THE BIBLE AS A STORY

For those who are not familiar with the Bible, they say it is scary to read. Some view the Bible as a very mysterious book that only a chosen few can understand. For others, it is discouraging to read because it is very thick, very long, and confusing. One of the common questions of those who are just starting to study the Bible is how it should be understood. This question could be answered in many ways.

Seeing the Bible's "big picture" is one of the easiest and most useful ways to start studying it. To see the big picture is to understand that the Bible is just one long connected story. Yes, there are so many stories and characters that can be read in it, but if you think about it, everything mentioned in the 66 books of the Bible can be divided into just a few sections.

1. CREATION — Genesis 1–2

God created the heavens and the earth through His word. He also created Adam and Eve, placed them in the garden, and gave them the responsibility to be caretakers of the entire creation.

2. FALL — Genesis 3–6:1–8

Even though God had already given the first humans the whole of creation to enjoy and manage, they still chose to disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit (Gen 3). As a consequence, they were expelled from the garden. This is called the Fall.

Because of this, the course of the story changed. The human race became more rebellious toward God. The first murder occurred (Gen 4:1–15); the first polygamy (v. 19); and human wickedness intensified. God had to bring the great flood as judgment on the fallen world (Gen 9:11–13).

3. PATRIARCHS — Genesis 6:9–50:26

God chose ordinary people out of the sinful world as a means of undoing the damage of human rebellion. At this point in the story, Noah appears (Gen 6:9–9:28), who, together with his family, was saved by the Lord from the great flood. After some time, God chose Abram (later called Abraham) and promised him numerous descendants and land that would belong to them. God also promised that through his family, all nations would be blessed (Gen 12:1–3). 

Because of the agreement (or covenant) between Abraham and the Lord, we see why the Lord was actively involved in the lives of those who followed him—Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Judah, and others. These chosen people were called the patriarchs. They were the ancestors of Israel.

4. ISRAEL — Exodus to Malachi

The descendants of Abraham multiplied, just as God had promised. They went to Egypt and became slaves for a long time. God remembered His covenant with their ancestors (Ex 2:24), and so He delivered them through Moses. God’s mighty act of delivering them from slavery was called the Exodus.

The Exodus was a defining moment in the history of Israel. After God rescued them, the Lord established a new agreement, or covenant, between Himself and the descendants of Abraham. This is where the Law entered the story, as God revealed His rules and regulations for the nation of Israel. These instructions are found in the books of Exodus through Deuteronomy.

They entered the Promised Land through Joshua, marking a new chapter in their history because they now had their own territory given by the Lord. A large portion of the Old Testament tells the story of the ups and downs in God’s relationship with Israel. We read about judges (tribal leaders), kings, and prophets. Whenever Israel forgot their covenant with God, the Lord allowed them to reap the consequences. They suffered hardships from their enemies, famines, division, exiles, and many more trials. Yet God continued to keep His covenant with them despite their repeated disobedience. Through the prophets, God promised that a Messiah would come to save the people.

5. JESUS — Matthew to John

After a long period of time, God fulfilled what He had promised to Israel. Christ entered the story and changed the course of what followed. Jesus not only fulfilled the Law by obeying it perfectly (Matt 5:17), He also fulfilled all the prophecies about the coming Messiah (Luke 24:44; John 5:39). He did not only teach the truth about the Kingdom of God; He also opened the way for people to enter it. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

The Jewish religious authorities did not accept His message, so they plotted to put Him to death. Christ did not run away from the evil plans of the religious leaders because this was part of the mission for which He came. He was crucified, but after three days He rose again in victory! After He was resurrected from the dead and before He returned to heaven, He commanded His followers to make disciples—not only from Israel, but from all nations (Matt 28:19–20). He also promised that He would not leave His followers and that the Holy Spirit would come to help them in their mission (John 14:16–17).

6. CHURCH — Acts to Jude

After Christ ascended to heaven, only a few days passed before the Holy Spirit came to empower the disciples for their mission (Acts 2).

What started with just a few people grew into many followers of Christ. Through their efforts, the message about Christ reached more people from different races and backgrounds, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham that through his family all nations would be blessed. The book of Acts tells how the early church became witnesses to more people and what challenges they faced while carrying out the mission. It is also evident how active the Holy Spirit was in guiding and blessing them. Here we come to know more clearly the figures of Paul, Peter, Stephen, Barnabas, Philip, and others.

We better understand what happened in the early church when we read the letters of Christian leaders such as Paul, Peter, James, and John written to them. The letters or epistles show not only the difficulties the early believers encountered, but also the instructions given to them on how to deal with the hardships and adjustments they faced. These letters contain guidance, encouragement, and correction for the early followers of Christ.

7. END TIMES — Revelation

The early Christians had to endure persecution for their faith. The final book of the Bible was written to give them assurance that their suffering was not in vain, because God’s purpose will ultimately be fulfilled—no matter what happens. The Devil will soon be defeated (Rev 20:7–10), the wicked will be judged (vv. 11–15), and the sufferings and evils of this fallen world will soon come to an end (Rev 21:4–8). For God will restore and renew everything affected by sin in the new heaven and the new earth (Rev 21–22).

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The Bible is more than a story, but not less than one. It does not merely tell what happened in the past concerning God’s actions; it is also an invitation for us today to have a relationship with Him, just like the people before us. Through the Bible, the Lord speaks. Through His Word, He reveals Himself. Through the Scriptures, God calls us to believe. Stay Curious.