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

Making Comparisons: Make Comparisons to Identify Implied Truths from the Scriptures

“Making Comparisons: Make Comparisons to Identify Implied Truths from the Scriptures,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Making Comparisons: Make Comparisons to Identify Implied Truths from the Scriptures,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Scripture Study Skills: Lesson 170

Making Comparisons

Make Comparisons to Identify Implied Truths from the Scriptures

Many spirits watch as Jehovah presents his plan to Heavenly Father.

An angel told Nephi that the scriptures contain truths that “are plain and most precious” (1 Nephi 13:26). However, sometimes it can be difficult to identify these truths or feel the scriptures are meaningful. Making comparisons between different scripture stories, ideas, and people is a skill that can help us identify precious truths from Jesus Christ and be blessed from His words. This lesson can help students make comparisons in the scriptures to identify implied truths.

Student preparation: Invite students to study Moses 4:1–2, looking for similarities and differences they see between Jesus Christ and Satan. Invite them to ponder why it can be useful to make comparisons in the scriptures.

Possible Learning Activities

Sugar and salt

Consider bringing sugar and salt to class and letting one or two students have a small taste of each. You could also display a picture of these substances, as shown below. Alternatively, you could do the same activity with a sweet beverage, like juice, and something bitter, like vinegar.

Showing the difference of Coarse and Fine Salt

How are salt and sugar similar? How are they different?
How can comparing salt with sugar help you understand them better?

Similarly, as we make comparisons in the scriptures, we can more clearly understand and appreciate many of the Savior’s precious teachings. We can better see how He can bless our lives when we live these teachings.

As you learn about this scripture study tool, be open to impressions from the Holy Ghost that can help you recognize how you can make your scripture study more meaningful.

Skill: Making comparisons

To help students learn this scripture study skill, this lesson is organized in the following sections: “Define” (defining the skill), “Model” (giving students examples and guiding them through the skill), and “Practice“ (giving students an opportunity to practice the skill).

Define

Read or summarize the following.

Making comparisons in the scriptures means noticing similarities and differences between stories, ideas, or people. These comparisons can help us identify implied truths (truths we might not otherwise see). We can make comparisons in single verses, in chapters, or across multiple books.

Asking yourself the following questions can help you make comparisons during your scripture study:

Consider displaying the following questions. Students will refer to them throughout the lesson.

How are the stories, ideas, or people similar in this account? How are they different?
What can I learn from making this comparison?
How can what I learn from this comparison help me today?
How can what I learn help me love or follow the Lord more?

Model

To prepare your students to practice this skill on their own, it will be helpful to first guide them using a scriptural account. Consider doing this by using the account of the premortal Council in Heaven, considering the actions of Jesus Christ and of Satan. You may choose to use a different account, such as one of the following:

The people during Enoch’s time (Moses 7:17–19) and people during Noah’s time (Moses 8:28–30)
Abraham and Lot’s choice of which land to live on (Genesis 13:8–13)

Consider displaying the picture below and inviting students to share what they know about the event.

In the premortal Council in Heaven, Heavenly Father presented His plan for the salvation of His children. His plan would require a savior.

Consider referring to the four questions displayed earlier and invite students to record their answers in a study journal as they read the following verses.

Read Moses 4:1–2, looking at how Jesus Christ and Satan both responded to God.

Invite students to share their answers to each question.

As students share what they learned from comparing the Savior with Satan, they may share truths such as the following:

Jesus Christ humbly seeks to do Heavenly Father’s will. Satan selfishly seeks his own honor and glory.
Heavenly Father chose Jesus from the beginning to be the Savior of the world. Satan rebelled against Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Practice

Students could complete this practice activity individually, in pairs, or in small groups.

The “Supplemental Learning Activities” in this lesson includes additional options.

Choose one of the study options below. Use the displayed prompts to help you make comparisons and identify meaningful truths.

Study options:

The report of the 12 spies. Moses sent 12 spies to scout the land of Canaan to see what the land and people were like (see Numbers 13:17–20). When they returned, 10 spies gave a different report from the one Caleb and Joshua (the two other spies) gave. Read Numbers 13:26–33; 14:6–9, comparing the different reports.
The reign of King Solomon. King Solomon became the next king after the death of his father, David. Solomon’s desires and the Lord’s promises to him changed over time. Read 1 Kings 3:3, 7–12; 11:4–6, 9–11, comparing Solomon’s desires and the Lord’s promises to Him at the beginning and at the latter part of his reign.
Shepherds of Israel. Through His prophet Ezekiel, the Lord counseled Israelite leaders, calling them “shepherds of Israel” (Ezekiel 34:2). Read Ezekiel 34:2–6, 11–16, comparing the shepherds of Israel with the Lord, our Good Shepherd.

After students have completed the activity, they could share their answers to the displayed questions with another student, a pair, or a group that studied a different story. Then invite a few students to share with the class. Volunteers could also write on the board the truths they found and explain why they are meaningful to them.

The following are examples of truths that students may share:

The Lord can strengthen us as we choose to see our challenges with faith rather than doubt.
The Lord will bless us as we love Him more than we love things of this world.
We become more like the Lord as we seek out and care for others.

If time allows, you could invite students to continue to practice making comparisons by using a story or scripture block of their choice. They could then share what they learned from making those comparisons.

Conclusion

As you study the scriptures, look for ways you can incorporate the skill of making comparisons. For example, when you study about someone making a poor decision, consider someone else in the scriptures who made a righteous decision. If you see one of the Lord’s prophets who was rejected, consider if you can recall another time when people accepted His prophets.

You might record your discoveries in your scriptures or in a study journal.

How might what you learned today influence your personal scripture study?

Consider closing with your testimony of the scriptures and the truths they contain.

It may be helpful to follow up in later lessons on how your students are doing in practicing this scripture study skill.

Additional Resources

What else can help me get more out of my scripture study?

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

As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles. Carefully separate them from the detail used to explain them. … 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. I have tried to do that with gaining spiritual knowledge. (“Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 86)

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

The combination that opens the vault door to hidden scriptural treasures includes a great deal of work—simple, old-fashioned, hard work. … We cannot expect to reap a rich scriptural harvest unless we pay the price of regular and diligent study. … The scriptural treasures we seek in our lives cannot be borrowed or loaned or obtained secondhand. We must each learn to open the vault door by applying the principle of work. (“Because We Have Them before Our Eyes,” New Era, Apr. 2006, 6)

Supplemental Learning Activities

The Savior’s example in making comparisons

To emphasize the importance of learning from comparisons in scripture study, you could explain that the Savior often used comparisons in His teaching. Invite students to share examples they can think of when He did this. If they need help, consider sharing the following examples:

The widow who cast two mites into the treasury compared with the rich who cast in much (see Mark 12:41–44)
The priest and Levite compared with the good Samaritan (see Luke 10:30–37)
The two sons in the parable of the prodigal son (see Luke 15:11–32)

Invite students to share what they learn from these comparisons.

Additional scriptural comparisons

If your students could benefit from different examples in the “Model” or “Practice” sections of the lesson, consider using any of the following accounts:

The people during Enoch’s and Noah’s time. Read Moses 7:17–19 and Moses 8:28–30, comparing the unity and actions between these two societies.
Jacob and Esau. Read Genesis 25:27–34, comparing the desires of the twin brothers. (Note: A son who held a birthright inherited his father’s possessions and became the spiritual leader and provider for the family.)
A sinful King David and a repentant King David. Read 2 Samuel 11:2–5, 14–17 and Psalm 51:1–4, 10–12, comparing David’s attitudes and desires when he sinned with his desires after he sought forgiveness.

Comparing and contrasting in the Book of Mormon

For a Book of Mormon example of making comparisons to identify implied truths, consider inviting students to compare Nephi with Laman and Lemuel. If they need help, you could invite them to study Nephi’s perspective of their journey in 1 Nephi 17:1–6, and Laman and Lemuel’s perspective of the same journey in 1 Nephi 17:20–21. Invite students to share what lessons they learn from making this comparison.

For other examples that demonstrate the differences between Nephi and his brothers Laman and Lemuel, consider sharing this statement from Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in “That I Might Draw All Men unto Me” from time code 1:58 to 3:52. Students could make a list of the differences they see and then discuss what truths they learn.

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