Welcome to the Old Testament — also called the Hebrew Bible, or the Tanakh. If you’ve made it through the New Testament, you’re already off to an incredible start. But this is a different world, and reading it well means understanding where you’ve just landed.

The Tanakh is made up of three sections: the Torah (Law), the Nevi’im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings). This is the structure Jesus knew (Luke 24:44), and it’s why the Hebrew Bible doesn’t end with Malachi, but with 2 Chronicles. That detail might seem small, but it helps you see the story the way Jesus and the apostles did — a story that points to Him from start to finish.

We’re stepping into the ancient world of Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Babylonians, Canaanites, and Assyrians. Their world was harsh, violent, and unfamiliar. Reading the Old Testament without feeling that cultural shock means you’re likely dragging modern assumptions into an ancient story. Instead, we need to let these texts take us into their world — and trust that God was present, patient, and working within it.

You’ll see God use covenants, sacrifices, and strange customs to teach people who had no concept of human rights or modern morality. That’s progressive revelation — God meeting humanity where they are, not where we wish they were. It’s messy, but it’s beautiful.

The Old Testament isn’t just ancient history; it’s the slow unfolding of God’s plan to redeem the world. It’s full of raw stories, flawed people, and hard questions — but through it all, you’ll see God’s faithfulness.

If you’re on a Bible reading plan, working to read the Bible in one year, or building a daily Bible study habit, this introduction is here to help you step into the story with clarity and context.

Welcome to the Old Testament. Let’s dive in!

🚀 START HERE!

Want to join us on the journey? Check out the Start Page! You can start from Episode 001 on January 1st or jump in to follow along with us, your choice.

📖 DOWNLOAD THE PLAN:

Whether you’re new to the Bible or ready for a fresh start in 2025, this plan is for YOU. And the best part? The plan is FREE! Download it now and start your journey today.

🤓 WANT MORE BIBLE NERD RESOURCES?

Check out armacourses.com for biblical literacy resources, courses, and a community to grow with! Learn the Bible for yourself with 60+ courses and counting for only $13 / Month. Also, your first 30 days are on us. Join ARMA for FREE!

🐉 PRE-ORDER DR.MANNY'S NEW BOOK

Crushing Chaos is available now for preorder, shipping on May 6th. Learn more & buy now at https://crushingchaos.com.

🤠 JOIN US IN NASHVILLE ON APRIL 26TH FOR ARMA ONE-DAY

Our first ever ARMA One-Day event is coming to Nashville, TN. Join Dr. Manny for a live teaching experience based on his new book, Crushing Chaos. Seats are limited. Tickets are available now HERE!

🍬 CHURCH CANDY MARKETING

Get NEW church guests, EVERY Sunday without you having to stress over ads, algorithms, or figuring out Facebook or Instagram. Head over to https://churchcandy.com/manny to book a discovery call today!

👍 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE:

• The Bible Dept. | YouTube
• The Bible Dept. | Spotify
• The Bible Dept. | Apple Podcasts

📱 STAY CONNECTED:

• The Bible Dept. | Instagram
• The Bible Dept. | Facebook
• Dr. Manny Arango | Instagram
• ARMA | Instagram

📨 EMAIL US!

Got questions or want to share your thoughts? Email us at [email protected].

💥 MORE RESOURCES:

• Amazon Store | Shop The Bible Dept. Essentials
• Dr. Manny Arango’s Book | Brainwashed
• Book Dr. Manny to Speak

🌱 WE’RE PLANTING A CHURCH!

• The Garden | Houston, TX
• The Garden | Instagram
• The Garden | Facebook

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands