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

Sharing the Gospel in Natural Ways: Sharing the Gospel Can Be Part of Everyday Life

“Sharing the Gospel in Natural Ways: Sharing the Gospel Can Be Part of Everyday Life,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Sharing the Gospel in Natural Ways: Sharing the Gospel Can Be Part of Everyday Life,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Missionary Preparation: Lesson 197

Sharing the Gospel in Natural Ways

Sharing the Gospel Can Be Part of Everyday Life

A young woman sits at a table and talks with a young man, who is holding a Book of Mormon open.

As members of the Savior’s Church, it is our blessing and responsibility to help “all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel” (Abraham 2:11). At times, it may seem difficult to find ways to introduce others to the Savior’s gospel. This lesson can help students practice sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others in natural ways.

Student preparation: Invite students to prayerfully ponder situations where they could share something about the Church or the gospel as part of a normal conversation. Students could think about how this might be done effectively and look for opportunities to do so.

Possible Learning Activities

Sharing what you like

Consider beginning the lesson by inviting two or three students to describe either a favorite vacation, food, or something else that isn’t too personal. They could also share why they would recommend that others try it.

Display the following options after each student shares. Ask the class to hold up the number of fingers that best describes how they feel about what was shared.

I’m now much more interested in trying what they shared.
I’m a little more interested in trying it.
My interest in it didn’t change.

You might point out that it can be easy to share things we like, even when others decide not to try what we shared.

How do you think this activity could apply to sharing our beliefs about the Savior and His Church with others?
From an eternal perspective, what are some of the most important beliefs you could share with your friends and family? Why?

Why we share

To help students recognize some of the blessings of Jesus Christ and His gospel that we might want to share, consider inviting small groups to study the following passages. Each student in the group could study different verses and then report to the group what they discovered.

Study the following passages, looking for why you would want your loved ones to know the Savior.

Which of these truths are you most excited to share with your loved ones? Why?

Overcoming hesitancy

Let students know that it’s natural to feel nervous about sharing the gospel at times. Even great prophets like Enoch (see Moses 6:27, 31) and Jeremiah had to overcome some hesitation.

Read Jeremiah 1:6, looking for how Jeremiah felt when he was called to teach the people.

Why might people today who truly want their loved ones to come unto Christ still hesitate to share the gospel with them?

Read Jeremiah 1:7–9, looking for the Savior’s counsel and promises to Jeremiah.

How do you think the Savior’s words to Jeremiah could apply to us as we share His gospel?

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave the following counsel that could also help us overcome hesitation to share the gospel:

Wherever you are on this earth, there are plenty of opportunities to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ with people you meet, study with, and live with or work and socialize with. …

What I am asking is that you always look for opportunities to bring up your faith in natural and normal ways with people—both in person as well as online. …

In whatever ways seem natural and normal to you, share with people why Jesus Christ and His Church are important to you. (“Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 15, 17)

How would you summarize the Lord’s promises to Jeremiah and Elder Uchtdorf’s teachings into a simple statement of truth?

Using students’ words, you might write a truth like the following on the board: The Savior can help us share His gospel in natural and normal ways.

Consider inviting students to discuss the following in small groups, then ask for a few volunteers to share their responses with the class.
What makes the difference between sharing the gospel feeling “natural and normal” or feeling awkward?
Can you think of anyone who talks about the gospel in a natural way? If so, how do they do it?

The “mirror quality to conversation”

This section of the lesson can help students practice one way to naturally bring up Jesus Christ and His gospel in conversations. You could practice different skills with your students that may be more helpful to them. Consider holding up a mirror and displaying the following statement.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained one way you can create conversations about gospel subjects.

I know one BYU graduate who is a great example. He points out that there is a mirror quality to conversation. If we talk about the weather, people respond by talking about the weather. If we talk about sports, they respond by talking about sports. This friend says he asks people he meets about their school and listens intently. After they respond by asking him about his school, he tells them about BYU and then shares his testimony of the gospel. Then, in a positive way, he offers to let them learn more from the missionaries. He has been very successful in sharing the gospel. (“How to Be a Member Missionary,” New Era, Feb. 2015, 48)

How would you explain using the “mirror quality to conversation” to bring up the gospel with others?

Define

To help students prepare to practice this skill, share the following with them:

Talking about part of our life can feel more natural if we first ask someone else about the same thing in their life. To do this you can:

Choose something you have done recently or will do soon to participate in the Church of Jesus Christ or His gospel.
Think of a question you could ask someone that will make it more natural for you to share what you chose about the Savior’s Church or gospel.
Ask your question, listen sincerely to their answer, then share what you chose.

You might also express the importance of listening to others with genuine caring before sharing about ourselves (see Preach My Gospel: A Guide for Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, 192).

Model

Model the “mirror quality to conversation” by asking a student what they did this weekend. After sincerely listening to their answer, tell them about your weekend and be sure to include something positive about your experience at church.

You might also share examples such as the following:

Ask, “How has your morning been?” (Listen to their answer.) Then share something like, “I had the best experience this morning in seminary learning …”

Ask, “Do you have anything fun planned this week?” (Listen to their answer.) Then share something like, “I get to go to the temple with my family on Wednesday night to …”

Practice

Invite students to practice this skill. Depending on available time, students could practice the skill with multiple partners, sharing different aspects of the gospel in their lives each time. Encourage them to look for chances to talk about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the blessings of the gospel. It may be helpful to display the following steps.

Prepare to share the Savior’s gospel

Consider reminding students that success in sharing the gospel is not determined by whether the person accepts the Savior’s message. The fact that we tried to share the Savior’s light is always a success.

To conclude class, you might display the following prompt and invite students to record their thoughts in their study journals.

Read Jeremiah 1:7–9 again and reflect on how the Lord can help you share His gospel. Then take a few minutes to think about situations you might be in this week where you could discuss the gospel with someone. Prayerfully ask Heavenly Father for His help recognizing ways you could naturally share the Savior’s message. Remember that like the Lord helped Jeremiah, He will also help you in your efforts.

Additional Resources

Is there a “right” way to share the gospel with someone?

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles taught:

Sharing the gift of the gospel can be like eating in a restaurant. A large menu of ways is available to share the gospel or invite others to do something that ultimately builds faith in Jesus Christ.

No one needs to do everything.

Everyone who is willing can do something.

No one needs to do anything they do not choose.

…You can choose to invite others to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that are comfortable and natural for you, using your own talents and abilities. Over time you may find that the range of things that are comfortable expands. (“Sharing the Christmas Gift,” For the Strength of Youth, Dec. 2021, 8)

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency taught:

I’ve studied carefully and prayerfully some who are remarkably faithful and effective witnesses of the Savior and His Church. …

There is no single pattern in what they do. There is no common technique. Some always carry a Book of Mormon to give away. Others set a date to find someone for the missionaries to teach. Another has found questions which draw out feelings about what matters most in life to a person. Each has prayed to know what to do. They each seem to get a different answer, suited especially to them and to the people they meet. (“A Child and a Disciple,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2003, 30)

What if others do not respond well to my efforts to share the gospel?

Elder Thierry K. Mutombo of the Seventy taught:

As you share the good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ, do so with love and patience. We should not interact with others with the sole expectation that they will soon be in white clothes to be baptized. Some who come and see will, perhaps, never join the Church; some will at a later time. That is their choice. But it doesn’t change our love for them. … The important thing is that you don’t give up; keep trying to get it right. I promise you that you will be happier and more joyful because of your daily desire to share what you know to be true with others. (“Share the Gospel,” Liahona, Feb. 2022, digital only)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Alternate beginning to the lesson

Consider showing the video “Good Things to Share” (2:21). In this video, Elder Bednar teaches that sharing meaningful and helpful things with others is not unusual.

2:21

You may want to list students’ answers to the following question on the board:

From an eternal perspective, what are some of the most important things to share?

Methods of sharing the gospel in natural and normal ways

To give students more ideas of how they could share the gospel in natural and normal ways, consider inviting them to brainstorm some of the following ideas:

Find a scripture passage that you would like to share with others. List two to three ways you could share that verse with someone.
List different settings you will be in this week such as at a job, team practice, or club meeting. Think of ways someone could share the gospel in natural and normal ways in each setting.
Discuss different ways the gospel could be shared online. Create a gospel–related meme or social media post to share. If appropriate, take a few minutes to post the message now.

You could also invite student to search the “Sharing the Gospel” section of Gospel Library for additional ideas.

You might want to show the video “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go” (5:45), which shows a family sharing the Savior’s message as part of their normal day.

5:45

Practice sharing the gospel

Here are a few other role-play ideas that could be used to help students practice sharing the gospel.

Share the latest social media campaign of the Church with a friend.
Talk about what you did at a recent ward youth activity. Then ask them if they would like to join you at the next activity.
Invite someone to share the meaning of their last name. Talk about where your family name is from and demonstrate your family tree with the family history app.
Imagine you have been asked to give a talk in church. Invite a friend to come and listen to you speak.
Ask a friend what their summer plans are. Then share why you are excited for an FSY conference or Church camp you will be attending.