Old Testament Breakthrough Study
Read the Old Testament With Confidence
Why is the Old Testament Difficult?
- How does the Old Testament apply to my life?
- Why does God seem angry in the Old Testament, but kind in the New Testament?
- How do I make sense of all the details in the Old Testament?
Old Testament Breakthrough
- Learn interpretive tools to apply any portion of the Old Testament, even the Law
- Overcome challenging concepts and hurdles of the Old Testament
- Read the Old Testament with confidence and encounter God in dusty places of your Bible
Study Overview
Matt Gavelek, PE, MA masterfully draws upon the disciplines of Biblical Studies, Theology, Apologetics, and Hermeneutics to dismantle the chief roadblocks to a rich and meaningful understanding of the Old Testament. Old Testament Breakthrough explores God’s redemptive plan, the arrangement of the Old Testament and its books, and the Messiah; responds to common objections and critiques; and discusses the best ways to interpret each literary genre used in the Old Testament.
The workbook & video series guides each participant through an interactive, 10-chapter study featuring video teaching, individual study, and group discussion. Old Testament Breakthrough will remove the confusion and bring clarity to empower Christians to engage the Old Testament with confidence.
How does the study work?
Individuals, small groups, Sunday School or classrooms can utilize Old Testament Breakthrough! Each participant needs their own workbook, because they will take notes and fill in personal responses to the individual study portion. There are 10 chapters and each 45-minute chapter includes a 20-minute video teaching, 12-minute guided individual study and 12-minute group discussion. This format keeps participants fully engaged while promoting Christian community. If you plan to use OTB in a group, then you will watch the teaching video together and each participant will fill in blanks and take notes throughout the teaching. Groups can choose to take the class in ten 45-minute sessions, five 90-minute sessions, or three 2.3 hour sessions.
Will there be homework? Does it require outside reading?
There is no homework and no outside reading is required. All the information and work is contained within each 45-minute session. Each chapter has an extra section where participants can explore concepts from the chapter in the Bible. The study also includes QR codes to additional video resources for additonalstudy.
How do I lead this study? Which format is best for my group?
Thank you for sharing this study with others! You are going to love watching others have Bible breakthroughs. As a leader, just make sure: 1. each participant has a workbook, 2. display the video on a screen for all to see and hear, 3. make sure participants can face each other in groups of 3-6 during the group discussion. Select the 10-meeting format if you only have time for a 45-minute study (i.e. weekly Sunday school or brief small group). Choose the 5-meeting format if you have 90 minutes which can be ideal if you meet every other week. Finally, the 3-meeting format is ideal for a workshop or classroom setting.
What will you teach? What is your theological approach or belief statement?
Old Testament Breakthrough reflects a Christian, Biblical, Protestant view of the Old Testament. Our goal is to equip the Church (God's people) by drawing upon the field of biblical studies, not to win arguments about secondary theological distinctives. We employ a faith-based approach and do not dive into various forms of criticism. The primary defining theological distinctive of our resources is a high view of scripture. If you are still reading, you are looking for better definition. For example, Chapter 2 of OTB covers redemptive history. It utilizes Michael Bird's Six Acts approach which simply presents the canonical order of the major redemptive plot of the Bible, but does not seek to make systematic theological assertions about covenantal or dispensational frameworks. Another example, OTB Chapter 10 “FAQ” explains how believers get to a young-earth or old-earth view, holding both views charitably.
Do you offer bulk discounts?
Yes! A 15% discount automatically applies for orders of 5 or larger. Further discounts are available for Christian ministries with orders larger than 25. Email info@oldtestamenthelp.com to request the discount.
Can I make copies of the study?
Old Testament Breakthrough is copyrighted. Contact info@oldtestamenthelp.com for permission requests.
9 out of 10 Participants Highly Recommend O.T. Breakthrough
“Matt Gavelek has crafted a remarkable work on the Old Testament that will be invaluable to anyone seeking to understand its message.” John E. Hinkley - Acquisitions Editor at Moody Publishers & Director of New Hope Counseling
“Matt Gavelek has done the church a great service by creating a resource that introduces the Old Testament in a way that is engaging and accessible." Russell L. Meek, PhD - Professor, Author & Senior Academic Editor at Kregel Publications
“Old Testament Breakthrough is interactive, informative and interesting! This study builds bridges and helps you make connections you were missing.” Steven Burkholder - Director of Discipleship at Calvary Church