The Story of the Bible

To understand the Old Testament fully, you need to understand it within the context of the entire Bible.  Here is a summary of the story of the Bible.

Old Testament Sections

  1. Creation – God created the world out of nothing.
  2. Fall – Mankind rebelled against God.
  3. Flood – God punished sin.
  4. Covenant – God made a covenant with Abraham’s family.
  5. Placement – God placed Joseph and his family in Egypt.
  6. Exodus – God rescued the Israelites from bondage.
  7. Commandments – God gave commandments to His rescued people.
  8. Wanderings – Israel’s rebellion caused delay arriving in the Promised Land.
  9. Canaan – God gave the Promised Land to the Israelites.
  10. Cycle – Israel got stuck in an idolatrous cycle.
  11. Rejection – Israel rejected God and desired a man to lead them.
  12. Kingdom – David and Solomon led Israel to become a powerful kingdom.
  13. Division – The people’s sin created a division between Israel and Judah.
  14. Exile – Pagan nations defeated God’s people and sent them into exile.
  15. Return – A faithful remnant returns to Israel attempting to rebuild again.

New Testament Sections

  1. Incarnation – God in the flesh comes to earth on a rescue mission.
  2. Preparation – John the Baptist prepares the way for the Messiah.
  3. Ministry – Jesus teaches and acts with authority.
  4. Disciples – Jesus calls and equips a group to follow him.
  5. Associations – Jesus rebukes the prideful and welcomes the humble.
  6. Crucifixion – Jesus volunteers to take the place for us upon the cross.
  7. Resurrection – Jesus defeats sin, death, and the powers of hell on Resurrection Sunday.
  8. Commission – Jesus sends out his disciples to make more disciples.
  9. Pentecost – The Holy Spirit empowers the disciples to continue the work of Jesus.
  10. Persecution – Persecution of the disciples causes the mission to spread further.
  11. Damascus – Paul is converted and leads the missionary movement.
  12. Council – The Church leaders affirm the gospel doors are open to all people.
  13. Church – Leaders are equipped and churches are planted.
  14. Instructions – Letters are written to clarify beliefs and behaviors among the churches.
  15. Re-Creation – Jesus is coming back to make all things new.

The Bible Summarized

God created the heavens and the earth

Mankind rebelled trying to prove their worth

Sin escalated to the shedding of blood

God’s wrath displayed in the form of a flood

Yet one was blessed to be a blessing

A nation promised, a Messiah coming

A people rescued out from slavery

The Law given to show their inability

Finally settled into the Promised Land

Yet the cycle of sin punished again and again

A kingdom established, kings took up the crown

Yet the greatest of men still let the people down

A nation divided while prophets warned in the streets

Until godless enemies came and administered defeats

A people in exile suffering with their guilt

A remnant returns, a city rebuilt

The people feared if they’d been left on their own

400 silent years before the answer was known

 

Glory to God and peace upon the earth

A Savior was given, a virgin gave birth

God in the flesh lived free from sin

Jesus conveyed grace and truth from within

Recognized as teaching with authority

Despised and rejected by the Pharisees

Christ crucified on the hill of Calvary

Exchanged righteousness for our depravity

Yet on the third day, the Savior would rise

Commissioned the disciples in his ascent to the sky

The Holy Spirit empowered, the gospel unashamed

The Church established, giving everything away

No amount of persecution could keep the message back

Paul was converted, proclaimed the faith he attacked

Among the nations, churches were multiplied

Letters were sent, doctrine and practice clarified

A revelation was given for though the future seems grim

Christ will return and we will be with him