Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4

Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the Teacher Manual
Old Testament Lessons
- Welcome to the Old Testament
- Moses 1; Abraham 3
- Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5
- Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5
- Genesis 5; Moses 6
- Moses 7
- Genesis 6–11; Moses 8
- Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2
- Genesis 18–23
- Genesis 24–33
- Genesis 37–41
- Genesis 42–50
- Exodus 1–6
- Easter
- Exodus 7–13
- Exodus 14–18
- Exodus 19–20; 24; 31–34
- Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19
- Numbers 11–14; 20–24; 27
- Deuteronomy 6–8; 15; 18; 29–30; 34
- Joshua 1–8; 23–24
- Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16
- Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–7
- 1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–16
- 1 Samuel 17–18; 24–26; 2 Samuel 5–7
- 2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11
- 1 Kings 12–13; 17–22
- 2 Kings 2–7
- 2 Kings 16–25
- 2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30
- Ezra 1, 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
- Esther
- Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42
- Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46
- Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86
- Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150
- Proverbs 1–4; 15–16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1–3; 11–12
- Isaiah 1–12
- Isaiah 13–14; 22; 24–30; 35
- Isaiah 40–49
- Isaiah 50–57
- Isaiah 58–66
- Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20
- Jeremiah 31–33; 36–38; Lamentations 1; 3
- Ezekiel 1–3; 33–34; 36–37; 47
- Daniel 1–7
- Hosea; Joel
- Amos; Obadiah; Jonah
- Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah
- Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14
- Malachi
Life Preparation Lessons
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Scripture Study Skills
- For the Strength of Youth Guide
- Building Self–Reliance
- Physical and Emotional Health
- Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Succeed in School
- Missionary Preparation
- Temple Preparation
- Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8: Overview

“Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8: Overview,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8: Overview,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8

Overview

Around 587 BC the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and took many captive Jews to Babylon. Decades later, many Jews returned to Jerusalem and overcame difficulties to rebuild the temple and the walls around Jerusalem.

Prepare to teach

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

Ezra

Lesson purpose: To help students feel a greater desire to prepare to worship the Lord in His holy temple.

Student preparation: Invite students to make a list of both short- and long-term things they could do to prepare to worship the Lord in the temple. They could then consider how their preparation can affect their temple experience.
Image: The Salt Lake Temple near the time when it was first dedicated
Video: “Hearts, Love, and the Temple” (24:33) from time code 21:46 to 24:05
Handout: “Preparing to Worship the Lord in the Temple”
Content to display: Questions toward the end of the lesson

Nehemiah

Lesson purpose: To help students remain focused on the work Heavenly Father has given them to do.

Student preparation: Invite students to come to class with a list of three things that they feel Heavenly Father would have them focus on: one thing for this week, one for the next few years, and one for later in life. You might suggest that students who already have their patriarchal blessing read it again before creating their list.
Videos: “Doing What Matters Most” (1:42); “The Soul’s Sincere Desire” (3:28)
Content to display: Two statements from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf; instructions for a study activity
Materials for students: Enough blank sheets of paper for small groups of students to each have one