Sunday, July 23, 2023

Studying the Old Testament is like holding your breath underwater. After your first few tries, you may come up gasping for air. It refers to so many unfamiliar names, places, and cultural practices. Plus, most of it is written to an ancient theocratic nation. So, it can be difficult to understand and even harder to find practical application for life today.

Don’t give up and don’t get frustrated! Keep working at building your understanding.

• Recognize the different types of writing: Law (Genesis-Deuteronomy); History (Joshua-Esther); Poetry (Job-Song of Solomon); and Prophecy (Isaiah-Malachi).
• Track the basic storyline: Creation, Flood, Patriarchs, Exodus, Judges, Kings, Exile, & Restoration.
• Use a good Study Bible to learn about places, names, and culture.
• Stay focused on the character of God. This is the key to making good application. It is all his story. Pay attention to what it teaches us about him and consider how that shapes your relationship with him.

So, keep swimming! As we persevere, the Holy Spirit will help us learn and grow.

– Bryan Craddock