Week 1: Creation

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You might be surprised to find that Jesus' death is prefigured even before sin was committed! God's plan to redeem us in Christ was not Plan B. God knew how his saving work would unfold "before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:4). This week, we will look at some of the clues hidden about Christ in the first three chapters of the Bible. 

One of the most well-known stories in the Bible is the story of the Exodus from Egypt--and with good reason! The dramatic rescue of God's people shows not only God's love, but also his  power. God can conquer any enemy. One thing God's people have to learn--and it is a lesson for us too--is that the greatest enemy is not the one who can harm our bodies, but the one who will harm our soul. As Israel leaves Egypt, they will have to learn that the greatest oppressor from which they need freedom, is the one in their own heart. 

God instructs Israel how to worship him well. On the surface, their liturgies might seem very strange to us: they sacrifice animals and make pledges to God using the blood of animals as a symbol of their bond. This week, we will discover the  meaning of these rituals, how they prepare us for Jesus' death on the Cross, and how they serve as a blueprint for our liturgy today. 

After many years, the Israelites arrive in the Promised Land and gain victory over their enemies. God grants them peace and establishes a permanent dwelling place among them: the Temple. This week  we will learn how the kingdom of Israel in the Old Testament prefigures Christ's coming in the New. In particular, we will see how God heals the sins of his people through the death and resurrection of Christ the King. 

Israel's attachment to sin has caused the destruction of the  kingdom and the Temple. God is a wise and loving Father who disciplines his children, but does not allow them to despair. Through the prophets, he promises a future full of hope where all that has been lost will be restored and renewed.