Torah Studies · Study 1
Learning to Walk in God’s Instruction
Connecting the Torah and Jesus
Torah and covenant
Torah invites us to learn the story of God’s dealings with Israel and the instruction He gave His covenant people. As disciples of Jesus, we read these Scriptures to understand their original setting, recognize their witness to Him, and grow in wisdom and obedience.
In this study
What Torah means
The Hebrew word torah can mean instruction, teaching, or law. As the name of a collection, Torah refers to the five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books contain creation, promises, deliverance, covenant, commandments, worship, and daily life.
Thinking of God as a loving Father who teaches His children is a helpful picture of our response to His instruction. The word itself also includes commandments with real authority. We learn to receive both His care and His direction.
God brings His people to Himself
Exodus 19:4-6 King James Version
4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.
5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Verse 4 begins with what God had already done. He delivered Israel from Egypt and brought them to Himself. The commandments at Sinai belong within that story of rescue and relationship.
Verses 5 and 6 then call Israel to hear His voice and keep His covenant. A covenant is a binding relationship with promises and responsibilities. God’s initiative does not make obedience unimportant; it gives the people a reason to respond faithfully.
In the KJV, “peculiar treasure” means a treasured possession. Notice the purpose of belonging to God: Israel was called to be a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. Their life together was to reflect the One who had rescued them.
What did God do before calling Israel to keep His covenant? What response did He ask of them?
Love takes shape in everyday life
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 King James Version
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
The passage moves from hearing to loving, and from the heart to the household. Love for God involves the whole person. His words are to be remembered, discussed, and taught during ordinary daily activities.
The instructions about hands, eyes, doorposts, and gates are concrete parts of Israel’s covenant practice. Our discipleship application is to give God’s Word an intentional place in our decisions, conversation, family life, and use of time.
Where could conversation about God’s Word fit naturally into your household this week?
Jesus honors and fulfills Scripture
Matthew 5:17-19 King James Version
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus tells us how He regards the Law and the Prophets. He comes to fulfill them and speaks seriously about practicing and teaching God’s commandments. We therefore approach Torah with attention and respect as we follow Him.
Understanding fulfillment requires reading Jesus’ teaching together with His life, death, resurrection, and the apostles’ instruction. Our next study will examine how the New Testament describes His sacrifice and our response to it.
Luke 24:27 King James Version
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
On the road to Emmaus, the risen Jesus explains the Scriptures concerning Himself. He teaches His disciples to recognize His place in the story God had already given Israel.
Luke 24:44-47 King James Version
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Later, with His gathered disciples, Jesus connects the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms with His suffering, resurrection, and the proclamation of repentance and forgiveness. These are explicit connections made by Jesus Himself.
Which connections does Jesus name directly? How do they guide the way we read the earlier Scriptures?
Scripture prepares the disciple
2 Timothy 3:14-17 King James Version
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The sacred writings Timothy knew from childhood were Israel’s Scriptures. Paul connects their value with salvation through faith in Christ Jesus and with a life equipped for good works. Learning Scripture forms both our understanding and our conduct.
The KJV words “perfect” and “throughly furnished” here describe being complete and equipped for the work God gives. Study should help us recognize error, receive correction, and practice what is right.
A simple way to study
Observe the passage. Ask who is speaking, who is being addressed, and what the text says in its setting. Explain the verse before applying it.
Follow the connection to Jesus. Give priority to connections the New Testament makes explicitly. Identify a thematic comparison or personal illustration as such.
Respond with faith and obedience. Name a specific action that follows from what you learned. Teaching others should begin with careful listening and honest practice.
Discuss with a friend
1 How would you explain Torah to someone who thinks it contains only regulations?
2 How does God’s rescue of Israel help you understand the covenant instructions?
3 What do the passages in Luke teach about the relationship between Scripture and Jesus?
4 What correction or encouragement do you need to receive from God’s Word today?
Practice and remember
Share one truth from this study with someone in your household or a friend. Read the supporting verse together. Then choose one action that expresses love for God and care for that person.
Memory verse
Deuteronomy 6:5 King James Version
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Read it aloud, cover it, and repeat it. Check the wording, then explain its meaning in your own words. Review it tomorrow and again later in the week.
Pray together
Father, thank You for Your instruction and for drawing us near. Open our understanding as we read. Help us see Jesus faithfully in the Scriptures and receive Your correction with humility. Let what we learn become love, wisdom, and obedience in our homes and daily work. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Notes for the study leader
Look for answers grounded in the passages. Torah includes instruction and law; God rescued Israel before the Sinai instructions; love enters household life; Jesus names His suffering, resurrection, and the message of forgiveness; Scripture equips disciples for good works. Invite each person to name one practical response.
Scripture and sources
Scripture text was checked against the King James Version published by eBible.org. Complete verses retain the historical wording; editorial footnotes are omitted. Scripture references link to the source chapter.