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

Overcoming Obstacles to Furthering Education: Using All Available Resources

“Overcoming Obstacles to Furthering Education: Using All Available Resources,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Overcoming Obstacles to Furthering Education: Using All Available Resources,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Preparing for Future Education and Employment: Lesson 190

Overcoming Obstacles to Furthering Education

Using All Available Resources

The Lord has taught that “the glory of God is intelligence” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:36). Additionally, Church leaders have repeatedly taught about the importance of education. However, sometimes obstacles make continuing our education difficult. This lesson can help students identify available resources to overcome obstacles to furthering their education.

Student preparation: Invite students to make a list of obstacles that might keep teenagers from continuing their education after high school. Have them come prepared to share their list with the class.

Possible Learning Activities

Identifying the obstacles

Note: Obstacles to furthering education vary around the world. You might need to adapt scenarios or possible obstacles based on your area and the needs of your students.

Consider beginning class by drawing or displaying an image of a teen looking across a river to a representation of future education like the one below. Then share the following scenario.

In a recent seminary lesson, Liam’s teacher shared some statements from Church leaders about the importance of education after high school. Liam believes this counsel and wants to follow it. But as he thinks about the future, his mind fills with all the obstacles that might keep him from achieving his goal.

After sharing Liam’s experience, you could invite students to list possible obstacles on or near the image of the river that might keep Liam or other teenagers from continuing their education. If students did the student preparation, you could invite them to share some obstacles from their lists.

Encourage students to consider both external and internal obstacles. External obstacles might include financial restrictions, low grades, or lack of accessibility. Internal obstacles could include low confidence or lack of hope or desire.

To help students think about possible obstacles to their continued education, you could invite them to do the following.

In your study journal, answer these questions:

Which obstacles (from the board or others) do you worry might get in the way of continuing your education?
How confident are you that you can overcome these obstacles?
How might the Savior help you overcome these obstacles?

During the lesson today, seek impressions from the Spirit to help you identify specific ways to overcome your obstacles to education.

Crossing the Jordan River

To help students use the scriptures to learn how to overcome obstacles to their education, consider discussing the account of Joshua and the children of Israel crossing the Jordan River (see Lesson 62: “Joshua 2–4” for more details). You might read or summarize the following paragraph, as needed.

When Joshua and the children of Israel arrived in Canaan, the Lord promised them all the land on the other side of the Jordan River (see Joshua 1:1–7). However, they faced the obstacle of crossing the overflowing river to achieve their goal (see Joshua 3:15).

You could organize students into pairs to read and discuss the following verses. It might be helpful to explain that the phrases “stand upon an heap” (verse 13) and “rose up upon an heap” (verse 16) refer to the flow of the Jordan River being stopped.

Read Joshua 3:6–8, 13–17, looking for the following:

The faithful actions the priests took to enable the children of Israel to cross the Jordan River
God’s help in enabling the children of Israel to cross over the Jordan River

Students could share with the partners what they discover. They could discuss how the priests’ faithful actions and the Lord’s help enabled the children of Israel to overcome the obstacle.

You might then ask the class the following:
How could this account help a teenager who faces obstacles to continuing their education?

In your study journal, write a statement of truth based on what you learned that could apply to overcoming obstacles to furthering your education.

Students might use their own words to share a truth like: As we move forward with faith in Jesus Christ, He will help us overcome the obstacles we face.

Why might moving forward with faith in Jesus Christ (doing all things in our power) be necessary to overcome obstacles to education?
Why might faithfully seeking God’s help be necessary to overcome obstacles to education?

You might remind students that moving forward with faith in Jesus Christ includes any effort they might make. For example, talking to a counselor, earning money, and faithfully paying tithes are all ways to move forward with faith in Jesus Christ to overcome obstacles to education.

Practice scenario

The following activity helps students practice critical thinking. You might point out to students that critical thinking is a skill that can help us make good decisions. It includes (1) observing and gathering information about the decision, (2) asking questions about what you are observing, (3) discussing your observations with others, and (4) solving problems based on what you learn. You could have students complete each of these steps as part of this activity.

Invite students to create on a piece of paper a scenario with an obstacle relevant to a teenager. If they need help, they could fill in the blanks in the following sentence.

(name of teenager) knows education after high school is important. But an obstacle to continuing their education is (describe an obstacle).

2026 Old Testament Seminary Teacher Materials

What questions might this person ask as they consider the resources available? With whom could they discuss some of their questions?
What actions could this person take to move forward with faith in Jesus Christ to overcome their obstacle?
How might God help this person overcome their obstacle?

Conclusion

You could invite students to review the list of personal obstacles they identified at the beginning of class. Encourage them to seek guidance from the Spirit as they answer the following question in their journals.

What resources can you use from today’s discussion to help you overcome obstacles and prepare for future education?
What faithful actions can you take so Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can help you overcome your obstacles?

You could conclude by testifying that as we cheerfully do all things in our power, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will help us overcome our obstacles to furthering our education.

Additional Resources

How can faith in Jesus Christ magnify my efforts to continue my education?

Elder Clark G. Gilbert of the Seventy taught:

To do all that is expected of you as a … student, you will need to work hard and demonstrate grit. But to go where you need to go will take something more. You will need to seek after the strengthening power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. …

I know that pursuing your education can be challenging and requires sacrifice. I know how hard you are working and that there are many difficult nights as you stay up late to complete assignments, learn new concepts, and manage other demanding commitments in your life. But hang in there. Keep demonstrating real grit. But also, be prepared to move from grit to grace. Involve the Lord. Pray for His help, and He will magnify your efforts. (“From Grit to Grace” [BYU-Pathway Worldwide devotional, Sep. 25, 2018], 1, 2, byupathway.edu)

Elder Carl B. Cook of the Seventy shared:

The God of heaven and earth will help us overcome discouragement and whatever obstacles we encounter if we look to Him, follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and just keep going—with faith.

Thankfully, when we are weak or incapable, the Lord can strengthen our faith. He can increase our capacity beyond our own. (“Just Keep Going—with Faith,” Liahona, May 2023, 14)

What is my responsibility regarding education?

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

18:45

For members of the Church, education is not merely a good idea—it’s a commandment. We are to learn “of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad [Doctrine and Covenants 88:79–80].”

… You have a duty to learn as much as you can. Please encourage your families, your quorum members, everyone to learn and become better educated. If formal education is not available, do not allow that to prevent you from acquiring all the knowledge you can. Under such circumstances, the best books, in a sense, can become your “university”—a classroom that is always open and admits all who apply. Strive to increase your knowledge of all that is “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy [Article of Faith 1:13].” Seek knowledge “by study and also by faith [Doctrine and Covenants 109:7].” Seek with a humble spirit and contrite heart [Doctrine and Covenants 136:33].” (“Two Principles for Any Economy,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 58)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Exploring local resources

For education obstacles unique to your area, you might want to prepare a list of local resources for your students. Some of these resources might include details about:

Peer-to-peer tutoring
Positive role models
Online resources
Community support
Scholarships and funding
Skills development programs

You could spend some time as a class researching local resources to overcome common educational obstacles. Additionally, you could invite a local Church leader or counselor to come to class and explain resource options.

Video emphasizing the importance of continued education

Elder Joseph W. Sitati discusses how he overcame hurdles to get a good education in Kenya. Pursuing an education allowed him to find his wife, a secure job, and embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ.

4:56

After sharing the video, you could invite students to text or email family members or friends who have continued their education after high school. Invite students to ask how they overcame obstacles to obtain their education.

Moving forward with faith in Jesus Christ

To emphasize the bolded truth in the lesson, you could have students read Doctrine and Covenants 123:17 and the following statement by Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, looking for what these sources teach about overcoming obstacles.

In Doctrine and Covenants, section 123, verse 17, the Lord teaches an important principle and offers a remarkable promise.

The important principle the Lord teaches is this: “Cheerfully do all things that lie in our power.” This is a principle of faith and action. … Doing all things that lie in our power helps us receive God’s help and inspiration. Our best efforts and God’s help go together. (“Cheerfully Do All Things in Our Power” [BYU–Pathway Worldwide devotional, Dec. 5, 2023], 1, byupathway.edu)

What does Elder Gong teach that could help a person move forward with faith in Jesus Christ?