The Story of God: Scripture

Listen along as we begin our journey through the Bible.

Colossians 3:16-17 - Jon

What the Bible ISN’T:
Moralistic
Characteristic
Fatalistic
Individualistic 
Consumeristic
Doctrinalistic
Fictionalistic 

What is the bible?
The Story of God that leads to and centers on Jesus, shaping the people of God for life and flourishing.

The Bible isn’t a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne—everything— to rescue the one he loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life! There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them. - Jesus Story Book Bible

 

Structure of the Bible:
Creation 
Fall
Redemption Initiated
Redemption Accomplished
Mission of the Church
Redemption Completed 

“Mission is not just one of a list of things that the Bible happens to talk about, only a bit more urgently than some. Mission is, in that much-abused phrase, "what it's all about.”” - Christopher Wright

“Each word must be understood within its own verse, each verse within its on chapter, each chapter within its own book, and each book within its own historical, cultural, and indeed canonical setting,” - NT Wright

“If we as believers allow this story (culture) rather than the bible to become the foundation of our thought and action, then our lives will manifest not the truths of Scripture, but the lies of an idolatrous culture. Hence, the unity of Scripture is no minor matter: a fragmented Bible may actually produce theologically orthodox, morally upright, warmly pious idol worshippers!” - Mike Goheen

John 5:36-40

Luke 24:25-27

Questions to ask when reading the Bible:
What’s going on? (story//context)
Where is the good news? (Jesus) 
How has the church seen this through history? Communion of the saints//Community
How does this shape us toward flourishing in life?

Psalm 119:105
Hebrews 4:12
Ephesians 6:17