Lesson 01
The Old Testament: Promise and Preparation
Follow God’s purpose from creation to the promise of the Christ.
Key truthThe Old Testament reveals God’s holiness, humanity’s need, and the promises that prepare the world for Jesus Christ.
One story begins with God
The Old Testament opens with the living God creating a good world. Human beings are made in His image and are accountable to Him. When Adam and Eve reject His command, sin brings guilt, separation, suffering, and death. Yet judgment is not the end of the story. God immediately begins unfolding a plan to defeat evil and restore people to fellowship with Him.
The age of the patriarchs
Before Israel became a nation, God dealt with family heads such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He called Abraham to trust Him and promised land, a nation, and a blessing for every family of the earth. That worldwide blessing becomes a major thread through Scripture. The promise was not merely about one family’s prosperity; it pointed forward to the Savior who would come through Abraham’s descendants.
Israel and the Law of Moses
God rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt and formed the nation into His covenant people at Sinai. The Law governed Israel’s worship, sacrifices, priesthood, civil life, food, holy days, and moral conduct. It displayed God’s holiness and exposed sin, but it did not provide the final cure for sin. Its repeated sacrifices and priestly ministry taught Israel to expect a perfect sacrifice and a greater High Priest.
History that teaches and warns
Joshua through Esther records conquest, judges, kings, exile, and return. Israel’s history shows both God’s faithfulness and the painful cost of unbelief. Leaders such as Samuel, David, Hezekiah, and Josiah demonstrate courageous trust, while other rulers show how idolatry and injustice ruin a people. These accounts were written for our instruction, helping us learn perseverance, humility, repentance, and confidence in God’s promises.
Wisdom, worship, and honest prayer
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon address suffering, worship, wise choices, life’s brevity, work, relationships, and love. They teach us to bring grief and praise honestly before God. Their wisdom remains valuable, but these books must be read within the covenant in which they were written. A poetic expression of faith is not automatically a command for the worship of Christ’s church.
The prophets point ahead
The prophets confronted sin and called Israel back to God, but they also announced hope. They spoke of a new covenant, a righteous King, a suffering Servant, forgiveness, the outpouring of God’s Spirit, and a kingdom embracing all nations. Jesus said the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms anticipated His suffering, resurrection, and the preaching of repentance for forgiveness. The Old Testament is therefore promise and preparation; Christ is its fulfillment.
How Christians use the Old Testament
The Old Testament remains inspired and profitable. It reveals God’s character, explains creation and sin, records the promises behind the gospel, and supplies examples that strengthen faith. Christians learn from it without placing themselves under Israel’s covenant. We do not offer animal sacrifices, keep Israel’s festival calendar, or follow the Levitical priesthood. We honor the Old Testament best when we understand its purpose and allow it to lead us to Christ.
Check your understanding
What is the Old Testament’s central role in the Bible’s saving story?
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