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

Developing Healthy Habits: Jesus Christ Can Help Us Change Our Habits

“Developing Healthy Habits: Jesus Christ Can Help Us Change Our Habits,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Developing Healthy Habits: Jesus Christ Can Help Us Change Our Habits,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Physical and Emotional Health: Lesson 187

Developing Healthy Habits

Jesus Christ Can Help Us Change Our Habits

Actions that we repeat over time become habits. Some habits can help us better follow the Savior. Other habits might be unhealthy ways of dealing with difficult emotions and could lead to our feeling distant from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Establishing healthy habits helps us feel close to and become more like Them. This lesson can help students seek help from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to develop healthy habits.

Student preparation: Invite students to think about things they do every day that have become habits. They could also reflect on how these habits, both good and bad, are affecting their spiritual progress.

Possible Learning Activities

Habits are like a garden

You could begin class by comparing establishing healthy habits to planting a garden. To do this, consider displaying an image of a patch of weeds and then an image of rows of flowers or plants in a garden.

Imagine a friend wanted to know what they would need to do to turn a piece of weed-covered land into a garden.

What would you counsel them to do?

Students may mention things like removing the weeds, preparing the soil, planting seeds, fertilizing, and watering the plants.
How could the process of planting a garden be compared to establishing healthy habits?

Consider inviting students to think about their habits. Students could seek the help of the Holy Ghost to recognize what they are doing well and what they can improve.

In their study journals, students could draw a weed and a flower. Students could label the weed “Habits I want to change” and label the flower “Habits to start or continue.”

If students need an example, you could display the following image or draw it on the board.
What effect do habits have on our lives?
What can make correcting unhealthy habits or establishing healthy habits difficult?

Jesus Christ can help us change our habits

You may want to assure students that, although it takes effort to change our habits, the Savior has promised to help us.

Read Ezekiel 36:26–27; Mosiah 3:19; and Ether 12:27, looking for what these scriptures teach about how Jesus Christ can help us change.

How might these verses apply to changing our habits?

President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also taught about changing our habits:

Of course, we all have some habits or flaws or personal history that could keep us from complete spiritual immersion in this work. …[T]here is divine help for every one of us at any hour we feel to make a change in our behavior. God gave Saul “another heart.” Ezekiel called on all of ancient Israel to cast off her past and “make…a new heart and a new spirit.” Alma called for a “mighty change” that would cause the soul to expand, and Jesus Himself taught that “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Clearly the possibility of change and living at a more elevated level has always been one of the gifts of God to those who seek it. (“The Greatest Possession,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 9)

How would you summarize what these scriptures and President Holland teach about habits into a statement of truth?

As students share, help them identify a truth like: As we come unto Jesus Christ, He will help us change our habits.
Why do you think we need the help of Jesus Christ to change our habits?
What are some ways we can come unto Him so He can help us change our habits?

Gideon’s example

To help students see how the Savior can help us change, consider sharing the story of Gideon. As needed, you could explain that Baal was a pagan god the people worshipped instead of the Lord (see “Baal,” Guide to the Scriptures).

After a period of wickedness, the Israelites were oppressed by the Midianites. The Lord prepared a man named Gideon to help deliver Israel from their enemies (see Judges 6:11–14).

As he received the Lord’s assignment, Gideon expressed concern that he would not be able to fulfill it.

Read Judges 6:15–16, looking for how the Lord responded to Gideon’s fears.

Gideon took his concerns to the Lord. The Lord reassured Gideon that He would not be facing this task alone (see Judges 6:17–24).

Read Judges 6:25–26, looking for what changes the Lord asked Gideon to make.

Why do you think the Lord instructed Gideon to first tear down the altar to Baal and then build a new altar to the Lord?
If we compare these two altars (building the new altar to the Lord after tearing down one to Baal) to our habits, what can this example teach about what the Lord would have us do to change? What are some ways He can help us?

You might want to compare the Lord’s instructions to Gideon to first removing weeds and then planting seeds from the beginning of the lesson. Help students understand the Lord’s desire to help us both rid our lives of unhealthy habits (removing weeds/tearing down the altar to a false god) and implementing healthy habits in our lives (planting seeds, building a new altar to the Lord).

Establishing healthy habits

Students could list on the board their answers to the following questions.

Read Alma 13:28–29, looking for ways we can come unto Jesus Christ so He can help us change our habits.

What did you find?
What are some additional ways we can come unto Him?

2026 Old Testament Seminary Teacher Materials

The Savior will help us change our habits

How has the Savior inspired you or someone you know to make changes to become more like Him?
If someone expressed that it is hard to change their habits, what would you want them to remember about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

It might be helpful to encourage students to be patient and persistent in their efforts, as it often takes time and repeated attempts to change our habits. You might reread Ezekiel 36:26–27 to remind students that the Savior promises to bless them with His Spirit to help them make needed changes.

Additional Resources

What are some holy habits I can strive to develop?

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

Our sacred responsibility is to develop holy habits that invite the Spirit of the Lord to be with us at all times—habits such as honoring covenants, obeying the commandments, repenting, forgiving, searching the scriptures, serving, and worshipping at home, at church, and in the temple.

The Savior’s disciples in the Book of Mormon exemplified an additional holy habit: “They did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them” (3 Nephi 19:9). (“That We May Always Remember Him,” Liahona, June 2023, 6)

If I am struggling to change a habit, where should I start?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught:

Most of us have had some experience with self-improvement efforts. My experience has taught me this about how people and organizations improve: the best place to look is for small changes we could make in things we do often. There is power in steadiness and repetition. And if we can be led by inspiration to choose the right small things to change, consistent obedience will bring great improvement. ( “The Lord Will Multiply the Harvest” [evening with a General Authority, Feb. 6, 1998], 95)

Where can I learn more about establishing healthy habits?

“Jesus Christ will help you,” For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (2022), 6–9.

“Are Your Coping Habits Helping or Harming You?,” Liahona, August 2023, 30–33.

“Your Garden of Possibilities,” For the Strength of Youth, June 2023, 12–14.

Supplemental Learning Activities

For the Strength of Youth guidebook

If you feel students would benefit from discussing ways Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can help us change our habits, you could read “Make inspired choices” and “Jesus Christ will help you” in For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (2022).

Students could be organized into pairs. Each partner could read one of the sections and share what they discovered with one another.

Jesus Christ makes change possible

You could use the video “Inspiring Short: Putting off the Natural ‘Horse’” (1:44) to help students see how change is possible. Elder Carl B. Cook of the Seventy shares counsel about how we can overcome our natural man tendencies (see Mosiah 3:19) and submit to the will of the Lord in our lives. Invite students to share what impressed them from this story.

Recognizing how our emotions influence our habits

You could use the video “Taking Charge of Technology: Remedies” (3:45) as an example of recognizing how our emotions influence our habits and how we can change our habits. After watching the video, you could ask students to share practices from the video they have lived or that they want to try.

3:45