For the past three summers, I have preached overview sermons through the Old Testament. Three years ago I spent the summer preaching through the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible). Last year I taught Joshua through the Kings. This summer I just completed a series through the Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel).
To be honest, these are some of the most difficult sermons for me to prepare and to preach. The difficulty in study lies in the challenge of covering the entirety of large books in such a short time. Teaching these books is equally daunting in trying to cover large sections of very rich material in a short amount of time and often in what seems such a cursory manner.
And yet, every summer, I receive a host of positive feedback from many in our congregation as to the benefit they derive in these overview series. Some have expressed their lack of exposure to preaching through the Old Testament. Others have indicated that they have never seen how a particular book was put together. Still others have mentioned how refreshing it has been to see the central theme of each book and how these books relate to one another. We have found much benefit from the past 3 years of studying the Old Testament together.
Why should a preacher/teacher spend time preaching/teaching overviews of biblical books? What steps are most helpful in studying for these sorts of messages? What principles govern how you teach them? Let me see if I can help you with a few pointers from what I have been learning over the past few years.
Value of Overview Studies
- The congregation interacts with material they spend the least amount of time in.
- People see the main purpose and relevance of books they are more likely to neglect.
- Overcome popular myths associated with the books (Leviticus is more than a code for correct sacrifices, but a demonstration of what should motivate holy conduct).
- Simplify large complex books that tend to overwhelm the average person (Isaiah is fundamentally all about the confrontation of sin, revelation of salvation, and demonstration of the splendor of God).
- Show the continuity between the message of the Old and New Testaments (Jesus is not doing away with the Old Testament law, but becoming the fulfillment of it – Matthew 5:17ff).
- Show the differences between the Old and New Testaments (Hebrews reminds us of the fulfilled point of the Levitical sacrificial system).
- Demonstrate the relationship of all the Old Testament books to one another (the prophets should be seen in light of the books of the Kings; the Kings show the departure from the law expressed in Deuteronomy; Jeremiah shows the exile as the fulfillment of what Moses predicted).
- Display the unity and singular message of the Old Testament (really of the entire Bible). God’s glory is ultimate, central, and fundamental to every book.
How to Study for An Overview
Here are a few governing principles and methods I used in studying these books. I offer them as an encouragement to anyone in pursuing an overview study of your own of any of the books of the Bible.
- Read through the entire book in one sitting.
- Assign a chapter theme to each chapter.
- Group related chapters together in sections.
- Determine the single overarching theme of the book being expressed through the combination of each of the sections.
- Watch for recurring phrases or words that seem to be used throughout. Trace those phrases or terms throughout the book.
- Review the primary ways the New Testament uses or refers to the book.
- Read background material in survey books and commentaries (I will list some of these in a later post).
How to Teach an Overview
- Determine the major universal/timeless idea being communicated through the overarching theme of the book.
- Use the structure of the book as the structure of your teaching outline.
- Summarize each section of the book in a short phrase that helps people see how that section related to the universal/timeless idea of the book.
- Determine ways you see the principles in the book reflected in the New Testament.
- Choose the most emphatic passages within each chapter to read for each section of the sermon/lesson.
- Stay focused on the main idea and don’t get caught up in the minute details or popular controversies (i.e., eschatological debates).
- Listen to some other preachers/teachers who have taught overview messages/lessons.
- Discipline yourself to do it.
If you are a teacher or pastor, I encourage you to teach through the Old Testament (or even the New Testament) in an overview fashion. Our people need to see the main ideas here – they are highly relevant and will give a depth to your and your congregation’s understanding and application of God’s word.
