Week Three: Day One - "The Benefits of Studying the Old Testament."

Have you ever viewed the Old Testament as boring? Have you ever found yourself reading through what seemed like endless genealogies and thought, “Will I ever get to the New Testament”? In our study this week, George Guthrie lists five reasons many people find the Old Testament difficult to read. See if any apply to you as you read the following list;

            1. It’s length

            2. Distant historical events

            3. The variety of characters and peoples

            4. Strange laws and customs

            5. Seemingly obscure prophecies

Let’s look at three reasons it is beneficial to read and study the Old Testament.

           

1.  The Old Testament is God’s Word to us.

•  Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17

•  What part of Scripture is inspired by God?

•  What four benefits of Scripture are listed?

•  What is the purpose for Scripture in this passage?

•  When this verse was written, the New Testament had not been compiled and some of it had not even been written, so Paul was mainly referring to the Old Testament.

•  Does this change how you view the Old Testament?

2.  The New Testament doesn’t make sense unless you have an understanding of the  

    Old Testament.

•  The Old Testament is the Bible Jesus and his first followers read.

•  The New Testament authors built on Old Testament truth

•  Around 10% of the New Testament is Old Testament quotations.

•  There are nearly 300 Old Testament quotes in the New Testament and hundreds of  other references to the Old Testament.

•  Read Numbers 27:17; 1 Kings 22:17; and Jeremiah 23:1-4 to see and example of how the Old Testament forms a backdrop to Jesus’ words in John 10:11-18.

•  The Old Testament establishes the foundation for the concepts and doctrines we find in the New Testament.

•  The Old Testament covenant is the basis for the New Testament covenant between God and believers

3.  The Old Testament introduces us to who God is.

•  What do the following verses teach us about God’s nature and character?

•  Psalm 9:8

•  Psalm 103:13

•  Jeremiah 31:3

•  Consider how Old Testament stories formed your view God’s character.

•  Can we truly worship a God that we don’t really know?