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Understanding the Old Testament

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  1. INTRODUCTION & MATERIALS

    Introduction & Books for Class
    4 Steps
  2. 1. How the Old Testament Points to Jesus: A Biblical Foundation
    2 Steps
  3. CREATION & THE FLOOD
    2. Is Genesis History? Canon, Chronology, and Controversy
    2 Steps
  4. 3. Creation, Covenant, and the Purpose of Man in the Old Testament
    2 Steps
  5. 4. The Fall, the Curse, and the Promise of Redemption
    2 Steps
  6. 5. Cain and Abel: The First Murder and the Nature of Sin
    3 Steps
  7. 6. The Line of Cain vs. The Line of Seth: Two Paths in Biblical History
    2 Steps
  8. NOAH & THE PATRIARCHS
    7. The Covenant of Grace: God’s Promise to Noah and All Creation
    2 Steps
  9. 8. Faith and Righteousness: Abraham as the Model of Justification
    2 Steps
  10. 9. Faith and Obedience: How Abraham’s Life Displays the Christian Journey
    2 Steps
  11. 10. Theology in History: The Patriarchs and God's Plan
    2 Steps
  12. MOSES, EXODUS, & THE LAW
    11. Moses and Jesus: The Deliverers of God’s People
    2 Steps
  13. 12. The Ten Commandments: God’s Law Given on Mount Sinai
    2 Steps
  14. 13. How the Law Points to Christ
    2 Steps
  15. 14. The Tabernacle: God’s Dwelling Among His People (NEW)
    2 Steps
  16. 15. The History of Redemption: Tracing God's Plan from Genesis to Christ
    2 Steps
  17. 16. Abraham’s Faith, the Law, and the Gospel in the Old Testament
    2 Steps
  18. 17. How Galatians Unlocks the Old Testament
    2 Steps
  19. HISTORY & PSALMS
    18. Faith, Forgetfulness, and Redemption: The Nicene Creed, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges & Ruth
    2 Steps
  20. 19. Messianic Psalms: Prophecy, Fulfillment, and Christ’s Kingship
    2 Steps
  21. 20. Scripture Interprets Scripture: How the Psalms and Prophets Reveal Jesus
    2 Steps
  22. 21. From Solomon to Exile: How Israel’s History Shapes the Prophets’ Message
    2 Steps
  23. PROPHETS
    22. The Voice in the Wilderness: Isaiah’s Prophecies and Their Fulfillment in Christ
    2 Steps
  24. 23. Isaiah and the New Testament: Finding Christ in the Old Testament
    2 Steps
  25. 24. Isaiah and the Messiah: Prophecies of Christ’s Suffering and Kingship
    2 Steps
  26. 25. Isaiah and the Nations: Prophecy, Geopolitics, and the Coming Kingdom
    2 Steps
  27. 26. Jeremiah and the New Covenant: From Judgment to Redemption
    2 Steps
  28. 27. Ezekiel’s Visions: Judgment, Restoration, and the Glory of God
    2 Steps
  29. 28. Daniel and the Kingdom of God: Prophecy, Sovereignty, and Fulfillment
    2 Steps
Lesson Progress
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You can find a detailed outline of the class beneath each lecture video in this series.

Note to students: I clearly was having a forgetful day and left out Lamentations from the list of Old Testament books. Thankfully, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;” Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

Outline of the Lesson

1. Introduction: The Purpose of This Class

  • Instructor’s background: Over 30 years of teaching Bible studies.
  • Class goal: To teach how the Old Testament connects to Jesus and why it is important.
  • Expectations: The course will challenge students’ knowledge of Scripture.
  • Emphasis on biblical literacy: Most Christians think they know the Bible but lack depth.

2. Why Begin with Luke 24?

  • The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-27)—Jesus explains how the Old Testament points to Him.
  • Jesus calls His disciples “foolish” for not knowing the Old Testament.
  • Moses and the Prophets—A term referring to the entire Old Testament.
  • Jesus expects believers to understand the Old Testament because it testifies about Him.

3. The Structure and Importance of Study Bibles

  • Why use the NASB Study Bible?
    • Accuracy of translation.
    • Accessibility of study notes.
    • Historical and theological background included.
  • How to use study notes effectively:
    • Understanding cross-references and footnotes.
    • The role of historical context in biblical interpretation.
  • Why knowing translation history matters—different Bible translations have different approaches.

4. What Is the Old Testament?

  • The Old Testament is not just “old”; it is foundational.
  • Testament = Covenant—The Old Testament is the Old Covenant, and Jesus establishes the New Covenant.
  • How Jesus quotes the Old Testament—He refers to it constantly because the New Testament did not exist yet.
  • The Bible as real history:
    • The Old Testament records real events, not myths.
    • The Jewish people preserved their history more thoroughly than any other ancient civilization.

5. Genesis 1: Creation and Biblical Frameworks

  • Reading Genesis 1:1-5—Introduction to the creation account.
  • The concept of “creation ex nihilo”—God creating the universe out of nothing (Hebrews 11:3).
  • How Genesis 1 is structured:
    • Days 1-3 – Forming the world (light, sky, land, vegetation).
    • Days 4-6 – Filling the world (sun/moon, birds/fish, land animals/humans).
  • Purpose of the structure—Revealing God’s intentional design, not just poetic storytelling.

6. The Importance of Scripture Interpreting Scripture

  • Using the Bible to explain itself—cross-referencing Genesis with Hebrews 11.
  • Jesus quoting Deuteronomy when tempted—demonstrating the authority of the Old Testament.
  • The Bible is internally consistent, and deeper understanding comes from seeing how passages connect.

7. The Role of History in the Old Testament

  • History is central to biblical faith—it records God’s real actions in time.
  • The Ten Commandments start with history—“I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt” (Exodus 20:2).
  • Why skeptics attack biblical history—if history is true, the Bible has authority.
  • Knowing the Old Testament is crucial for defending faith—it strengthens confidence in the Bible’s truth.

8. The Call to Biblical Study

  • The importance of note-taking and active learning—writing things down helps retain knowledge.
  • Encouragement to read beyond the text—study maps, timelines, historical backgrounds.
  • Understanding scholarly contributions—why biblical scholarship is valuable to believers.
  • The Old Testament as a lifelong study—there is always more to learn.

9. Assignments and Next Steps

  • Read Genesis 1-11—focus on understanding the structure of the early chapters.
  • Review the introduction sections in the NASB Study Bible—get familiar with study tools.
  • Begin developing a habit of Scripture interpretation—using cross-references to explain meaning.
  • Prepare for discussions on Exodus and biblical covenants in upcoming lessons.

Key Takeaways

  • The Old Testament is essential—it lays the foundation for understanding Jesus and the New Testament.
  • Jesus expected His followers to know the Old Testament—it testifies about Him.
  • Biblical history matters—the Bible is not just spiritual wisdom but a record of real events.
  • Genesis 1 presents a structured, intentional creation—showing God’s order and purpose.
  • Studying Scripture requires effort—understanding historical context and cross-referencing is key.

Delivered 08/26/20

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