The Old Testament: Selected Themes

I. Abraham : God's Call

God approached men by choosing Abraham and his descendants to be a people to whom he would reveal himself, so that through them blessing would come to all mankind.

Passages for study:

Genesis: 11:26-32 12:1-9 15:1-21 17:1-27 21:1-7 22:1-19

II. Moses: The Covenant People

Centuries later, Abraham's descendants through Israel (Jacob) entered into a covenant with God at Mt. Sinai. They were taught by Moses to live and act as God's covenant people.

Passages for Study:

Exodus: 1:1-22 2:1-25 3:1-22 12:21-39 14:1-30 20:1-24 24:1-8 32:1-35 34:1-16

Deuteronomy: 1:1-9 3:1-17 24:1-29 30:15-20 34:1-12

III. David: Kingship Under God: Messiah

The people of Israel become a nation. It was through the family of King David that blessing was expected to come.

Passages for Study:

1 Samuel: 1:1-28 3:1-21 8:1-22 16:1-23 17:1-54

2 Samuel: 5:1-9 6:1-5 7:1-20

1 Kings: 2:1-4

IV. Jeremiah: A New Covenant

The Prophetic Ministry from David to Jeremiah Meaning and responsibilities of the covenant. The promise of blessing through the line of David.

Passages for Study:

1 Kings: 5:1-18 8:1-11 17:1-24 11:1-13 12:1-33 21:1-24 8:1-46 19:1-21

2 Kings: 17:1-18

Micah: 1:1-7 2:1-2 3:1-12 4:1-7 5:2-4 6:6-16 7:18-20

Jeremiah's Ministry

Message of impending disaster. Promise of a new covenant written in the hearts of men. New insights concerning the People of God. The Covenant. The Temple. The Righteous King.

Passages for Study:

Jeremiah: 1:1-10 5:1-5 7:1-15 11:1-13 21:1-10 23:1-6 29:1-14 31:31-34 32:37-41 36:1-32 39:1-18