Study Series: What a Savior!By: W. A. Criswell

Lesson Title: Types of Calvary (pp. 63 - 71)April 9, 2017 Session 06

The main point of this lesson is: Old Testament types help us understand much about Jesus.

Focus on this goal: To help adults grow in their appreciation of the Old Testament and understanding of Jesus.

Key Bible Passages: Luke 24:25-27,44-46

Before the Session

Obtain large sheets of paper and markers. (Step 4)

To the Leader

The Scripture passage in Day Five refers to Melchizedek, who is another type of Christ. Studying this mysterious Old Testament figure requires a session or two all its own, so don’t allow the study to be sidetracked by the mention of his name. Keep the focus on God’s keeping His promises to us through Jesus.

During the Session

Step 1. Lead-in

State that W. A. Criswell, author of this study, also wrote a book titled The Scarlet Thread Through the Bible. A children’s story Bible is subtitled, “Every Story Whispers His Name.”

Evaluate what the book titles are indicating.

Declare we can see Jesus all through the Old Testament.

State: That is exactly what Jesus declared after His resurrection.

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Read or summarize Luke 24:13-24.

Invite a volunteer to read verses 25-27.

Then summarize verses 28-43 and ask a volunteer to read verses 44-47.

Pray for the Lord to open minds to understand the Scriptures.

Step 2. Day 1 – What Is a Type?

State when Jesus interpreted the Scriptures concerning Himself, He surely showed how He fulfilled the 100+ Old Testament Messianic prophecies (see Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary chart, pp. 1112-1114), several of which were examined in John 19:28-37 last session. He also pointed out types of Himself in the Old Testament. The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary explains, “Typology, a comparison stressing one point of similarity, helps us see the NT person, event, or institution as the fulfillment of that which was only hinted at in the OT.”1

Request a volunteer read Colossians 2:17.

Analyze how a shadow is inferior to the real thing.

Declare all the types in the Old Testament foreshadowed and were inferior to the substance which is Jesus.

Request adults read John 3:14-15 (Day One, p. 64) and note the words “as” and “so.”

Declare these two comparative words often indicate a type: “as” indicates the shadow; “so” indicates the substance.

Explain the Passover and the entire Old Testament sacrificial system are types or shadows pointing to the substance fulfilled in Jesus. 1 Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, p. 1634

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Discuss Day One, activity 2 (p. 65).

State: This week’s study focuses on two types, one a person and one an item.

Step 3. Day 2 – The First Type in the Old Testament

State: Romans 5:14 literally identifies Adam as the “type” (CSB, NASB) of Jesus.

Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 2:21-24.

Discuss Day Two, activity 1 (p. 66).

Point out Adam loved his bride, Eve, and cared for her, but he also blamed her at the Fall (Gen. 3:12). In contrast Jesus took our blame when He shed His blood for His bride, the church.

Discuss Day Two, activity 2 (p. 67).

Agree there are many differences between Adam and Christ but the point of similarity is the scope of influence. Adam affected all of creation negatively, Christ’s death has a positive effect for all creation.

Ask a volunteer to read 1 Corinthians 15:22.

Point out the “as” and “so” comparative words that indicate the difference between the shadow and the substance.

Be sure to emphasize Paul was not promoting universalism, the false belief that everyone will eventually be saved. His term “all” refers to everyone who trusts in Jesus and follows Him in obedient discipleship.

Step 4. Day 3 – The Last Type in the Old Testament, Part 1

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State: Not just people were “types;” religious items were as well. Reverend Criswell called the temple veil the last Old Testament type fulfilled in the New Testament.

Ask a volunteer to read Matthew 27:50-51.

Organize the class into teams.

Give each team a large sheet of paper.

Request they read Exodus 26:31-35 and describe, diagram, or sketch the veil, outer room (holy place), and inner room (most holy place).

Invite teams to share their descriptions.

Explain different priests made daily sacrifices in the outer room, but only the high priest could enter the most holy place beyond the veil, and then only on the Day of Atonement.

Discuss Day Three, activity 2 (p. 68).

Explain Jesus’ death at 3:00 p.m. coincided with the evening sacrifice, so priests in the holy place saw this massive curtain, believed to be as thick as a man’s palm, torn from top to bottom.

Call for responses to Day Three, activity 1 (p. 67).

Step 5. Day 4 – The Last Type in the Old Testament, Part 2

Discuss Day Four, activities 1 and 2 (pp. 69-70).

Ask: How is the substance of the veil in Hebrews 10 far superior to the shadow of the veil that existed in the Old Testament temple?

Point out Aaron couldn’t go beyond the veil whenever he wanted (Lev. 16:2), but believers in Jesus can.

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Ask: Why did Jesus have to die for us to have access to God?

Add to the discussion with comments from Day Four. Step 6. Day 5 – The Last Type in the Old Testament, Part 3

Discuss Day Five, activity 1 and the Day Five quote on page 71.

Step 7. Make It Practical

Ask how this study has given adults a greater appreciation of the Old Testament.

Ask: How can we study and appreciate the types and shadows found in the Old Testament while still giving focus and priority to the substance those types point toward?

Close in prayer.

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