Module 1: Old Testament Introduction
Hi everyone, and welcome to the first module for the Old Testament survey course. In this section, we'll be working through some preliminary information to give you introduction to some background issues that will hopefully help you better learn and understand later material.
There are a few groups of material in this first module:
- The first group answers the questions "Why Study the Old Testament?" and "How to Study the Old Testament?"
- The second group gives an umbrella description of how the Old Testament fits in the Bible as a whole, and some Big-Picture ideas that run throughout the entire Old Testament.
- And the last group gives an overview introduction to the physical location, the history, and the writings of the Old Testament.
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Introduction
Module Objectives & Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, the student will:
- Favorably consider the necessity of and the means to study the Old Testament.
- Articulate the 'Big Picture' history of the Old Testament People of God and the overall message of the Old Testament.
- Articulate God's purpose for creation and the 'Big-Idea' themes of the Old Testament.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the literary divisions of the Old Testament Scriptures.
- Place the Major historical epochs of the Old Testament in a general chronology.
Instruction Documents
In this section, you'll find links to the instruction documents for this module. There is an instruction document for an individual student studying on their own. And there is an instruction document for students working through this material with a group. Click the links below to access those documents.
Below is a link to the Reading Schedule for the entire module in one document. The same material, broken down into individual readings for each section, can be found included with each section below. The student can decide whether to do ALL the reading for the entire module before the other material, or read only those portions for each section along with the other material for that section.
Overview Documents
Below you will find links to two overview documents that give you a brief introduction to the Old Testament as a whole. These are just an introduction to some of the concepts that will be developed in much more detail in the following modules.
Click each link to view each document.
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Why Study?
Bible and Textbook Reading
In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible and textbook reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and help you test your comprehension of the material. Think through the content of the reading in light of these questions and they will help you understand and engage with the readings.
The student should read the assigned Bible portions and respond according to the instructions contained in the Bible Response Reflection or Discussion documents found below. The student may read the assigned portions of the Textbook before the lectures, or they may wait and read them after the lectures to serve as review, and to fill in any additional information the student may wish to know. Click the link below to access this document.
Lecture Video
In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Why Study the Old Testament?
section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.
1: Why Study the Old Testament?
Lecture 01 Video 
Quiz for Lecture 01Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this lecture. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.
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How To Study
Bible and Textbook Reading
In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible and textbook reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and help you test your comprehension of the material. Think through the content of the reading in light of these questions and they will help you understand and engage with the readings.
The student should read the assigned Bible portions and respond according to the instructions contained in the Bible Response Reflection or Discussion documents found below. The student may read the assigned portions of the Textbook before the lectures, or they may wait and read them after the lectures to serve as review, and to fill in any additional information the student may wish to know. Click the link below to access this document.
Lecture Video
In this section, you will find the video lecture for the How to Study the Old Testament
section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.
2: How to Study the Old Testament
Lecture 02 Video Quiz for Lecture 02Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this lecture. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.
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Unity of the Bible
Bible and Textbook Reading
In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible and textbook reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and help you test your comprehension of the material. Think through the content of the reading in light of these questions and they will help you understand and engage with the readings.
The student should read the assigned Bible portions and respond according to the instructions contained in the Bible Response Reflection or Discussion documents found below. The student may read the assigned portions of the Textbook before the lectures, or they may wait and read them after the lectures to serve as review, and to fill in any additional information the student may wish to know. Click the link below to access this document.
Lecture Video
In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Unity of the Bible
section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.
3: The Unity of the Bible
Lecture 03 Video Quiz for Lecture 03Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this lecture. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.
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God's Design
Bible and Textbook Reading
In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible and textbook reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and help you test your comprehension of the material. Think through the content of the reading in light of these questions and they will help you understand and engage with the readings.
The student should read the assigned Bible portions and respond according to the instructions contained in the Bible Response Reflection or Discussion documents found below. The student may read the assigned portions of the Textbook before the lectures, or they may wait and read them after the lectures to serve as review, and to fill in any additional information the student may wish to know. Click the link below to access this document.
Lecture Video
In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Key Themes of God's Design
section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.
4: Key Themes of God's Design
Lecture 04 Video Quiz for Lecture 04Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this lecture. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.
Supplementary Document
Below is a link to a supplementary document for this section. Click the link to view this document.
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Big Picture Themes
Bible and Textbook Reading
In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible and textbook reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and help you test your comprehension of the material. Think through the content of the reading in light of these questions and they will help you understand and engage with the readings.
The student should read the assigned Bible portions and respond according to the instructions contained in the Bible Response Reflection or Discussion documents found below. The student may read the assigned portions of the Textbook before the lectures, or they may wait and read them after the lectures to serve as review, and to fill in any additional information the student may wish to know. Click the link below to access this document.
Lecture Video
In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Big Picture Themes
section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.
5: Big Picture Themes
Lecture 05 Video Quiz for Lecture 05Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this lecture. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.
Supplementary Document
Below is a link to a supplementary document for this section. Click the link to view this document.
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Geography
Bible and Textbook Reading
In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible and textbook reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and help you test your comprehension of the material. Think through the content of the reading in light of these questions and they will help you understand and engage with the readings.
The student should read the assigned Bible portions and respond according to the instructions contained in the Bible Response Reflection or Discussion documents found below. The student may read the assigned portions of the Textbook before the lectures, or they may wait and read them after the lectures to serve as review, and to fill in any additional information the student may wish to know. Click the link below to access this document.
Lecture Video
In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Old Testament Geography
section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.
6: Old Testament Geography
Lecture 06 Video Quiz for Lecture 06Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this lecture. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.
Supplementary Document
Below is a link to a supplementary document for this section. Click the link to view this document.
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History
Bible and Textbook Reading
In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible and textbook reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and help you test your comprehension of the material. Think through the content of the reading in light of these questions and they will help you understand and engage with the readings.
The student should read the assigned Bible portions and respond according to the instructions contained in the Bible Response Reflection or Discussion documents found below. The student may read the assigned portions of the Textbook before the lectures, or they may wait and read them after the lectures to serve as review, and to fill in any additional information the student may wish to know. Click the link below to access this document.
Lecture Video
In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Old Testament History
section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.
7: Old Testament History
Lecture 07 Video Quiz for Lecture 07Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this lecture. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.
Supplementary Document
Below is a link to a supplementary document for this section. Click the link to view this document.
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Literature
Bible and Textbook Reading
In this section, you'll find a link to the list of required Bible and textbook reading for this section. This document also contains a study guide for the assigned reading. These study guides are not an assignment to be completed. Rather, they are an aid to focus your reading and help you test your comprehension of the material. Think through the content of the reading in light of these questions and they will help you understand and engage with the readings.
The student should read the assigned Bible portions and respond according to the instructions contained in the Bible Response Reflection or Discussion documents found below. The student may read the assigned portions of the Textbook before the lectures, or they may wait and read them after the lectures to serve as review, and to fill in any additional information the student may wish to know. Click the link below to access this document.
Lecture Video
In this section, you will find the video lecture for the Old Testament Literature
section. Before the video, there is a link to a study guide for the lecture and a link to blank, fill-in notes for the lecture. Click the banner to open access to the video. There is also a link with the video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review. And after the lecture, there is a link to a review quiz for that lecture. Click each link or banner to access those documents or activities.
8: Old Testament Literature
Lecture 08 Video Quiz for Lecture 08Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this lecture. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.
Supplementary Document
Below is a link to a supplementary document for this section. Click the link to view this document.
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Activities
Bible Response Reflection Journal/Discussion
The student will choose one or more portions from the assigned Bible reading for this module and write a journal and/or discuss with their group based on that Bible passage. As you read from the Old Testament, let it be a devotional experience. Detailed instructions for this activity are given below. Click the link to see the instructions for individual journaling or the instructions for group discussion.
Reviews
In this section, you will find the review slides from the course lectures for module 1. This is a convenient way to view and review the summaries for each lecture. Click the banner to begin the slide show.
Click the prev.
and next
buttons (bottom right of the slide) to move through the slides. You can also click on any thumbnail to go directly to that slide.
It is highly recommended that the student recite these reviews out loud as an aid to memory. Some memory aids and tricks were mentioned in the Lectures for some of the summaries (e.g. SCRuB). The student should also brainstorm any shorthand memory aids to help them commit these review summaries to memory. The student should not just attempt to memorize the summaries, but also to use the summaries as a framework to understand and retain the nature and content of the Old Testament.
Course Material Response Reflection
The Student will choose one or more items from either the Video Lectures or the Course Textbook which stood out as personally significant to them. The student will then reflect and write on the item(s); how it/they challenged or added to their current understanding, and how their worldview, life, and/or ministry should be affected by their new understanding.
Detailed instructions for this activity can be found by clicking the link below:
Timeline - Step One
The student will research and present an Old Testament Timeline in seven steps over the course of all seven modules.
Step One of the Timeline should include the following information:
- The general time periods covered by the five historical epochs.
- This is just a framework designating the approximate beginning and ending of each of the epochs, which will be used in subsequent modules as a guideline for placing new information.
If you are working through this material in a group, the group leader may choose for the Timeline to be constructed as a group activity during the group meeting time.
Detailed instructions for this activity can be found by clicking the link below:
Review Quiz
This section contains a review quiz to test your understanding of the objective material for Module 1. By clicking the banner, you will be taken to a series of questions, in random order. Answer each question and then push the Submit
button to check your answers. Every question must be answered before you can submit the quiz. At the end, you will be shown your score for the entire quiz. The quiz will be different each time, so feel free to take it more than once. Click the banner to begin the quiz.
Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this module's lectures. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.
Discussion/Reflection/Essay Questions
This section contains some questions for further thought and discussion from Module 1. These questions can also be used as essay questions in a classroom setting exam. It is recommended that you take time to think through these issues in order to thoroughly grasp the significance and explore the application of the material you are learning. These questions are generated from a larger group of possible questions, so they will likely be different every time you open this banner. You may reopen this banner to see different questions. Click the banner to view the questions.
The following questions are for your thoughtful consideration and discussion:
- What are the four themes of God's design for His people in the Old Testament, and how do these work out in the life of a modern Christian?
- What impact did geography have on the events of the Old Testament and what lessons can we learn from this?
- What is God's primary purpose in the universe and how does this impact the life and mission of a modern Christian?
- What are the five Epochs of Old Testament history, and what does each epoch reveal about God and His purposes?
Module Completed!
Congratulations, you have reached the end of the first module. I hope that you have found it rewarding and have noticed personal growth.
I encourage you to continue on to the next module as soon as is convenience. The button below will take you to Module 2.
