Last week we began a new class with an introduction and ministry statement, along with important reasons, including Biblical ones, to study the Bible. This week we are looking at the importance of knowing the “big picture” of the Old Testament by understanding the twelve major events along with the major players and covenants therein. As Christians, this can help us understand the reasons for the stories and the way things play out as they lead into the New Testament. Most importantly, it helps us see the “Scarlet Thread” of Jesus from the very first verse in the Old Testament and all throughout the Scriptures.

A Case for the Old Testament, The History Continues – Session 1, Part 2 Presentation:

Overview Notes From Presentation

Review from last week’s Ministry Statement:

Four things we want to get good at through a lifetime commitment to…

1.PRAYER (Talking to our Father God, growing closer to Jesus through the Holy Spirit)

2.HERMENEUTICS (Proper Bible studying with observation, interpretation and application)

3.APOLOGETICS (Defending the faith – learning to know what you believe and why you believe it so you can correctly answer the questions asked of Christians today)

4.DISCIPLESHIP (Sharing what you learn with others, and doing life with fellow Christian brothers and sisters)Study

Bibles: Versions and Translations:

Literal Translations are best for study purposes because they are considered word for word translations that work closet to the original Hebrew or Greek. I recommend the New American Standard Bible (NASB), but others include: KJV, NKJV, RSV, NRSV and ESV.

Dynamic Equivalents (NIV, CSB, NLT, NEV and REV) are good for some study and reading as they are translated thought for thought that find equivalent concepts in English, but when doing a serious study I highly recommend something from the “Literal Translations.” I would not recommend using any of the Paraphrase Bibles (Message, Good News, Living and Phillips) as these are in story form, essentially made for children or those who just want a “story” version, not recommended for study purposes at all.

Recommended resources to help you study:

Supplemental books

Evidence That Demands A Verdict (Josh.org), by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell
Knowing The Bible 101, by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz
Essential Bible Companion, by John H. Walton, Mark L. Strauss, and Ted Cooper Jr.
Timelines and Charts (and other quick reference guides) from Rose Publishing

Websites and Apps

biblegateway.com – App and website for Bible reading, studies, commentaries and articles
Biblehub.com – App and website for Bible study, Hebrew and Greek word studies, and so much more
gotquestions.org – for Christian Apologetics and Bible related questions
truthfaithandreason.com (class website) has weekly blog posts that reviews and gives additional information for topics covered in this class, and others—the posts include video clips and presentations from top Christian Apologists (the website also posts on Facebook and Twitter)

The Old Testament’s big picture can be seen in the twelve major events, and the people and covenants within:

Creation (God)
Fall (Adam, Eve and Seth) – The Adamic Covenant and the Seed Promise
Flood (Noah) – The Noachian Covenant
Dispersion at theTower of Babel (Seth)
Period of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob/Israel, Joseph and Judah) – The Abrahamic Covenant
The Exodus (Moses) – The Mosaic Covenant
The Conquest of the Promised Land (Joshua, Rahab and Salmon)
The Period of the Judges (Ruth and Boaz)
The Kingdom United (David, Bathsheba, Solomon and Nathan) – The Davidic Covenant
The Kingdom Divided (19 evil Kings in the North – 20 Kings in the South/Judah, some good)
The Captivity and Exile (some of the major prophets – Ezekiel, Jeremiah and Daniel) – The New Covenant
The Restoration and Return to the Promised Land (Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah)

Reflection

Practice memorizing the twelve “Major Events” of the Old Testament (you can read them or recite them)
Repeat by adding in the major players and covenants within the events

Bible Study

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us.

This week read Genesis Chapter 41 through Chapter 45 – Then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions. NOTE: The answers are found in the text (except for “Going Deeper” or “Discuss which may require research or your own thoughts on the passage)

Pharaoh’s dream and Joseph’s interpretation; Joseph’s rule over Egypt; Joseph’s brothers sent to Egypt; The brothers return to Egypt; Joseph reveals himself

(Genesis 41:1-57) In this chapter, the cupbearer, after two years, finally remembers what Joseph did for him, and recommends him to the Pharaoh:
1. What was the meaning of the Pharaoh’s dreams, and how did Joseph interpret them?
2. What did the Pharaoh do for Joseph, and what happened over the next few years?
3. Who became Joseph’s wife, and what were the names of his two sons?
4. Going Deeper: At this time the ruling people of Egypt, and the common people, were of different ethnicities and backgrounds. What do you know about that, and how might this have affected the Pharaoh’s relationship to Joseph?

(Genesis 42:1-38) In this chapter, Pharaoh’s dreams have come true and all the land was in a severe famine, including Canaan.
1. Summarize what happened in this chapter when Jacob sent the brothers down to Egypt. (What happened there, and how did Jacob react when they returned?)
2. Discuss: Why did Jacob not allow Benjamin to go with them, and how do you think this decision would have affected the other brothers?
3. Going Deeper: Why do you think Joseph keep Simeon in jail and not one of the other brothers?

(Genesis 43:1-34) In this chapter, Jacob finally agrees to send the brothers back to Egypt with Benjamin (the famine was still severe).
1. Summarize the discussion between Jacob and his sons concerning going back to Egypt with Benjamin, in verses 1-15.
2. What did Judah say in verses 8-9? What can we say about Judah’s character at this point, compared to his previous behavior?
3. Summarize what happened when Joseph saw the brothers, this time with Benjamin.
4. Going Deeper: What are some things you notice about the seating arrangements for the meal in verses 32-34? (This relates back to question 1 d.)

(Genesis 44:1-34) In this chapter, Joseph sends the brothers out, but he has a plan to bring them back and test them one last time.
1. What plan did Joseph enact that seemed to indicate that the brothers were doomed, and how did they respond?
2. Judah steps up in this situation. What did he say and do that seemed to show Joseph that the brothers were remorseful and had changed their selfish ways?
3. Discuss: Does Judah picture, or foreshadow Jesus in this chapter? If so how?
(Genesis 45:1-28) In this chapter Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers.
1. Summarize what happened when Joseph revealed who he was, and how did Jacob respond to all of this?
2. Discuss: In application, what can we learn from Joseph and his trusting relationship with God?
3. Going Deeper: What is the connection between this chapter and what we will eventually study in the book of Exodus?

Join us next week as we continue our new study: A Case for the Old Testament, The History Continues…

———————————————————————

You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15