Date taught: October 9 – November 27, 2019
Teachers: Andrew & Thaddeus
Have you ever been confused while reading through Leviticus or Deuteronomy?
Perhaps you’ve wondered, what is the relevance of all these various Old Testament laws today and what does any of it have to do with Jesus?
The Law of God is a huge topic which many Christians today do not understand. However, understanding how God’s Word speaks about His Law is essential for us to fully understand the Biblical narrative and even the Gospel itself!
Furthermore, it has tremendous implications for how we understand Christian ethics and moral issues today. For example:
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Why do we point to some laws as the basis for Christian moral teachings about life and sexuality, yet seem to ignore some others about eating shellfish or wearing clothing of two materials?
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How does our salvation/justification and keeping the law work?
If you’ve ever struggled with questions like these or had difficulty in understanding the relevance of God’s law to us today, this class is for you!
This 8-week class will take us systematically through the Bible as we explore how God’s law fits within the big picture of Redemptive History, and how it relates to us. You will learn the tools to help you understand how to properly read and interpret God’s law and why it is still so valuable to us today!
We pray that this interactive class will deepen your understanding of God’s Word, your appreciation of His Gospel of Grace, and add fuel to your awe and worship!
CLICK TO JUMP TO CLASS SESSIONS
1. THE PENTATEUCH – Patriarchs and the lead up to Sinai
2. THE TORAH (Part 1) – Tabernacle, Sacrifices, Priests, Feasts and OT Worship
3. THE TORAH (Part 2) – Law & Covenant, Promised Land and Foreshadowing
4. THE PROPHETS & WRITINGS – OT Prophets, Psalms & Wisdom Literature
5. THE GOSPELS – 1st Century Jews, Jesus and the Law
6. ACTS & THE EARLY CHURCH – Acts & Galatians
7. PAUL: APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES – Pauline Corpus
8. THE GENERAL EPISTLES – Hebrews, James, etc.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES – Some further resources on the topic of God’s Law.
SESSION 1: THE PENTATEUCH
Print out the worksheet PDF (below) in the session materials and use these video/audio recordings to follow along with the session.
(TIP: You can use the gear icon to speed up/slow down the video playback speed so you can follow better)
SESSION 1 MATERIALS
These are the materials used during this session. Feel free to use them if you’d like to go through the session personally or together with a small group or Bible study.
SESSION WORKSHEET
This class was designed to be used together with the worksheet. You can download and print this PDF to follow along with the session and make notes.
TEACHER'S NOTES
These are the teacher’s notes from the class. You can download and print the PDF here. This would be a good resource for leading a small group through the material in this class.
PRESENTATION SLIDES
These are the presentation PowerPoint slides from the class.
YOUTUBE VIDEO
Video hosted on YouTube for easy access and playback via YouTube App. There is also a playlist set up for the class.
ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEXT SESSION
Below are the assignments to prepare for the next session in this class.
1. READ
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Exodus 40
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Leviticus 4-7 and 16 & 17
3. ASK
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How does God’s Covenant relationship with us relate to the Laws that He gives to us today?
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From Exodus 40, what stands out to you at the end of the chapter?
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From Leviticus 4-7 & 16-17, if you lived in ancient Israel, how would these laws make you feel? How do you imagine the sight of all these things impacting you?
SESSION 2: THE TORAH (Part 1)
SESSION 2 MATERIALS
ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEXT SESSION
1. READ
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Numbers 11, 14 & 16
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Deuteronomy 9-11
3. ASK
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What are some similarities you noticed in the stories of the people’s rebellions in Numbers 11, 14, & 16?
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How would it have felt to be Moses in these situations?
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What do you notice about this retelling of the story of Exodus in Deuteronomy 9-11? What repeated words, phrases or themes stand out to you?
SESSION 3: THE TORAH (Part 2)
SESSION 3 MATERIALS
ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEXT SESSION
1. READ
- Nehemiah 9
3. ASK
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Read Nehemiah 9 and circle/highlight every reference to the law, commandments or disobedience.
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Do these references keep coming up? If so, why do you think these references keep coming up?
SESSION 4: THE PROPHETS & WRITINGS
SESSION 4 MATERIALS
ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEXT SESSION
1. READ
- Matthew 4-5
2. WATCH
3. ASK
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How do you see Jesus using the Law in Matthew 4? What are each of the 3 temptations about and how does Jesus’ response answer each one?
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How does Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5 correspond to some of the themes and topics we saw in the Pentateuch? Write down a few observations and come ready to discuss them.
SESSION 5: THE GOSPELS (Matthew)
SESSION 5 MATERIALS
ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEXT SESSION
1. READ
- Acts 15:1-21
- Galatians 5:1-6
- Quote at the end of teacher’s notes
3. ASK
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Given the role of circumcision in the history and life of Israel (see primer on circumcision above), why do you think there was such a heated debate over circumcision in Acts 15?
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In Acts 15:5, how is circumcision related to the law of Moses?
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In Acts 15:7-11, what is the gist of Peter’s argument?
SESSION 6: THE EARLY CHURCH
SESSION 6 MATERIALS
ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEXT SESSION
1. READ
- Colossians 2:16-17
- Romans 6:1-6
3. ASK
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What does Colossians 2:17 say about the nature of food and drink, festivals and the Sabbath? What does it mean that “the substance belongs to Christ”?
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Colossians 2:16 starts with the word, “Therefore”, indicating that verses 16-17 hinge on a previous grounding truth. What is that truth?
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Romans 6:1 asks the question: If we are justified by grace, not merit and by faith, not works, then doesn’t that give us the license to just keep on sinning? How does Paul address this question in verses 2-6?
SESSION 7: THE PAULINE LETTERS
SESSION 7 MATERIALS
ASSIGNMENTS FOR NEXT SESSION
1. READ
- Romans 6:1-6
2. WATCH
This video is only available through Right Now Media.
Access it using your FREE login provided to you through Hope Church Toronto West.
3. ASK
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Romans 6:1 asks the question: If we are justified by grace, not merit and by faith, not works, then doesn’t that give us license we just keep on sinning? How does Paul address this question in verses 2-6?
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How is the new covenant superior to the old covenant in the following areas: priesthood, sacrifice, intercession, temple?
SESSION 8: THE GENERAL EPISTLES
SESSION 8 MATERIALS
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
This topic of Biblical Law is massive, and it is impossible to say everything about it – but we hope that we’ve at least whetted your appetites! Below is a shortlist of a few resources we recommend if you desire to continue learning more about the topic of God’s Law. We pray that this class has blessed you in your understanding and knowledge of God’s Word, and most of all – that it has increased your worship of Jesus Christ!
The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses
What does the Old Testament have to do with Jesus Christ? Everything.
The first five books of the Old Testament were written centuries before the birth of Jesus. Yet they intricately involve him. Here Dr. Vern S. Poythress explores Genesis through Deuteronomy, demonstrating how the sacrifices and traditions of the Hebrews graphically foreshadow Christ’s relationship with his people. Dr. Poythress shows how Christ himself is the key that unlocks the riches of the Old Testament.
Much of the material of this class is indebted to this book – it is a goldmine of insight!
The Ten Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why We Should Obey Them
Are the 10 Commandments still relevant today? Do they still apply? Which ones? What do they mean in light of God’s mercy revealed in Jesus? Highlighting the timelessness and goodness of God’s commands, this book will help you understand, obey, and delight in God’s law–commandments that expose our sinfulness and reveal the glories of God’s grace to us in Christ.
The Lamb of God: Seeing Jesus in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
This is a ten-week of guided personal Bible study with relevant teaching, and group discussion, to help you see the person and work of Christ from the Law of Moses. Gain a fresh perspective on the story of Israel’s deliverance and journey, a broader understanding of Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture, and much more…
Zondervan Handbook to the Bible (Fifth Edition)
From the history and design of the temple in Jerusalem to God’s relationship with the universe, you’ll find it here. The land, culture, battles, feast days, heroes, and villains of Scripture come alive through spectacular color-filled articles and images of meticulous clarity and detail.
The materials for our LAW OF MOSES CLASS are offered through our website free of charge for personal use or in small groups for the edification of individuals in the body of Christ and the Church globally. Please, no editing or redistribution of this content without the expressed written permission of Hope Church Toronto West.
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