A walk thru’ the Old Testament (OT)..

Lesson 1: Old Testament Summary

GOD’S TOUCHPOINTS

Old Testament SummaryThe Patriarchal AgesThe JudgesThe Reign of RoyaltyThe Prophetic Era

OT WALKTHRU- THE PATRIARCHAL AGES

1. OT Summary2. Adam – A Fallen Faith3. From Fall to Flood4. Noah – Surviving Faith5. The World in Confusion – Babel6. Job – Faith under Fire7. Abraham – Soaring Faith8. Isaac – Winging Faith9. Jacob – Clinging Faith10. Joseph – Unwavering Faith11. God’s Direct Interventions in Genesis12. God’s Special Interventions in Genesis13. Moses – Humbled Faith14. Israel – Leanness of Soul15. God’s Commandments

OT SUMMARY – PRESENTATION OVERVIEW Objective OT Book Summary New Testament (NT) Book Summary OT Timeline The OT Rollercoaster OT Sources OT Locations Israel Today Activity Appendix – Lesson Plan

OBJECTIVE

To understand: The infallibility of the Scriptures Their consistency through historical

ages The authenticity and timelessness of

the sources

OT BOOK SUMMARY

NT BOOK SUMMARY

OT TIMELINE

OT SOURCES CONT’D2. DEAD SEA SCROLLS

The dead sea scrolls were discovered in caves near the ancient town of Qumran, 20 kilometres east of Jerusalem, between 1947 and 1956. They contain the oldest known Hebrew text of the Old Testament, written between 150 BC and 70 AD. More that 15,000 fragments and 500 manuscripts have been found from around 900 separate scrolls. They contain every book of the Old Testament with the exception of Esther, including 19 copies of Isaiah, 25 of Deuteronomy, and 30 of the Psalms.

OT SOURCES1. MASORETIC TEXT

The Masoretic Text (MT) is regarded as the authoritative texts of the Old Testament. Most of our Bibles are based on these texts. These date back only to 7th to 11th centuries. During this time, the non-semitic “Masorites of Tiberias” created a school on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and carefully standardised and preserved copies of the Old Testament.

OT SOURCES (CONT’D…)3. THE SEPTUAGINT (LXX)

The Septuagint (LXX) is the name for the Greek translation of the Old Testament. It was translated between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, and this is the version quoted by the New Testament and by early church fathers. It was used as the basis for Old Latin versions, Slavonic, Syriac, Old Armenian, Old Georgian and Coptictranslations. Remarkably there some early fragments of the LXX dating back to the second and third centuries BC, such as this one from the Rylands Library, containing parts of Deuteronomy 23-38:

OT SOURCES (CONT’D..)4. NASH PAPYRUS

Before the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls, the oldest known Hebrew text was in the Nash Papyrus. It dates approximately 150-100 BC and was housed at Cambridge University. It contains the text of the Ten Commandments, fromExodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21

OT SOURCES (CONT’D…)5. CAIRO GENIZA FRAGMENTS

A geniza is a storeroom. Although many texts were thrown out, if a piece of writing contained the name of God, they were to be treated with respect, and even given a burial. Before they were buried, they were stored, meaning that we now have almost 300,000 fragments dating from 870 through to the late 1800′s.

OT SOURCES (CONT’D…)6. SYRIAC PESHITTA

The Syriac bible, the Peshitta, was translated during the second century. The Old Testament of this Bible was translated directly from the Hebrew into Syriac, a dialect of Aramaic. Peshitta means “simple” or “direct” translation. One example is manuscript 14,425, (below) dating from the fifth century and contains Genesis,Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. It is housed in the British Library, London. A complete manuscript is B. 21 inf housed in Milan, which dates from the sixth or seventh century, and a text held in Paris, Syr. 341, dates from the eighth century. A fascinating interlinear version is online here.

OT SOURCES (CONT’D..)7. VULGATE

Finally, the Vulgate is a Latin translation of the Bible thanks to the labour ofJerome. Jerome translation came independently from the Hebrew, with the exception of Psalms. His translation was completed in 405 AD. The Codex Amiatinus is the earliest surviving nearly complete Vulgate Bible, dating from the start of the 8th century.

VIDEO CLIP - THE STORY OF THE BIBLE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4OL4Q3jW0Y

By Larry Stone

OT LOCATIONS

Approximate location of Garden of Eden

ABRAHAM’S JOURNEY

SOME IMPORTANT LOCATIONS IN OT

OT LOCATIONS (CONT’D..)

OT LOCATIONS(CONT’D..)

Canaan in OT times

ISRAEL TODAY

ACTIVITY

Mark places on the map of Israel. Remove names on marked places with clues

in the bottom Make copies and distribute Divide into teams Provide links to website which teams can

reference to find names of marked places using clues in bottom.

First team with all correct names filled in wins.

APPENDIX: LESSON PLAN

Slides 1-15: 18 minutes Slide 16 – Video clip: 4 minutes Slide 17-22: 8 minutes Slide 23 – Activity: 15 minutes

A walk thru’ the Old Testament (OT)..

Lesson 2: Adam – A Fallen Faith

GOD’S TOUCHPOINTS

Old Testament SummaryThe Patriarchal AgesThe JudgesThe Royal VersesProphets, Priests and Kings

OT WALKTHRU- THE PATRIARCHAL AGES

1. OT Summary2. Adam – A Fallen Faith3. From Fall to Flood4. Noah – Surviving Faith5. The World in Confusion – Babel6. Job – Faith under Fire7. Abraham – Soaring Faith8. Isaac – Winging Faith9. Jacob – Clinging Faith10. Joseph – Unwavering Faith11. God’s Direct Interventions in Genesis12. God’s Special Interventions in Genesis13. Moses – Humbled Faith14. Israel – Leanness of Soul15. God’s Commandments

PRESENTATION OVERVIEWADAM – A FALLEN FAITH

Objective Adam and Eve – in a perfect world Object Lesson - cups Forbidden Fruit God’s Punishment Curse, Punishment or Justice The World – Handed over to Satan Pain and Suffering Woman – Impact of the Fall Woman’s redemption Satan’s Strategy God’s Love Role Play Discussion – Our Response Appendix - Lesson Plan

Note: Additional reference material is available in the Notes section of this presentation

OBJECTIVE

To understand: The consequences of the fall of man on

both men and women Satan’s role and strategy – then and

now The problem of suffering God’s hidden surprises

ADAM AND EVE – IN A PERFECT WORLD

Before the fall: Perfect rule: God made them ruler of earth,

sea and all on it Perfect fellowship: Regularly walked and

talked with them Perfect environment – no sin, no sickness, no

pain. Perfect enjoyment - everything but one thing - the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil Perfect Access – Even kept the tree of life within their reach Perfect Communication – They could talk to animals

ACTIVITY

Prepare an ordinary looking cup with fancy contents and a fancy cup with ordinary or bad contents.

Ask for a volunteer Tell the volunteer you are going to gift them a cup

and ask them to choose one. In all probability the volunteer will choose the fancy

one. (If they don’t the lesson can still be drawn out) Explain that Satan’s strategy is to lure us with

attractive options which deteriorate as soon as we take it. (An application can be choice of a life partner)

FORBIDDEN FRUIT

Why did God keep the tree of knowledge of good and evil in Adam’s reach if that caused his fall?

Obedience is a choice Following God is a choice Following Satan is a

choice

God created people not puppets!

GOD’S JUSTICE

To the serpant Crawl on his

belly for life Be hit on the

head by man

GOD’S JUSTICE (CONT’D..)

To man Labour on

unproductive land

Be subject to Satan’s hurts and attacks

GOD’S JUSTICE (CONT’D..)

To woman Bear children in

pain Desire her

husband Be ruled over by

her husband

CURSE, PUNISHMENT, OR JUSTICE?

The word curse is used only for Satan and the ground. God’s pronouncements represent retaliatory justice. Adam and Eve sinned by

eating; …they would suffer in order to eat. She manipulated her

husband; …she would be mastered by her husband. The serpent destroyed the

human race; …he will be destroyed.http://www.jesusplusnothing.com/questions/gen3curse.htm

THE WORLD – HANDED OVER TO SATAN

Why did Adam and Eve eat the fruit of that one tree when they had a perfect life and everything he needed?

Satan’s biggest trap – making them desire – what they did not need, what reduced their quality of life drastically What broke their fellowship with God What gave Satan control over the world What impacted those he loved as well What brought him a minute of pleasure in exchange for a

lifetime of painEvery time we sin, we are repeating the same mistake Adam and Eve made

Why does God continue to allow pain and suffering to flourish and not eliminate them?

Pain and suffering are the consequences of man’s choice not God’s creation.

In order to eliminate these he will have to eliminate mankind (as in Noah’s age)

He is giving as many people opportunities to make the right choice and win a future without sin and suffering

The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised as some think. Instead He is patient with you, because He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turnaway from their sins.2 Pet 3:9

WOMAN’S REDEMPTIONHow does woman get over the stigma of the consequences of the fall?“11A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;b she must be quiet. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15But womenc will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.” 1 Tim 2:11-15

Essentially a woman needs to love God over her man in order for her partnership, mission and potentialto be realized.

Equal in Status, different in Role

SATAN’S STRATEGY

Satan’s strategy is to make desire so powerful and tintillating that it overpowers reason.

GOD’S LOVEHow did God respond to Adam’s sin?

He judged them He protected them He restored them (but not to their

former position) He already planned for permanent Restoration through Jesus (“he shallbruise his head”) refers to Jesusdestroying Satan.

ROLE PLAY

Divide into groups One in a group be Satan, find

innovative ways to tempt the Eves, Adams of the 21st century

OUR RESPONSE How and when is knowledge of evil

best avoided? How do we respond to the forbidden

fruit around us today? How do we lessen the impact of the

consequences of the fall – particularly

from the woman’s standpoint?Thot: While Adam and Eve were agonizing over the one forbidden tree, right next to it was the tree of life – not forbidden! Are we battling over forbidden fruit when we can be experiencing God’s surprises?

APPENDIX – LESSON PLAN

Slide 25-29: 10 mins Slide 30 Activity: 5 mins Slide 31-36: 10 mins Slide 38-41: 5 mins Slide 42 Role play: 15 mins Slide 43 – Discussion: 15 mins

A walk thru’ the Old Testament (OT)..

Lesson 3: From Fall to Flood

GOD’S TOUCHPOINTS

Old Testament SummaryThe Patriarchal AgesThe JudgesThe Royal VersesProphets, Priests and Kings

OT WALKTHRU- THE PATRIARCHAL AGES

1. OT Summary2. Adam – A Fallen Faith3. From Fall to Flood4. Noah – Surviving Faith5. The World in Confusion – Babel6. Job – Faith under Fire7. Abraham – Soaring Faith8. Isaac – Winging Faith9. Jacob – Clinging Faith10. Joseph – Unwavering Faith11. God’s Direct Interventions in Genesis12. God’s Special Interventions in Genesis13. Moses – Humbled Faith14. Israel – Leanness of Soul15. God’s Commandments

FROM FALL TO FLOOD – PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

Objective The Darkness Deepens The Times The First Prediction of

Doom A Few Good Men

Abel – Cheerful Contribution

Enoch – Close Communion

Noah – Clean Character God Regrets Activity Discussion

OBJECTIVE

To understand: God’s warning patterns The “days of Noah” vs. today How to stand alone

THE DARKNESS DEEPENS

In what ways did the world deteriorate from Adam to Noah? Gen 6

Murder begins Lust dominates (sons of

God and daughters of men resulting in giants)

Evil reigns

…… every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil all the time. v.5 (Amplified)

THE TIMES The time period from Adam to the Flood was 2256 years. The population at that

time would have amounted to several billion people. The First-century historian Josephus, (Antiquities of the Jews, Chap. 2 vs. 3

footnote), says that Adam and Eve had 33 sons and 23 daughters, that is, c = 28. If this was a typical family size, the total world population before the Flood would have been totally beyond any reasonable numbers(World Population Since Creation by Lambert Dolphin)

Adam and Methuselah were contemporaries Cherubim guarding garden of Eden

THE TIMESEzekiel 1:4-11 shows us in great detail what cherubim look like:"4 And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness [was] about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. 5 Also out of the midst thereof [came] the likeness of four living creatures. And this [was] their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. 6 And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. 7 And their feet [were] straight feet; and the sole of their feet [was] like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. 8 And [they had] the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. 9 Their wings [were] joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. 10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. 11 Thus [were] their faces: and their wings [were] stretched upward; two [wings] of every one [were] joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. " (KJV)

THE TIMES-SPIRITUAL CLIMATE

In those days: There was no bible Few role models Just people and God Lessons handed down generations orally.

THE FIRST PREDICTION OF DOOM

At age 65, Enoch became the father of a son whom he named Methuselah, a name which means "when he dies it (the flood) shall come." Enoch went on to walk with God another 300 years and was taken up ("translated") into heaven by God without dying. Methuselah survived to age 969, the oldest man who ever lived. True to prediction, the flood came the year Methuselah died.

FROM ADAM TO NOAH

There is some difference among authorities as to the meaning of these names, depending upon the root from which they are judged to be taken. But one authority gives a most interesting sequence of meanings.

VIDEO CLIP – YOU RAISE ME UP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su_7tPdtrPA

A FEW GOOD MEN

In the midst of the darkness, a few stood apart: Abel – Cheerful Contribution

- Giving Enoch – Close (intimate)

Communion - Praying Noah – Clean Character –

Obeying

..Few other men and women among the billions who rebelled

ABEL – CHEERFUL CONTRIBUTION

What do we learn from Abel’s giving (Gen 4:2-16)? WINNING CONTRIBUTION Prime produce Pleasing to GodWhat do we learn from Cain’s offering? WASTED CONTRIBUTION God disregarded it as Second best God gave him a second chance God warned him that sin was crouching and waiting to master him (Gen

4:5)Thot: Is our giving (time, talents, money) pleasing and acceptable to God or is it a waste of resources?

ENOCH – CLOSE (INTIMATE) COMMUNION

What do we learn from Enoch’s life (Gen 5:21-25)? Walked with God Was taken by GodGod typically blesses people with longer lives. Enoch was differentWas the world so corrupt that the good man could not influence it at all?

NOAH – CLEAN CHARACTER

What differentiates Noah from the rest of the world? Gen 6:5-12The only good man in a world of sin – in God’s eyes.With him, God saved his family

ACTIVITY

Get coloured paper, scissors and print copies of origami instructions

Each one makes a bird/ animal as per instructions given to them

Highlight how following instructions yields better results

Compare bible to those instructions focussing on importance of implicit obedience to God’s word. Eg. “Life of Pi” – survival using instruction book

DISCUSSION

Discuss Matthew 24:37-39 ...'But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.'

APPENDIX – LESSON PLAN

Slides 44-53: 15 mins Slide 54 - Video clip: 5 mins Slide 56-58: 5 mins Slide 59-Activity: 20 mins Slide 60-Discussion: 15 mins