An overview of the Bible narrative
The Bible is a complex compilation of literature composed over almost 2,000 years. A good way to get an overview from a Christian perspective is to read it in terms of a drama in six acts:
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Act 1 – The good creation
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Act 2 – The broken relationship with God
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Act 3 – God's people and his rescue plan
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Act 4 – The coming of Jesus
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Act 5 – The new people of God
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Act 6 – The completion of God's purposes.
The good creation
The Bible commences with God who, out of the primordial chaos and darkness, forms a world. This world is one of beauty, order and light, which is populated at his command with plant, bird and animal life. Finally, he creates humankind in his own image. This may indicate humankind's responsibility to manage creation for God, rather than suggesting that human intelligence or even physicality mirror God's. God declares that the whole of his creation is very good and celebrates this with a day of rest – The Sabbath.
The broken relationship with God and its effect on all creation
Humankind is represented by Adam and Eve, who are told to enjoy their environment (the Garden of Eden) and use everything in it, apart from the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil. They are given immense freedom but it is conditional upon a relationship of trust and obedience towards God.
Falling for the seductive language of the Serpent, Eve and Adam eat the forbidden fruit and cause the break-up of their idyllic existence. God drives them out of the garden, life becomes harsh and the ripple effects of this fragmentation are shown spreading outwards:
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Adam and Eve no longer trust each other
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The first murder occurs as their oldest son Cain kills his brother Abel
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There is drunkenness (see Noah) and sexual immorality (see Sodom and Gomorrah)
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Urban arrogance (see the Tower of Babel) leads to the scattering of the nations and the breakdown of communication and understanding between peoples.
God's people and his rescue plan
The Bible teaches that God always operates to redeem – put right and even transform evil for good. With God's call of Abraham, and the promises to him that all peoples will receive God's blessing through him in Genesis 12:1-3 this becomes evident. God miraculously provides a son, Isaac, and through his descendants (the patriarchs) the growing tribe end up in Egypt (Joseph). Later they are made slaves and Moses is sent to rescue them. Moses promulgates ten plagues on Egypt. He then leads the Israelites from Egypt through the wilderness for forty years where they receive God's law, including the Ten Commandments, eventually reaching the Promised Land.
The books of Joshua – 2 Samuel describe this process of settlement and the formation of the twelve tribes as a nation (Israel) which soon splits into two (Israel and Judah) following the reigns of David and Solomon. The rulers of both kingdoms commit apostasy and first Israel (around 700 BCE. by the Assyrians) and then Judah (around 600 BCE. by the Babylonians) are captured and the leaders deported. Is this another failure for God? No. Amazingly the people are eventually allowed to return from Babylon and rebuild their temple and city.
The coming of Jesus – the fulfilment to God's purposes
Through the last centuries of the Old Testament and beyond, there was a growing sense that God would start again through a chosen person – the Messiah. The New Testament presents Jesus as this Messiah – and indeed the Son of God. His birth, his ministry as a miracle working teacher and especially his death – crucified by the Romans in Jerusalem but at the insistence of the Jewish religious leaders, are seen as the new way God is working to rescue his world and its people. Has he failed again? No. The resurrection of Jesus is shown shattering human categories and limitations and his disciples are sent out with the task of sharing the good news with all peoples.
The new people of God – the church
The rest of the NT describes the formation of God's new people, empowered by the Holy Spirit. This new people includes the Gentiles and even those considered ‘barbarians' as well as Jews. The letters of the Apostle Paul and others provide insights into their thinking and community life as well as the ongoing mission. But still the end has not come. Humans are invited to be part of this drama, living with faithful innovation in the redemptive power of Jesus.
The ultimate completion of God's purposes
The Book of Revelation (the final book in the Bible) provides readers with a picture of cosmic struggles which are always going on and both impact- and are impacted by- human behaviour. But ultimately God redeems – he gathers up all human efforts and performs a new creation, resulting in a new heaven and earth. The cosmic experiment is complete.
- English Standard Version
- King James Version
1Now the Lord said to Abram, Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 4So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, 6Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, To your offspring I will give this land. So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. 9And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb. 10Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, 12and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, This is his wife. Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake. 14When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. 16And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. 17But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. 18So Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19Why did you say, She is my sister, so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go. 20And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.
1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee: 2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. 5And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. 6And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. 8And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD. 9And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south. 10And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. 11And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: 12Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. 13Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. 14And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. 15The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. 16And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. 17And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. 18And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? 19Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way. 20And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
The Christian Bible consists of the Old Testament scriptures inherited from Judaism, together with the New Testament, drawn from writings produced from c.40-125CE, which describe the life of Jesus and the establishment of the Christian church.
Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church.
The Bible describes God as the unique supreme being, creator and ruler of the universe.
The name given to the man believed by Christians to be the Son of God. Also given the title Christ, meaning 'anointed one' or Messiah. His life is recorded most fully in the Four Gospels.
In the Bible, 'creation' can mean both the process by which the universe was made by God and the created order which emerged.
The seventh day of the Jewish week, on which people were to rest from work.
According to Genesis (the first book of the Old Testament), Adam is the first human being, made in the image / likeness of God, placed in the Garden of Eden and given dominion over the earth.
According to the book of Genesis in the Bible the first woman, said to have been created by God out of Adam's rib, to be his companion.
The place described in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament, in which God placed his first human creatures, Adam and Eve.
According to the Book of Genesis, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil grew in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat its fruit by God. When they disobeyed, they lost their innocence and close relationship with God.
The Bible describes God as the unique supreme being, creator and ruler of the universe.
A snake. In some religions and mythologies seen as the embodiment of deceit, cunning and evil, and associated with Satan.
Fruit is often used in the Bible metaphorically to mean the result of an action / word / behaviour.
The firstborn son of Adam and Eve. His killing in jealousy of his brother Abel is the first murder described in the Bible, for which Cain was cursed.
The second son of Adam and Eve and first murder victim in the Bible.
In the Old Testament book of Genesis a righteous man who obeyed God. On God's instruction, Noah built an ark for himself, his family and two of every kind of living creature. They lived in the ark during a great flood and were saved.
In the Old Testament Sodom and Gomorrah were two cities in Palestine renowned for their wickedness.
Episode in the Book of Genesis in which God thwarts an attempt to build a tower to reach heaven by causing humankind to speak in different languages.
The Christian Bible consists of the Old Testament scriptures inherited from Judaism, together with the New Testament, drawn from writings produced from c.40-125CE, which describe the life of Jesus and the establishment of the Christian church.
The Bible describes God as the unique supreme being, creator and ruler of the universe.
Literally, to 'buy back'. In Christian belief, the redemption of humanity was achieved by Jesus who in his death on the cross made a complete sacrifice sufficient to pay for the sins of the world.
The opposite of goodness; thoughts and actions which are in opposition to God's will and result in wrongdoing and harm. That which opposes God.
In the Old Testament Abraham was called by God to search for the land God promised to him and told he would be the 'father of many nations'
The giving of divine favour by God which can be in material or spiritual terms; declaration of God's favour; the act of giving thanks to God.
In the Old Testament the son of Abraham, father of Esau and Jacob, husband of Rebekah.
The principal ancestors of the Israelites: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
In the Old Testament the land where Joseph and Jacob found sustenance in times of famine, though later Israelites were held captive and made to work as slaves for the Pharaoh.
1. Joseph (son of Jacob)
2. Joseph (the carpenter)
3. Joseph of Arimathea
Very important Jewish leader described in the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament. Moses led the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. Received the Ten Commandments form God.
The Bible states that ten plagues were sent by God on the Egyptians to secure the release of the Israelites from slavery.
Descendants of Israel (Jacob) and occupants of Israel.
In the Old Testament wilderness is comparable to the word desert. It usually means a rocky, dry wasteland. It is also the traditional place of trial and temptation, as Jesus encountered after his baptism.
Also called 'The Decalogue' (Ten Words). Instructions said to have been given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, which have not only shaped Jewish and Christian belief and practice but also strongly influenced the legal systems of many countries.
The land said to be promised by God to Abraham and his descendants in the Old Testament.
The descendents of the twelve sons of Jacob, who formed the nation of Israel. The tribes are central to Israel's identity.
The Old Testament frequently refers to Israel as the Promised Land allocated to God's children. Prophecies refer to it as his chosen nation and the one out of which the Messiah would come.
1. The fourth son of Jacob. 2. One of the twelve tribes of Israel. 3. The kingdom which covered the southern area of Palestine.
In the Old Testament the second king of Israel, after Saul, anointed by Samuel to be king.
In the Old Testament the son of David; third king of Israel, whose Temple to God was a magnificent symbol of God's might. Famous for his wisdom.
Apostate: Someone who renounces their religious faith.
Apostasy: The act of renouncing one's faith, in some cases involving conversation to another faith.
Assyria was a powerful ancient empire which conquered Israel in the eighth century BCE.
Babylon, the capital city of Babylonia in ancient Mesopotamia (mostly modern Iraq), mentioned some 200 times in the Bible.
A sacred building used for worship. In the Bible, the Temple was the centre of Jewish worship in Jerusalem. In the New Testament, the term is also used as an image of the believer's physical body.
A 'testament' is a covenant or binding agreement and is a term used in the Bible of God's relationship with his people). The sacred writings of Judaism (the Hebrew Bible). These also form the first part of the Christian Bible.
A Hebrew word meaning 'anointed one', describing someone who will be the saviour of the people. Title (eventually used as name) given to Jesus.
A 'testament' is a covenant (binding agreement), a term used in the Bible of God's relationship with his people. The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible. Its name comes from the new covenant or relationship with God.
The name given to the man believed by Christians to be the Son of God. Also given the title Christ, meaning 'anointed one' or Messiah. His life is recorded most fully in the Four Gospels.
Title used of Jesus in the New Testament and in Christian statements of belief.
An event evoking wonder, believed to be the result of supernatural intervention.
Executed by nailing or binding a person to a cross.
The city on a hill (Mt. Zion) which King David captured and made the capital of Israel. It was the site of the Temple built by Solomon and of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Today it is still a holy city for Jews, Christians and Muslims.
1) In the Bible a member of the Hebrew race
2) Someone who belongs to the Jewish faith which believes in one God and the importance of Jewish Law.
Literally, rising to life again. In the Bible it is specifically applied to Jesus Christ's coming to life after his crucifixion; and from thence, to the hope of all believers that after death, they will be raised to a new life in heaven.
1. Term meaning learner or follower.
2. Used in the New Testament in particularly of the twelve apostles of Jesus.
3. Now applied more generally to all Christians.
Gospel - Literally 'good news' - used of the message preached by Jesus recorded in the New Testament.
1. The central message of the Christian faith
2. Title given to the four New Testament books which describe the life of Jesus Christ
The Bible describes God as the unique supreme being, creator and ruler of the universe.
The third person of the Trinity (God in three persons). Came upon the disciples at Pentecost after Jesus had ascended in to heaven.
Name given to non-Jews.
1) In the Bible a member of the Hebrew race
2) Someone who belongs to the Jewish faith which believes in one God and the importance of Jewish Law.
The twelve disciples chosen and commissioned by Jesus to share his mission.
The 'Apostle to the Gentiles' (d. c. CE 65). Paul had a major role in setting up the Early Church and is believed to be the author of several letters in the Bible.
1. A group of people sent out to share religious faith.
2. The task of sharing faith.
Literally, to 'redeem' is to 'buy back'. In Christian belief, the redemption of humanity was achieved by Jesus who in his death on the cross made a complete sacrifice for the sins of the world.
The Christian Bible consists of the Old Testament scriptures inherited from Judaism, together with the New Testament, drawn from writings produced from c.40-125CE, which describe the life of Jesus and the establishment of the Christian church.
The Bible describes God as the unique supreme being, creator and ruler of the universe.
Literally, to 'buy back'. In Christian belief, the redemption of humanity was achieved by Jesus who in his death on the cross made a complete sacrifice sufficient to pay for the sins of the world.
Term used in the writings of Paul to describe the radical change in an individual through entering into a relationship with Christ.
In many religions, the place where God dwells, and to which believers aspire after their death. Sometimes known as Paradise.
Covers the lifespan of Moses' successor, Joshua and describes the conquest of Canaan ending with the covenant renewal ceremony at Shechem, which established the tribes of Israel in united allegiance to God.
Big idea: Promised Land
1 and 2 Samuel: Advent of chronological record of events, particularly the story of David; central figure of Samuel (judge and prophet); interest focused on the issue of kingship; Samuel anoints first Saul (the first king of Israel) then David. Key events include David's victory over the Philistine champion, Goliath, his affair with Bathsheba and rebellion by his son Absalom. The period covered by their reigns was 1050 BCE until 971BCE. David reigned in Jerusalem for the last 33 years of his life.
Famous stories from the Bible: David and Goliath; Big ideas: Women in the Bible
