The chief subjects of study in these schools were the law of God, with the instructions given to Moses, sacred history, sacred music, and poetry. The manner of instruction was far different from that in the theological schools of the present day, from which many students graduate with less real knowledge of God and religious truth than when they entered. In those schools of the olden time it was the grand object of all study to learn the 594 will of God and man's duty toward Him. In the records of sacred history were traced the footsteps of Jehovah. The great truths set forth by the types were brought to view, and faith grasped the central object of all that system--the Lamb of God that was to take away the sin of the world.

Hovedfagene i profetskolerne var Guds lov og de forskrifter, som Gud havde givet Moses; desuden bibelsk historie, religiøs musik og poesi. Undervisningen foregik på en helt anden måde end i nutidens teologiske skoler. Efter endt studium har mange af de studerende her mindre reel viden om Gud og om bibelsk sandhed, end da de kom. I datidens skoler var hovedformålet med studiet at lære Guds vilje og menneskets pligt over for ham at kende. I den bibelske historie søgte man at finde Guds spor. Man studerede de store sandheder, der var åbenbaret i forbillederne, og fattede ved troens hjælp hovedemnet i hele dette system - Guds Lam, som skulle borttage verdens synd.