Section outline

  • Workload: Approximately 40 hours  |  Section: Scripture and Doctrine

    This module gives you a serious working grasp of the Old Testament as Christian Scripture: creation, covenant, Exodus, law, worship, prophecy, wisdom, exile, and restoration, together with the Psalms and the Deuterocanon. Throughout, the focus is on how these texts shape diaconal service, justice, prayer, and preaching — not merely on background knowledge for its own sake.

    By the end of this module, you will be able to:
    • Describe the broad structure of the Old Testament and Deuterocanon.
    • Explain covenant, worship, justice, mercy, exile, and hope as theological themes.
    • Use the Psalms as part of Christian prayer and the Daily Office.
    • Use StepBible for Old Testament word and passage study.
    • Apply Old Testament themes to diaconal service and preaching.
    Required and supporting resources
    • Selected Yale Open Courses lectures from Introduction to the Old Testament / Hebrew Bible (RLST 145).
    • A complete Bible with Deuterocanon. The Catholic Public Domain Version is the standard course Bible.
    • AOCM course notes on Scripture, canon, and the Catholic use of the Old Testament.
    • How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor (Mark Yarbrough) — optional further reading.
    Scripture and StepBible work
    • Word study: covenant, mercy, justice/righteousness, servant, worship, sacrifice.
    • Passage comparison: Genesis 1; Exodus 3; Isaiah 58; Psalm 23 or 130; Wisdom 3 or a Sirach selection.
    • Prepare a short note on how one Old Testament text shapes diaconal service.
    Assessment and evidence

    All timed quizzes in the LDM, including this module’s structure quiz, draw 20 questions from a bank of 60, run on a 25-minute timer, and allow one retake (a maximum of two attempts).

    • Old Testament structure quiz.
    • StepBible worksheet on covenant, justice, or mercy.
    • Reading response based on the included AOCM material and selected open resources.
    • A 1,000-word reflection: The Old Testament and the diaconal ministry of justice, worship, and mercy.
    Monthly cohort discussion

    “How does the Old Testament form a deacon’s ministry of service?”

    To complete this module, you will need to:
    • Quiz completed.
    • StepBible worksheet submitted.
    • Reading response submitted.
    • Reflection submitted.