“Pacing Your Teaching of the Old Testament,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Resource Manual (2003), 5–6
“Pacing Your Teaching of the Old Testament,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Resource Manual, 5–6
Pacing Your Teaching of the Old Testament
The Old Testament is the largest of the standard works of the Church, with over twice as many pages as the Book of Mormon. There is not enough time in a school year to discuss every verse. The challenge is to pace your teaching. If you move slowly and spend too much time on the story of Joseph or Moses, you will not be able to spend enough time teaching Isaiah. If you move too fast, your students may not understand and appreciate significant parts of the Old Testament. Use this pacing guide to help you decide how much you need to cover each day and week and what chapters to assign your students to read.
Because there are many types of seminary programs throughout the world, it is not possible to organize this manual to fit every situation. You may need to adapt this 36-week guide to your program and the needs of your students. Seminary is taught five days a week, but lesson material is provided for only four days to allow time for interruptions such as school activities and assemblies, special seminary activities and presentations, scripture mastery, and tests and quizzes. You may choose to spend more than one day to teach a scripture block more effectively. This flexibility is meant to encourage you to seek the direction of the Spirit to meet the specific needs of your students.
Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the youth of the Church is a sacred trust and a joyous duty. May the Lord bless you and your students this year as you study the Old Testament.