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Table of Contents
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 1 Q & A
Lesson 3
Lesson 2 Q & A
Scene 3 The Creation of the Jewish
Nation
Lesson 3 Q & A
Lesson 4 Q & A
Expansion/Organization
Lesson 6
Lesson 5 Q & A
1-12
2-5
5-11
5-8
8-11
12
13-21
13-18
18-20
21
22-31
23-27
27-30
31
32-40
32-34
35-39
39
40
41-49
43-46
46-48
49
50-59
53
Lesson 6 Q & A
58-59
54-56
60-63
"you can't see the forest for the trees." That can happen to
the deep truths of God's Words, but that is best done when
tools
different
to
harvest
bring
places
to
of
Scripture. In the next six lessons we will try our best to gain
that survey together. So what is the big picture of the Bible?
first time.
the major message of the entire Bible from Genesis (the first
Don't be overwhelmed.
We will
come back and cover the major details of Scripture with a bit
more detail as we survey the Bibles message in ten major
scenes.
whole message. What did God want to tell you by writing the
highly
educated
rabbi,
who
wrote
complex
logical
chronologically.
each one was used by God to write His Words. Think of them
not only being conducted by one Person, but are also all
being played by one PersonGod.
This is a
sets of shelves. Just like most other libraries, the two shelves
are divided into sections by content or genre. For instance, if
you went to a bookstore tomorrow, looking for a biography
These
The
So its important when you open the Bible for the first time to
Writings).
This is
more for your future reference as you dig into the Bible on
your own.
This
Bible we have already found out how this chosen man has
of these dates as down to the year but as giving you a general place
in time ... within a hundred years or so =)
and
are
ready
to
receive
their
Charter
or
Ezra,
Nehemiah,
and
Esther).
I'll
try
to
We have
(Judges)
and
1 & 2
Chronicles each tell this story. At the end of that time, God
expels His chosen people from their land.
Ezra and Nehemiah tell the story of how some people began
In the writings you will find many of the great stories that
Walls of Jericho, David vs. Goliath and Elijah vs. Jezebel. But
just because these are taught to children, don't block them
These stories
account of how God talks with His people and how they talk
back. We will classify them as Wisdom Literature and Poetry
or
Lamentations).
one
another
(Psalms,
Song
of
Solomon,
Just like the second section of the Old Testament, this third
section is packed with stories that may be familiar to you:
Jonah and the whale (or great fish), Daniel and the lion's den,
or Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
God's people for His rescue plan in full force. Before we get
to the New Testament, take a look at the chart in the back of
"And there are also many other things which Jesus did,
which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even
the world itself would not contain the books that would
be written" (John 21:25).
This
The book is
These were
People debate who does these acts. Some say that the book
contains the acts of the apostlesin fact thats the traditional title of
the book. Others say these are the acts of the ascended Christ
through His apostles. Others suggest that these are the acts of the
Holy Spirit through the apostles. As you read the book youll
discover that in many ways, all three are true!
10
Acts
The letters
you will see that this is also where the message of the Bible
begins.
11
1. List the three sections of the Old Testament and the four
sections of the New Testament below:
Old Testament
New Testament
12
some of the major themes that tell the story of the Bible. In
the following lessons we will develop the major storyline of
the Bible through ten different scenes that tell the Bible story.
"GARDEN"
ADAM
God
and
humanity.
So
much
Creation
God made everything in six 24-hour days. This is where the
Bible beginsIn the beginning God created the heavens and
13
Two facets of
creation are very important for our study. First, God created
man on the sixth day in His image. Second, God made all
things good.
In God's Image
Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image,
according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish
of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the
cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping
thing that creeps on the earth. God created man in His
own image, in the image of God He created him; male and
female He created them (Genesis 1:26-27).
After all else was made, He made man in His image. This
means that man mirrors God in a way that the rest of the
the rest of creation. God has stamped His own nature in our
very existence as humans.
Life is Good
God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very
good (Genesis 1:31).
14
was paradise!
creation. Man was not selfish. Man always did what pleased
Fall
God gave only one prohibition in the garden. He stated it
clearly and the result of disobedience was clearly stated as
well.
From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not
eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die
(Genesis 2:16-17).
death would enter the picture. God set up His order and in
that order it was also possible to rebel.
the rule and were made in the image of God. This fallen
15
that she would not die if she ate the fruit but rather that
Eve believed the snake and ate. She brought the forbidden
fruit to Adam and Adam chose to follow his wife instead of
world differ in the text or texts which they claim are the
words of God. Consider the sourcethis makes a major
Not only does the Bible clearly state that it is the Word of
Internal Evidence:
o
pass.
o
16
In one sense you fell that day too. Think of it this waywhen
the
founding
independence
fathers
from
of
the
England
United
there
States
were
declared
several
But now that the struggle for independence is done, all those
who
are
born
in
the
United
States
also
gain
that
independence.
you don't know you are at war with God then you will not
A Solution Promised
God kept His promise. Adam died; Eve died. All who are born
from Adam and Eve died. God did not have to provide an
17
woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise
you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel"
(Genesis 3:15).
Eve and the serpent (Satan). The serpent would give the
that the heel and head are used. The picture portrays a
Jesus
And that is the rest of the story of the Bible. In the lessons to
18
Scene 2Flood
If you continue the Bible's story,
"FLOOD"
NOAH
that show the extent of man's sin. Man is bent on doing his
own works, pursuing his own desires. God does not allow
humankind to continue on a path away from Him. Rebellion
He chose the last family on earth who sought Him to save the
God." There was one man who still yearned for the days of
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the Gardenthe days before sin when man was satisfied with
sweet communion with God.
In their talks, God told Noah that He would destroy the world
with a global flood. He assigned him the task of warning the
Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives were saved.
and to all of us (we all descend from this one couple). The
Those who
Noah trusted in God, took Him at His Word, and was declared
clear. Mankind goes His own way, like a little sheep, and
needs God to rescue Him. Noah believed God and was saved.
20
1.
Fall's Distortion
2.
3.
4.
5.
whole Bible?
21
with God. But Adam and Eve sinned, plunging humanity and
The next scene we developed was the Flood where the main
God
plan (getting into the ark) will be saved from God's righteous
wrath.
22
instead of making the one man into the only family on earth,
distinct nation among all the others on earth. That man was
Abraham.
"Israel"
Abraham
Abraham.
consider
but we
only
have time
the
to
covenant
Hebrew language uses the same word for father and grandfather, so
the genealogical lists may include some grandfathers with their
grandsons. Obviously, this would extend the length of time
recorded.
23
bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I
will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be
blessed (Genesis 12:1-3).
2.
3.
inheritance.
descendants.
24
to realize that the final promise was not fulfilled clearly until
long after the Old Testament was finished.
will not only defeat Satan's plans but He will also effect a
plan of blessing to all nations of the earthnot just the
Jewish people.
In the remainder of the lesson we will see how the first two
doubting), but he still waited for the first son! How could he
be a father of many nations if he had no children? This was a
great test. But the Lord proved faithful. Abraham had a son
in his one-hundredth year. And yet Abrahams greatest test
of faith was yet to come. It came in the form of a command:
He said, Take now your son, your only son, whom you
Promises, faith,
25
plan, and then God tells him to kill the promised son. What
traveled three days to where God had told him to go. Why
Abraham was ready to kill his son he knew that God would
find a way out; he knew they both would return ("We will
God would raise Isaac from the dead. But it never even came
Jesus.
discover that this very place became Jerusalem and it was the
same mount where one day Jesus, God's only begotten Son,
would give His life. The messenger of the Lord who stopped
the knife that day would eventually give His own life as a
sacrifice, providing a blessing to all the nations of the earth.
This is not conjecture.
there, God is telling those who pay attention that His rescue
plan involved restoring mans relationship with God after
destroying Satans plans of rebellion. God chose to send a
26
"Law"
Moses
That
27
This began a four hundred and thirty year stay in Egypt and
the
sacrificial
system
and
then
also
the
questions.
kept coming up. When God clothed Adam and Eve, He killed
One sacrifice
28
Abel's blood
sacrifice was accepted by God and Cain's was not. The other
sacrifice in Genesis occurred in connection with Noahs ark.
Immediately after exiting the ark, the first thing Noah did
was to make a sacrifice to God.
In this
As Abraham
substitutionary
sacrificethe
Passover
partook
sacrificial
of
this
substitute
was saved from having the death angel kill their firstborn
Gods holiness
required sacrifice once a year for the sins of the leaders and
the people.
29
It gave a specific
And in a real sense, their sins were not yet taken away. As
we will see, Jesus paid the penalty for these sins hundreds of
years later on the cross. Jesus sacrifice is the only one that
can effectively take away sins. But God saw the faith of these
based on the sacrifice that Jesus would give one day in the
future (Romans 3:25-26).
30
1.
List below the main word and main character for the first
four scenes.
Main Word
Main Character
2.
3.
4.
5.
be provided mean?
works.
31
These
ahead
another
five
pace now.
"Kingdom"
David
land.
time of Moses to the time of David (our key figure for this
period).
Everyone did what was right in their own eyes. If you want to
pattern your life after certain actions, don't follow the book
32
of the kings who reigned in Israel for the next five hundred
years (1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles). These
books are filled with the good and the bad reigns of Israels
kingsmostly bad.
The first three kings ruled over an undivided Israel where all
12 tribes followed one King. (The Land promised to Abraham
the next King and then his son, Solomon followed him.
David and Solomon are the most well known kings in Israels
That is not to say that we do not learn from the book. We can learn
from both positive and negative examples. We learn that even those
who have ruined their lives in selfishness can be used of God later in
life if they turn their hearts to God and their talents to His disposal.
33
In the chart
God
(indicated
others
followed
by an asterisk).
The
after
followed
great
imperfectly.
kings
God
Both Saul
wives
who
worshipers.
were
idol
The point
problem
people.
in
continually
God's
Israel's
People
disobey
commands,
but
small
taste
of
the
eternal,
satisfying
34
He
Kingdom
Lost
B.C.
to
conquer
Israels
Isaiah
Kingdom in 586
BC. 7
Notice that the kingdom that had some godly leadership lasted
35
Greater Promises
In the books that develop scenes five through seven, there
are significant promises given to God's people. We will look
at one primary theme that was given repeatedly to King
David and to the prophets.
A Triumphant King
Many of the Old Testament prophecies include wonderful
promises of future spiritual blessing that will come through a
God told David that he would send a Ruler from David's own
descendants Who would reign forever.
It
fulfilled in his son Solomon, but the only way these promises
36
Hindsight is 20/20.
born Who would be called the Mighty God and the Eternal
Father, perhaps we would expect the Son of God to be the
rescue plan. But, as we shall see, very few people expected
Him.
A Suffering Servant
Right along with the verses that prophesy a reign of peace,
will
suffer
theme
sacrifice
of
returns
37
A New Heart
The prophets proclaimed that people must respond in
Even in times of
The prophets spoke of the need for internal and not merely
external obedience.
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit
within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your
27).
the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I
will put My law within them and on their heart I will write
31:31-33).
(Jeremiah
also
compares
38
this
Land
Regained
Nehemiah
the
prophets
changed.
used
particular
to
two
individuals
organize
in
return
39
1.
2.
3.
c. Jeremiah
d. Scene 3
e. Isaiah
f. David
4.
_____
_____
_____
Suffering Servant
Land regained
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
heart?
_____
_____
_____
40
Main Character
the string of promises that began in the Garden and has been
woven through each of the scenes so far (See next page).
After reading the Old Testament, you are left with these
promises unfulfilled.
41
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Word
Garden
Adam
Flood
Noah
Israel
Abraham
Promise
Sacrifice
This event
culminates with
a sacrifice.
Law
Moses
Scene 5
Kingdom
Gained
David
Scene 6
Kingdom
Lost
Isaiah
Scene 7
Kingdom
Regained
Nehemiah
42
This event
culminates with
a sacrifice.
Two major
events in
Abrahams life
climax with a
sacrifice.
A continual
sacrificial
system
communicates
the need for an
effectual,
lasting
sacrifice.
This period
continues a
daily sacrificial
system and the
blessing of
those who
follow.
A human will
come as God
and be the
sacrifice for the
sins of men.
Sacrifices reinstituted
"Gospel"
of
the
(chronologically):
Jesus
New
Testament
Jesus is the
43
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).
In
Being
But God can make His way to be with man and that is the
later in the first chapter John shows us how this will happen.
10
were fulfilled through Jesus life. Its also significant that these were
predictions Jesus couldnt changewhere He was born, who His
parents and grandparents were, or even how He died ("Science
Speaks", Peter Stoner, Moody Press, 1957).
44
Once again, this ties together so many details from the Old
Testament pictures.
possibilities for all who will believe. They are forgiven from
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true
God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (John 17:3).
the
recount
grave.
His
miraculous
unique
signs
Although
of
teaching,
mercy,
they
and
the
for
all
men.
And
Jesus
That is the
rescue plan.
He had to die
to end death
for all men.
broken. The curse of death that fell on all men when Adam
sinned is reversed for all who receive Jesus. Even the effects
45
Scene 9Church
Expansion/Organization
Expansion
"Church"
Acts
The Holy
Spirit
(the
fifth
book
of
the
New
enabling Spirit. 12 The first day that the Holy Spirit came upon
11
Isaiah 42:6, 49:6, 55:5, 61:11; Jeremiah 4:2; Malachi 1:11 for a few
other references.
12
God the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. God is One
but the one God exists eternally in three Persons (God the Father,
God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.)
46
believe the Good News that was proclaimed (his word in the
quote below).
Organization
We have made it to one of the final shelves on our journey
through the library of the Bible. The next to last shelf is the
47
John, and Jude also authored letters, Paul is the key figure
because he wrote more epistles than anyone else.
These letters teach that in the era in which we now live, each
believer is a priest to God because we can come into God's
The communion
Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple
of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will
bring ruin upon anyone who ruins this temple. For God's
Gods
pages of His story (history) are just around the corner. And
48
1.
2.
Main Character
3.
4.
5.
6.
the nations?
power?
49
Scene 10Culmination
Back to the Garden
"Heaven"
God the Father
where
it
themes
of
beganperfect
Revelation
in
Scripture
also
this
makes
meld
book.
more
open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like
the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, 'Come up
here, and I will show you what must take place after these
things'" (Revelation 4:1).
We will look at two major themes that find their climax in this
book. The first is praise for Gods Sacrifice. The second is
50
You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were
slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from
every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have
made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and
they will reign upon the earth (Revelation 5:8-10).
For eternity we
will remember and praise God for the sacrifice of His Son for
our sins. Jesus will be praised because He purchased us back
to
God.
Humanity
was
lost
for
eternity
until
God
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first
51
and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and
there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be
any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have
passed away.
been dealt with once and for all. All those who have been
washed pure with the blood of the Lamb (with Jesus blood)
enter this place of God's presence.
God's tabernacleHis
No more
hiding from God behind the tree. We will once again talk and
walk with Him in a sinless state.
You may have notice that several other things will not be in
God
52
Summary in a Sentence
As we conclude our study of the Bible, it is helpful to try to
combine all we have learned so far in a few short statements.
The Bible is Gods message to us. The major characters are
humanity and God.
promising a family,
making a nation,
installing a ruler,
53
Faith is
salvation flows:
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that
We won't
receive the
curing serum
of salvation
until we
believe.
earned by faith.
Person
earned
We must
salvation
by
living
He
a
as Moses, who did not know as much as David, who did not
know as much as Isaiah, who did not know as much as you.
Through each of the scenes that we considered above, God's
rescue plan unfolded more and more clearly.
on the third day? No. But they were required to believe what
God had revealed to that point. And those who responded to
God's promises in faith and obedience grew closer in
54
Paul brings out the point that both Abraham and David were
justifieddeclared to be right with God by their faith and not
55
It is always by
Basis of
Salvation
Condition
Required for
Content of Faith
promises revealed
Salvation
Always based
entirely on the
sacrifice of Jesus
Christ on the
promises of God
cross
13
Dependant on the
to that point in
history
doesnt live out their faith makes their claim suspect. You can say
you believe a parachute will save you, but it wont save anybody until
they put it on and use it! God's promises often have commands
believed that God gave him a land but he had to leave his own land
56
Conclusion
In our day the full disclosure of Gods rescue plan has been
plan has been fully unfolded. Now we have the full picture
message from God, and you know that many others do not
believe, doesn't it seem fitting for you to tell as many people
57
1.
Main Character
2.
3.
58
4.
Matching:
a. Basis of
_______
b. Content
_______
Salvation
of Faith
c. Condition
Required for
Salvation
5.
6.
_______
59
SCENE 1
SCENE 2
SCENE 3
"GARDEN"
"FLOOD"
"ISRAEL"
Adam
Noah
Abraham
SCENE 4
SCENE 5
SCENE 6
"LAW"
"KINGDOM"
KINGDOM LOST
Moses
David
SCENE 7
SCENE 8
SCENE 9
LAND REGAINED
"GOSPEL"
"CHURCH"
Nehemiah
Jesus
Isaiah
SCENE 10
"HEAVEN" God the FatherGarden Regained
60
Chronology of OT Books
61
Chronology of NT Books
62
Furthering EdificationIn
We are to think, act and live like Jesus. So the end goal is
that each person will be more like Jesus through meeting
together around God's Word.
63