Have you ever picked up the Bible and felt lost in the massive text in front of you? The Bible is both God’s story and his Word to his people, but when you read a verse or a chapter, do you understand what he is saying?
As we go through this study together, we want to help give you a big picture of what each part of the Bible means and give you a better understanding of how to approach it. First and foremost, you are not alone in navigating this big book of Scripture. Each word was written by humans but was inspired by God. This means that God, through the Holy Spirit, commissioned human authors to write his Word. Therefore, as you dive into Scripture, ask him to speak to you. God has given you the Holy Spirit as your helper, and he will not leave you with his story in your hands without a guide to help you understand it. As you open your Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you.
The Bible allows us to see God’s presence throughout history. From the first words of creation until today, a pattern within humanity of fellowship-rebellion-exile-restoration has repeated itself. Seeing this same pattern in our own lives, we come to terms with the reality that our struggles are universal and there is only one redeemer capable of rescue. The Bible is one big story of God rescuing his people.
The basic story line of the Bible is:
- Creation: God created everything, and he had a plan.
- The Fall: Humans screwed it up. We wanted to go our own way, and selfishness spread to all humanity, which means every single person is born into sin. There is an enemy that spoke into that selfishness and speaks into our lives today.
- Flood: There was judgment and a flood—a reset where Noah and the animals survived. Given the chance, humanity again completely screwed it up. But God redeemed the story with a chosen people.
- Covenant people through Israel: He began a new story through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. A baby is born to Abraham in his old age and that baby would be the seed that would eventually lead to Jesus.
- Jesus the Messiah: Jesus, the Messiah, is born into the people of Israel. He put the sins of the earth on his shoulders and died for our sins so we could live forever with God.
- The Church: Today, the church is the family of God. All those who have trusted in Jesus. That church is supposed to be about one thing: giving the great hope of Jesus away.
- Our Hope: There is a future hope that is coming. We’re going to be with Jesus forever in the new heavens and new earth. We are the family of God. So, our purpose here is joining the story of God and giving it away.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells this story, but when you open up the table of contents and see sixty-six different books, how do they all fit together? What order are they in and why? Whether you are new to the Bible—or you just need help remembering how it all fits together—we are going to give you a big overview of the books of the Bible so that you know how to understand what you’re reading when you open this big book.
We live in between Jesus revealed and Jesus returning. With the Bible, we hold in our hands God’s expression of the full arc of his grace, and our most useful tool for both getting to know God and discovering our calling. Thanks be to God.
Just knowing that God is always near is comforting. His love for me inspires me to want to learn more by reading His word and understanding what He wants/needs me to know.
I want to become more connected to God and I am trying to do so with my bible.
I’ve been saved for a long time and have always struggled with reading God’s Word. I don’t want to be lukewarm and I don’t want Jesus to say, “depart from me I never knew you”. I long for the Holy Spirit to show me how to understand God’s Word. When I’m at my worst with my spouse and my kids or even in my own thoughts, I know God’s Grace is sufficient and forgiveness comes. But I want to learn to fix my eyes on Jesus so the days of “worst” are fewer. Knowing that His kingdom is unshakeable, I am motivated to see how He can make my days here less shakeable when I’m giving Him the worship He deserves by getting to know who He is.
Amen
It is so good that my salvation, my life and every single day depends on GOD and His faithfulness, rather than on me. I can count on His word to keep it’s promise.
I just to be able to connect more to God and his word. I always had this fear about it, it is hard for me to explain, but I am hoping this study will help me break free.
It is encouraging to know that I can not change His story. Whether I listen to his will for my life or try do do it my way, His will will be done.
It reminds me that God’s Story is the source of my assurance and that knowing it well – continuing to renew my mind will allow me to live in the grace and peace He offers…no matter my circumstances…And the absolutely best way for me to know His story is to get it first hand from His word!
The truth that “nothing is a surprise to God” motivates me in the decisions I have made in past in the present and in the future are not a surprise to my creator and that I am blessed with his Holy Spirit saved by His Son Jesus to guide me through his living word in staying rooted in his truth for my life.
It reassures me that no matter how badly I fail, my actions won’t stop God’s plans from happening. He loves me and there’s nothing that can take His love for me away.
I think knowing that God’s plan is on track gives me the strength to endure and persevere and reading the scriptures is the means to endure!