Biblical Theology for our Youth
When I was asked to lead the Middle School Ministry two and a half years ago, I prayerfully considered how I could bring the gospel to the group. The previous leaders, which I was a part of, spent a large part of Wednesday evenings teaching hermeneutics so that the students could learn how to understand passages as they read the Bible. I enjoyed the time that was spent teaching the kids how to read the Bible and what questions to ask when trying to understand the text.
I chose to help the students understand the drama of redemption by showing how there are types, shadows, signs, and symbols all throughout Scripture. We see the offices of prophet, priest and king. There is the tabernacle, the temple, and the Passover lamb.
How does one make sense of all these images? Colossians 2:17 says, “These are a shadow of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” As we take this verse in context, we understand that the signs and symbols seen throughout the Old Testament specifically, are shadows that point ultimately to Christ.
Have you ever looked at a tapestry and seen the colors of the random pieces of fabric come together to show an amazing image? If you look at the back of the tapestry, the picture is not discernable at all and you see a mess of string and color. This is the picture that I used to explain to the students how we see the drama of redemption come together as it progresses through the Old Testament, culminating in the birth of Jesus in the New Testament.
The beautiful picture of the tapestry is the plan of redemption that God has portrayed through His word. When we become Christians and first start to read the Bible we may see the backside of the tapestry at first as we study the Old Testament. But, as we mature and continue to develop in our understanding we begin to see the beautiful tapestry coming into its full picture.
Hebrews 9:11-12 says, “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by the means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”
As we study the Old Testament, we see the Covenant of Works that is made with Adam, in which he fails. Shortly, thereafter we have the promise of one to come that would redeem his people in Genesis 3:15. From Genesis on to the Exodus and then on to Joshua, we see many types and shadows displayed that help us understand the law, and the need for a savior.
We see that God requires perfect, personal, and perpetual obedience to the law. We see the scapegoat that would take away sin, and then the lamb without blemish that was slain to purify. Jesus has paid the ultimate price for our sin and secured eternal redemption for his people through his blood.
As we understand the story of redemption more and we see how the signs and symbols of the Bible are copies and shadows of heavenly realities revealed through Jesus, we see how much greater he is.
He is the Savior that we can’t understand completely but as we study the Bible and we keep the drama of redemption in mind, we understand him as he has revealed himself. My prayer for the students is that the work of Jesus and the drama of redemption is remembered as they develop as Christians and they keep their faith in him alone.
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