The Bible is not a collection of disconnected, moralistic stories. It is the one overarching story of how the cross of Christ will rescue a fallen people.
OLD TESTAMENT SECTIONS
- Creationβ God created the world out of nothing.
- Fallβ Mankind rebelled against God.
- Floodβ God punished sin.
- Covenantβ God made a covenant with Abrahamβs family.
- Placementβ God placed Joseph and his family in Egypt.
- Exodusβ God rescued the Israelites from bondage.
- Commandmentsβ God gave commandments to His rescued people.
- Wanderingsβ Israelβs rebellion caused delay arriving in the Promised Land.
- Canaanβ God gave the Promised Land to the Israelites.
- Cycleβ Israel got stuck in an idolatrous cycle.
- Rejectionβ Israel rejected God and desired a man to lead them.
- Kingdomβ David and Solomon led Israel to become a powerful kingdom.
- Divisionβ The peopleβs sin created a division between Israel and Judah.
- Exileβ Pagan nations defeated Godβs people and sent them into exile.
- Returnβ A faithful remnant returns to Israel attempting to rebuild again.
NEW TESTAMENT SECTIONS
- Incarnationβ God in the flesh comes to earth on a rescue mission.
- Preparationβ John the Baptist prepares the way for the Messiah.
- Ministryβ Jesus teaches and acts with authority.
- Disciplesβ Jesus calls and equips a group to follow him.
- Associationsβ Jesus rebukes the prideful and welcomes the humble.
- Crucifixionβ Jesus volunteers to take the place for us upon the cross.
- Resurrectionβ Jesus defeats sin, death, and the powers of hell on Resurrection Sunday.
- Commissionβ Jesus sends out his disciples to make more disciples.
- Pentecostβ The Holy Spirit empowers the disciples to continue the work of Jesus.
- Persecutionβ Persecution of the disciples causes the mission to spread further.
- Damascusβ Paul is converted and leads the missionary movement.
- Councilβ The Church leaders affirm the gospel doors are open to all people.
- Churchβ Leaders are equipped and churches are planted.
- Instructionsβ Letters are written to clarify beliefs and behaviors among the churches.
- Re-Creationβ 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
Godβs 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 theyβd 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

Travis Agnew serves asΒ the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC.Β His most recent book is Just (About) Married.