Background to the Old Testament

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand why Christians study the Old Testament.
2. Identify key terms and ideas in the development of the Old Testament.
3. Identify the structure of the Old Testament.
4. Summarize the development of the Old Testament.
5. List the three interpretive contexts.
6. Ask various interpretation and application questions.

Memory Verse:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that all God's people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Each unit will have a memory verse. It is up to you to commit these verses to memory. It might be good to have someone help keep you accountable. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is a great verse with which to begin. This verse reminds us that Scripture, here referring to the Old Testament, is inspired by God, and it has the power to work in the life of God’s people.