Module 02 — Scripture I: Old Testament, Covenant, and the People of God

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.

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 the Institute Scripture Study tool and STEP Bible for Old Testament word and passage study.
• Apply Old Testament themes to diaconal service and preaching.

Required and supporting resources

The module introduction leads you through the four units. Required Institute teaching and complete CPDV passages are supplied in Moodle. The Scripture Study panels support each day’s work. Yale’s Old Testament lectures and Mark Yarbrough’s further reading are supplementary, link-only and not directly assessed. No paid book is required.

Scripture and StepBible work

Read the assigned passages in context, use the embedded word studies, and distinguish lexical evidence from a ministry application. Use the Scripture Study worksheet template and Daily Office guide.

Assessment and evidence

• Unit 2.1 knowledge check: 20 questions drawn from 60, 25 minutes, 80% to pass, two attempts.
• Scripture Study worksheet, due at the end of Unit 2.3.
• 500–700-word reading response, due at the end of Unit 2.3.
• 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? Attendance is required. The cohort has a minimum of two learners. Session choices and joining arrangements will be published by the Course Director. Mentor feedback is strongly encouraged where a mentor is in place, and does not control completion.

To complete this module, you will need to:

Complete the introduction and all four unit Books, pass the Unit 2.1 quiz, submit each of the three written assignments separately, and attend the cohort discussion or complete an expressly authorised alternative. The Course Director records attendance. Keep daily working notes and your private discussion summary in your own portfolio; they are not additional uploads.