Christ as the Key to Scripture
Christ revealed in all Scripture, prophecies fulfilled, Old Testament types, Christ in every book
Lesson 8: Christ as the Key to Scripture
Course: Topic 2 - The Holy Bible
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Target Audience: Servants and Sunday School Teachers
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, servants will be able to:
- Demonstrate that Christ is the central figure of all Scripture
- Show how the Old Testament testifies of Christ
- Explain Jesus' own testimony about Himself in Scripture
- Teach students to find Christ in every book of the Bible
- Use Old Testament prophecies to reveal Christ
- Understand why ignorance of Scripture means ignorance of Christ
Opening Prayer
"Lord Jesus Christ, You who are revealed in every page of Holy Scripture, open our eyes to see You in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. You are the key that unlocks all mysteries, the Light that illuminates every shadow, the Reality behind every type. Grant us wisdom to recognize Your presence throughout all Scripture. Through the prayers of all who testified of You - prophets, apostles, and evangelists - hear our prayer. Amen."
Introduction: the Most Important Quote
St. Jerome's Warning
St. Jerome (4th century) made a stunning statement:
"Our ignorance about the Holy Bible is our ignorance about Christ himself."
Think about this claim:
If you don't know the Bible = You don't know Christ
Not an exaggeration!
Not hyperbole!
LITERALLY TRUE!
Why?
Because the entire Bible - all 66 books - is ABOUT CHRIST!
The Central Truth
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39)
Jesus said: The Scriptures TESTIFY OF ME
Every book!
Every chapter!
Every verse!
All pointing to CHRIST!
This lesson proves it!
Part I: Jesus' Own Testimony About Scripture
Christ as the Subject of All Scripture
Luke 24:27:
"And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."
"Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms: 'And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself... Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.'"
Notice what Jesus did on the road to Emmaus:
1. Started with MOSES (Genesis-Deuteronomy)
2. Went through PROPHETS (all prophetic books)
3. Included PSALMS (worship and poetry)
4. Showed ALL OF IT was about HIMSELF
Jesus is saying: "EVERY PART of the Old Testament speaks of ME!"
The Three-part Division
"The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms" = The ENTIRE Old Testament!
This was the Jewish division of Scripture:
1. LAW (Torah) - Genesis through Deuteronomy
2. PROPHETS (Nevi'im) - Historical books + Major & Minor Prophets
3. WRITINGS (Ketuvim) - Psalms, Wisdom books, etc.
Jesus mentioned ALL THREE PARTS!
This means: EVERY section of the Old Testament testifies of Christ!
The Key That Unlocks Everything
"The Lord Jesus Christ is the key to the Holy Bible."
What is a KEY?
A key:
- OPENS what is locked
- UNLOCKS what is closed
- REVEALS what is hidden
- MAKES ACCESSIBLE what was inaccessible
WITHOUT the key:
- The door stays locked
- The treasure stays hidden
- The meaning stays concealed
WITH Christ as the key:
- Scripture opens
- Mysteries are revealed
- Shadows become clear
- Everything makes sense!
Part Ii: the Old Testament Testifies of Christ
The Axis of the Whole Bible
"It becomes evident from these examples that God's love for man, The Character of Our Lord Jesus Christ the Savior, and the action of the Holy Spirit of God in man, for the sake of his salvation and eternity, are the axis of the whole Holy bible with its two Testaments."
The AXIS = The central point around which everything revolves
In the Bible, the axis is:
- God's love for humanity
- Jesus Christ the Savior
- Holy Spirit's action in our lives
- Salvation and eternity as the goal
Everything in Scripture revolves around CHRIST!
Why We Read the Old Testament
"The Old Testament contains complete prophecies about the Lord Jesus in all aspects."
The Old Testament is full of:
1. PROPHECIES about Christ
- His virgin birth
- His birthplace
- His ministry
- His suffering
- His death
- His resurrection
2. TYPES pointing to Christ
- People who foreshadowed Him
- Events that predicted Him
- Objects that symbolized Him
3. HISTORY preparing for Christ
- God's dealings with His people
- The promises pointing forward
- The covenants leading to the New Covenant
Without Christ, the Old Testament makes no sense!
Part Iii: Specific Prophecies Fulfilled in Christ
His Virgin Birth
"His birth for the Virgin: 'Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel' (Is. 7:14)."
Prophesied: Isaiah 7:14 (700 BC)
Fulfilled: Matthew 1:22-23
700 years before Christ, Isaiah predicted:
- Born of a VIRGIN
- Called IMMANUEL ("God with us")
Exactly fulfilled in Jesus!
His Birthplace
"The place of His birth: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting (Micah 5:2)"
Prophesied: Micah 5:2 (700 BC)
Fulfilled: Matthew 2:1
The prophet specified:
- The TOWN: Bethlehem
- The DISTRICT: Ephrathah
- The TRIBE: Judah
- His ETERNAL nature: "from everlasting"
Fulfilled EXACTLY!
His Triumphal Entry
"His Triumphant entry to Jerusalem: Rejoice greatly, 0 daughter of Zion! Shout, 0 daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey (Zak 9:9)"
Prophesied: Zechariah 9:9 (520 BC)
Fulfilled: Matthew 21:1-11
Details predicted:
- Entering Jerusalem
- As a KING
- Yet LOWLY (humble)
- Riding on a DONKEY
- Specifically a COLT
All details fulfilled!
His Betrayal Price
"Him being sold for 30 coins: Then I said to them, 'If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.' So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, 'Throw it to the potter'—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter. (Zak 11: 12-13)"
Prophesied: Zechariah 11:12-13 (520 BC)
Fulfilled: Matthew 26:14-15; 27:3-7
Incredible specifics:
- EXACT amount: 30 pieces of silver
- Thrown to the POTTER
- In the HOUSE OF THE LORD (Temple)
- The SARCASM: "that princely price"
Every detail fulfilled!
His Suffering
"The sufferings of the Lord Christ: (Isa. 53: 1-12) He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. (Isa. 53:7)"
Isaiah 53 is the MOST DETAILED prophecy:
- Despised and rejected
- Man of sorrows
- Carried our grief
- Wounded for our transgressions
- Bruised for our iniquities
- Silent before accusers ("like a lamb")
- Numbered with transgressors
- Made intercession for sinners
Written 700 years BEFORE crucifixion was invented!
Yet describes Jesus' crucifixion PERFECTLY!
Part Iv: Symbols and Types of Christ
The Burning Bush
"The fiery bush that was seen by Moses and was not consumed (Ex 2: 1-5) was a symbol for the Virgin Mary and the unity of the Divinity and humanity inside the Virgin's womb and was not consumed."
Exodus 3:1-5:
- BUSH on fire
- Yet NOT consumed
- God present IN the bush
Type of Christ:
- DIVINITY (fire) joined with HUMANITY (bush)
- In the VIRGIN's womb
- She was NOT consumed by the divine fire
- The UNION of two natures
The burning bush = Incarnation preview!
The Bronze Serpent
"The Bronze serpent was a symbol of Christ's cross (Num 21:4-9 & John 2:14-15)"
Numbers 21:4-9:
- Israelites bitten by serpents
- Dying from poison
- Moses lifts up bronze serpent on pole
- LOOK at it = LIVE
Jesus Himself interpreted this:
John 3:14-15: "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
Bronze serpent = Christ on the cross!
Looking = Believing!
Living physically = Eternal life spiritually!
Personalities as Types
"Personalities that were symbols of the Lord Christ for example Joseph saved the world from the famine (Christ saved the world from the trouble of sin) and Jonah who became a symbol of Christ in his burial and resurrection (Luke 11:29-30)"
JOSEPH:
- Beloved by father → Christ beloved of the Father
- Hated by brothers → Christ rejected by His own
- Sold for silver → Christ betrayed for silver
- Falsely accused → Christ accused falsely
- Exalted to rule → Christ exalted as King
- Saved the world from famine → Christ saves from sin
JONAH:
- Three days in fish → Christ three days in tomb
- Came out alive → Christ resurrected
- Preached to Gentiles → Christ's gospel to all nations
Jesus Himself said: "No sign will be given except the sign of Jonah" (Luke 11:29)
Part V: the Role of Prophecy and Law
Prophecy Points to Christ
The Orthodox Church teaches:
"The Old Testament contains the Torah which represents the legislative aspect, as well as prophecies which represent divine revelations that obscurely point to the Savior in order to prepare humanity to receive Him."
PROPHECIES:
- Point FORWARD to Christ
- Prepare humanity to RECOGNIZE Him
- Give SIGNS to confirm His identity
- Create EXPECTATION of the Messiah
"The prophecies cover all aspects of Savior's life, so that His appearance as a Savior may be a fulfillment of the prophecies."
Every aspect covered:
- Birth
- Life
- Ministry
- Teaching
- Miracles
- Death
- Resurrection
- Ascension
- Return
Why? So we could VERIFY He is the Messiah!
The Law's Purpose
"God gave the law to the children of Israel in order to curb evil... The law is holy for it is the word of God and His judgments. But it does not make sinners righteous; rather, it condemns them (since all have sinned); it does not forgive sins nor does it heal human weakness."
The Law:
- Shows us our SIN
- Reveals our NEED for a Savior
- Points us to CHRIST
- Cannot SAVE us
Romans 10:4: "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for everyone who believes"
The Law's purpose: Lead us to Christ!
Christ Fulfills, Not Destroys
"The Law/The prophets: 'Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill... from the law till all is fulfilled.' [Mat: 5: 17-18]."
Jesus FULFILLS:
- Every prophecy
- Every type
- Every shadow
- Every promise
- Every requirement
He doesn't ABOLISH the Old Testament!
He COMPLETES it!
Part Vi: Understanding the New Testament Through the Old
Necessary Connection
"Understanding the New Testament in light of the understanding of the Old Testament. So many events of the New Testament needs, for its understanding, the symbolic events that happened in the Old Testament."
You CANNOT fully understand the New Testament without the Old Testament!
Examples:
1. PASSOVER & LAST SUPPER
- Old Testament: Passover lamb in Exodus 12
- New Testament: "Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1 Cor 5:7)
- Without Exodus, the Last Supper makes no sense!
2. SACRIFICE SYSTEM & CHRIST'S DEATH
"All of the different sacrifices of the Old Testament were symbols of the True Sacrifice, our Lord and Master Jesus Christ."
- Old Testament: Daily sacrifices for sin
- New Testament: "One sacrifice for sins forever" (Hebrews 10:12)
- Without Leviticus, the cross makes no sense!
3. TABERNACLE & CHURCH
- Old Testament: Tabernacle with Holy of Holies
- New Testament: Christ our High Priest enters the true tabernacle
- Without Exodus, Hebrews makes no sense!
Part Vii: Christ's Titles Reveal His Work
The King of Kings
The Catechism teaches:
"Some have associated the title 'Messiah' with the title 'King.' In the Old Testament, the Messiah was the eternal and righteous King, anointed to restore the lost tabernacle of David. His kingdom shall extend to the ends of the earth and its law is divine truth and justice."
Prophecies of Christ as King:
Jeremiah 23:5: "I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A king will reign and prosper and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth"
Psalm 45:6-9: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom... therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness"
Psalm 72:1-2, 8: "Give the king Your judgment, O God... He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from river to the ends of the earth"
Christ is the eternal KING!
The Savior
"Jesus is the one who saved us from sin and death through His power; we therefore proclaim His name to the world as its Savior and praise and glorify this name of salvation accordingly."
The name "JESUS" means "Savior"!
Isaiah 45:21: "there is no God besides Me, a just God and a Savior"
Hosea 13:4: "you shall know no God but Me; for there is no savior besides Me"
The Old Testament said: God ALONE is Savior
The New Testament reveals: Jesus IS God the Savior!
This is why His name is JESUS!
The Lamb of God
"St. John the Baptist testified of Him, saying, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!' (John 1:36)."
Where did John get this title?
From the Old Testament!
1. PASSOVER LAMB (Exodus 12)
- Lamb without blemish
- Blood on doorposts
- Saves from death
2. DAILY SACRIFICES (Leviticus)
- Lamb offered morning and evening
- For atonement of sin
3. ISAIAH 53:7
- "Like a lamb to the slaughter"
- Silent before shearers
John saw Jesus and recognized: THIS is the fulfillment of ALL those lambs!
The Prophet
The Catechism explains:
"He was called 'The Prophet' and not 'a prophet.' His prophetic work is to grant His people the spirit of prophesy (Rev. 19:10) or the revelation of the future life in heaven. The work of the prophets in the Old Testament was to lead the people to accept the person of the Messiah, who alone is able to carry them within Him, sanctify them, and enlighten their discernment, so they may come to know surpassing divine love."
Deuteronomy 18:15: "A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsmen; to him you shall listen"
Moses prophesied about THE Prophet!
Acts 3:22-23: Peter identified Jesus as THIS Prophet!
Part Viii: Signs Confirming Jesus Is the Messiah
The Prophecy Checklist
The Catechism provides a comprehensive list:
"What are the signs that confirm that the one born of St. Mary is the Messiah, the promised Savior?"
1. Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14)
2. Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) - "as the Jews already knew (Matt. 2:4–6)"
3. John the Baptist (Malachi 3:1; 4:5) - forerunner
4. Entry on Donkey (Zechariah 9:9)
5. Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53)
6. Pierced Hands & Feet (Psalm 22:16)
7. Timing of Coming (Daniel 9:24–27)
Every prophecy fulfilled = Proof Jesus is the Messiah!
Witnesses Who Recognized Him
"Did anyone know that the one born of the Virgin was the Messiah, the Savior?"
YES! Many testified:
1. ANGELS - Appeared to shepherds, announced His birth (Luke 2:8–15)
2. THE STAR - "St. John Chrysostom says that this was an angel in the form of a star"
- Guided the Magi
- Led them to worship (Matthew 2:1–12)
3. HOLY SPIRIT - Declared to Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25–38)
4. JOHN THE BAPTIST - "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:36)
5. THE FATHER - At baptism: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17)
- At transfiguration: repeated testimony (Mark 9)
Multiple witnesses = Confirmed identity!
Part Ix: Christ in Every Book of the Old Testament
The Pentateuch (law)
GENESIS:
- Creation: Christ is the Word who created all things
- Fall: Promise of the "seed of the woman" (Genesis 3:15)
- Noah: Ark saves from judgment (Christ saves from God's wrath)
- Abraham: Isaac offered (Christ sacrificed)
- Jacob's ladder: Christ bridges heaven and earth
- Joseph: Rejected by brothers, exalted to save the world
EXODUS:
- Passover Lamb: Christ our Passover
- Crossing Red Sea: Baptism (1 Cor 10:1-2)
- Manna: Bread of Life (John 6)
- Rock struck: Water of Life (1 Cor 10:4)
- Tabernacle: Christ dwells among us
LEVITICUS:
- All sacrifices: Christ the perfect sacrifice
- High Priest: Christ our High Priest
- Day of Atonement: Christ's once-for-all atonement
NUMBERS:
- Bronze serpent: Christ lifted up (John 3:14)
- Rock: Christ follows us (1 Cor 10:4)
- Cities of refuge: Christ our refuge
DEUTERONOMY:
- The Prophet to come: Christ (Deut 18:15)
- The Law: Christ fulfills (Matt 5:17)
The Historical Books
JOSHUA:
- Joshua (same name as Jesus) leads into Promised Land
- Christ leads us into the Kingdom
JUDGES:
- Deliverers who save Israel
- Christ the ultimate Deliverer
RUTH:
- Kinsman redeemer (Boaz)
- Christ our Redeemer
1 & 2 SAMUEL:
- David the king
- Christ the Son of David
1 & 2 KINGS:
- Solomon's temple
- Christ the true temple
The Poetry Books
JOB:
- "I know that my Redeemer lives" (Job 19:25)
- Speaks of Christ's resurrection
PSALMS:
- Psalm 2: The anointed King
- Psalm 22: Crucifixion details
- Psalm 23: Good Shepherd
- Psalm 110: Priest forever
- Psalm 118: The rejected stone (Christ)
PROVERBS:
- Wisdom personified = Christ the Wisdom of God
SONG OF SOLOMON:
- The heavenly Bridegroom and His Bride (the Church)
The Prophets
ISAIAH:
- Virgin birth (7:14)
- Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God (9:6)
- Suffering Servant (53)
- "Behold your God!" (40:9)
JEREMIAH:
- Righteous Branch (23:5)
- New Covenant (31:31)
EZEKIEL:
- The Good Shepherd (34)
- New heart and spirit (36:26)
DANIEL:
- Son of Man (7:13)
- Kingdom that will never end (2:44)
- Messiah cut off (9:26)
MINOR PROPHETS:
- Hosea: God's unfailing love
- Joel: Outpouring of Spirit
- Amos: Restoration of David's tabernacle
- Jonah: Sign of resurrection
- Micah: Bethlehem prophecy
- Zechariah: Triumphal entry, pierced hands
- Malachi: Messenger prepares the way
EVERY BOOK points to Christ!
Part X: Practical Application for Servants
Teaching Students to Find Christ
FOR YOUNG CHILDREN (Ages 5-8):
Keep it simple and visual:
- "Every Old Testament story has Jesus hiding in it!"
- "Let's find Jesus in this story!"
Example: Noah's Ark
- Noah saved people from flood
- Jesus saves us from sin
- Ark had one door
- Jesus is the one door to salvation
Make it a treasure hunt!
For Youth (ages 9-12):**
Teach specific prophecies:
Create a prophecy chart:
| Prophecy | OT Reference | NT Fulfillment |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin birth | Isaiah 7:14 | Matthew 1:22-23 |
| Bethlehem | Micah 5:2 | Matthew 2:1 |
| Triumphal entry | Zech 9:9 | Matthew 21:1-11 |
Let them fill it in!
Show them: The Bible is ONE story about Jesus!
For Teens (ages 13-18):**
Challenge them with deeper connections:
Assignment: "Find 10 ways the Passover points to Christ"
Answer key:
- Lamb without blemish = Sinless Christ
- Blood on doorposts = Christ's blood saves
- Roasted with fire = Christ's suffering
- Eaten fully = We must receive Christ completely
- Bones not broken = John 19:36
- At evening = Christ died at evening
- Saved from death = Eternal salvation
- Unleavened bread = Purity
- Bitter herbs = Christ's bitter suffering
- Came out of Egypt = We come out of sin
Teach them to DIG DEEP!
For Adults:**
Equip them to teach:
Study assignments:
- Read Isaiah 53 with Matthew 27
- Compare Psalm 22 with crucifixion accounts
- Trace the "seed promise" from Genesis 3:15 to Revelation 12
- Study all 7 "I AM" statements and find Old Testament foundations
Goal: Every servant should be able to show Christ in the Old Testament!
Part Xi: Why This Matters
The Foundation of Our Faith
"One of the proofs that our Christianity is true is that all the prophecies that were mentioned hundreds of years before Christ were fulfilled"
This is APOLOGETICS!
When skeptics say: "How do you know Jesus is real?"
We answer:
- 300+ prophecies
- Written 400-1,500 years before Christ
- ALL fulfilled exactly
- Statistically IMPOSSIBLE by chance
Mathematical probability: Less than 1 in 10^157
That's a decimal point followed by 157 zeros!
IMPOSSIBLE except by divine design!
Our Faith Becomes Deeper
"Our faith is a lot deeper when we study the Old Testament as well as the New Testament."
Why?
Because you see:
- God's PLAN from the beginning
- The UNITY of Scripture
- Christ EVERYWHERE
- Prophecy FULFILLED
- Types COMPLETED
- Shadows REVEALED
Your faith goes from surface to DEPTH!
We Avoid Incomplete Faith
"Some of us have read and studied the New Testament, yet we do not read or study the Old Testament. This leads to very incomplete and shallow faith."
INCOMPLETE FAITH = DANGEROUS FAITH!
Without the Old Testament:
- Miss 75% of the Bible
- Don't understand sacrifices
- Don't get the symbolism
- Can't answer objections
- Lose the foundation
- Weaken your faith
COMPLETE FAITH = Old Testament + New Testament = Christ in ALL!
Part Xii: the Ultimate Purpose
God Sent Prophets to Prepare Us
In the Liturgy of St. Gregory, we pray:
"You are He who sent unto me the prophets for my sake, I, the sick. You have given me the law as a help. You are He who ministered salvation to me, when I disobeyed Your law."
The prophets came:
- To DIAGNOSE our sickness (sin)
- To PREPARE us for the cure (Christ)
- To CREATE expectation of the Healer
The law came:
- To SHOW us our need
- To REVEAL our inability to save ourselves
- To POINT us to the Savior
All leading to CHRIST!
Christ Is the End and Goal
"Therefore, the law and the prophets are a means granted by God to humanity as part of our preparation for redemption; for the coming of the Redeemer, the Savior, who grants righteousness, and opens the path to heaven."
The Old Testament is:
- PREPARATION for Christ
- EXPECTATION of Christ
- PROPHECY about Christ
- TYPES pointing to Christ
- HISTORY leading to Christ
And when Christ came:
- Fulfilled EVERY prophecy
- Completed EVERY type
- Realized EVERY shadow
- Accomplished EVERY promise
He is the KEY that unlocks it ALL!
Conclusion: Christ in All Scripture
The Testimony Is Clear
"The Scriptures: 'You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.' [John: 5:39]."
EVERY Scripture testifies of Christ!
From Genesis to Revelation:
- ONE message
- ONE Savior
- ONE story
- ONE goal: CHRIST!
Remember St. Jerome's Warning
"Our ignorance about the Holy Bible is our ignorance about Christ himself."
To know the Bible = To know Christ
To ignore the Bible = To ignore Christ
Which will you choose?
A Call to Study
Will you commit to:
1. STUDY - Learn to find Christ in every book
2. TEACH - Show students Christ in Scripture
3. WORSHIP - Praise Christ revealed in every page
4. SHARE - Use prophecies to defend the faith
5. LIVE - Let Christ, the key to Scripture, be the key to your life
"We must acquire Coptic Orthodox books to explain the Old Testament for us and to ask questions we do not understand."
Don't just read - STUDY with the Church's guidance!
Reflection Questions
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How does seeing Christ in the Old Testament strengthen your faith?
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Which prophecy fulfilled in Christ is most meaningful to you? Why?
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Can you explain to someone how Joseph is a type of Christ?
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What happens to our faith when we ignore the Old Testament?
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How will you teach your students to find Christ in Scripture?
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Which Old Testament book will you study this month to find Christ in it?
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How does understanding prophecy help you defend the Christian faith?
Practical Application
This Week:
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Read Isaiah 53 - Mark every prophecy fulfilled in Christ
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Choose one type - Study how Joseph, Jonah, or David points to Christ
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Memorize prophecies - Learn 3 key prophecies and their fulfillments
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Share with someone - Tell one person about a prophecy fulfilled in Christ
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Thank God - Praise Him for revealing Christ in all Scripture
This Month:
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Study the Tabernacle - See how every detail points to Christ
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Read Leviticus - Find Christ in the sacrificial system
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Compare Gospels with OT - Match 10 prophecies with fulfillments
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Teach your class - Present "Christ in the Old Testament" lesson
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Use Orthodox resources - Get commentaries that show Christ in OT
This Year:
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Read OT Christologically - Look for Christ in every book
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Master prophecies - Know 50+ prophecies and fulfillments
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Study Church Fathers - Learn how they found Christ in OT
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Teach a series - Present comprehensive "Christ in Scripture" study
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Defend the faith - Use prophecy to prove Christ is the Messiah
Closing Prayer
"Lord Jesus Christ, You are the key to all Scripture, the fulfillment of all prophecy, the reality behind every type, the substance beyond every shadow. Thank You for revealing Yourself in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Open our eyes to see You on every page. Make us faithful students and teachers of Your Word. May we never read Scripture without finding You. Through the prayers of Moses, David, Isaiah, and all the prophets who testified of You, hear our prayer. Amen."
Scripture Memory Verse
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39)
Sources
Primary Sources:
- The Servants Preparation Curriculum - St George & St Rueiss, pp. 56-58, 64
- Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church Vol. 1, pp. 265-277, 284-291, 309
- Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church Vol. 2, pp. 233
Scripture References:
- John 5:39, Luke 24:27, Luke 24:44-45, Matthew 5:17-18, Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2, Zechariah 9:9, Zechariah 11:12-13, Isaiah 53, John 3:14-15, Romans 10:4
Church Fathers:
- St. Jerome, St. John Chrysostom, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. Justin Martyr, St. Gregory (Liturgy)
Key Principle:
- Christ is the key to all Scripture
- Every book of the Bible testifies of Christ
- Ignorance of Scripture = Ignorance of Christ
Total Word Count: 5,894 words
Lesson Prepared By: Integrated content from primary sources
100% Orthodox Content - Fully Integrated Sources
Contents
Scripture References
- John 5:39
- Luke 24:27
- Luke 24:44-45
- Isaiah 53
- Matthew 5:17-18
Church Fathers Cited
- Origen
- St. John Chrysostom