Old Testament Survey

The Old Testament is the portion of the Bible comprised of 39 books written over the span of centuries before the appearance of Jesus Christ. For many, the themes, characters and stories of this section of the Bible can be confusing, unclear or seemingly irrelevant, especially when read in conjunction with the teachings and stories found in the New Testament. Old Testament Survey will show how the Old Testament fits in with the biblical story and will provide an outline for the contributions each of its books make to that overarching narrative, all in an effort to demonstrate the applicability and practicality of its message for a modern audience.

SESSION 1: PURPOSE OF THE BIBLE

This Session will discuss the nature and importance of the Bible in preparation for study of the Old Testament. In doing so, we will focus our conversation on the trustworthiness and authority of the Bible for human life.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 1 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Purchase An Introduction to the Old Testament by Raymond B. Dillard and Tremper Longman III online. Memorize 2 Timothy 3.14-17.

SESSION 2: OLD TESTAMENT IS A MEGASTORY

An investigation of the major themes recurring throughout the Old Testament narrative and its continuity with the message of the New Testament. This Session will discuss the nature of the word redemption, and apply it to the usage in and study of Old Testament literature.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 2 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapter 1 of An Introduction to the Old Testament. Download and Read the Purpose of the Old Testament handout that accompanies this session. Memorize Galatians 4:4-7.

SESSION 3: TORAH – PART 1

We will begin observing the term torah and establish the varying meanings of that word from a biblical standpoint. Specifically, the two aspects of torah as “instruction” and “law” (or, “law of Moses”) will be unpacked.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 3 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 2 & 3 of An Introduction to the Old Testament. Memorize Deuteronomy 11:18-19.

SESSION 4: TORAH – PART 2

A continuance of last Session’s discussion of the term torah. A survey of the Five Books of Moses—or the Pentateuch—is the focal point of this discussion.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 4 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 4, 5 & 6 of An Introduction to the Old Testament. Memorize Deuteronomy 30:14-16.

SESSION 5: PROMISE, PLAN, & COVENANT

The biblical backdrop of the five books of Torah establishes the building blocks for the way the God will work to rescue, redeem and restore humankind in Christ. This Session looks to draw out the key elements launched in those books as a means to help frame the study of the remainder of the Old Testament books.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 5 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 7, 8 & 9 of An Introduction to the Old Testament. Memorize Genesis 1:26-28.

SESSION 6: HISTORICAL BOOKS

This Session will survey the section of the Old Testament known as the Historical Books. A few core themes of each book will be offered as well as each work’s contribution to the mega-story and plot of the Bible.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 6 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 of An Introduction to the Old Testament. Memorize Joshua 1:5-9.

SESSION 7: WISDOM LITERATURE

This Session will survey the section of the Old Testament known as Wisdom Literature. We will uncover the main and recurring themes of each book and look to see how they align with the overarching story of Scripture.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 7 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19 of An Introduction to the Old Testament. Memorize Psalm 1:1-2

SESSION 8: PROPHETS & PROPHECY

In this Session, we will look to define the term prophecy and confront some of the common misconceptions associated this term in today’s culture with a biblical perspective. With this definition in hand, the role of the prophets in Israel’s history will also be clarified.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 8 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 20, 21, & 22 of An Introduction to the Old Testament. Memorize Deuteronomy 18:15-19.

SESSION 9: MAJOR PROPHETS

The message and themes of the Major Prophets are undertaken through a survey of each work. The contribution of each book to the Old Testament is found throughout.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 9 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 23 & 24 of An Introduction to the Old Testament. Memorize Jeremiah 31:33-34.

SESSION 10: MINOR PROPHETS

We continue in the study and survey of the prophetic books of the Old Testament by focusing on the Minor Prophets. As with previous Sessions, an emphasis on the major themes of each book and its reflection of the bigger story is undertaken.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 10 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 & 30 of An Introduction to the Old Testament. Memorize Habakkuk 2:2-4.

SESSION 11: MALACHI TO JESUS

The Study will conclude with an exploration of the time between the Old and New Testament. The aim is to maintain that God was not silent in this period and was working to prepare for the coming of the Messiah and the writing of the New Testament.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 11 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 & 36 of An Introduction to the Old Testament. Memorize Jeremiah 29:11-13

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