Illustration of Abraham and Sarah by Dilleen Marsh

February 7–13

Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2

“To Be a Greater Follower of Righteousness”

What has the Holy Ghost taught you this week as you studied Genesis 12–17 and Abraham 1–2? Be sure to give class members opportunities to share what the Holy Ghost has taught them.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

To give class members opportunities to share something they learned from Genesis 12–17 and Abraham 1–2, they could each choose a person mentioned in these chapters and complete a sentence like the following: “Abraham taught me ” or “Sarah taught me .”

Teach the Doctrine

Genesis 15:1–6; 17:15–22; Abraham 1:1–19

God will bless us for our faith and righteous desires.

• The experiences of Abraham and Sarah recorded in Genesis 15; 17; Abraham 1 can help class members maintain faith that their righteous desires will be fulfilled in the Lord’s time. How can you begin a discussion about this principle? One idea is to invite the class to search Genesis 15:1–6 and Abraham 1:1–19 and describe Abraham’s desires and difficult circumstances. How did Abraham and Sarah demonstrate their faith in times of difficulty? (see Hebrews 11:8–13). How were their righteous desires eventually fulfilled? (see Genesis 17:15–22; 21:1–3; Doctrine and Covenants 132:29; Abraham 1:31). How can we demonstrate our faith when our righteous desires are not yet fulfilled as we would like them to be? Perhaps class members could share how the Savior has supported them in such situations.

• Some members of your class may receive little support from their families as they strive to live the gospel—and they may even face opposition. What can we learn from Abraham’s example in Abraham 1:1–19 that can help those striving to live righteously in such situations?

• You might ask class members to read Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:36–40 (in the Bible appendix) and share what they learn about Abraham’s faith and desires. They could also share how they have been blessed when they have exercised their faith to pay tithing.

Abraham 2:6–11

The Abrahamic covenant blesses all of us.

• To help class members understand what the Abrahamic covenant is, you might share the statements by President Russell M. Nelson in “Additional Resources” (see also Gospel Topics, “Abrahamic Covenant,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Class members may have learned about the Abrahamic covenant from Abraham 2:6–11, as suggested in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Perhaps class members could share what they learned, or the class could study these verses together. What promises and responsibilities do we receive through the Abrahamic covenant? The video “Special Witness—President Nelson” could help answer this question (ChurchofJesusChrist.org/media-library/video/2011-04-18-special-witness-president-nelson). What do we need to do to receive the blessings of this covenant? How can we, as Abraham’s seed, bless “all the families of the earth”? (Abraham 2:11).

Genesis 14:18–19; Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:25–40

“Melchizedek was a man of faith.”

• Because of the Restoration of the gospel, most members of the Church are familiar with the Melchizedek Priesthood, but some do not know about the man Melchizedek. To help class members learn more about him, perhaps you could invite them to imagine that they were asked to introduce him to someone who did not know him and make a list on the board of things they would say. They could base these things on what they read in Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:26–27, 33–38 (in the Bible appendix); Alma 13:13–19; and Doctrine and Covenants 107:1–4. What do we learn about the Melchizedek Priesthood from these verses?

  

  Melchizedek Blesses Abram, by Walter Rane

Additional Resources

Blessings of the Abrahamic covenant.

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

“The covenant God made with Abraham and later affirmed with Isaac and Jacob is of transcendent significance. … The Lord appeared in these latter days to renew that Abrahamic covenant. … With this renewal, we have received, as did they of old, the holy priesthood and the everlasting gospel. We have the right to receive the fulness of the gospel, enjoy the blessings of the priesthood, and qualify for God’s greatest blessing—that of eternal life” (“Covenants,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 87–88).

“The ultimate blessings of the Abrahamic covenant are conferred in holy temples. These blessings allow us to come forth in the First Resurrection and inherit thrones, kingdoms, powers, principalities, and dominions, to our ‘exaltation and glory in all things’ [Doctrine and Covenants 132:19]” (“Special Witnesses of Christ,” Ensign, Apr. 2001, 7).

Improving Our Teaching

Bear testimony often. Your simple, sincere witness of spiritual truth can have a powerful influence on those you teach. For example, you could share a simple testimony about how covenants have blessed your life.