Learn the Story of Jesus
Season 1 — Waiting for the Savior- Overview of Season 1
Season 1 — Waiting for the Savior: Hope, expectation, and the world preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Hope, Silence, and the World Jesus Entered
Understanding this background helps readers better understand Jesus’ teachings, His miracles, the reactions of religious leaders, the importance of the cross and resurrection, and how the Old Testament connects to the New Testament.
During these lessons, we will also begin exploring the Jewish calendar, the appointed feasts of Leviticus 23, how biblical festivals pointed toward Christ, the meaning of “Messiah,” and the hopes and expectations surrounding the coming Savior.
The people of Israel longed for freedom.
They longed for peace.
They longed for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
Many expected a powerful king.
Others hoped for a prophet like Moses.
Some waited for a deliverer who would defeat Israel’s enemies.
Yet God’s plan was greater than many imagined.
When the time was right, God sent Jesus Christ into the world.
For generations, God’s people waited for the promised Savior.
The Old Testament ended with hope, expectation, and unanswered longing.
The prophets had spoken of a coming Messiah — a Savior sent by God who would bring redemption, peace, healing, justice, and restoration.
Yet after the prophet Malachi, the biblical record becomes quiet.
For hundreds of years, no new prophet appeared.
No new Scripture was written.
The people waited.
Empires rose and fell.
Nations changed.
The world around God’s people continued shifting and changing.
Yet God was still working.
Season 1: Waiting for the Savior explores the years between the Old and New Testaments and helps us understand the world Jesus entered when He was born.
This season introduces the silent years, Roman rule, Jewish worship and traditions, synagogues and Temple worship, biblical feasts and festivals, messianic hope, Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, and the cultural and historical background of Jesus’ ministry.
Many people today are unfamiliar with the world Jesus lived in.
Understanding this background helps readers better understand Jesus’ teachings, His miracles, the reactions of religious leaders, the importance of the cross and resurrection, and how the Old Testament connects to the New Testament.
During these lessons, we will also begin exploring the Jewish calendar, the appointed feasts of Leviticus 23, how biblical festivals pointed toward Christ, the meaning of “Messiah,” and the hopes and expectations surrounding the coming Savior.
The people of Israel longed for freedom.
They longed for peace.
They longed for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
Many expected a powerful king.
Others hoped for a prophet like Moses.
Some waited for a deliverer who would defeat Israel’s enemies.
Yet God’s plan was greater than many imagined.
When the time was right, God sent Jesus Christ into the world.
Scripture References
Malachi 3–4
Isaiah 40
Daniel 7
Galatians 4:4–5
Luke 1
John 1:1–14
Understanding the Season
What Are the “Silent Years”?
The “silent years” refers to the time between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
During this period, no new biblical prophets appeared and no new books of Scripture were added to the Bible.
Yet history continued moving forward.
God’s people lived under Persian, Greek, and eventually Roman rule.
Though Scripture was silent, God was still preparing the world for the coming of Jesus.
What Does “Messiah” Mean?
The word Messiah means “Anointed One.”
God had promised to send a Savior and King who would rescue His people and establish God’s Kingdom.
In the New Testament, the Greek word Christ carries the same meaning.
Jesus Christ means:
Jesus the Messiah.
Why Does This Background Matter?
Many events in the Gospels make more sense when readers understand Jewish worship, Roman occupation, biblical feasts, Temple practices, synagogues, Pharisees and Sadducees, and first-century culture.
This season helps build that foundation before beginning the story of Jesus’ birth and ministry.
Key Themes in Season 1
Waiting and Hope
God’s people waited for generations for the Messiah.
Hope remained alive even during difficult seasons.
God Works Even in Silence
Though no prophets appeared during the silent years, God continued preparing the world for Christ’s coming.
Silence does not mean God is absent.
The Old Testament Points Toward Jesus
The promises, prophecies, sacrifices, kings, and covenants of the Old Testament prepare the way for Jesus Christ.
Understanding Jesus’ World Matters
Learning about Jewish customs, worship, feasts, and culture helps readers better understand the life and teachings of Jesus.
Lessons in This Season
1.1 — The Silent Years
This lesson explores what happened between the Old and New Testaments and how the world changed before Jesus’ birth.
1.2 — The World Jesus Entered
This lesson introduces Roman rule, Jewish life, and first-century culture.
1.3 — Waiting for the Messiah
This lesson explores Old Testament prophecies and growing messianic hope.
1.4 — The Feasts of the Lord
This lesson introduces Leviticus 23 and the biblical festivals celebrated during the time of Jesus.
1.5 — The Jewish Calendar and Sacred Seasons
This lesson explains Jewish months, holy days, worship rhythms, and biblical celebrations.
1.6 — Hope in the Darkness
This lesson explores how God prepared the world for the coming of Christ.
Why This Season Matters
Season 1 helps connect the Old Testament to the New Testament.
It explains why people were waiting for a Savior and helps readers understand the historical and spiritual world Jesus entered.
This season also helps believers recognize God’s faithfulness, the fulfillment of prophecy, the importance of biblical history, how Jesus fulfills Old Testament promises, and how God continues working even during waiting seasons.
Reflection Questions
Why were God’s people waiting for the Messiah?
What can believers learn from seasons of silence and waiting?
Why is understanding the world of Jesus important?
How do Old Testament promises connect to Jesus Christ?
What does hope look like during difficult seasons?
GROW Framework
Grounded in Scripture
God’s promises throughout the Old Testament point forward to Jesus Christ.
Reasons We Believe
Jesus fulfilled prophecies and promises spoken generations before His birth.
Obedience in Action
Trust God during seasons when answers or direction may seem delayed.
Walk It Out
Read the opening chapter of one Gospel this week and notice how it connects to Old Testament promises and expectations.
Continue Learning
1.1 — The Silent Years
Understanding Jesus: Cultural Insights
Feasts and Festivals in the Time of Jesus
Learn the Story of God and of the Old Testament
The story of Jesus begins with waiting, hope, expectation, and promise.
God had not forgotten His people.
The Savior was coming.
Learn more about Christian discipleship and spiritual growth through worship, study, prayer, service, and daily faith at PGUM.org.
