Bible's Stories

The Overall Story of the BibleThe Overall Story of the Bible

ByByA.Arputha SelvarajA.Arputha Selvaraj

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

A prime influence on Western A prime influence on Western CivilizationCivilization

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

This has happened for centuries This has happened for centuries by all sorts of peopleby all sorts of people

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 worldWhat’s gone wrong with us and our world How our lives and world can be restored How our lives and world can be restored

through Godthrough God

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

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

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

How We Will ProceedHow We Will Proceed

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

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

For each part, we will explore a set-up, For each part, we will explore a set-up, conflict/problem, and solutionconflict/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 TestamentNew Testament 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 and God creates the universe and peoplepeople

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

itself and Goditself and God Life is beautiful and people Life is beautiful and people

can live forever as long as can live forever as long as they follow Godthey follow God

Genesis 1 & 2

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

Into DisarrayInto Disarray The first people choose to The first people choose to

disobey Goddisobey God They experience shame, guilt They experience shame, guilt

and fear for the first timeand fear for the first time As a result, God says life will As a result, God says life will

now be full of pain, futility, now be full of pain, futility, conflict, and deathconflict, and death

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

Genesis 3

B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem

Within one generation, we have the first Within one generation, we have the first murder—brother kills brothermurder—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. He God grieves over how bad things get. He sends a worldwide flood to destroy all but sends a worldwide flood to destroy all but the family of Noah and one pair of each the family of Noah and one pair of each animal who can repopulate the earth.animal who can repopulate the earth.

Genesis 6:6-9


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

Genesis 11:1-4


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

Genesis 10; 11:5-11


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


Puzzle: How can a world of corrupt people Puzzle: How can a world of corrupt people in separate nations be turned back to God in separate nations be turned back to God and experience life as God originally and experience life as God originally intended?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 will Abraham. God says he will bless Abraham, make of him bless Abraham, make of him a great nation, and through a great nation, and through him 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 God Though imperfect, Abraham believes God and follows him, even though he and his and follows him, even though he and his wife are very old and have no son.wife are very old and have no 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, who Abraham and his wife a son, Isaac, who will inherit God’s promises.will inherit God’s promises.

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


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

Genesis 25 - 27


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

Genesis 28-35:15


Israel has 12 sons. Israel has 12 sons. One son, Joseph, One son, Joseph, trusts in and obeys trusts in and obeys God. But the other God. But the other brothers are jealous brothers are jealous of Joseph and sell of 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 rest Egypt, and the rest of the family comes of the family comes to join him.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 descendents Many years later, Israel’s descendents

have grown to hundreds of thousands, but have grown to hundreds of thousands, but they are now all Egyptian slaves.they are now all 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 them God raises up a man, Moses, to lead them out of Egypt.out of Egypt.

Exodus 2 – 7:13


After a series of 10 divinely caused plagues, After a series of 10 divinely caused plagues, the Egyptian king agrees to let Moses and the Egyptian king agrees to let Moses and the Israelites leave miraculously.the Israelites leave 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, but blessed if they obey, but cursed if they disobey.cursed if they disobey.

Exodus 19 – Numbers 12

B) The 2nd Part Conflict / Problem:B) The 2nd Part Conflict / Problem:The Israelites Usually Don’t Trust in The Israelites Usually Don’t Trust in

GodGod 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 to will not permit them to enter their promised enter their promised land. They have to travel land. They have to travel in the wilderness until in the wilderness until their generation dies out. their generation dies out.

Numbers 14 - 36


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

them into the them into the promised promised land.land.

Deuteronomy 1 - Joshua 24


However, the very next However, the very next generation turns to generation turns to worshipping other worshipping other gods.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, they call follow a pattern: They face a foe, they call out to God, God sends someone to help out to God, God sends someone to help them, but once their problem is solved, them, but once their problem is solved, they turn away from God again.they turn 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 act, about how kings act, God chooses Saul to God chooses Saul to be their first king.be their first king.

1 Samuel 8 - 10


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

1 Samuel 11 - 15


God chooses David to be the next king, God chooses David to be the next king, David obeys and trusts in God, and Israel David obeys and trusts in God, and Israel prospers. 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 and a God promises David that a dynasty and a kingdom will come from him that will last kingdom will come from him that will last forever. 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 he and commits adultery and murder, and he and his kingdom starts to deteriorate.his kingdom starts to deteriorate.

2 Samuel 11-23; 1 Chronicles 21


David’s son Solomon David’s son Solomon becomes king next, and he becomes king next, and he rules wisely. But eventually rules wisely. But eventually he worships other Gods. he worships other Gods. God says he will remove God says he will remove most of Israel from his most of Israel from his dynasty because of this.dynasty because 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 kingdoms.After Solomon dies, Israel splits into two 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, Israel’s For the next few hundred years, Israel’s kings and people keep disobeying God. kings and people keep disobeying God. After sending many warnings through After sending many warnings through prophets, God has the northern kingdom prophets, God has the northern kingdom overrun by Assyrians in 722 BC. Most are overrun by 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 kings and people in Judah trust in God, but most and people in Judah trust in God, but most don’t. After many warnings, in 586 BC, don’t. After many warnings, in 586 BC, after Israel’s fall, God has Judah after Israel’s fall, God has Judah conquered also. 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 years Babylon. But 70 years later, the Persian king later, the Persian king who conquered who conquered Babylon says Jews can Babylon says Jews can return to their land and return to their land and rebuild their capital and rebuild their capital and temple.temple.

2 Chronicles 36:22 - Ezra 1Lamentations, 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 show worshipping other gods, and they show concern to obey God. 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 have Summary Puzzle: With how they have done, how will God “bless all nations” done, how will God “bless all nations” through descendents of Abraham?through descendents of 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 gives through prophets, God gives the Israelites promises he the Israelites promises he will raise up from them a will raise up from them a deliverer who will establish a deliverer who will establish a wonderful eternal, worldwide wonderful 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 people’s Jews save the world and change people’s hearts?hearts?

Part 3Part 3The EndThe End

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

WorldWorld 400 years after the Old Testament ends, 400 years after the Old Testament ends,

Jesus is born. His birth’s details fit the Jesus is born. His birth’s details fit the ancient prophecies of the promised one.ancient prophecies of 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 in At about age 30, Jesus starts preaching in Israel. He heals people, performs 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 life- He who believes in me has eternal life

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


Jesus, though, is rejected Jesus, though, is rejected by his nation. He is by his nation. He is arrested, tried for treason, arrested, tried for treason, convicted, tortured, convicted, tortured, publicly executed on a publicly executed on a cross, and buried.cross, 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. He rises from the dead. He tells his disciples to tells his disciples to spread to all nations the spread to all nations the gospel (“good news”) gospel (“good news”) that they can have that they can have forgiveness and eternal forgiveness and eternal life through believing in life through believing in Him.Him.

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


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

Acts 1 - 28

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

B) The 3rd Part Conflict / Problem:B) The 3rd Part Conflict / Problem:Evil & Suffering Are Still Evil & Suffering Are Still

WidespreadWidespread1. Accepting the Gospel changes lives and 1. Accepting the Gospel changes lives and

the world. But its spread is hindered by the world. But its spread is hindered by disbelief and opposition. 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 their of their faithfulness to Christ.faithfulness to 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 situation?world and full salvation in this 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 work 1. The Bible says God’s Holy Spirit will work in people’s lives so that the Gospel in people’s lives so that the Gospel willwill go go to all the world and that eventually people to all the world and that eventually people from all nations from all 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 can 2. The Epistles describe how Christians can rely on Christ and experience the Holy rely on Christ and experience the Holy Spirit Spirit progressivelyprogressively transforming them into transforming them into joyful, holy people, even joyful, holy people, even through through hardships and pain. hardships and pain.

John 14 - 16Romans through Jude

2. The Epistles describe how Christians can 2. The Epistles describe how Christians can rely on Christ and experience the Holy rely on Christ and experience the Holy Spirit Spirit progressivelyprogressively transforming them into transforming them into joyful, holy people, even joyful, holy 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 hardships. time of severe hardships. The dead will be raised The dead will be raised and there will be a final and there will be a final judgment of all people.judgment 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 face resisted God will face an eternity of paying an eternity of paying for their sins.for their sins.

Matthew 25; Luke 21Revelation 20:11-15


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

Matthew 25Revelation 21 - 22


This story ends then, and a new one of This story ends then, and a new one of eternal wholeness and delight in God eternal wholeness and delight in God begins—one we can only barely imagine.begins—one we can only barely 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 WorldB) 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 Trust The Israelites Usually Don’t Trust in Godin 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 Sti l l Evil & Suffering Are Sti l l WidespreadWidespread

C) The Transitional Solution: C) The Transitional Solution: The Holy Spir it ’s WorkingsThe Holy Spir it ’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 AD

The New Testament

Some Story Implications:Some Story Implications:

1. God is patiently giving people the 1. God is patiently giving people the opportunity to turn back to Himopportunity to turn back to Him

2 Peter 3:3-9:2 Peter 3:3-9: “First of all, you must understand “First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come . . . They that in the last days scoffers will come . . . They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." as it has since the beginning of creation." . . . . . . But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise . . . not slow in keeping his promise . . . He is patient He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but with 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 him, of warnings to turn back to him, but when they refused to do so, eventually but when they refused to do so, eventually judgment came.judgment came.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To Explore More:To Explore More:

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