Have you ever started a Bible reading plan? Have you ever quit a Bible reading plan, say, in the middle of Exodus or Leviticus? 🙂
Many Bible reading plans start at the beginning, in Genesis, which is really quite interesting to dig into. Exodus starts off pretty exciting too, but starts to decrease in the excitement factor as details of the tabernacle and priestly garments get described. . . and described again. Leviticus and Numbers especially are challenging to get through with all the many laws, and the few narratives (stories) in Numbers feel like a breath of fresh air. And then Deuteronomy. . . well, it kind of says much of what Exodus-Numbers already said.
A while back I wrote and led a study on Genesis for the ladies in our church. I was incredibly intimidated to study not only such a huge book in the Bible (50 chapters!), but a book in the Old Testament. But I absolutely loved it. And I couldn’t stop. It was like reading the first book in a series and then stopping (which, in truth, is exactly what it is).
So then, we studied Exodus. Even then, I felt like I couldn’t stop. So, I did a study for myself on Leviticus, Numbers, and today I finished Deuteronomy. As I studied, I really tried to focus on the big picture. Today, we are not under the law, yet still God tells us that ALL Scripture is profitable.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV).
So, what profit is there in studying Genesis through Deuteronomy? How can I be trained for righteousness, completed, and equipped for every good work by studying these books?
I learned much about the character of God throughout all five of these books. I learned about how needy mankind is. I learned about God’s purposes and plans in early history. I learned much about the sacrificial system and priesthood, which is the basis for understanding Jesus’ sacrifice and his position as my priest. I learned about the background for the entire rest of the Old Testament, in which psalmists sing of God’s redemption, kings–good and bad–point to the need for a righteous ruler, and prophets plead for a return to worship of God alone. I learned about the background for the Gospels and the importance of a son of Judah to come as Savior.
I have loved my studies, and I am hoping to whet your appetite to study these books too. You can simply study these on your own, but I have written a study (not professional or perfect by any means) for each of these books if you are interested. Genesis is a 12-week study (I am currently in the process of writing a version for kids). Exodus is a 10-week study. Leviticus is a 2-week study. Numbers is a 6-week study. Deuteronomy is a 4-week study. As you can see Leviticus – Deuteronomy are much shorter studies, with the focus being the big picture of the books, rather than being bogged down in deep study of individual laws or ceremonies (although these are touched on).
{This article was originally posted here on September 3, 2020. Listed below are pdfs for each study. In addition I’ve completed studies through 1 Samuel. I will include them below; please use them only for personal study. Feel free to contact me with any typos or questions. They are unedited as they were only intended for my personal study.}
Genesis Bible Study, Exodus Bible Study, Leviticus Bible Study, Numbers Bible Study, Deuteronomy Bible Study, Joshua_God’s Unfailing Promises_Complete 3 Week Study, Judges Bible Study (5-week), Ruth Bible Study (2-week), 1 Samuel Bible Study (6-week)  Â
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