Post on 03-Apr-2018
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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 saythey have had their liveschanged through believing thisbook
This has happened for centuriesby 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 restoredthrough 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 isredeeming 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 theBibles story
Will present this plot in three parts thatrepresent the beginning, middle and endof 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 BooksGenesis through Esther
Poetic BooksJob through Song of Songs
Prophetic BooksIsaiah through Malachi
Old Testament New Testament Historical Books
Matthew through Acts
Epistles/LettersRomans through Jude
Prophetic BookRevelation
Ancient Time to ~400 BC ~0 AD to ~100 AD
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Part 1
The Beginning
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A) The Story Set-up:
God 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 peoplecan live forever as long asthey follow God
Genesis 1 & 2
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B) The Conflict / Problem:People Rebel and Throw the World
Into Disarray The first people choose to
disobey God
They experience shame, guiltand fear for the first time
As a result, God says life willnow be full of pain, futility,
conflict, and death People are cast out of Gods
presence on earth
Genesis 3
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B) The Conflict / Problem
Within one generation, we have the firstmurderbrother kills brother
Genesis 4
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B) The Conflict / Problem
As people multiply, violence andcorruption spreads across the world
Genesis 5 - 6:5
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B) The Conflict / Problem
God grieves over how bad things get. Hesends a worldwide flood to destroy all but
the family of Noah and one pair of eachanimal who can repopulate the earth.
Genesis 6:6-9
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B) The Conflict / Problem
Noahs descendents ignore God and seekto build a city and tower to their own
greatness.
Genesis 11:1-4
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B) The Conflict / Problem
God breaks them up by separating theminto different languages and nations
across the world.
Genesis 10; 11:5-11
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B) The Conflict / Problem
In summary, people have turned awayfrom God, messed up their lives and the
world, and they keep doing this over andover.
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B) The Conflict / Problem
Puzzle: How can a world of corrupt peoplein separate nations be turned back to God
and experience life as God originallyintended?
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C) The Solution - First Phase:Gods Chooses Abraham and Some
of His Descendents God talks to a manAbraham. God says he willbless Abraham, make of hima great nation, and throughhim all nations will be
blessed.
Genesis 12-20
(~2,000 BC)
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C) The Solution, First Phase
Though imperfect, Abraham believes Godand 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 givesAbraham 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 hisname to Israel.
Genesis 28-35:15
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C) The Solution, First Phase
Israel has 12 sons.One son, Joseph,
trusts in and obeysGod. But the otherbrothers are jealous
of Joseph and sellhim into slavery.
Genesis 35:16-38
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C) The Solution, First Phase
Through amazingcircumstances,
Joseph becomesprime minister ofEgypt, and the rest
of the family comesto join him.
Genesis 39-50
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C) The Solution, First Phase
Puzzle: How can God bless all nations andrestore the world through these people?
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Part 2
The Middle
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A) The Second Part Set-up
God raises up a man, Moses, to lead themout of Egypt.
Exodus 2 7:13
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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 7:14 - 18
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A) The Second Part Set-up
Once they are out ofEgypt, God gives Moses
and the Israelites 10commandments andother laws to follow,
saying they will beblessed if they obey, butcursed if they disobey.
Exodus 19 Numbers 12
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B) The 2nd Part Conflict / Problem:The Israelites Usually Dont Trust in
God The rescued Israelites
keep rebelling against
God. So God says Hewill not permit them toenter their promisedland. They have to
travel in the wildernessuntil their generationdies out.
Numbers 14 - 36
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B) The Conflict / Problem
After 40 years, God renews his covenantwith the next generation of Israelites.
Then Moses successor, Joshua, leadsthem into the promisedland.
Deuteronomy 1 - Joshua 24
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B) The Conflict / Problem
However, the very nextgeneration turns to
worshipping othergods.
Judges 1 - 2
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B) The Conflict / Problem
For the next 300 years, the Israelitesfollow a pattern: They face a foe, they
call out to God, God sends someone tohelp them, but once their problem issolved, 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 askGod for a king, and
after warning themabout 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, buthe starts disobeying
God and God tellsSaul (through aprophet) 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 akingdom will come from him that will last
forever.
2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17
(Puzzle: how can this be?)
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B) The Conflict / Problem
When David gets older though, hecommits 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 Solomonbecomes king next, and he
rules wisely. But eventuallyhe worships other Gods.God says he will remove
most of Israel from hisdynasty because of this.
1 Kings 1 - 11; 2 Chronicles 1 - 9(Solomon many of the Proverbs, pluslikely 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
I Kings 11 - 12; 2 Chronicles 10 - 11
The Southern KingdomJudah
- Always ruled by a descendant of Davidand Solomon
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B) The Conflict / Problem
For the next few hundred years, Israelskings and people keep disobeying God.
After sending many warnings throughprophets, God has the northern kingdomoverrun 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 kingsand people in Judah trust in God, but
most dont. After many warnings, in 586BC, after Israels fall, God has Judahconquered also. However, God promises
he will bring a remnantback to their land.
I Kings 13 - 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 10 - 36:21
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 yearslater, the Persian kingwho conqueredBabylon says Jews can
return to their land andrebuild their capital andtemple.
2 Chronicles 36:22 - Ezra 1
Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
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B) The Conflict / Problem
These returning Jews are the firstgeneration to permanently forsake
worshipping other gods, and they showconcern to obey God.
Ezra 2 - Esther 10
Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi(Old Testament ends ~400 BC)
However, they soon
start growing coolertoward God.
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B) The Conflict / Problem
Summary Puzzle: With how they havedone, how will God bless all nations
through descendents of Abraham?
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C) The Solution, Phase 2:God Promises to Send a Savior
In addition to warnings,through prophets, God gives
the Israelites promises hewill raise up from them adeliverer who will establish awonderful eternal,
worldwide kingdomonefilled with people who trustin Him.
Isaiah 40 - 66, Micah 4 - 5:15, Zephaniah 3:9-20, Zechariah 9:9 - 14, Malachi 4
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C) The Solution, Phase 2
Puzzle: How can someone sent to theJews save the world and change peoples
hearts?
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Part 3The End
A) The Final Part Set up:
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A) The Final Part Set-up:God 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 ofBethlehem.
Matthew 1 - 2; Luke 1 - 2
(~ 0 AD)
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A) The Set-up
At about age 30, Jesus starts preaching inIsrael. 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 rejectedby 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, Jesusrises from the dead. He
tells his disciples tospread to all nations thegospel (good news)that they can have
forgiveness and eternallife through believing inHim.
Matthew 28; Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20 - 21
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A) The Set-up
After Jesus returns to heaven, the HolySpirit comes on his disciples and makes
them bold. They share Jesus gospel
Acts 1 - 28
message with Jewsand then others
throughout theRoman Empire. Manylives are changed.
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B) The 3rd Part Conflict / Problem:Evil & Suffering Are Still Widespread
1. Accepting the Gospel changes lives andthe 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 livecompletely 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 andinjustice still remain.
Believers not onlyexperience this,sometimes they also
suffer because of theirfaithfulness 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 restoredworld and full salvation in this situation?
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C) The Transitional Solution:The Holy Spirits Workings
1. The Bible says Gods Holy Spirit will workin peoples lives so that the Gospel will go
to all the world and that eventually peoplefrom all nations will believe.
Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10-11; Luke 24:47-48; John 16
Revelation 5:9-10
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C) The Transitional Solution
2. The Epistles describe how Christians canrely on Christ and experience the Holy
Spirit progressively transforming them intojoyful, holy people, eventhrough hardships and pain.
John 14 - 16Romans through Jude
2. The Epistles describe how Christians canrely on Christ and experience the Holy
Spirit progressively transforming them intojoyful, holy people, eventhrough hardships and pain.
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C) The Transitional Solution
Will evil and sufferingalways remain though?
D) The Ultimate Solution:
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D) The Ultimate Solution:Christ Returns and Establishes
His Full Kingdom The Bible says that after
the Gospel has gone to
all nations, Christ willreturn to earth during atime of severe hardships.
The dead will be raisedand there will be a finaljudgment of all people.
Matthew 24 - 25; Mark 13; Luke 21Revelation 4 - 20
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D) The Ultimate Solution
Those who haveresisted God will face
an eternity of payingfor their sins.
Matthew 25; Luke 21Revelation 20:11-15
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D) The Ultimate Solution
Those who have turned back toGod and trusted in Christ will beforgiven & welcomed into Godsfull kingdom. Their remainingcorrupt tendencies will bepurged and they will joyously
experience life as it wasoriginally intended under God.
Matthew 25
Revelation 21 - 22
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D) The Ultimate Solution
This story ends then, and a new one ofeternal wholeness and delight in God
beginsone we can only barely imagine.
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Review
Part 1 - The BeginningA) The Story Set-up:
God Creates a Good WorldB) The Conflict / Problem:
People Rebel and Throw the WorldInto Disarray
C) The Solution - First Phase:Gods Chooses Abraham and Some ofHis Descendents
Ancient Times ~1800+ BCGenesis
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Review
Part 2 - The MiddleA) The Second Part Set-up:
God Establishes Israel As HisChosen Nation
B) The Conflict / Problem:
The Israelites Usually Dont Trust in
GodC) The Solution - Second Phase:
God Promises to Send a Savior
~1500 BC ~400+ BCThe Rest of the Old Testament
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Review
Part 3 - The EndA) 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 HisFull Kingdom
The Future~0 ADThe New Testament
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Some Story Implications:
d l l
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1. God is patiently giving peoplethe opportunity to turn back to Him
2 Peter 3:3-9:First of all, you must understandthat in the last days scoffers will come . . . Theywill say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised?
Ever since our fathers died, everything goes onas 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 patientwith you, not wanting anyone to perish, buteveryone to come to repentance.
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Discussion Questions
What questions do you have about this?