The Old Testament is packed with rich wisdom, powerful stories, and prophetic promises. But let’s be honest—it can be tough to teach, especially to students who struggle to care about what happened 10 minutes ago, let alone thousands of years ago. So how do we help them engage with these ancient texts? By showing how they still matter today—through a Gospel focus.
Jesus Valued the Old Testament—So Should We
Jesus quoted the Old Testament more than 75 times and referred to it over 300 times in His teaching. This collection of 39 books formed the foundation for His Jewish faith and was the source of His clarity on His messianic role. That’s why He talked about them so consistently–and why we should too. God’s inspired, breathed-out, powerful Word gives us light and direction for living a life that glorifies Him now and prepares us for a glorified eternity later in His presence.
The Gospel Was God’s Plan from the Start
Focusing on the Gospel through the Old Testament is easier to do than you might think—because that’s exactly how God designed it! Let me give you an example. This summer, our church is preaching through the book of Nehemiah. In chapter one of this account of the rebuilding of Jerusalem, we see that a deep burden settles on Nehemiah’s heart—a burden for a city he’s never seen and a people he’s never met. He’s the cupbearer to one of the most powerful kings in the world, living a life of comfort, luxury, and influence. So why would he care about broken-down walls in a distant land?!
Nehemiah and Jesus: A Surprising Connection
The story of Jesus isn’t so different. John 1 tells us:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:1-3 NIV84
It continues in verse 14 with:
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
We see that Jesus—the Word—who created everything and dwelt in complete fullness on His throne, chose to take on a burden for a people who were walking as His enemies. There was nothing they had that He needed. There was nothing they did that would make them worthy of His attention or affection. And yet, He came to live among them. He willingly died for them and us, and rose again, holding our victory in His hand. Why in the world would Jesus carry such a burden for broken people like us?
God’s Glory Is Always the Goal
Both Nehemiah’s and Jesus’s burdens carried the same weighty purpose: that God would be glorified. Nehemiah was burdened because the city of God’s presence and people was in a shameful state—one that invited dishonor and mockery toward God. Jesus’s burden was for the image-bearers of God who were trapped in the shame and death of sin. His desire to restore each one back to the fullness of life in Him, bringing everlasting glory to God. See the similarities between the two?
The more we search the Scripture with a Gospel focus, the more clearly we’ll see the Gospel woven throughout. From the very beginning, God gave His Word so that people could know Him and be restored to the relationship with Him they were created for. The Old Testament is teeming with relevance—it reveals our sin, God’s righteousness, and our deep need for a Savior. The New Testament isn’t a replacement, but rather a continuation of the same story. In it, we see the Savior that the entire Old Testament pointed to: Jesus, who came into the world to bring us back to the presence of God.
A Practical Starting Point: Jonah
Don’t fear the Old Testament—Gospelize it! And as you do, you’ll discover it’s already been Gospelized. A great and easy way to start is with our free digital curriculum Beyond the Whale: Why Jonah’s Story Matters Today. This six-week study for students goes deeper than the big-fish moment, exploring how Jonah’s life connects to the Gospel and helps teens see the relevance of his story in their own lives today.
