Big Picture 3 - Same and Different
Here is another big picture to help us see how the Old Testament and New Testament are different and the same.
Let’s start by putting the kinds of books in the Old Testament: Law. History. Poetry. Prophets (there’s both major and minor prophets).
Let’s put the kinds of books in the New Testament: Gospels. History. Letters (there’s three kinds of letters: Letters by Paul to the churches, letters by Paul to individuals, and General letters written by people other than Paul). Prophecy.
Old Testament Law - God reveals his character through the law.
New Testament Gospels - God reveals his character through Jesus Christ.
In both the old and New Testament God wants His people to know Him.
Old Testament History - God chooses Israel to make Himself known to the world.
New Testament History - God chooses the church to make Himself known to the world.
In both the old and New Testament God chooses His people to help make Himself known to the world.
Old Testament Poetry - Living life with Christ’s provision concealed (meaning hidden)
New Testament Letters - Living life with Christ provision revealed (meaning clearly seen).
In both the old and New Testament God requires His people to live by faith. In the Old Testament His people demonstrated their faith by following the law. In the New Testament we demonstrate our faith by trusting in Christ who fulfilled the law for us and obeying Him through the provision of His Holy Spirit.
Old Testament Prophets - Warning and hope and Jesus the Savior is coming.
New testament Prophecy - Warning and hope and Jesus the King of Kings is coming!
In both the old and New Testament there is warning of God’s judgment, because He cares about His world and all He created. And there is hope that is certain and keeps us going in difficult times.
The prophets in the Old Testament talked about the Savior and the King of Kings reigning. They did not know that Jesus would be coming two different times. The first time He came, He came to take our judgement, our punishment for sin, and be our Savior. When He comes again, He will come as the King.
We look forward to his second coming when all the wrongs on the earth will be made right and He will reign as the King of Kings forever and ever. What a wonderful hope we have!
Now you have 3 pictures that you can teach others, so they can understand the Bible better and see how it all fits together.
Presence means the Savior is here! He’s with us. An example of this is when Jesus went back to heaven after being on earth. He sent the Holy Spirit to always be with those who put their trust in Him as Savior. In that Jesus will always be with us and never leave us.
Provision means all He provides, gives us, and all He does for us. An example of this is what some of you have memorized- the fruit of the Spirit. Say them with me if you know them: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self control.
As we sing through each book in the New Testament will talk about how each book shows the presence and provision of the Savior.
OT and NT Juxtaposed.
Carolyn Randall note to parents and teachers: The ideas for big picture overviews 1-3 are from A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L Geisler. In particular, Chapter 2, Christ, the Key to the Interpretation of the Bible pp. 22-25. After reading through this I understood the Bible in a new way. My goal was to put the wealth of information in simple terms that I could remember and teach children. This book is helpful for adults who want to enrich their understanding of the Old Testament.
