The Field Guide to the Bible Reading PlanShembull

Six Parts of the Bible

Think of the Bible as an epic with six parts.

1. Creation. God created the world and declared it ‘good’. Humans were made in God’s image to flourish in the presence of God and to extend God’s order and goodness on earth.
2. Rebellion. Humanity didn’t trust God and sought to become like God. Relationships with God, one another and creation were broken.
3. Israel. God chose Abraham and Sarah so that their descendants (the nation of Israel) would be a blessing to all the nations.
4. Redemption. God sent his Son, Jesus who lived among us. Jesus revealed what God is like and restored our relationship to God through his life and teaching, death and resurrection.
5. The Church. The community of Jesus’ followers realised what Jesus did and what it meant for all people. After Jesus had defeated sin and death, their love for him motivated this community (the Church) to be obedient to Jesus by announcing this good news everywhere.
6. Restoration. Jesus will return to earth to reward faithfulness, restore creation, judge evil in this world and fully bring God’s Kingdom on earth.

Action:

With each part of an epic think of a story and how you fit into it. For example Part 1 Creation, what does the Bible say about you (here is a clue – Psalm 139:14)?