Seminary
Genesis 24–33: Overview

“Genesis 24–33: Overview,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Genesis 24–33: Overview,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Genesis 24–33

Genesis 24–33

Overview

The Lord prepared a way for Isaac to enter into an eternal marriage. He and Rebekah eventually had twins Jacob and Esau. However, as Esau grew, he did not prioritize receiving the birthright or his eternal blessings. Jacob received the birthright and traveled to his mother’s homeland to find a wife. While journeying, he had a vision that led him to enter into the Abrahamic covenant with God. He went to great effort to marry in the covenant, gain the Lord’s blessings in his day-to-day work, and do what God asked him to do to heal his family relationships.

seminary icon Encourage Learners to Share the Truths They Are Learning. Inviting students to share with each other what they are learning can help them feel an increased confidence in class. To learn more, see “The Savior Encouraged Others to Share the Truths They Were Learning” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way p. 26). An example of how to do this can be found in Lesson 31: “Genesis 28.”

Prepare to teach

The following information provides you with ideas of what you may need to prepare for each lesson.

Genesis 24

Lesson purpose: To help students understand the importance of an eternal, covenant marriage in Heavenly Father’s plan.

  • Student preparation: Invite students to write a question they or someone they know might have about temple marriage and come to class prayerfully seeking answers to that question.

  • Images: A temple marriage, “Rebekah at the Well,” a simple drawing of a temple

  • Handout: Handout titled “Eternal Marriage”

Genesis 25–27

Lesson purpose: To help students value the Lord’s eternal blessings over worldly desires.

  • Student preparation: Encourage students to prayerfully evaluate the balance in their lives between the things of God (e.g., prayer, scripture study, church activity) and the things of the world. Invite them to identify any worldly distractions that may be taking priority over eternal things.

  • Videos: “Jacob and Esau” (2:06), “No Regrets” (5:38)

Genesis 28

Lesson purpose: To help students feel an increased desire to make covenants with God in the temple.

  • Student preparation: Consider inviting students to review the promises of the Abrahamic covenant (Abraham 2:8–11). Students could be encouraged to try and explain to a member of their family about the Abrahamic covenant and why it is important to them.

  • Image: Picture of a temple

Genesis 29–33

Lesson purpose: To help students increase their willingness to let God prevail in their lives.

  • Student preparation: Consider inviting students to list ways God is an influence in their lives. If students would like to learn more on this subject, they can listen, watch, or read portions of President Russell M. Nelson’s talk, “Let God Prevail” (18:51).

If you decide to have students or groups of students teach the material on the three handouts in the lesson, give them to the students at least one class period beforehand. For their student preparation, invite them to study the material and prepare to lead the class.