The Overall Story of the Bible Introduction. The Bible has had an amazing influence. A prime influence on Western Civilization A prime influence on Western

The Overall Story of the The Overall Story of the BibleBible

IntroductionIntroduction

The Bible has had an The Bible has had an amazing influence.amazing influence.

A prime influence on A prime influence on Western CivilizationWestern Civilization

Millions across the world say Millions across the world say they have had their lives they have had their lives changed through believing changed through believing this bookthis book

This has happened for This has happened for centuries by all sorts of centuries by all sorts of peoplepeople

The Bible has an The Bible has an amazing composition.amazing composition.

Written over 1600 yearsWritten over 1600 years Written by over 40 authorsWritten by over 40 authors Written on 3 continents: Asia, Africa, Written on 3 continents: Asia, Africa,

EuropeEurope And it all fits together coherently!And it all fits together coherently!

The Bible says it reveals The Bible says it reveals what we need to know.what we need to know.

Who God isWho God is God’s good intent for the worldGod’s good intent for the world What’s gone wrong with us and our What’s gone wrong with us and our

worldworld How our lives and world can be How our lives and world can be

restored through Godrestored through God

The Bible reveals these things The Bible reveals these things through telling a big, overall through telling a big, overall

story.story. Though containing many teachings Though containing many teachings

and smaller stories, an overall story and smaller stories, an overall story emerges that gives the emerges that gives the big picturebig picture of of how God is redeeming humanity.how God is redeeming humanity.

Knowing this overall story helps us Knowing this overall story helps us make better sense of the Bible’s make better sense of the Bible’s partsparts too. (Analogy of a novel) too. (Analogy of a novel)

How We Will ProceedHow We Will Proceed

Will briefly summarize the “plot” of Will briefly summarize the “plot” of the Bible’s storythe Bible’s story

Will present this plot in three parts Will present this plot in three parts that represent the beginning, middle that represent the beginning, middle and end of the storyand end of the story

For each part, we will explore a set-For each part, we will explore a set-up, conflict/problem, and solutionup, conflict/problem, and solution

Background on Background on How the Bible Is OrganizedHow the Bible Is Organized

Historical BooksHistorical BooksGenesis through EstherGenesis through Esther

Poetic BooksPoetic BooksJob through Song of SongsJob through Song of Songs

Prophetic BooksProphetic BooksIsaiah through MalachiIsaiah through Malachi

Old TestamentOld Testament New New TestamentTestament Historical BooksHistorical Books

Matthew through ActsMatthew through Acts

Epistles/LettersEpistles/LettersRomans through JudeRomans through Jude

Prophetic BookProphetic BookRevelationRevelation

Ancient Time to ~400 BC Ancient Time to ~400 BC ~0 AD to ~100 AD~0 AD to ~100 AD

Part 1Part 1The BeginningThe Beginning

A)A) The Story Set-up:The Story Set-up:God Creates a Good WorldGod Creates a Good World

God creates the universe God creates the universe and peopleand people

God tells man how to live God tells man how to live Everything is in harmony Everything is in harmony

with itself and Godwith itself and God Life is beautiful and Life is beautiful and

people can live forever as people can live forever as long as they follow Godlong as they follow God

Genesis 1 & 2

B) The Conflict / Problem:B) The Conflict / Problem:People Rebel and Throw the People Rebel and Throw the

World Into DisarrayWorld Into Disarray The first people choose to The first people choose to

disobey Goddisobey God They experience shame, They experience shame,

guilt and fear for the first guilt and fear for the first timetime

As a result, God says life As a result, God says life will now be full of pain, will now be full of pain, futility, conflict, and deathfutility, conflict, and death

People are cast out of People are cast out of God’s presence on earthGod’s presence on earth

Genesis 3

B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem

Within one generation, we have the Within one generation, we have the first murder—brother kills brotherfirst murder—brother kills brother

Genesis 4


As people multiply, violence and As people multiply, violence and corruption spreads across the worldcorruption spreads across the world

Genesis 5 - 6:5


God grieves over how bad things get. God grieves over how bad things get. He sends a worldwide flood to He sends a worldwide flood to destroy all but the family of Noah destroy all but the family of Noah and one pair of each animal who can and one pair of each animal who can repopulate the earth.repopulate the earth.

Genesis 6:6-9


Noah’s descendents ignore God and Noah’s descendents ignore God and seek to build a city and tower to their seek to build a city and tower to their own greatness.own greatness.

Genesis 11:1-4


God breaks them up by separating God breaks them up by separating them into different languages and them into different languages and nations across the world.nations across the world.

Genesis 10; 11:5-11


In summary, people have turned In summary, people have turned away from God, messed up their away from God, messed up their lives and the world, and they keep lives and the world, and they keep doing this over and over.doing this over and over.


Puzzle: How can a world of corrupt Puzzle: How can a world of corrupt people in separate nations be turned people in separate nations be turned back to God and experience life as back to God and experience life as God originally intended?God originally intended?

C) The Solution - First Phase:C) The Solution - First Phase:God’s Chooses Abraham and God’s Chooses Abraham and

Some of His DescendentsSome of His Descendents God talks to a man God talks to a man

Abraham. God says he Abraham. God says he will bless Abraham, will bless Abraham, make of him a great make of him a great nation, and through him nation, and through him allall nations will be nations will be blessed.blessed.

Genesis 12-20

(~2,000 BC)

C) The Solution, First PhaseC) The Solution, First Phase

Though imperfect, Abraham believes Though imperfect, Abraham believes God and follows him, even though he God and follows him, even though he and his wife are very old and have no and his wife are very old and have no son.son.

Genesis 12 - 20


After 25 years of waiting, God gives After 25 years of waiting, God gives Abraham and his wife a son, Isaac, Abraham and his wife a son, Isaac, who will inherit God’s promises.who will inherit God’s promises.

Genesis 21 - 24(Job is set sometime around this time period)


When he grows up, Isaac has twin When he grows up, Isaac has twin sons. God chooses the younger twin, sons. God chooses the younger twin, Jacob, to inherit his promises.Jacob, to inherit his promises.

Genesis 25 - 27


Jacob is a schemer, Jacob is a schemer, but God changes but God changes him, and changes him, and changes his name to Israel.his name to Israel.

Genesis 28-35:15


Israel has 12 sons. Israel has 12 sons. One son, Joseph, One son, Joseph, trusts in and trusts in and obeys God. But obeys God. But the other brothers the other brothers are jealous of are jealous of Joseph and sell Joseph and sell him into slavery.him into slavery.

Genesis 35:16-38


Through amazing Through amazing circumstances, circumstances, Joseph becomes Joseph becomes prime minister of prime minister of Egypt, and the Egypt, and the rest of the family rest of the family comes to join him.comes to join him.

Genesis 39-50


Puzzle: How can God bless all nations Puzzle: How can God bless all nations and restore the world through these and restore the world through these people?people?

Part 2Part 2The MiddleThe Middle

A)A) The Second Part Set-up:The Second Part Set-up:God Establishes Israel AsGod Establishes Israel As

His Chosen NationHis Chosen Nation Many years later, Israel’s Many years later, Israel’s

descendents have grown to hundreds descendents have grown to hundreds of thousands, but they are now all of thousands, but they are now all Egyptian slaves.Egyptian slaves.

Exodus 1

(~1,500 BC)

A) The Second Part Set-upA) The Second Part Set-up

God raises up a man, Moses, to lead God raises up a man, Moses, to lead them out of Egypt.them out of Egypt.

Exodus 2 – 7:13


After a series of 10 divinely caused After a series of 10 divinely caused plagues, the Egyptian king agrees to let plagues, the Egyptian king agrees to let Moses and the Israelites leave Moses and the Israelites leave miraculously.miraculously.

Exodus 7:14 - 18


Once they are out of Once they are out of Egypt, God gives Moses Egypt, God gives Moses and the Israelites 10 and the Israelites 10 commandments and commandments and other laws to follow, other laws to follow, saying they will be saying they will be blessed if they obey, blessed if they obey, but cursed if they but cursed if they disobey.disobey.

Exodus 19 – Numbers 12

B) The 2nd Part Conflict / B) The 2nd Part Conflict / Problem:Problem:

The Israelites Usually Don’t The Israelites Usually Don’t Trust in GodTrust in God The rescued Israelites The rescued Israelites

keep rebelling against keep rebelling against God. So God says He God. So God says He will not permit them will not permit them to enter their to enter their promised land. They promised land. They have to travel in the have to travel in the wilderness until their wilderness until their generation dies out. generation dies out.

Numbers 14 - 36


After 40 years, God renews his After 40 years, God renews his covenant with the next generation of covenant with the next generation of Israelites. Then Moses’ successor, Israelites. Then Moses’ successor, Joshua, leads Joshua, leads them into the promised them into the promised

land.land.

Deuteronomy 1 - Joshua 24


However, the very However, the very next generation next generation turns to worshipping turns to worshipping other gods.other gods.

Judges 1 - 2


For the next 300 years, the Israelites For the next 300 years, the Israelites follow a pattern: They face a foe, follow a pattern: They face a foe, they call out to God, God sends they call out to God, God sends someone to help them, but once someone to help them, but once their problem is solved, they turn their problem is solved, they turn away from God again.away from God again.

Judges 3 - 1 Samuel 7

(~1,400 – 1,100 BC)


The Israelites ask The Israelites ask God for a king, and God for a king, and after warning them after warning them about how kings about how kings act, God chooses act, God chooses Saul to be their Saul to be their first king.first king.

1 Samuel 8 - 10


Saul begins well, Saul begins well, but he starts but he starts disobeying God disobeying God and God tells Saul and God tells Saul (through a prophet) (through a prophet) he will replace him.he will replace him.

1 Samuel 11 - 15


God chooses David to be the next God chooses David to be the next king, David obeys and trusts in God, king, David obeys and trusts in God, and Israel prospers. and Israel prospers.

1 Samuel 16 - II Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 11 - 20(David wrote many of the Psalms)

(~1,000 BC)


God promises David that a dynasty God promises David that a dynasty and a kingdom will come from him and a kingdom will come from him that will last forever. that will last forever.

2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17

(Puzzle: how can this be?)(Puzzle: how can this be?)


When David gets older though, he When David gets older though, he commits adultery and murder, and commits adultery and murder, and he and his kingdom starts to he and his kingdom starts to deteriorate.deteriorate.

2 Samuel 11-23; 1 Chronicles 21


David’s son Solomon David’s son Solomon becomes king next, and becomes king next, and he rules wisely. But he rules wisely. But eventually he worships eventually he worships other Gods. God says he other Gods. God says he will remove most of Israel will remove most of Israel from his dynasty because from his dynasty because of this.of this.

1 Kings 1 - 11; 2 Chronicles 1 - 9(Solomon many of the Proverbs, plus likely Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs)


After Solomon dies, Israel splits into two After Solomon dies, Israel splits into two kingdoms.kingdoms.

The Northern Kingdom—”Israel”- Ruled by many dynasties of kings

I Kings 11 - 12; 2 Chronicles 10 - 11

The Southern Kingdom—”Judah”- Always ruled by a descendant of David and Solomon


For the next few hundred years, For the next few hundred years, Israel’s kings and people keep Israel’s kings and people keep disobeying God. After sending many disobeying God. After sending many warnings through prophets, God has warnings through prophets, God has the northern kingdom overrun by the northern kingdom overrun by Assyrians in 722 BC. Most are Assyrians in 722 BC. Most are shipped away, never to return. shipped away, never to return.

I Kings 13 - 2 Kings 17Hosea, Amos, Jonah


During this same time period, a During this same time period, a fewfew kings and people in Judah trust in kings and people in Judah trust in God, but most don’t. After many God, but most don’t. After many warnings, in 586 BC, after Israel’s warnings, in 586 BC, after Israel’s fall, God has Judah conquered also. fall, God has Judah conquered also. HoweverHowever, God promises , God promises

he will bring a remnant he will bring a remnant back to their land. back to their land.

I Kings 13 - 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 10 - 36:21Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel , Habakkuk ,

Micah, Zephaniah


The Judeans (i.e., The Judeans (i.e., “Jews”) live in exile in “Jews”) live in exile in Babylon. But 70 Babylon. But 70 years later, the years later, the Persian king who Persian king who conquered Babylon conquered Babylon says Jews can return says Jews can return to their land and to their land and rebuild their capital rebuild their capital and temple.and temple. 2 Chronicles 36:22 - Ezra 1

Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel


These returning Jews are the first These returning Jews are the first generation to permanently forsake generation to permanently forsake worshipping other gods, and they worshipping other gods, and they show concern to obey God. show concern to obey God.

Ezra 2 - Esther 10Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (Old Testament ends ~400 BC)

However, they soon However, they soon start growing cooler start growing cooler toward God. toward God.


Summary Puzzle: With how they Summary Puzzle: With how they have done, how will God “bless all have done, how will God “bless all nations” through descendents of nations” through descendents of Abraham?Abraham?

C) The Solution, Phase 2:C) The Solution, Phase 2:God Promises to Send a SaviorGod Promises to Send a Savior

In addition to warnings, In addition to warnings, through prophets, God through prophets, God gives the Israelites gives the Israelites promises he will raise up promises he will raise up from them a deliverer who from them a deliverer who will establish a wonderful will establish a wonderful eternal, worldwide eternal, worldwide kingdom—one filled with kingdom—one filled with people who trust in Him.people who trust in Him.

Isaiah 40 - 66, Micah 4 - 5:15, Zephaniah 3:9-20, Zechariah 9:9 - 14, Malachi 4

C) The Solution, Phase 2C) The Solution, Phase 2

Puzzle: How can someone sent to the Puzzle: How can someone sent to the Jews save the world and change Jews save the world and change people’s hearts?people’s hearts?

Part 3Part 3The EndThe End

A)A) The Final Part Set-up:The Final Part Set-up:God Sends Jesus to Save God Sends Jesus to Save

the Worldthe World 400 years after the Old Testament 400 years after the Old Testament

ends, Jesus is born. His birth’s ends, Jesus is born. His birth’s details fit the ancient prophecies of details fit the ancient prophecies of the promised one.the promised one.

Examples:-A descendant of Abraham,Israel, and David-Born in the small town ofBethlehem.

Matthew 1 - 2; Luke 1 - 2

(~ 0 AD)

A) The Set-upA) The Set-up

At about age 30, Jesus starts preaching At about age 30, Jesus starts preaching in Israel. He heals people, performs in Israel. He heals people, performs miracles, and makes astounding claims.miracles, and makes astounding claims.

Examples of Claims:- I am the light of the world I am the light of the world - I came to save the worldI came to save the world- Whoever sees me, sees God.- Whoever sees me, sees God.- He who believes in me has eternal - He who believes in me has eternal lifelife

Matthew 3 - 25; Mark 1 - 13, Luke 3 - 21, John 1 - 17


Jesus, though, is Jesus, though, is rejected by his nation. rejected by his nation. He is arrested, tried for He is arrested, tried for treason, convicted, treason, convicted, tortured, publicly tortured, publicly executed on a cross, executed on a cross, and buried.and buried.

Matthew 26 - 27; Mark 14 - 15, Luke 22 - 23, John 18 - 19


On the third day, Jesus On the third day, Jesus rises from the dead. rises from the dead. He tells his disciples to He tells his disciples to spread to all nations spread to all nations the gospel (“good the gospel (“good news”) that they can news”) that they can have forgiveness and have forgiveness and eternal life through eternal life through believing in Him.believing in Him.

Matthew 28; Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20 - 21


After Jesus returns to heaven, the After Jesus returns to heaven, the Holy Spirit comes on his disciples and Holy Spirit comes on his disciples and makes them bold. They share Jesus’ makes them bold. They share Jesus’ gospelgospel

Acts 1 - 28

message with Jews message with Jews and then others and then others throughout the throughout the Roman Empire. Roman Empire. Many lives are Many lives are changed.changed.

B) The 3rd Part Conflict / B) The 3rd Part Conflict / Problem:Problem:

Evil & Suffering Are Still Evil & Suffering Are Still WidespreadWidespread

1. Accepting the Gospel changes lives 1. Accepting the Gospel changes lives and the world. But its spread is and the world. But its spread is hindered by disbelief and opposition. hindered by disbelief and opposition.

Acts 2 - 28


2. Believers still find it hard to live 2. Believers still find it hard to live completelycompletely new types of life (and this new types of life (and this hinders the Gospel’s spread too).hinders the Gospel’s spread too).

Acts 5 - 20(Mentioned in many of the Epistles)


3. Much suffering and 3. Much suffering and injustice still remain. injustice still remain. Believers not only Believers not only experience this, experience this, sometimes they also sometimes they also suffer suffer becausebecause of of their faithfulness to their faithfulness to Christ.Christ.

Acts 2 - 28(also mentioned in many of the Epistles)


Puzzle: How can you have a restored Puzzle: How can you have a restored world and full salvation in this world and full salvation in this situation?situation?

C) The Transitional Solution:C) The Transitional Solution:The Holy Spirit’s WorkingsThe Holy Spirit’s Workings

1. The Bible says God’s Holy Spirit will 1. The Bible says God’s Holy Spirit will work in people’s lives so that the work in people’s lives so that the Gospel Gospel willwill go to all the world and go to all the world and that eventually people from all that eventually people from all nations nations willwill believe. believe.

Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10-11; Luke 24:47-48; John 16Revelation 5:9-10

C) The Transitional SolutionC) The Transitional Solution

2. The Epistles describe how Christians 2. The Epistles describe how Christians can rely on Christ and experience the can rely on Christ and experience the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit progressivelyprogressively transforming them into joyful, holy transforming them into joyful, holy people, even people, even through through hardships and pain. hardships and pain.

John 14 - 16Romans through Jude

2. The Epistles describe how Christians 2. The Epistles describe how Christians can rely on Christ and experience the can rely on Christ and experience the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit progressivelyprogressively transforming them into joyful, holy transforming them into joyful, holy people, even people, even through through hardships and pain. hardships and pain.

C) The Transitional SolutionC) The Transitional Solution

Will evil and suffering Will evil and suffering

always remain though?always remain though?

D) The Ultimate Solution:D) The Ultimate Solution:Christ Returns and Establishes Christ Returns and Establishes

His Full KingdomHis Full Kingdom The Bible says that The Bible says that afterafter

the Gospel has gone to the Gospel has gone to all nations, Christ will all nations, Christ will return to earth during a return to earth during a time of severe time of severe hardships. The dead hardships. The dead will be raised and there will be raised and there will be a final judgment will be a final judgment of all people.of all people.

Matthew 24 - 25; Mark 13; Luke 21Revelation 4 - 20

D) The Ultimate SolutionD) The Ultimate Solution

Those who have Those who have resisted God will resisted God will face an eternity of face an eternity of paying for their sins.paying for their sins.

Matthew 25; Luke 21Revelation 20:11-15


Those who have turned back Those who have turned back to God and trusted in Christ to God and trusted in Christ will be forgiven & welcomed will be forgiven & welcomed into God’s full kingdom. Their into God’s full kingdom. Their remaining corrupt tendencies remaining corrupt tendencies will be purged and they will will be purged and they will joyously experience life as it joyously experience life as it was originally intended under was originally intended under God.God.

Matthew 25Revelation 21 - 22


This story ends then, and a new one This story ends then, and a new one of eternal wholeness and delight in of eternal wholeness and delight in God begins—one we can only barely God begins—one we can only barely imagine.imagine.

ReviewReview

Part 1 - The BeginningPart 1 - The BeginningA) The Story Set-up: A) The Story Set-up:

God Creates a Good WorldGod Creates a Good World

B) The Conflict / Problem:B) The Conflict / Problem:

People Rebel and Throw the World People Rebel and Throw the World Into DisarrayInto Disarray

C) The Solution - First Phase: C) The Solution - First Phase:

God’s Chooses Abraham and Some God’s Chooses Abraham and Some of His Descendentsof His Descendents

Ancient Times ~1800+ BCGenesis

ReviewReview

Part 2 - The MiddlePart 2 - The MiddleA) The Second Part Set-up: A) The Second Part Set-up:

God Establishes Israel As His God Establishes Israel As His Chosen NationChosen Nation

B) The Conflict / Problem:B) The Conflict / Problem:

The Israelites Usually Don’t The Israelites Usually Don’t Trust in GodTrust in God

C) The Solution - Second Phase:C) The Solution - Second Phase:

God Promises to Send a SaviorGod Promises to Send a Savior

~1500 BC ~400+ BCThe Rest of the Old Testament

ReviewReview

Part 3 - The EndPart 3 - The EndA) The Final Part Set-up: A) The Final Part Set-up:

God Sends Jesus to Save the WorldGod Sends Jesus to Save the WorldB) The Conflict / Problem:B) The Conflict / Problem:

Evil & Suffering Are Still Evil & Suffering Are Still WidespreadWidespread

C) The Transitional Solution: C) The Transitional Solution: The Holy Spirit’s WorkingsThe Holy Spirit’s Workings

D) The Ultimate Solution: D) The Ultimate Solution: Christ Returns and Establishes His Christ Returns and Establishes His Full KingdomFull Kingdom

The Future~0 ADThe New Testament

Some Story Implications:Some Story Implications:

1. God is patiently giving 1. God is patiently giving people the opportunity to turn people the opportunity to turn

back to Himback to Him 2 Peter 3:3-9:2 Peter 3:3-9: “First of all, you must “First of all, you must

understand that in the last days scoffers will understand that in the last days scoffers will come . . . They will say, "Where is this come . . . They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." beginning of creation." . . . . . . But do not forget But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise . . . keeping his promise . . . He is patient with He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentanceeveryone to come to repentance.” .”

2. Our opportunities have 2. Our opportunities have unknown time limitsunknown time limits

God gave people in the Old Testament God gave people in the Old Testament centuriescenturies of warnings to turn back to of warnings to turn back to him, but when they refused to do so, him, but when they refused to do so, eventually judgment came.eventually judgment came.

God offers us eternal life and a place God offers us eternal life and a place in his kingdom. But our opportunity to in his kingdom. But our opportunity to trust in Christ can run out by our trust in Christ can run out by our death, Christ’s return OR our own death, Christ’s return OR our own hardness of heart. hardness of heart. (Hebrews 3 & 4)(Hebrews 3 & 4)

3. How do you fit into the 3. How do you fit into the story?story?

The Bible says God is actively drawing The Bible says God is actively drawing people to Christ. people to Christ. (e.g., John 6:44)(e.g., John 6:44)

God wants us on his good side, but he God wants us on his good side, but he does not force us.does not force us.

Our responses fix our roles in the story, Our responses fix our roles in the story, and our eternal destinies.and our eternal destinies.

Our world is currently in the 3Our world is currently in the 3rdrd part of the part of the story, nearing the very end.story, nearing the very end.

The plot is revealed. Who plays what role The plot is revealed. Who plays what role is not. Where do you want to be?is not. Where do you want to be?

Documents

The Overall Story of the Bible Introduction. The Bible has had an amazing influence. A prime influence on Western Civilization A prime influence on Western