Old Testament

Old Testament offers Bible-based articles that help readers understand the foundations of Scripture and the story that leads to Christ. Explore resources on the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings—covering historical context, covenant themes, God’s character, wisdom literature, and how Old Testament teaching shapes faith and discipleship today. You’ll find guidance for reading difficult passages, tracing biblical theology, and connecting Old Testament truths to the gospel without losing the original meaning. This hub equips readers to study the Old Testament with clarity, confidence, and reverence for God’s Word.

January 2, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Jan. 8, 2012: Joseph Finds Favor (Genesis 41)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ Joseph Finds Favor (Genesis 41) By Sam E. Stone Joseph could have complained when he was sent to prison. Some would declare, “A guy tries to do right and look where it gets him! He gets thrown into jail!” We have no record that Joseph displayed such an attitude at any time, however. What we find is that “the Lord was with him” (Genesis 39:21). God “showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.”

December 27, 2011

Christian Standard

Why New Testament Christians Should Study the Old Testament

By Steve Hooks The Stone-Campbell Movement has served Christendom well through its invitation of all believers to practice “New Testament Christianity.” An unintended and unfortunate consequence of this plea, however, has been the historical neglect of the Old Testament in the preaching and teaching of many Restoration churches. Regarding the New Testament as the “only rule of faith and practice,” some in our fellowship have come to view the Old Testament as no longer relevant for the believer. The Old Testament, it is argued, was for the Jews. Having brought us to Christ it has now served its intended purpose

December 26, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Jan. 1, 2012: Joseph Shows Character (Genesis 37, 39)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ Joseph Shows Character (Genesis 37, 39) By Sam E. Stone Someone said, “Character is what a person does in the dark.” Another observed, “Character is what you do when you know no one will find out.” Both descriptions apply to Joseph. In last month”s lessons we studied Abraham. We saw the fulfillment of God”s promise to send the Savior through his descendants. Abraham”s son Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. In the years that followed, Jacob himself had 12

December 12, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Dec. 18, 2011: The Lord Provides (Genesis 22:1-19)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 18) is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ The Lord Provides (Genesis 22:1-19) By Sam E. Stone In last week”s lesson God assured Abram that he would actually have a son who would serve as his heir. Abram believed God. In the chapters that follow (Genesis 15:18″“22:1), we read about Hagar and Ishmael, the covenant of circumcision, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot, and Abimelech. Abram”s name was changed to Abraham (Genesis 17:5), literally “a father of many nations.” Finally Sarah gave birth to

December 5, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Dec. 11, 2011: The Lord Gives His Promise (Genesis 15)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 11) is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ The Lord Gives His Promise (Genesis 15) By Sam E. Stone Last week we learned how God called Abram to leave his homeland and journey to a new country God would give him. The initial call from God came while he was still in Mesopotamia (Genesis 12:1-3; see Acts 7:2). Scripture next describes his sojourn in Egypt and his experiences with Lot. In chapter 15 we find Abram approaching the Lord with something that was troubling him.

November 28, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Dec. 4, 2011: The Lord Calls Abram (Genesis 11:27″“12:9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 4) is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ The Lord Calls Abram (Genesis 11:27″“12:9) By Sam E. Stone “God”s Covenant” is the general theme of our lessons this month highlighting several events in the life of Abraham. He is one of the most important figures in the Old Testament. He is first mentioned in Genesis 11:26, in the section before today”s printed text. There he is called Abram. It was not until many years later that the Lord changed his name to Abraham (Genesis 17:5).

November 28, 2011

Christian Standard

Our Year in Deuteronomy

By Mike Baker I had just become senior pastor two months earlier and now, at the annual sermon planning retreat, I was to give direction for our preaching for the upcoming year. Our church was known for biblical preaching, but I sensed we were in a topic-driven rut that basically had rotated a handful of relevant biblical themes in our teaching year after year. It was time for a change, and so I suggested a yearlong study through the book of Deuteronomy. My wife”s reaction was a big “thumbs down.” When a staff member heard my proposal, she simply said,

October 17, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Oct. 23, 2011: Finding True Love (Song of Solomon 4:1″“5:1)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for October 23) is written by Mandy Smith, associate pastor at University Christian Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, and author of Making a Mess and Meeting God: Unruly Ideas and Everyday Experiments for Worship, available at www.standardpub.com/makingamess. ____________ Finding True Love (Song of Solomon 4:1–5:1) By Mandy Smith At first reading, the fourth chapter of Song of Solomon seems a little ridiculous to modern ears. In fact, when my Old Testament professor in college heard I like to draw, he asked me to create a literal depiction of these metaphors, and I ended

October 10, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Oct. 16, 2011: Growing Old with Wisdom (Ecclesiastes 11:7″“12:14)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for October 16) is written by Daniel Schantz, professor emeritus at Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Missouri. ____________ Growing Old with Wisdom (Ecclesiastes 11:7″“12:14) By Daniel Schantz Poets present October as the melancholy season, marking the death of summer. Yet, to many of us, October is the best season of all””spangled with color, rich in harvests, invigorating in weather. Old age is like October. It does indeed signal the end of life, but it is also filled with a harvest of good things: grandchildren, retirement, honors. A number

October 7, 2011

Christian Standard

Jobian Musings

By David A. Fiensy The psalmist wrote that the righteous person “meditates on his law day and night” (Psalm 1:2). A wise rabbi advised, “Turn it and turn it.”1 (That is, turn the Old Testament law over and over in your mind.) Those authors believed that God speaks to us through the Bible in new ways when we reflect on it deeply and repeatedly. Søren Kierkegaard once retold the story of Abraham”s offering of Isaac (Genesis 22), each time with new details and from different vantage points.2 In this way, he brought insight to a troublesome biblical teaching. Each successive

October 3, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Oct. 9, 2011: Valuing True Wisdom (Ecclesiastes 9:13″“10:20)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for October 9, 2011) is written by Russ Howard who serves as minister with LifeSpring Westside in Cincinnati, Ohio. ____________ Valuing True Wisdom (Ecclesiastes 9:13″“10:20) By Russ Howard Some time ago, we invited a young friend to dinner. My wife has a reputation as a great cook, and everyone, it seems, was telling him he was in for a treat. He arrived at our door with high expectations. We sat down at the table, prayed, and filled our plates. Fresh vegetables, baked potatoes, and roasted pork. We had just purchased a

September 26, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Oct. 2, 2011: Living an Ordered Life (Proverbs 28:1″“29:27)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for October 2) is written by Mark Ingmire, small groups and adult education pastor with Savannah (Georgia) Christian Church. ____________ Living an Ordered Life (Proverbs 28:1–29:27) By Mark Ingmire I live an ordered life. For example, today”s calendar was full of things I had to do. This morning I washed last night”s dirty dishes, serviced my computer, and then went to work. At work I had meetings, tasks, and plenty of people with whom to speak. After work, I stopped by the supermarket, helped make dinner, dropped off my wife at

September 19, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Sept. 25, 2011: Acting with Discernment (Proverbs 25:1-28)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for September 25) is written by Melissa Wuske, a freelance writer and editor living in Cincinnati, Ohio. ____________ Acting with Discernment (Proverbs 25:1-28) By Melissa Wuske Most often we best know discernment when we don”t see it. I could name scads of political, business, and church leaders who”ve led people astray and betrayed trust. The news is full of stories of screw-ups from Washington, D.C., to the living room down the street. (I”d name names, but by the time this is published, there will be more.) It undoubtedly stings worst when

September 12, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Sept. 18, 2011: Teaching Values (Proverbs 10:1″“15:33)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for September 18) is written by Bruce Stoker, education minister with Memorial Church of Christ in Livonia, Michigan. ____________ Teaching Values (Proverbs 10:1–15:33) By Bruce Stoker As a Boy Scout, I learned orienteering skills for traveling through the wilderness safely and efficiently using a map and compass. We practiced our skills during many meetings and throughout our hometown, and eventually we decided we could handle a cross-country backpacking trip. So we plotted our destination, grabbed a topographical map and our compasses, and headed out for a weekend of hiking without trails.

September 5, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Sept. 11, 2011: Making Right Choices (Proverbs 4:1-27)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for September 11) is written by Jeremy Lawson, minister with Mount Pleasant Church of Christ, Williamstown, Kentucky. ____________ Making Right Choices (Proverbs 4:1-27) By Jeremy Lawson I have made some pretty good decisions in my life. I am something of a scatterbrain, so marrying a woman who pays close attention to details was a good decision. Before leaving for college, I sold my Camaro that got only 15 mpg, and””even though it still breaks my heart””that was a good decision. But for all the good decisions I”ve made, there have been

August 29, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Sept. 4, 2011: Pursuing Righteousness (Proverbs 3)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for September 4) is written by Cheryl Frey, a freelance proofreader and editor from Rochester, New York. ____________ Pursuing Righteousness (Proverbs 3) By Cheryl Frey Have you been watching the price of gold and silver lately? A year ago gold was selling at about $1,200 an ounce, and as of this writing, it”s slightly over $1,600; that”s an increase of approximately 33 percent. Silver”s rise has been even more impressive. It”s gone from under $20 an ounce to almost $40 in a year, a 100 percent increase. So what does this

August 22, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Aug. 28, 2011: Caring for One Another (Ruth 4:1-10)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 28) is written by Jason Jones, an elementary school principal with East Clinton Local Schools in New Vienna, Ohio. ____________ Caring for One Another (Ruth 4:1-10) By Jason Jones There is nothing I enjoy more than an evening at the ballpark: peanuts and hot dogs, watching boats on the Ohio River, and then a ninth-inning rally by the home team to send me home happy. It just doesn”t get much better. I”m a creature of habit. I park in the same place. I sit in the same seat. I

August 15, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Aug. 21, 2011: Empowering the Needy (Ruth 2:8-18)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 21) is written by Janet McMahon, community life director with Restore Community Church, Kansas City, Missouri. ____________ Empowering the Needy (Ruth 2:8-18) By Janet McMahon It started with this challenge from my friend John: “Why don”t you do something for someone who can never repay you?” Wow, that was a challenge for sure. Serving my friends and family was easy and natural for me most of the time””and often they would serve me in return. But finding someone who could never repay me was something new. Shortly after that

August 8, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Aug. 14, 2011: Making a Choice (Ruth 1:8-18)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 14) is written by Jonathan Feathers, senior minister with West Waynesboro Church of Christ in Waynesboro, Virginia. ____________ Making a Choice (Ruth 1:8-18) By Jonathan Feathers (Note: The italicized words in this lesson may be used as discussion questions.) Choices, choices, choices. Do I choose what is behind curtain number one, two, or three? Should I choose vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, or a combination of vanilla and chocolate? What will I do? Maybe I should ask, what choice do you think I should make? (Describe a time

August 1, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Aug. 7, 2011: Walk in God”s Path (Judges 13:1-8, 24, 25)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 7) is written by Lori Mills, professor of psychology at Milligan College in Tennessee. ____________ Walk in God’s Path (Judges 13:1-8, 24, 25) By Lori Mills Can you recall a time you were consumed with wanting something? Perhaps it was a relationship, or child, or job, or healing from a disease. We might think we would do anything for God if he would just grant us our heart”s desire. We find ourselves promising God we will live our lives for him if he will just bless us by granting

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