Introduction to the Old Testament

I can learn of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament.
Heavenly Father wants to make covenants with me.
Jesus Christ is Jehovah in the Old Testament.
Additional Resources

Tell the children that this year they will be studying the gospel mostly from the Old Testament and Pearl of Great Price. Show the children a copy of each of these books, or if they have their own set of scriptures, have them locate each of these books. Explain that the Old Testament is the history of God’s dealings with his people from the creation of the earth until about four hundred years before Jesus Christ was born. The Pearl of Great Price contains sacred writings by several prophets, including two Old Testament prophets, Moses and Abraham. They tell about our premortal life, the early history of the world, Heavenly Father’s plan for us, and the restoration of the gospel. Lesson 1: Heavenly Father’s Plan for Us,” Primary 6: Old Testament pg 1

I can learn of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026

The words and culture of the Old Testament may be difficult for children to understand, but you can help them see Jesus Christ in symbols and stories. Perhaps you and your children could look at the image below, The Prophet Isaiah Foretells Christ’s Birth. Let your children point out details they see. Draw their attention, in particular, to the baby Jesus. Then you could read with them what Isaiah wrote about the Savior’s birth in Isaiah 7:14; 9:6. Share with your children how you feel about looking for the Savior in the Old Testament this year.

You and your children could also read Psalm 23 or Isaiah 53:3–9 and find words that remind you of Jesus Christ. What do these words teach us about His life and Atonement?

Friend January 2026 “Scripture Hide and Seek” You can learn about Jesus Christ in the Old Testament! Cut out the cards and have one person hide them around the room. Then search for the hidden cards. When you find one, look up the scripture and read it together.

Red Crystal Distribute the pieces with scriptures for students to look up. Then let them match them to the pictures on the page. The scriptures’ shapes will go over the top of the pictures that they feel match.

Heavenly Father wants to make covenants with me.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026

Covenants are a major theme in the Old Testament. To introduce this theme to your children, you could talk with them about promises they make and keep with family or friends and why keeping these promises is important. You could then look at a picture of a baptism and talk about the promise, or covenant, we make with God when we are baptized (see Mosiah 18:10, 13). You could also show a picture of the temple and share your feelings about the covenants we make there.

The below handout is from Rachel’s Booknook

Friend February 2021 “Your Baptism Covenant”

Friend February 2019 “The Baptism Covenant” Cut out and mix up these cards. Then take turns matching cards that go together. With each match, talk about that part of the baptism covenant.

Friend December 2023 “Preparing for More Covenants”

Keeping the covenants we make with Heavenly Father can also help keep us safe, spiritually and physically, and help us to become more like our Heavenly Father.

This week’s activity page could help your children be excited to make and keep covenants with Heavenly Father. You could also sing a song about making covenants, like “When I Am Baptized” (Children’s Songbook, 103).

See more teaching ideas at Covenants

Jesus Christ is Jehovah in the Old Testament.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026

Do your children know anyone who goes by different names in different settings? Perhaps a parent or teacher is addressed differently at work, at home, and at church. Talk about those names; then read Exodus 6:3 together and invite your children to find the names Jesus Christ was known by before He was born (see also the Joseph Smith Translation in footnote c).