The Overall Story of the Bible

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The Overall Story of the Bible

• Introduction

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The Bible has had an amazing influence.

• A prime influence on Western Civilization
• Millions across the world say they have had their
  lives changed through believing this book
• This has happened for centuries by all sorts of
  people

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The Bible has an amazing composition.

• Written over 1600 years
• Written by over 40 authors
• Written on 3 continents Asia, Africa, Europe
• And it all fits together coherently!

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The Bible says it reveals what we need to know.

• Who God is
• Gods good intent for the world
• Whats gone wrong with us and our world
• How our lives and world can be restored through
  God

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

• Though containing many teachings and smaller
  stories, an overall story emerges that gives the
  big picture of how God is redeeming humanity.
• Knowing this overall story helps us make better
  sense of the Bibles parts too. (Analogy of a
  novel)

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How We Will Proceed

• Will briefly summarize the plot of the Bibles
  story
• Will present this plot in three parts that
  represent the beginning, middle and end of the
  story
• For each part, we will explore a set-up,
  conflict/problem, and solution

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Background on How the Bible Is Organized

• Historical Books
• Genesis through Esther
• Poetic Books
• Job through Song of Songs
• Prophetic Books
• Isaiah through Malachi

Old Testament New Testament

• Historical Books
• Matthew through Acts
• Epistles/Letters
• Romans through Jude
• Prophetic Book
• Revelation

Ancient Time to 400 BC 0
AD to 100 AD
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Part 1The Beginning
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The Story Set-upGod Creates a Good World

• God creates the universe and people
• God tells man how to live
• Everything is in harmony with itself and God
• Life is beautiful and people can live forever as
  long as they follow God

Genesis 1 2
10
B) The Conflict / ProblemPeople Rebel and Throw
the World Into Disarray

• The first people choose to disobey God
• They experience shame, guilt and fear for the
  first time
• As a result, God says life will now be full of
  pain, futility, conflict, and death
• People are cast out of Gods presence on earth

Genesis 3
11
B) The Conflict / Problem

• Within one generation, we have the first
  murderbrother kills brother

Genesis 4
12
B) The Conflict / Problem

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

Genesis 5 - 65
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

Genesis 66-9
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B) The Conflict / Problem

• Noahs descendents ignore God and seek to build a
  city and tower to their own greatness.

Genesis 111-4
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

Genesis 10 115-11
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

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C) The Solution - First PhaseGods Chooses
Abraham and Some of His Descendents

• God talks to a man Abraham. God says he will
  bless Abraham, make of him a great nation, and
  through him all nations will be blessed.

Genesis 12-20
(2,000 BC)
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C) The Solution, First Phase

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

Genesis 12 - 20
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C) The Solution, First Phase

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

Genesis 21 - 24
(Job is set sometime around this time period)
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C) The Solution, First Phase

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

Genesis 25 - 27
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C) The Solution, First Phase

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

Genesis 28-3515
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C) The Solution, First Phase

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

Genesis 3516-38
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C) The Solution, First Phase

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

Genesis 39-50
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C) The Solution, First Phase

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

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Part 2The Middle
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The Second Part Set-upGod Establishes Israel
AsHis Chosen Nation

• Many years later, Israels descendents have grown
  to hundreds of thousands, but they are now all
  Egyptian slaves.

Exodus 1
(1,500 BC)
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A) The Second Part Set-up

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

Exodus 2 713
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A) The Second Part Set-up

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

Exodus 714 - 18
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A) The Second Part Set-up

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

Exodus 19 Numbers 12
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B) The 2nd Part Conflict / ProblemThe
Israelites Usually Dont Trust in God

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

Numbers 14 - 36
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

Deuteronomy 1 - Joshua 24
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

Judges 1 - 2
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

Judges 3 - 1 Samuel 7
(1,400 1,100 BC)
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

1 Samuel 8 - 10
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

1 Samuel 11 - 15
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

1 Samuel 16 - II Samuel 10 1 Chronicles 11 - 20
(David wrote many of the Psalms)
(1,000 BC)
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

(Puzzle how can this be?)
2 Samuel 7 1 Chronicles 17
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

2 Samuel 11-23 1 Chronicles 21
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

1 Kings 1 - 11 2 Chronicles 1 - 9
(Solomon many of the Proverbs, plus likely
Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs)
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B) The Conflict / Problem

• After Solomon dies, Israel splits into two
  kingdoms.

The Northern KingdomIsrael - Ruled by many
dynasties of kings

• The Southern KingdomJudah
• Always ruled by a descendant of David
• and Solomon

I Kings 11 - 12 2 Chronicles 10 - 11
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

I Kings 13 - 2 Kings 17
Hosea, Amos, Jonah
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B) The Conflict / Problem

• During this same time period, a few kings and
  people in Judah trust in God, but most dont.
  After many warnings, in 586 BC, after Israels
  fall, God has Judah conquered also. However, God
  promises he will bring a remnant back to
  their land.

I Kings 13 - 2 Kings 25 2 Chronicles 10 - 3621
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel , Habakkuk , Micah,
Zephaniah
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B) The Conflict / Problem

• The Judeans (i.e., Jews) live in exile in
  Babylon. But 70 years later, the Persian king
  who conquered Babylon says Jews can return to
  their land and rebuild their capital and temple.

2 Chronicles 3622 - Ezra 1
Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

• However, they soon start growing cooler toward
  God.

Ezra 2 - Esther 10
Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
(Old Testament ends 400 BC)
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

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

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

Isaiah 40 - 66, Micah 4 - 515, Zephaniah 39-20,
Zechariah 99 - 14, Malachi 4
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C) The Solution, Phase 2

• Puzzle How can someone sent to the Jews save the
  world and change peoples hearts?

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Part 3The End
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The Final Part Set-upGod Sends Jesus to Save
the World

• 400 years after the Old Testament ends, Jesus is
  born. His births details fit the ancient
  prophecies of the promised one.

• Examples
• A descendant of Abraham,
• Israel, and David
• Born in the small town of
• Bethlehem.

Matthew 1 - 2 Luke 1 - 2
( 0 AD)
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A) The Set-up

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

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

Matthew 3 - 25 Mark 1 - 13, Luke 3 - 21, John 1
- 17
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A) The Set-up

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

Matthew 26 - 27 Mark 14 - 15, Luke 22 - 23,
John 18 - 19
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A) The Set-up

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

Matthew 28 Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20 - 21
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A) The Set-up

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

message with Jews and then others throughout
the Roman Empire. Many lives are changed.
Acts 1 - 28
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B) The 3rd Part Conflict / ProblemEvil
Suffering Are Still Widespread

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

Acts 2 - 28
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B) The Conflict / Problem

• 2. Believers still find it hard to live
  completely new types of life (and this hinders
  the Gospels spread too).

Acts 5 - 20
(Mentioned in many of the Epistles)
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

Acts 2 - 28
(also mentioned in many of the Epistles)
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B) The Conflict / Problem

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

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C) The Transitional SolutionThe Holy Spirits
Workings

• 1. The Bible says Gods Holy Spirit will work in
  peoples lives so that the Gospel will go to all
  the world and that eventually people from all
  nations will believe.

Matthew 2414 Mark 1310-11 Luke 2447-48 John
16
Revelation 59-10
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C) The Transitional Solution

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

2. The Epistles describe how Christians can rely
on Christ and experience the Holy Spirit
progressively transforming them into joyful, holy
people, even through hardships and pain.
John 14 - 16
Romans through Jude
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C) The Transitional Solution

• Will evil and suffering
• always remain though?

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D) The Ultimate SolutionChrist Returns and
Establishes His Full Kingdom

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

Matthew 24 - 25 Mark 13 Luke 21
Revelation 4 - 20
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D) The Ultimate Solution

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

Matthew 25 Luke 21
Revelation 2011-15
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D) The Ultimate Solution

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

Matthew 25
Revelation 21 - 22
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D) The Ultimate Solution

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

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Review

• Part 1 - The Beginning
• A) The Story Set-up
• God Creates a Good World
• B) The Conflict / Problem
• People Rebel and Throw the World Into Disarray
• C) The Solution - First Phase
• Gods Chooses Abraham and Some of His Descendents

Genesis
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Review

• Part 2 - The Middle
• A) The Second Part Set-up
• God Establishes Israel As His Chosen Nation
• B) The Conflict / Problem
• The Israelites Usually Dont Trust in God
• C) The Solution - Second Phase
• God Promises to Send a Savior

The Rest of the Old Testament
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Review

• Part 3 - The End
• A) The Final Part Set-up
• God Sends Jesus to Save the World
• B) The Conflict / Problem
• Evil Suffering Are Still Widespread
• C) The Transitional Solution
• The Holy Spirits Workings
• D) The Ultimate Solution
• Christ Returns and Establishes His Full Kingdom

The New Testament
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Some Story Implications
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1. God is patiently giving people the opportunity
to turn back to Him

• 2 Peter 33-9 First of all, you must
  understand that in the last days scoffers will
  come . . . They will say, "Where is this 'coming'
  he promised? Ever since our fathers died,
  everything goes on as it has since the beginning
  of creation." . . . But do not forget this one
  thing, dear friends With the Lord a day is like
  a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a
  day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise
  . . . He is patient with you, not wanting anyone
  to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

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2. Our opportunities have unknown time limits

• God gave people in the Old Testament centuries of
  warnings to turn back to him, but when they
  refused to do so, eventually judgment came.
• God offers us eternal life and a place in his
  kingdom. But our opportunity to trust in Christ
  can run out by our death, Christs return OR our
  own hardness of heart. (Hebrews 3 4)

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3. How do you fit into the story?

• The Bible says God is actively drawing people to
  Christ. (e.g., John 644)
• God wants us on his good side, but he does not
  force us.
• Our responses fix our roles in the story, and our
  eternal destinies.
• Our world is currently in the 3rd part of the
  story, nearing the very end.
• The plot is revealed. Who plays what role is
  not. Where do you want to be?

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To Explore More

• Review this PowerPoint at comumn.org
• Download there, in English or in Chinese A
  Short Guide to the Bible (includes a Bible
  timeline, Bible history, and key selections Bible
  reading plan)
• Join a Bible study

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Discussion Questions

• What questions do you have about this?