Welcome to Introduction to the Old Testament learning program for teachers and catechists. In this module, teachers and catechists will develop an understanding of the different types of literature in the Old Testament and their central message or story. We will explore the story of the Old Testament as told through four different types of Books: The Pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament), the Historical Books, The Prophetic Books, and the Wisdom Books. This module seeks to help you develop the understandings and skills necessary for reading the Old Testament as an informed reader and believer.

In this module you will learn about four types of Old Testament books:

1. The Pentateuch
2. The Historical Books
3. The Prophetic Books
4. The Psalms
    

Before You Begin

1. We have createdA Downloadable Guide to the Old Testament Guide with all of the articles and worksheets you will need for this program. Download the Guide before you begin the learning program. We also provide worksheets in Word files to make them easy for you to write-on during the program.
2.  You will need a Bible for this learning program in a print or digital version.

• Print: New American Bible (Revised Edition) or New Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition). Both Bibles are available from a variety of publishers. There are several excellent Catholic study bibles which provide articles, maps, and commentaries to assist you in reading the Bible. Consider the following: Little Rock Catholic Study Bible and The Catholic Bible, Third Edition (from Oxford University Press)
• Online: Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com. Type in the Bible passage you want to read and then select which edition of the Bible from the dropdown list. Select New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE) or New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE).

3. Download this handy checklist to help you navigate through the module.

To learn more about the Old Testament the following two books provides an easy-to-read introduction.

•  A Basic Guide to the Old Testament – Jean-Louis Ska (Paulist Press, 2019)
• Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction (Second Edition) – Lawrence Boadt with Richard Clifford and Daniel Harrington (Paulist Press, 2012)