“Our Covenant Responsibility to Share the Gospel: ‘In Thy Seed … Shall All the Families of the Earth Be Blessed,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)
“Our Covenant Responsibility to Share the Gospel: ‘In Thy Seed … Shall All the Families of the Earth Be Blessed,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual
Missionary Preparation: Lesson 196
Our Covenant Responsibility to Share the Gospel
“In Thy Seed … Shall All the Families of the Earth Be Blessed”
As we choose to follow the Savior and walk along the covenant path, He promises us the same blessings He gave to Abraham. These blessings include priesthood power, eternal families, and an inheritance in the celestial kingdom. As part of this covenant, we have the sacred responsibility of sharing the Savior’s gospel throughout the world so everyone can receive these marvelous blessings. This lesson can help students deepen their understanding about their covenant responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
Student preparation: Invite students to spend a few minutes of their personal scripture study looking for the blessings and responsibilities of the Abrahamic covenant. They could study the doctrinal mastery passage Abraham 2:9–11 or search “Abrahamic covenant” in Gospel Library. During the lesson, you could invite them to share things they learned or questions they have.
Possible Learning Activities
Families of the earth
Prepare four envelopes, each labeled with a number: 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Print the two-sided handout “The families of the earth,” front and back. Cut along the dotted lines, creating a two-sided puzzle. Using the numbers of the headings on the back of each piece, place them in the envelope with the corresponding number. Organize students into four groups and hand each group a separate envelope. If you have a large class, consider duplicating the instructions and organizing eight groups of students.
Invite each group to look at the images on their puzzle pieces and provide the following instructions.
As a group, select one of the images of a person on your puzzle pieces and create a brief description for that person. This could include:
-
Name
-
Where they are from
-
Details about their family
-
Things that are going well in their life
-
Challenges they are facing
Invite each group to share with the class the details they created for the person they chose from their puzzle pieces. After they have shared, invite students to look throughout the lesson for what the Lord has asked us to do to bless people around the world, like those described by each group. Explain that students will complete the entire puzzle together later in the lesson.
Consider inviting students to study the following passage with their groups.
Read Abraham 2:9–11, looking for what the Lord told Abraham He would do to bless the nations and families of the earth. Note: These verses contain a portion of what is known as the Abrahamic covenant.
-
Who is the seed of Abraham? (See verses 10–11.)
-
What are some ways the Lord can bless the families of the earth through Abraham’s seed?
The following statement could be shared to support or add to students’ answers.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following about Abraham’s seed:
We are the seed of Abraham …
Missionary work is a manifestation of our spiritual identity and heritage. We were foreordained in the premortal existence and born into mortality to fulfill the covenant and promise God made to Abraham. We are here upon the earth at this time to magnify the priesthood and to preach the gospel. That is who we are, and that is why we are here—today and always. (“Becoming a Missionary,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 47)
-
How would you summarize this statement?
Students might state something like, as Abraham’s seed, we have a covenant responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Consider using students’ words to write this truth on the board.
To better understand the importance of this responsibility, students could be invited to read the first three paragraphs on page 1 of Preach My Gospel under the heading “Your Commission to Teach the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
-
Why might some people be excited about this responsibility? Why might some be hesitant?
-
How do you think the gospel of Jesus Christ could bless people like those you described on your puzzle pieces?
To help students see the value of sharing the gospel, you could ask what they remember about the Abrahamic covenant or explain the following (for more details see “Lesson 23: ‘Genesis 12; 17’” and “Lesson 24: ‘Abraham 2:9–11’”):
As part of the Abrahamic covenant, God has promised us the blessings of His priesthood, eternal families, and an inheritance in the celestial kingdom. These are blessings He desires for all His children, and we have the privilege and responsibility of sharing them with the world.
-
How can remembering these blessings motivate us to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others?
Reflect on your personal feelings about sharing the gospel with others. Continue looking for insights that can help you better understand the blessings and privilege of this sacred responsibility.
Fulfilling our covenant responsibility
Isaiah 49 contains prophecies of the gathering of Israel in the last days, including the preaching of the gospel. The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi explained that these prophecies were a reminder that God would keep His covenant to bless the families of the earth through Abraham’s seed (see 1 Nephi 22:7–9). Note: The servant referenced in Isaiah 49:3 and 5 could describe individuals who lead people to Christ, including members of the house of Israel, prophets, and the Savior Himself.
Display the following instructions. Students could complete this with their groups.
Learn about Isaiah’s prophecies by reading the scriptures and statements on the back of your puzzle pieces. Discuss and prepare to share the following with the class:
-
Things you learn about our covenant responsibility to share the gospel.
-
Ways Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can support us as we fulfill this responsibility.
-
Examples of how this could be applied by missionaries and other members of the Lord’s Church.
After sufficient time, invite each group to briefly share their findings with the class. Encourage multiple members of each group to share something. After each group shares, they could place their puzzle pieces on the board underneath the truth that was written earlier. The pieces from each group will combine to create an image of multiple people and the phrase “The families of the earth.” When they finish, consider watching “President Russell M. Nelson Introduces Preach My Gospel, Second Edition” from time code 0:00 to 0:55, available atChurchofJesusChrist.org. Students could look for additional insights about our covenant responsibility to share the gospel.
Conclusion
Complete one or more of the following statements in your study journal as it relates to our covenant responsibility to share the gospel:
Today I learned that people around the world …
Today I learned that I …
Today I learned that the Savior …
Invite a few volunteers to share what they wrote. Conclude by sharing your feelings about our covenant responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Remind students that this is the Savior’s work, and He will assist them in their efforts.