1. The Overall Story of the Bible
Introduction
- Ambitious because cover whole Bible in < 30 minutes.
Why know this story though?

2. 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

3. 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!
Comparison with other books on controversial subjects. They don’t fit together.

4. The Bible says it reveals what we need to know.
Who God is
God’s good intent for the world
What’s gone wrong with us and our world
How our lives and world can be restored through God

5. 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 Bible’s parts too. (Analogy of a novel)
- Why story format? We remember stories & can understand better through reflecting on them. How history can be taught. - Novel analogy: Sometimes think, “why is this here?” Later, see significance of things that seemed minor or confusing.

6. How We Will Proceed
Will briefly summarize the “plot” of the Bible’s 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
Will skip much, just highlights. A “race” through the Bible.
Since will cover so much so quickly, will post this at our website so you can go back over it if you like.

7. 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
Will indicate on slides what books are covered--mainly Historical Books. Book’s types will be indicated by the color of the writing.
Ancient Time to ~400 BC ~0 AD to ~100 AD

8. Part 1 The Beginning

9. 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 people can live forever as long as they follow God
Refer to Genesis 1 & 2.
Genesis 1 & 2

10. B) The Conflict / Problem: People 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 God’s presence on earth
Genesis 3

11. B) The Conflict / Problem
Within one generation, we have the first murder—brother kills brother
Things decline quickly.
Genesis 4

12. B) The Conflict / Problem
As people multiply, violence and corruption spreads across the world
Genesis 5 - 6:5

13. 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.
Bible says Noah was righteous and walked with God. (But after the flood, Noah and his sons don’t always behave well.)
Genesis 6:6-9

14. B) The Conflict / Problem
Noah’s descendents ignore God and seek to build a city and tower to their own greatness.
Genesis 11:1-4

15. B) The Conflict / Problem
God breaks them up by separating them into different languages and nations across the world.
Genesis 10; 11:5-11

16. 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.

17. 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?

18. C) The Solution - First Phase: God’s 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.
One man for blessing all nations.
Genesis 12-20
(~2,000 BC)

19. 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.
- After one year, no son. Two years, five years, 10 years and so on, no son. Still trusts in God.
- God says he counts Abe as righteous because of his trust in God—a big theme for the Bible.
Genesis

20. C) The Solution, First Phase
After 25 years of waiting, God gives Abraham and his wife a son, Isaac, who will inherit God’s promises.
How old? Abe ~100 and Sarah ~90 years old.
Genesis
(Job is set sometime around this time period)

21. C) The Solution, First Phase
When he grows up, Isaac has twin sons. God chooses the younger twin, Jacob, to inherit his promises.
Goes against cultural traditions of choosing the eldest. Shows God not bound by human traditions.
Genesis

22. C) The Solution, First Phase
Jacob is a schemer, but God changes him, and changes his name to Israel.
Changed through a night of wrestling with an angel.
Israel means “prevails with God”
Genesis 28-35:15

23. 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.
Except for Joseph, we get the idea, “These people are not so great”. It is confusing that Joseph is the one who trusts in God, but he seems to be the one who suffers the most.
Genesis 35:16-38

24. C) The Solution, First Phase
Through amazing circumstances, Joseph becomes prime minister of Egypt, and the rest of the family comes to join him.
The brothers truly regret what they had done to Joseph. Joseph forgives them all. Where part one ends.
Genesis 39-50

25. C) The Solution, First Phase
Puzzle: How can God bless all nations and restore the world through these people?
Just a few. All these chosen people don’t seem to often have outstanding character. Bible honestly records serious flaws.

26. Part 2 The Middle

27. The Second Part Set-up: God Establishes Israel As His Chosen Nation
Many years later, Israel’s descendents have grown to hundreds of thousands, but they are now all Egyptian slaves.
An Egyptian dynasty change resulted in their status change.
Exodus 1
(~1,500 BC)

28. A) The Second Part Set-up
God raises up a man, Moses, to lead them out of Egypt.
Moses’ background described in these Exodus chapters.
Exodus 2 – 7:13

29. 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:

30. 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.
Laws include how they are to worship God and devote themselves to God only.
Exodus 19 – Numbers 12

31. B) The 2nd Part Conflict / Problem: The Israelites Usually Don’t 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.
For over a year, complained and rebelled. Therefore, 40 years wandering in the dessert. (Not because men would not ask for directions)
Numbers

32. 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.
Though imperfect, this generation does pretty well.
Deuteronomy 1 - Joshua 24

33. B) The Conflict / Problem
However, the very next generation turns to worshipping other gods.
Judges 1 - 2

34. 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 covers Israel’s dark ages. Even the heroes are really flawed.
Judges Samuel 7
(~1,400 – 1,100 BC)

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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
(David wrote many of the Psalms)
(~1,000 BC)

38. 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

39. B) The Conflict / Problem
When David gets older though, he commits adultery and murder, and he and his kingdom starts to deteriorate.
Again, the Bible is very honest about the flaws of even the “heroes”, and the consequences of their bad choices.
2 Samuel 11-23; 1 Chronicles 21

40. B) The Conflict / Problem
David’s 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.
Why not end his dynasty completely? Because of God’s promise to David.
1 Kings ; 2 Chronicles 1 - 9
(Solomon many of the Proverbs, plus
likely Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs)

41. B) The Conflict / Problem
After Solomon dies, Israel splits into two kingdoms.
The Northern Kingdom—”Israel”
- Ruled by many dynasties of kings
The Southern Kingdom—”Judah”
Always ruled by a descendant of David
and Solomon
I Kings ; 2 Chronicles

42. B) The Conflict / Problem
For the next few hundred years, Israel’s 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.
Presented as a great tragedy.
I Kings Kings 17
Hosea, Amos, Jonah

43. B) The Conflict / Problem
During this same time period, a few kings and people in Judah trust in God, but most don’t. After many warnings, in 586 BC, after Israel’s fall, God has Judah conquered also. However, God promises he will bring a remnant back to their land.
Again, brings back because of promises God made to Abraham and David.
I Kings Kings 25; 2 Chronicles :21
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel , Habakkuk ,
Micah, Zephaniah

44. 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 36:22 - Ezra 1
Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel

45. 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.
Last books of prophecy to these Jews are warnings.
Ezra 2 - Esther 10
Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
(Old Testament ends ~400 BC)

46. B) The Conflict / Problem
Summary Puzzle: With how they have done, how will God “bless all nations” through descendents of Abraham?
Were to be an example to the world, but did not seem to live up to their purpose.

47. C) The Solution, Phase 2: God 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 kingdom—one filled with people who trust in Him.
Some places in Bible where promises were given are shown here.
Isaiah , Micah 4 - 5:15, Zephaniah 3:9-20, Zechariah 9:9 - 14, Malachi 4

48. C) The Solution, Phase 2
Puzzle: How can someone sent to the Jews save the world and change people’s hearts?
Most of the world is still untouched at this point.
Man’s heart seems to be the problem.

49. Part 3 The End

50. The Final Part Set-up: God Sends Jesus to Save the World
400 years after the Old Testament ends, Jesus is born. His birth’s 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)

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

52. 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 ; Mark ,
Luke , John

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

54. 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

55. B) The 3rd Part Conflict / Problem: Evil & Suffering Are Still Widespread
1. Accepting the Gospel changes lives and the world. But its spread is hindered by disbelief and opposition.
Acts

56. B) The Conflict / Problem
2. Believers still find it hard to live completely new types of life (and this hinders the Gospel’s spread too).
Christians are genuinely changed, but they also still face unchanged problem areas. The Epistles address this a lot.
Acts
(Mentioned in many of the Epistles)

57. 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.
Persecution continues through today.
Acts
(also mentioned in many of the Epistles)

58. B) The Conflict / Problem
Puzzle: How can you have a restored world and full salvation in this situation?

59. C) The Transitional Solution: The Holy Spirit’s Workings
1. The Bible says God’s Holy Spirit will work in people’s lives so that the Gospel will go to all the world and that eventually people from all nations will believe.
2 symbols for the Holy Spirit in the Bible—Dove (gentle, goes where wills) and fire (burns out impurities). Jesus sent.
Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10-11; Luke 24:47-48; John 16
Revelation 5:9-10

60. 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.
Though not good, hardships now become a means of creating good in us when we trust in God.
John
Romans through Jude

61. C) The Transitional Solution
Will evil and suffering
always remain though?

62. D) The Ultimate Solution: Christ 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 ; Mark 13; Luke 21
Revelation

63. D) The Ultimate Solution
Those who have resisted God will face an eternity of paying for their sins.
Final judgment and punishment
Matthew 25; Luke 21
Revelation 20:11-15

64. D) The Ultimate Solution
Those who have turned back to God and trusted in Christ will be forgiven & welcomed into God’s 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

65. D) The Ultimate Solution
This story ends then, and a new one of eternal wholeness and delight in God begins—one we can only barely imagine.

66. 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:
God’s Chooses Abraham and Some of His Descendents
Will review the whole story in just 3 slides now.
Genesis
Ancient Times
~1800+ BC

67. The Rest of the Old Testament
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 Don’t Trust in God
C) The Solution - Second Phase:
God Promises to Send a Savior
The Rest of the Old Testament
~1500 BC
~400+ BC

68. 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 Spirit’s Workings
D) The Ultimate Solution:
Christ Returns and Establishes His Full Kingdom
That’s the story. Bible claims it’s a true story—a story that gives us insight into life’s purpose, our true condition and our important choices.
The New Testament
The Future
~0 AD

69. Some Story Implications:

70. 1. God is patiently giving people the opportunity to turn back to Him
2 Peter 3:3-9: “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.”
Point explicitly stated in 2 Peter.

71. 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, Christ’s return OR our own hardness of heart. (Hebrews 3 & 4)
- Story of great uncle who said he would accept just before dying. But he never had the chance because of a swift coma. - Also, don’t think that would have been true trust. When sense God saying to do, but don’t respond, heart hardens.

72. 3. How do you fit into the story?
The Bible says God is actively drawing people to Christ. (e.g., John 6:44)
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?
Good side = side for good, ours and everyone’s

73. 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

74. Discussion Questions What questions do you have about this?
Bible gives answers, but also raises many questions.