Fully Devoted: An IntroductionSample

What Is the Story of the Bible?

The Bible is a story that leads to Jesus, and then changes us to be more like Him. It’s the story of God’s redemptive plan to rescue humanity and restore creation, which is fulfilled through Jesus. 

The story of the Bible begins with Genesis and ends in Revelation—and everything in between is a part of that larger narrative. Some parts of the Bible are very clearly moving this narrative forward, while other parts are intended to help us see God, ourselves, and the world in a new way—a way that more accurately reflects truth. 

It takes place across six major acts.

 Creation — Fall — Israel — Jesus — The Church — New Creation

Creation (Genesis 1-2): This is the beginning of God’s story. He creates everything, and He calls it good. Then, He creates human beings in His image. This means that on page one of the Bible, we are created with dignity, value, and purpose. 

God created human beings to live in relationship with Him and partner with Him in ruling over His creation. This part of the story ends with the beautiful truth that the first humans were completely vulnerable and they felt no shame. 

Fall (Genesis 3-11): This part of the story is where everything goes wrong. The first humans are tempted in the garden and give in to their desires. God wanted to partner with them, but they wanted to rule over Him. 

This moment of rebellion ravages God’s good creation as sin invades, infecting everything. Heaven and earth are ripped apart. We see the destructive nature of sin, and how our rebellion was a violation of the way things are supposed to be. 

Israel (Genesis 12-Malachi): The rest of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) is the story of God establishing a kingdom of human partners who work with Him to begin reintroducing peace into the world. It begins with a man named Abraham, whom God uses to build a family that eventually becomes a great nation. 

As the story unfolds, we see how deep the corruption of sin runs. Every time things appear to be going really well, somebody gets tempted by status, wealth, or power. 

But God never turns His back on His people. He remains faithful. He offers grace and forgiveness no matter how many times His people stumble. Throughout this part of the story, God keeps telling His people that there will come a day when sin is defeated, peace is restored, and all the nations acknowledge that the God of Israel is the one true God. But the question remains: When will these promises come true? 

Jesus (Matthew–John): God’s promises are fulfilled when Jesus, the God of heaven and earth, enters history in the form of a human. And He brings good news: The kingdom of God is near! 

That good news is what we call the Gospel—the announcement that through Jesus, our God has once again become King; His kingdom is coming on earth as it is in heaven; and everyone has an invitation into this kingdom.

This is the heart of the biblical story: Jesus lived, died, and rose again. As a result, everything is different—sin, death, and hell have been disarmed. Because of Jesus, we have been filled by God’s Spirit and restored to our place as His partners.

The Church (Acts–Jude): Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He charged His followers to continue what He started: partnering with God to rescue humanity from sin. On the cross, Jesus won the battle against sin, death, and hell, but there is still work to be done. God’s kingdom is partially here, but not completely. Until the day Jesus returns to finish what He started, we have been called to serve Jesus faithfully. 

Our role is to present a preview of what’s to come—when heaven and earth are one. When this happens, God will make all things new, evil will be eradicated, and the cancer of sin will finally be removed. 

As we eagerly anticipate that day, we love our neighbors, we do what’s right, and we walk humbly with God, knowing that nothing we do for Jesus will ever be in vain. 

New Creation (Revelation): The end of the biblical story is not God throwing out the old and bringing in the new. Instead, it’s God making all things new. 

The story ends where it began—with a garden called Eden where heaven and earth are one, and God dwells with His people. Only this time, Eden isn’t just a garden. This time, Eden will be a spacious city that people from every tongue, tribe, and nation will call home. 

Since the end is just the beginning, the new creation will be free from the corruptive power of sin and filled instead with the worship of God. Biblical authors tell us that it will be so good that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no heart has imagined the things that God has in store for those who love Him. 

The story of the Bible is the story of God’s redemptive plan to rescue humanity from sin and restore creation. It’s a story that starts and ends in Eden. It’s the story of God, us, and the world. It’s a story that all of us are a part of. And it’s a story that all of us have a part to play in. 

Journaling Questions

• Based on today’s reading, write what the Gospel is in your own words.
• Does this understanding of the Bible and the Gospel differ from what you thought before? How so? 
• How do you understand your role in the story of Scripture?

Memory Verse

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 NIV