Why Study the Old Testament?

This fall, the fourth session of the new Rivne Bible College was held, dedicated to an overview of the Old Testament. It blessed 24 students with valuable, in-depth study time to better understand God’s character, His plan of salvation, and His unwavering faithfulness throughout biblical history. The minister, Andriy Bortnichuk, presented the material in a clear and, at the same time, theologically rich form with a deep understanding of Scripture.

The entire course was permeated with the idea that the Old Testament reveals to us Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, through whom God fulfills His plan of salvation. Using examples from the history of Israel, the prophetic books, and poetic texts, students saw how God’s promises always depend only on His faithfulness, and not on human consistency. Despite the unfaithfulness of the people, God remained faithful to His word, demonstrating His goodness and mercy.

They had the opportunity to focus heavily on how the events and figures of the Old Testament point to Christ and on how understanding Old Testament texts deepens our perception of the Gospel. This helped to better see the completeness of the biblical revelation, from the creation of the world to the promises of the New Testament, and how all this was reflected in Jesus Christ.

The practical conclusion was the realization that even today, in our life and ministry, we must rely not on our own strength, but on God’s promises revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures. They testify to His unchanging goodness and perfect love for His people.

The process of training was well balanced: theoretical material was accompanied by discussions, practical examples, and dialogue between the teacher and students. This created an atmosphere of deep interest and joint spiritual growth. It is worth noting the warm, friendly atmosphere outside of classes, where communication continued in a brotherly spirit, promoting spiritual unity and mutual support.

Overall, the session was held at a high level. All students left positive feedback, noting the depth of the presentation, the pastoral approach of the teacher, and the practical benefit of the knowledge gained. This study period became not only a time of intellectual enrichment, but also spiritual renewal, encouraging everyone to have greater trust in God and zeal in serving Him.