By Brent Lacy

How to Preach Through the Old Testament in a Small Church

Many small church pastors default to the New Testament for their preaching. The Gospels and Epistles feel more accessible, more directly applicable, and easier to explain. The Old Testament can feel like a maze of unfamiliar names, strange laws, and stories that seem disconnected from the modern world.

But the Old Testament is not a problem to avoid. It is a treasure to explore. Here is how to preach through it faithfully and effectively in a small church.

Why the Old Testament Matters

Jesus preached from the Old Testament. The apostles preached from the Old Testament. The early church’s entire Bible was the Old Testament. When we skip it, we are skipping the foundation on which the New Testament is built.

Your congregation needs the Old Testament because it reveals God’s character, his faithfulness, his holiness, and his plan of redemption in ways the New Testament alone cannot. The Exodus, the Psalms, the Prophets, these are not ancient history. They are the story of God preparing the world for Christ.

How to Preach the Old Testament Well

Always point to Christ. This is the most important principle. Every Old Testament text is part of a larger story that finds its fulfillment in Jesus. This does not mean forcing a Christ connection into every verse. It means understanding the text in its original context and then showing how it fits into the biblical narrative that leads to the cross.

Luke 24:27 says that Jesus explained to the disciples “what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” The Old Testament is about Christ. Your job is to show your congregation how.

Explain the context. Your congregation may not know the difference between a judge and a king, or why the prophets were so angry, or what the sacrificial system was for. Take time to explain the historical and cultural context. A few minutes of background makes the text come alive.

Focus on the big themes. The Old Testament is held together by a few major themes: God’s covenant faithfulness, human sinfulness, the promise of redemption, and the coming kingdom. When you preach individual texts, connect them to these larger themes. This helps your congregation see the Bible as one unified story.

Do not skip the hard parts. The Old Testament contains violence, judgment, and laws that seem strange to modern readers. Do not avoid these passages. Address them honestly. Explain what they meant in their original context and what they teach us about God’s character.

A Practical Approach

If you have never preached through an Old Testament book, start with one that is accessible and rich:

• Genesis: The foundation of everything. Creation, fall, covenant, redemption.
• Exodus: God delivers his people. Powerful themes of liberation and grace.
• Psalms: The prayer book of the Bible. Every emotion, every season of life.
• Isaiah: The prophet of redemption. Rich with messianic prophecy.
• Jonah: Short, narrative, and full of grace. A great starting point.

Helping Your Congregation Read the Old Testament

Preaching the Old Testament is only half the battle. Help your congregation read it on their own. Provide a reading plan. Recommend a good study Bible. Teach them how to ask questions of the text: What does this reveal about God? What does this reveal about humanity? How does this point to Christ?

A congregation that knows the Old Testament is a congregation that understands the gospel at a deeper level.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I handle Old Testament laws that no longer apply?

Explain the three categories of Old Testament law: civil (for Israel’s nation), ceremonial (pointing to Christ), and moral (reflecting God’s eternal character). Christians are not under the civil or ceremonial law, but all of it reveals God’s character and points to the need for a Savior.

What about the violent parts?

Do not shy away from them. Acknowledge the difficulty. Explain the historical context. And point to the fact that the Bible is honest about the depth of human sin and the seriousness of God’s justice, which makes the grace of the cross even more remarkable.

How long should an Old Testament series be?

Six to eight weeks per book is a good starting point. Shorter books like Jonah or Ruth can be three to four weeks. Longer books like Genesis or Isaiah can be broken into multiple series.

The Whole Bible for the Whole Church

Your congregation deserves to hear the whole counsel of God, not just the parts that are easy to explain. Preaching the Old Testament will stretch you as a preacher and deepen your congregation’s understanding of the gospel. It is worth the effort.

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Sources

1. Lifeway Research, “5 Signs Your Church Is Ready for a Reset”
2. Center for Church Renewal, “How to Measure Church Renewal”
3. Barna Group, “New Metrics for Measuring What Matters”

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do we implement this in a small church?

Start with one or two key ideas. Implement them consistently before adding more.

What if we do not have enough people or resources?

Focus on your strengths: close relationships, community knowledge, and adaptability.

Where can we learn more?

MinistryPlace.net offers free and affordable resources for small and rural churches.