Read the OT

I think an increased familiarity with the Old Testament will result in a better understanding of the New Testament. As far as time goes, a great chunk of the storyline of Scripture is spent in the OT.

The following chapters are passages of Scripture that I think are a good place to begin if you are trying to grow in your understanding of the Old Testament. While, certainly all of Scripture is important, some parts are more important than others. The chapters listed below are chapters that I see as key to understanding how God was working for redemption in the OT. So, if you are not familiar with them, I would encourage you to start with these chapters are you seek to grow in your understanding of the OT.

Genesis 1-3
Genesis 12-15
Exodus 12-14
Exodus 19-24
2 Samuel 7
Psalm 2, 89, 132
Isaiah 11
Isaiah 40-66
Jeremiah 30-33 (especially 31)
Ezekiel 36-37