New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual
New Testament Doctrinal Mastery Passages and Key Scripture Phrases
Doctrinal Mastery Review Plan (18-Week)
Lessons 1–3
New Testament Lessons
- Lessons 1–3
  Matthew 1; Luke 1
- Lessons 4–5
  Matthew 2; Luke 2
- Lessons 6–8
  John 1
- Lessons 9–11
  Matthew 3; Luke 3; Mark 1
- Lessons 12–14
  Matthew 4; Luke 4–5
- Lessons 15–17
  John 2–4
- Lessons 18–20
  Matthew 5; Luke 6
- Lessons 21–24
  Matthew 6–7
- Lessons 25–27
  Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7
- Lessons 28–31
  Matthew 9–10; Mark 5; Luke 9
- Lessons 32–34
  Matthew 11–12; Luke 11
- Lessons 35–37
  Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13
- Easter
- Lessons 38–41
  Matthew 14; Mark 6; John 5–6
- Lessons 42–44
  Matthew 15–17; Mark 7–9
- Lessons 45–47
  Matthew 18; Luke 10
- Lessons 48–51
  John 7–10
- Lessons 52–55
  Luke 12–17; John 11
- Lessons 56–58
  Matthew 19–20; Mark 10; Luke 18
- Lessons 59–61
  Matthew 21–23; Mark 11; Luke 19–20; John 12
- Lessons 61–63
  Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21
- Lessons 64–66
  Matthew 26; Mark 14; John 13
- Lessons 67–69
  John 14–17
- Lessons 70–72
  Luke 22; John 18
- Lessons 73–76
  Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19
- Lessons 77–80
  Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20–21
- Lessons 81–84
  Acts 1–5
- Lessons 85–88
  Acts 6–9
- Lessons 89–91
  Acts 10–15
- Lessons 92–95
  Acts 16–21
- Lessons 96–98
  Acts 22–28
- Lessons 99–102
  Romans 1–6
- Lessons 103–105
  Romans 7–16
- Lessons 106–108
  1 Corinthians 1–7
- Lessons 109–112
  1 Corinthians 8–13
- Lessons 113–116
  1 Corinthians 14–16
- Lessons 117–120
  2 Corinthians 1–7
- Lessons 121–122
  2 Corinthians 8–13
- Lessons 123
  Galatians
- Lessons 124–127
  Ephesians
- Lessons 128–131
  Philippians; Colossians
- Lessons 132–134
  1 and 2 Thessalonians
- Lessons 135–137
  1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon
- Lessons 138–140
  Hebrews 1–6
- Lessons 141–142
  Hebrews 7–13
- Lessons 143–145
  James
- Lessons 146–148
  1 and 2 Peter
- Lessons 149–150
  1–3 John; Jude
- Lessons 151–153
  Revelation 1–5
- Lessons 154–156
  Revelation 6–14
- Lessons 157–159
  Revelation 15–22
Lessons 161–165
Life Preparation Lessons
- Lessons 161–165
  Doctrinal Mastery
- Lessons 166–170
  Scripture Study Skills
- Lessons 171–176
  For the Strength of Youth
- Lessons 177–180
  Building Self-Reliance
- Lessons 181–187
  Physical Health and Emotional Health
- Lessons 188–191
  Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Lessons 192–195
  Succeeding in School
- Lessons 196–200
  Missionary Preparation
- Lessons 201–204
  Temple Preparation
- Lessons 205–208
  Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

Scripture Study Tools: Deepening Our Understanding of the Scriptures, the Savior, and His Gospel

“Scripture Study Tools: Deepening Our Understanding of the Scriptures, the Savior, and His Gospel,” New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2027)

“Scripture Study Tools: Deepening Our Understanding of the Scriptures, the Savior, and His Gospel,” New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Scripture Study Skills: Lesson 169

Scripture Study Tools

Deepening Our Understanding of the Scriptures, the Savior, and His Gospel

A family in the Philippines are studying their scriptures, looking a gospel photos and an I Pad. They are also drawing.

The Savior commanded us to “search [the scriptures] diligently” (3 Nephi 23:1). However, it can be challenging to understand ancient texts with unfamiliar language, history, and culture. As we better understand the scripture texts, we increase our ability to receive divine direction from Jesus Christ through His word.

This lesson can help students use scripture study tools to enhance personal scripture study and strengthen their relationships with Jesus Christ.

Student preparation: Invite students to familiarize themselves with the appendix in their scriptures or the Study Helps section of Scriptures in Gospel Library. As an alternative, they could select a doctrinal mastery passage and prepare to share words or phrases from the passage that they would like to study more thoroughly.

Possible Learning Activities

“Understandest thou what thou readest?”

To begin class, invite students to briefly share how their personal scripture study has been going.

What have you tried recently that has positively affected your personal scripture study? What has been challenging about your personal scripture study?

One challenge we might face as we study the scriptures is understanding the unfamiliar language, history, and culture of ancient texts.

To provide an example of someone who struggled to understand the text of scriptures, you could use the following account from Acts 8. If students have recently studied the account of Philip and the Ethiopian in Lesson 86: “Acts 8,” you could have them share what they remember. Or you could share the following summary. You might want to explain that the term eunuch had several meanings, including being a trusted servant to royalty (see Bible Dictionary, “Eunuch”), and that the name Esaias is the Greek name for the prophet Isaiah (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Esaias”).

Philip (New Testament figure) teaching the gospel to an Ethiopian as they ride in a chariot. Another man is pictured driving the horses and chariot. A lake or river can be seen beside of the road they are riding on. Scriptural Reference: Acts 8:26-39

During his travels to Samaria, the Lord’s servant Philip met a man who was struggling to understand the scriptures he was reading (see Acts 8:26–29).

Read Acts 8:30–34, looking for why this man was struggling.

When have you felt like this man as you have studied the scriptures?
What are some things Philip could have done to help this man?

Students might share that Philip could have helped the eunuch interpret Isaiah’s words, explained unfamiliar concepts, or helped him apply the teachings to his life.

Read Acts 8:35–39, looking for how this man’s life changed because he better understood what he read.

How did understanding the scriptures bless the eunuch’s life?

Write the following truth on the board: As we study the scriptures, the Lord can provide help to deepen our understanding of His word.
What are some ways the Lord can help us deepen our understanding of His word?

Possible answers could include other people who help us learn from the scriptures, personal revelation through the Holy Ghost, and scripture study tools.

Increase our understanding using scripture study tools

Share that scripture study tools are one way we can receive help from the Lord to deepen our understanding of His word and strengthen our relationship with Him.

To familiarize students with some of the scripture study tools available, you could display some or all the tools listed below. Examples of how to use these tools can be found in the Supplemental Learning Activities in the Gospel Library version of this lesson.

Be sure to leave enough time for students to practice studying a passage of scripture using these tools.

Guide to the Scriptures defines selected doctrines, principles, people, and places found in the scriptures. It also provides key scriptural references for many topics.

Bible Maps show the geography of some of the lands referenced in the scriptures.

Bible Photographs contain pictures of many locations in the Holy Land where scriptural events may have taken place.

Harmony of the Gospels is an index for stories found in each of the Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Comparing the stories found in different texts can increase your understanding of the events.

Dictionaries can help you understand unfamiliar terms.

Footnotes are found at the bottom of the page in paper scriptures and through hyperlinks in digital scriptures. Footnotes include references to other verses or additional information to help you better understand the verse. A list of abbreviations and explanations used in footnotes can be found in the appendix to the scriptures.

Chapter headings summarize the main points of each chapter. They are informative and often present context and doctrinal insights.

Topical Guide can help you study by topic or find cross-references, definitions, and contextual explanations of words and phrases.

Bible Dictionary is a collection of concise definitions and explanations of many Bible topics, people, places, and customs.

Students’ responses to the following questions could help you determine their current understanding of scripture study tools and experiences using them. The Holy Ghost can help you know how to meet students’ needs during the practice portion of the lesson.

What experiences have you had using scripture study tools?
How have these tools helped increase your understanding of scriptures, the Savior, and His gospel?

You could share an experience when these tools helped you better understand what the scriptures teach.

Practice using scripture study tools

The following activity can help students practice using these study tools to increase their understanding of a scripture passage. You could adapt the activity to meet the needs of your class.

For this activity, organize students into smaller groups. The diagram below uses a group of four students as an example. Invite students to pay attention to how their understanding of the scriptures is enlightened as they practice using these tools. Enlightening the mind is one way the Holy Ghost can teach us truth (see Doctrine and Covenants 11:13).

Display the diagram below. Invite students to copy it into their study journals. Have each group use one circle to represent each group member. Display the following instructions for students to follow:

Select a New Testament doctrinal mastery passage for your group to study. Write the reference and key phrase you selected in the center square. Read the passage with your group, marking words and phrases you would like to better understand.
Determine which tools can help you understand what you marked. Assign one study tool to each group member. Write the tools your group will use in the circles of the diagram.
Use your assigned scripture study tool to better understand the words and phrases of the chosen scripture. How does this tool help you understand more about Jesus Christ and His gospel from the words and phrases you marked?
Share what you found with your group. Write what each person discovered around their circle. Prepare to share what you learned with the class.

Reflect on what you have learned

When students have finished, invite a spokesperson from each group to share the selected passage, the tools used, and the things they learned.

Invite students to reflect on their use of scripture study tools by asking a question like the following.

How could regularly using these scripture study tools strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ?

To conclude, you could share an experience when these tools have helped you better understand what the scriptures teach. Encourage students to incorporate these tools into their regular personal scripture study and in seminary.

Additional Resources

How can understanding the scriptures bless my life?

President Russell M. Nelson (1924–2025) explained:

16:23

Become an engaged learner. Immerse yourself in the scriptures to understand better Christ’s mission and ministry. Know the doctrine of Christ so that you understand its power for your life. Internalize the truth that the Atonement of Jesus Christ applies to you. He took upon Himself your misery, your mistakes, your weakness, and your sins. He paid the compensatory price and provided the power for you to move every mountain you will ever face. You obtain that power with your faith, trust, and willingness to follow Him. (“Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” Liahona, May 2021, 103 [time code 6:48 to 7:41])

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency and President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared:

96:16

President Jeffrey R. Holland: I love the scriptures as a source of that kind of just feeling larger than life. You feel like you could take on any Goliath out there with that substance, that kind of feeling in you.

President Henry B. Eyring: You almost feel strength come to you. I get a feeling of spiritual strength when I stay long enough with the scriptures and I’m after that. But you have to want it. You’re not reading it for information. You’re reading it for feelings. (Face to Face with President Eyring and President Holland [worldwide youth broadcast, Mar. 4, 2017], Gospel Library [time code 22:12 to 22:39])

Supplemental Learning Activities

Alternative beginning

To begin class, consider displaying a “hidden objects” picture. Show students the image and have them try to identify the hidden objects without knowing what objects they are looking for.

You could then give students a list of some (or all) of the objects hidden in the picture: flyswatter, pencil, pizza slice, banana, ring, kite, shovel, paintbrush, needle, horseshoe, pail, fishhook, teapot. You could then ask students questions such as the following:

Why is it easier to find these hidden objects when you know what you are looking for?
How might this apply to our personal scripture study? What are some things we could be looking for as we study the scriptures?

Ensure that students understand that we can look for many things when we study the scriptures, including Jesus Christ, His eternal truths, personal revelation, answers to questions, evidence of Heavenly Father’s love, and so on.

Model using scripture study tools

As you introduce the scripture study tools, students may benefit from practicing using them as a class. Select one or more of the following tools to model or practice together. You could briefly explain the purpose of the tool to students. Then display the question provided or a similar example of your own.

Guide to the Scriptures: How does the second paragraph under “Prayer” help us understand the purpose of praying to Heavenly Father? What New Testament verses could help someone understand why we pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ? (see John 14:13–14; 16:23–24).
Bible Maps: Using Map 11, why would Mary and Joseph have had a difficult journey from their home in Nazareth to Bethlehem? (see Luke 2).
Bible Photographs: Using Bible Photograph 23, why might Jesus have chosen a spot like this to deliver his Sermon on the Mount? (see Matthew 5–7).
Harmony of the Gospels: Compare Matthew 26:36–42; Mark 14:32–41; and Luke 22:40–44, looking for details of the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane. What could we learn about Him from these details?
Footnotes: In Luke 4:2, what does the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), under footnote a, help us understand about the context of Jesus being tempted?
Chapter headings: What does the chapter heading for Revelation 13 help us understand about John’s vision?
Topical Guide: What New Testament scriptures could help someone understand that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are separate beings? (see Topical Guide, “Godhead,” and Luke 3:22; John 5:19; Acts 7:55).
Bible Dictionary: Using the entry “Pauline Epistles: Analysis of Ephesians,” what challenges did the Ephesian Saints face as they organized the Church of Jesus Christ? (see “necessity of unity,” “role of prophets and apostles,” and various other teachings).

Experts

As an alternative way for students to practice using scripture study tools, you could organize them into small groups. Assign one scripture study tool to each group. Invite the group to practice using the tool so that each student becomes an “expert” on it. After enough time, reorganize students into new groups with one expert on each tool in each group. Invite students to teach the other members of their new groups how to use their tools.

Use digital scripture study tools and ideas

The following tools could help students practice using digital resources.

Bible Videos: These videos depict the Savior’s life and ministry for certain New Testament passages.

Book of Mormon Videos: These videos depict events found in the Book of Mormon.

Topics and Questions: This resource provides information and study materials for a variety of topics.

Scripture Citation Index: This resource links scripture references to general conference talks and other writings and teachings of Church leaders.

Gospel Library App: You could show the resource “Ideas for Using the Gospel Library App” or one of the videos that explains the app’s features at “Gospel Library Overview Videos.”

Other tools can help you see different translations of the scripture text.

Additional ideas for studying the scriptures can be found in the article “More Than One Way to Study the Scriptures” (Liahona, Oct. 2020, digital only).