to the jar of faith.

If time permits, you could read some of the papers from the jar of faith. As you read, you might ask students to share additional thoughts or impressions that come to them.

Consider keeping these jars to refer to in future lessons. For example, you might use what students have added to the jar of faith to enhance a doctrinal mastery practice lesson.

Additional Resources

What should I do if I have doubts or questions?

President Russell M. Nelson encouraged:

16:23

Choose to believe in Jesus Christ. If you have doubts about God the Father and His Beloved Son or the validity of the Restoration or the veracity of Joseph Smith’s divine calling as a prophet, choose to believe and stay faithful. Take your questions to the Lord and to other faithful sources. Study with the desire to believe rather than with the hope that you can find a flaw in the fabric of a prophet’s life or a discrepancy in the scriptures. Stop increasing your doubts by rehearsing them with other doubters. Allow the Lord to lead you on your journey of spiritual discovery. (“Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” Liahona, May 2021, 103)

How and when might the Lord’s answers come?

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

16:12

In my life I have learned that sometimes I do not receive an answer to a prayer because the Lord knows I am not ready. When He does answer, it is often “here a little and there a little” [2 Nephi 28:30] because that is all that I can bear or all I am willing to do.

Too often we pray to have patience, but we want it right now! As a young man, President David O. McKay prayed for a witness of the truthfulness of the gospel. Many years later, while he was serving his mission in Scotland, that witness finally came. Later he wrote, “It was an assurance to me that sincere prayer is answered ‘sometime, somewhere’” [Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay (2003), xviii].

We may not know when or how the Lord’s answers will be given, but in His time and His way, I testify, His answers will come. For some answers we may have to wait until the hereafter. This may be true for some promises in our patriarchal blessings and for some blessings for family members. Let us not give up on the Lord. His blessings are eternal, not temporary. (“Waiting upon the Lord: Thy Will Be Done,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 73)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Malachi 3:15. “They that work wickedness are set up”

Instead of beginning class with the containers, consider starting with the section titled “Difficult questions.” After students rewrite Habakkuk’s questions in Habakkuk 1:1–4, you could invite them to link or cross-reference these verses to Malachi 3:13–18. Ask them to read Malachi 3:13–15, looking for similarities between Habakkuk’s questions and the questions of Malachi’s people. You could ask questions such as the following:

In what ways do people who don’t choose to serve God sometimes seem happy and successful?
When we see temporal success in people who don’t choose to serve God, why might some people think “it is vain to serve God” and wonder, “What profit is it that we have kept his ordinance … ?” (verse 14).

Invite students to read Malachi 3:16–18, looking for how the Lord addressed these concerns.

What in verses 16–18 addresses the concerns of Habakkuk and Malachi’s people?
How has the Lord helped you with questions or concerns you have had?

Hearing God

You might explain that, in answer to Habakkuk’s concerns, the Lord spoke about our day. Invite students to read Habakkuk 2:14, 20, looking for what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have given to help us in these latter days. Ask students to share what they found.

In what ways has the Lord been filling the earth with greater knowledge of Him?
How have you found and heard the Lord by seeking Him in the reverent silence of the temple?