Grasping the BibleThe Flow of the Biblical Story

The Bible Bookshelf

1. Law (Gen.-Dt.)2. History (Josh.-Est.)3. Poetry (Ps.-Song.)4. Prophecy (Is.-Mal.)5. Gospels (Mt.-Jn.)6. Acts7. Epistles (Rom.-Jude)8. Revelation

30 Second Overview of the Bible

1. Law of the O.T. [Moses introduces God, humanity, Israel, sin, & sacrifice] (Genesis-Deuteronomy)

2. History of the O.T. [Historians record what happened to the nation of Israel from Conquest to Exile] (Joshua-Nehemiah)

3. Poetry of the O.T. [Poets read the Torah (Law), live the history, think about life, and tell us how we ought to live] (Job-Song of Solomon)

4. Prophecy of the O.T. [Prophets read the Torah (Law), live history, listen to the Poets, and call upon the nation of Israel to repent of sin and trust in God] (Isaiah-Malachi)

30 Second Overview of the Bible

5. The Gospels [Eyewitnesses record what happened from the coming of Jesus to His Ascension] (Matthew-John)

6. Book of Acts [Luke records what happened after the Giving of the Spirit and the Spread of the Church]

7. Epistles of the N.T. [Apostles & their associates write to the infant Church to describe why Christ came, what all He did, what He will do, and how we ought live] (Romans-Jude)

8. Revelation: [John records what will happen at the climax of human history, and how we should respond] (Revelation)

Torah: Foundation of all Truth: Answer to Universal Questions

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The Gospels: Culmination of O.T. & Announcing the Gospel

Acts: Extending the Gospel

Epistles: Explaining the Gospel

Revelation: Climax of all Truth

Reading the Bible for All It's Worth

1.Read History from Genesis-Esther, & Matthew-Acts 2.Read the Epistles from Romans-Jude 3.Read the Law from Leviticus-Deuteronomy 4.Read the Poets from Psalms-Song of Solomon 5.Read the Prophets from Isaiah-Malachi6.Read Revelation

Main Character of the Bible

1. The Bible is all about God, Who He is, and what He has Done… (i.e. there is a God)…

2. God is the Creator, Sustainer, & Redeemer of All things… (i.e. He made you, and He loves you)…

3. The Bible tells the Story of Creation & Redemption… (i.e. He has provided a means for us to know Him, love Him, and live with Him forever)…

The Bible: The Autobiography of God

1. Torah Distinguishes God (“I Am YHWH,” “I Am Holy”)

2. History Displays God (“Behold your God”)

3. Poets Describe God (“my Shepherd, my Rock, my Shield”)

4. Prophets Declare God (“Thus Saith YHWH”)

5. Gospels & Acts Demonstrate God (“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”)

6. Epistles Define God and His Work (“the Gospel of Christ… is the power of God unto salvation…”)

7. Revelation Dramatizes God’s Ultimate Victory (“He will rule & reign forever & ever”)

The Biblical Story About God Unfolds in Five Stages

1. The Story of God and the World (Genesis 1-11)

2. The Story of God and Israel (Genesis 12-Malachi)

3. The Story of God on Earth (Matthew-John)

4. The Story of God and His Church (Acts-Jude)

5. The Story of God’s Ultimate Victory (Revelation)

The Story of God and the World (Genesis 1-11)

A. Creation: “In the beginning God created…” (The Origin of All Things Gen. 3)

B. Corruption: “God sent him forth from the garden…” (The cause of Death & Depravity Gen. 3-4)

The Story of God and the World (Genesis 1-11)

C. Catastrophe: “and it rained for 40 days & 40 nights…” (The first dramatic judgment Gen. 6-9)

D. Confusion: “so the Lord scattered them abroad upon the face of the earth…” (The Beginning of Civilization as we know it Gen. 10-11)

The Story of God and Israel (Gen. 12-Malachi)

A. Conception of Israel (Patriarchal Period) (Genesis 12-50)

B. Birth of Israel (Exodus)C. Adolescence of Israel (Numbers-

Deuteronomy)D. Israeli Rite of Passage (Joshua)E. Rebellious Years (Judges)

The Story of God and Israel (Gen. 12-Malachi)

F. Entering Maturity (Monarchy) (1 Samuel-1 Kings 11)

G. Mid-Life Crisis (Divided Monarchy) (1 Kings 12-2 Kings 17)

H. The Twilight Years (Surviving Monarchy) (2 Kings 18-2 Chronicles 36)

I. The Death of a Nation & Longing for the Past (Exile-Restoration. 2 Chronicles 36-Nehemiah)