March 6–12

Introduction to the Old Testament

As you begin preparing to teach, read the scriptures included in this outline and record your spiritual impressions. This will invite the Spirit into your preparation. As you study, think about the children you teach and how you can inspire them to learn from the Old Testament this year.

Improving Our Teaching

Help young children learn from the scriptures. To help young children learn from the scriptures, focus on a single verse of scripture or even just a key phrase within a verse. Sometimes you might read a passage and invite the children to stand up or raise their hands when they hear a specific word or phrase you want to focus on. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 21.)

Invite Sharing

To familiarize the children with the Old Testament, show them a Bible and open it up to the page that divides the Old and New Testaments. Briefly explain to them what the Old Testament is—the writings of prophets who lived before Jesus Christ was born. Ask them to share why they think it is important for us to study the scriptures.

Teach the Doctrine

Younger Children

Prophets speak God’s words.

As they study the Old Testament this year, the children will learn about several prophets. They will get more meaning out of these stories if they understand what a prophet is and what he does. How can you help the children develop faith in the Lord’s prophets?

Possible Activities

• Share chapter 47, “The Prophets Tell about Jesus Christ,” in Old Testament Stories (see also the video of this chapter on LDS.org).

  Chapter 47: The Prophets Tell about Jesus

• Use pictures of Old Testament prophets (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 7, 14, 22) to help the children understand what prophets do—they teach us about God and His commandments and they write about Jesus Christ.

• Teach the children some of the verses about Old Testament prophets from “Follow the Prophet” (Children’s Songbook, 110–11).

• Let the children color this week’s activity page. As they do, share with them Amos 3:7.

Stories in the Old Testament strengthen my faith.

Children love stories, and the stories in the Old Testament can build their faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. What stories from the Old Testament are especially meaningful to you? What can you do to help the children you teach get excited about learning from the stories in the Old Testament this year?

Possible Activities

• Show several pictures of stories from the Old Testament (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 1–27). Ask the children to tell about the stories they already know.

• Invite a parent of one of the children to share a favorite Old Testament scripture passage or story and the simple gospel truths that it teaches. Or share one of your own.

Teach the Doctrine

Older Children

Prophets are called by God to help us.

By studying the Old Testament, children can build their understanding of the roles of prophets. As you read Numbers 12:6; Deuteronomy 18:18; Ezekiel 33:7; and Amos 3:7, think of experiences you can share when a prophet’s counsel blessed your life.

Possible Activities

• On this week’s activity page, the children can write things a prophet does. Invite them to read Numbers 12:6; Deuteronomy 18:18; Ezekiel 33:7; and Amos 3:7 and add anything else they learn about the roles of prophets.

• Ask the children to tell about their favorite Old Testament prophets. Why are these their favorites? You may want to show pictures of these prophets to help them remember.

• Use Ezekiel 33:7 to help the children understand how a prophet is like a watchman. Let the children take turns being a watchman. Show the watchman a word describing something prophets have warned us against, such as dishonesty or unkind words. Ask the child to describe the concept without using the word while the other children try to guess what it is.

The Old Testament helps me learn about Jesus Christ.

The beginning of the year might be a good time to invite children to begin looking for things in the scriptures that remind them of the Savior.

Possible Activities

• As you read Moses 6:63, help the children think of things around us that remind us of Jesus Christ.

• Read Moses 5:4–8 together and help the children see how the sacrifice of animals can remind us of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

• Show the picture Isaiah Writes of Christ’s Birth (Gospel Art Book, no. 22), and read together Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; 53:5–12. What did the prophets know about Jesus many years before He was born?

I can liken the scriptures to my life.

When children understand how their lives—including their trials and choices—are similar to those of people in the scriptures, the scriptures will come alive for them, and they will turn to the scriptures for guidance. What stories from the Old Testament have you likened to your life?

Possible Activities

• Read together 1 Nephi 3:31; 4:1–3 and explain how Nephi likened the story of Moses escaping Egypt to his own experience with getting the brass plates from Laban.

• Share how you have likened a story from the Old Testament to your life.

• As a class, make a list of questions that can help the children liken Old Testament stories to their own lives. For example, “When have we felt like the person in this story?” or “How can we be like the person in this story?” Use these questions throughout the year.

Encourage Learning at Home

How can you encourage children and their parents to continue to learn from the Old Testament at home? For example, you could provide something the children can take home to encourage them to share with their families a story from the Old Testament they learned in class.

Sharing Time

Singing Time

Singing time is the most important part of sharing time. Use the Children’s Songbook to select a variety of songs that reinforce the doctrine the children are learning—as well as some songs that are simply fun to sing. Here are some that relate to principles the children are learning this month.

• “I Am a Child of God,” Children’s Songbook, 2–3

• “Follow the Prophet,” Children’s Songbook, 110–11

As the children sing “Follow the Prophet,” invite them to hold up pictures of prophets mentioned in the song.

Sharing by Children

Create opportunities for children to share how they are learning and living the gospel.

Younger Children

• Invite a few ward members to dress up as someone from the Old Testament and come to sharing time to briefly tell that person’s story.

• Show a picture of President Thomas S. Monson, and share how he helps us learn about Jesus Christ. Share a story from one of his recent conference talks.

Older Children

• Invite the children and teachers to share their favorite scripture or scripture story from the Old Testament. It might help the children if you put Old Testament pictures or names on the board to help them remember some stories.

• Review Old Testament stories that help us remember the Savior, such as Abraham sacrificing Isaac (see Genesis 22:1–14).