Old Testament Prophecies and New Testament Fulfillments in Jesus
Our units involve 6 weeks of classes revolving around areas of interest such as drama, geography/culture, hands-on science and art, storytelling, games, and music. To stretch specific prophecies about Christ’s birth into all of these areas was a challenge, to say the least. We were lacking a meaningful art/craft project, so that was at the top of my list.
I was inspired by this Easter Countdown puzzle idea from the Paquette’s blog, which includes Old and New Testament prophecies/fulfillments surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is such an awesome idea, especially for Easter! But I wanted the scriptures to tell of prophecies specifically about Christ’s birth to fit with my unit, so I remade my own. I’m sharing this right before Easter, but it would also obviously be appropriate any time of the year (especially Christmas)!
I’ve included two separate puzzle mats…one with guides (for younger children) and one without (for older kids). You won’t need both, but they are both included in the printable below. Also, I couldn’t figure out a way to do this on the computer, so I made it all by hand and scanned everything in. My handwriting isn’t the neatest! :)
Download the printable here.
1. Use watercolors to paint over the puzzle pieces. You can also paint the mat, if you choose. Just make sure to instruct your child to paint lightly so that the words can still be easily read.
2. Cut out the puzzle pieces and use a stapler to make flaps.
3. Open the flap to read the Old Testament Prophecy and then the new Testament fulfillment on top.
Check out more faith-based activities and posts here.
What is a layperson/non-Bible scholar to do??
Here is our dilemma: Every Christian Old Testament Bible scholar, apologist, pastor, and priest on the planet says that the Old Testament prophesies the birth and death of Jesus of Nazareth as the Jewish Messiah (ben David). However, every (non-messianic) Jewish “Old Testament” scholar and rabbi adamantly states that there is not one single prophecy in the Hebrew Bible about Jesus.
So who are we poor ignorant saps to believe?
In lieu of spending the next 10 years becoming a fluent Hebrew-speaking Old Testament scholar yourself, I would suggest using some good ol’ common sense. Who is more likely to be correct:
1.) Jewish sages and rabbis who have spent their entire lives immersed in Jewish culture, the Jewish Faith, the Hebrew language, and the Hebrew Bible—for the last 2,000 years…or… 2.) seminary graduates from Christian Bible colleges in Dallas, Texas and Lynchburg, Virginia?
Sorry, Christian scholars, but using good ol’ common sense, I have to go with the Jewish scholars. And Jewish scholars say that Christian translators deliberately mistranslated and distorted the Hebrew Bible to say things in the Christian Bible that is never said in the original Hebrew—for the purpose of inventing prophesies into which they could “shoehorn” Jesus!
I recommend that every Christian read the bombshell book, “Twenty-Six Reasons Why Jews Don’t Believe in Jesus” by orthodox Jewish author, Asher Norman. You will be blown away by the evidence that this Jewish author presents that confirms why Jews have said the following for the last two thousand years: “Jesus of Nazareth was NOT the Messiah.”
Hmmm…I’m going to have to respectfully agree to disagree with you on this one. :) I am certainly not a Biblical scholar (not even close), but I have studied the Bible (both Old and New Testaments) quite a bit and I’m going to go with Jesus own words to his disciple Thomas on this one: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” There may be “evidence” that points to the contrary, but there is way more evidence (in my opinion) that points to the fact that Jesus is the Word made flesh. the Messiah, and the Son of the Living God. For one thing, how else can one rationalize what happened at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers with tongues of fire? Right before his ascension, Jesus told the disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait there “until you are clothed with power from on high.” That is exactly what happened. And then there is faith, of course, which is way more important (in my opinion and God’s) than said evidence. I don’t need an uninspired book to convince me of what I know in my heart is true.
Nevertheless, thank you very much for commenting. Blessings to you, Gary.
Thank you, Jenae. We know that the Bible is the Holy inspired Word of God and that should carry far more weight than a book – no matter how good you think it is – that was written by human hands. The New Testament gives us far more convincing evidence that Jesus was born, died for our sins, and rose again to wait for us to join Him in Heaven either at death, or the Rapture.
And above all we have our faith in Christ to bring us to the point of believing the Holy Word of God and to live by it.
Thank you for your comment
The writers of the NT were of the same time as the Jewish sages and rabbis, as was Jesus. In fact, Paul was so devoted to the truths in the OT that he was seeking out and murdering those who preached Jesus as the Messaiah. So, common sense says to look at the accounts of those who were in the full know of the OT scriptures and wrestle with two things: 1) Do the realizations of the eye-witnesses actually hold up? (Like John 19:23-24, 31-37, and Acts)
2) Did Jesus rise from the dead?
this is wonderful – thanks!
Thank you so much for this wonderful resource. This was exactly what I was looking for!
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much!
Blessings, Leigh
This is absolutely amazing! My 10 year old son leads a Bible Study for his friends and he really wants to talk about the prophecies of Jesus’ birth before Christmas. This is simply perfect! Thank you so much for your ministry!!!
Good day,
I really understand and respect your copyright and so forth, but I have a question. (Thanks for the creative effort, by the way). The question is as follows : I am compiling a booklet of childrens church lessons for my N. P. O. I really like what you’ve done with the old and new Testament Prophecies, and would like to include it in my book. This will probably be sold to raise funds. May I redesign the shapes and proceed, or not?
Thank you
Geraldine
Thank you for this. Fits in perfectly in our grade 4 curriculum. I will adapt it for a large display in our grade area. Be blessed!