The Bible tells one overarching story: God creates the world to be good, but humanity rebels and sins, disrupting God's creation. Over many centuries and through many authors, the Bible follows God's plan to redeem humanity. God chooses Abraham and his descendants to establish a special relationship with and gives them laws to follow. However, the Israelites often disobey God. After many warnings through prophets, their kingdoms are destroyed but God promises a future savior who will establish an eternal kingdom.

1. The Overall Story of the BibleThe Overall Story of the Bible
IntroductionIntroduction

2. The Bible has anThe Bible has an
amazing composition.amazing composition.
 Written over 1600 yearsWritten over 1600 years
 Written by over 40 authorsWritten by over 40 authors
 Written on 3 continents: Asia, Africa,Written on 3 continents: Asia, Africa,
EuropeEurope
 And it all fits together coherently!And it all fits together coherently!

3. The Bible reveals these thingsThe Bible reveals these things
through telling a big, overall story.through telling a big, overall story.
 Though containing many teachings andThough containing many teachings and
smaller stories, an overall story emergessmaller stories, an overall story emerges
that gives thethat gives the big picturebig picture of how God isof how God is
redeeming humanity.redeeming humanity.
 Knowing this overall story helps us makeKnowing this overall story helps us make
better sense of the Bible’sbetter sense of the Bible’s partsparts too.too.

4. Background onBackground on
How the Bible Is OrganizedHow the Bible Is Organized
 Historical BooksHistorical Books
Genesis through EstherGenesis through Esther
 Poetic BooksPoetic Books
Job through Song of SongsJob through Song of Songs
 Prophetic BooksProphetic Books
Isaiah through MalachiIsaiah through Malachi
Old TestamentOld Testament New TestamentNew Testament
 Historical BooksHistorical Books
Matthew through ActsMatthew through Acts
 Epistles/LettersEpistles/Letters
Romans through JudeRomans through Jude
 Prophetic BookProphetic Book
RevelationRevelation
Ancient Time to ~400 BCAncient Time to ~400 BC ~0 AD to ~100 AD~0 AD to ~100 AD

5. Part 1Part 1
The BeginningThe Beginning

6. A)A) The Story Set-up:The Story Set-up:
God Creates a Good WorldGod Creates a Good World
 God creates the universe andGod creates the universe and
peoplepeople
 God tells man how to liveGod tells man how to live
 Everything is in harmony withEverything is in harmony with
itself and Goditself and God
 Life is beautiful and peopleLife is beautiful and people
can live forever as long ascan live forever as long as
they follow Godthey follow God
Genesis 1 & 2

7. B) The Conflict / Problem:B) The Conflict / Problem:
People Rebel and Throw the WorldPeople Rebel and Throw the World
Into DisarrayInto Disarray
 The first people choose toThe first people choose to
disobey Goddisobey God
 They experience shame, guiltThey experience shame, guilt
and fear for the first timeand fear for the first time
 As a result, God says life willAs a result, God says life will
now be full of pain, futility,now be full of pain, futility,
conflict, and deathconflict, and death
 People are cast out of God’sPeople are cast out of God’s
presence on earthpresence on earth
Genesis 3

8. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 Within one generation, we have the firstWithin one generation, we have the first
murder—brother kills brothermurder—brother kills brother
Genesis 4

9. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 As people multiply, violence andAs people multiply, violence and
corruption spreads across the worldcorruption spreads across the world
Genesis 5 - 6:5

10. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 God grieves over how bad things get. HeGod grieves over how bad things get. He
sends a worldwide flood to destroy all butsends a worldwide flood to destroy all but
the family of Noah and one pair of eachthe family of Noah and one pair of each
animal who can repopulate the earth.animal who can repopulate the earth.
Genesis 6:6-9

11. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 Noah’s descendents ignore God and seekNoah’s descendents ignore God and seek
to build a city and tower to their ownto build a city and tower to their own
greatness.greatness.
Genesis 11:1-4

12. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 God breaks them up by separating themGod breaks them up by separating them
into different languages and nationsinto different languages and nations
across the world.across the world.
Genesis 10; 11:5-11

13. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 In summary, people have turned awayIn summary, people have turned away
from God, messed up their lives and thefrom God, messed up their lives and the
world, and they keep doing this over andworld, and they keep doing this over and
over.over.

14. C) The Solution - First Phase:C) The Solution - First Phase:
God’s Chooses Abraham andGod’s Chooses Abraham and
Some of His DescendentsSome of His Descendents
 God talks to a manGod talks to a man
Abraham. God says he willAbraham. God says he will
bless Abraham, make of himbless Abraham, make of him
a great nation, and througha great nation, and through
himhim allall nations will benations will be
blessed.blessed.
Genesis 12-20
(~2,000 BC)

15. C) The Solution, First PhaseC) The Solution, First Phase
 Though imperfect, Abraham believes GodThough imperfect, Abraham believes God
and follows him, even though he and hisand follows him, even though he and his
wife are very old and have no son.wife are very old and have no son.
Genesis 12 - 20

16. C) The Solution, First PhaseC) The Solution, First Phase
 After 25 years of waiting, God givesAfter 25 years of waiting, God gives
Abraham and his wife a son, Isaac, whoAbraham and his wife a son, Isaac, who
will inherit God’s promises.will inherit God’s promises.
Genesis 21 - 24
(Job is set sometime around this time period)

17. C) The Solution, First PhaseC) The Solution, First Phase
 When he grows up, Isaac has twin sons.When he grows up, Isaac has twin sons.
God chooses the younger twin, Jacob, toGod chooses the younger twin, Jacob, to
inherit his promises.inherit his promises.
Genesis 25 - 27

18. C) The Solution, First PhaseC) The Solution, First Phase
 Israel has 12 sons.Israel has 12 sons.
One son, Joseph,One son, Joseph,
trusts in and obeystrusts in and obeys
God. But the otherGod. But the other
brothers are jealousbrothers are jealous
of Joseph and sellof Joseph and sell
him into slavery.him into slavery.
Genesis 35:16-38

19. C) The Solution, First PhaseC) The Solution, First Phase
 Through amazingThrough amazing
circumstances,circumstances,
Joseph becomesJoseph becomes
prime minister ofprime minister of
Egypt, and the restEgypt, and the rest
of the family comesof the family comes
to join him.to join him.
Genesis 39-50

20. Part 2Part 2
The MiddleThe Middle

21. A)A) The Second Part Set-up:The Second Part Set-up:
God Establishes Israel AsGod Establishes Israel As
His Chosen NationHis Chosen Nation
 Many years later, Israel’s descendentsMany years later, Israel’s descendents
have grown to hundreds of thousands, buthave grown to hundreds of thousands, but
they are now all Egyptian slaves.they are now all Egyptian slaves.
Exodus 1
(~1,500 BC)

22. A) The Second Part Set-upA) The Second Part Set-up
 God raises up a man, Moses, to lead themGod raises up a man, Moses, to lead them
out of Egypt.out of Egypt.
Exodus 2 – 7:13

23. A) The Second Part Set-upA) The Second Part Set-up
 After a series of 10 divinely caused plagues,After a series of 10 divinely caused plagues,
the Egyptian king agrees to let Moses andthe Egyptian king agrees to let Moses and
the Israelites leave miraculously.the Israelites leave miraculously.
Exodus 7:14 - 18

24. A) The Second Part Set-upA) The Second Part Set-up
 Once they are out ofOnce they are out of
Egypt, God gives MosesEgypt, God gives Moses
and the Israelites 10and the Israelites 10
commandments andcommandments and
other laws to follow,other laws to follow,
saying they will besaying they will be
blessed if they obey, butblessed if they obey, but
cursed if they disobey.cursed if they disobey.
Exodus 19 – Numbers 12

25. B) The 2nd Part Conflict / Problem:B) The 2nd Part Conflict / Problem:
The Israelites Usually Don’t Trust inThe Israelites Usually Don’t Trust in
GodGod
 The rescued IsraelitesThe rescued Israelites
keep rebelling againstkeep rebelling against
God. So God says HeGod. So God says He
will not permit them towill not permit them to
enter their promisedenter their promised
land. They have to travelland. They have to travel
in the wilderness untilin the wilderness until
their generation dies out.their generation dies out.
Numbers 14 - 36

26. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 After 40 years, God renews his covenantAfter 40 years, God renews his covenant
with the next generation of Israelites.with the next generation of Israelites.
Then Moses’ successor, Joshua, leadsThen Moses’ successor, Joshua, leads
them into thethem into the
promisedpromised land.land.
Deuteronomy 1 - Joshua 24

27. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 However, the very nextHowever, the very next
generation turns togeneration turns to
worshipping otherworshipping other
gods.gods.
Judges 1 - 2

28. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 For the next 300 years, the IsraelitesFor the next 300 years, the Israelites
follow a pattern: They face a foe, they callfollow a pattern: They face a foe, they call
out to God, God sends someone to helpout to God, God sends someone to help
them, but once their problem is solved,them, but once their problem is solved,
they turn away from God again.they turn away from God again.
Judges 3 - 1 Samuel 7
(~1,400 – 1,100 BC)

29. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 The Israelites askThe Israelites ask
God for a king, andGod for a king, and
after warning themafter warning them
about how kings act,about how kings act,
God chooses Saul toGod chooses Saul to
be their first king.be their first king.
1 Samuel 8 - 10

30. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 Saul begins well, butSaul begins well, but
he starts disobeyinghe starts disobeying
God and God tellsGod and God tells
Saul (through aSaul (through a
prophet) he willprophet) he will
replace him.replace him.
1 Samuel 11 - 15

31. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 God chooses David to be the next king,God chooses David to be the next king,
David obeys and trusts in God, and IsraelDavid obeys and trusts in God, and Israel
prospers.prospers.
1 Samuel 16 - II Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 11 - 20
(David wrote many of the Psalms)
(~1,000 BC)

38. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 God promises David that a dynasty and aGod promises David that a dynasty and a
kingdom will come from him that will lastkingdom will come from him that will last
forever.forever.
2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17

39. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 When David gets older though, heWhen David gets older though, he
commits adultery and murder, and he andcommits adultery and murder, and he and
his kingdom starts to deteriorate.his kingdom starts to deteriorate.
2 Samuel 11-23; 1 Chronicles 21

40. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 David’s son SolomonDavid’s son Solomon
becomes king next, and hebecomes king next, and he
rules wisely. But eventuallyrules wisely. But eventually
he worships other Gods.he worships other Gods.
God says he will removeGod says he will remove
most of Israel from hismost of Israel from his
dynasty because of this.dynasty because of this.
1 Kings 1 - 11; 2 Chronicles 1 - 9
(Solomon many of the Proverbs, plus
likely Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs)

41. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 After Solomon dies, Israel splits into two kingdoms.After Solomon dies, Israel splits into two kingdoms.
The Northern Kingdom—”Israel”
- Ruled by many dynasties of kings
I Kings 11 - 12; 2 Chronicles 10 - 11
The Southern Kingdom—”Judah”
- Always ruled by a descendant of David
and Solomon

42. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 For the next few hundred years, Israel’sFor the next few hundred years, Israel’s
kings and people keep disobeying God.kings and people keep disobeying God.
After sending many warnings throughAfter sending many warnings through
prophets, God has the northern kingdomprophets, God has the northern kingdom
overrun by Assyrians in 722 BC. Most areoverrun by Assyrians in 722 BC. Most are
shipped away, never to return.shipped away, never to return.
I Kings 13 - 2 Kings 17
Hosea, Amos, Jonah

43. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 During this same time period, aDuring this same time period, a fewfew kingskings
and people in Judah trust in God, but mostand people in Judah trust in God, but most
don’t. After many warnings, in 586 BC,don’t. After many warnings, in 586 BC,
after Israel’s fall, God has Judahafter Israel’s fall, God has Judah
conquered also.conquered also. HoweverHowever, God promises, God promises
he will bring a remnanthe will bring a remnant
back to their land.back to their land.
I Kings 13 - 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 10 - 36:21
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel , Habakkuk ,
Micah, Zephaniah

44. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 The Judeans (i.e.,The Judeans (i.e.,
“Jews”) live in exile in“Jews”) live in exile in
Babylon. But 70 yearsBabylon. But 70 years
later, the Persian kinglater, the Persian king
who conqueredwho conquered
Babylon says Jews canBabylon says Jews can
return to their land andreturn to their land and
rebuild their capital andrebuild their capital and
temple.temple.
2 Chronicles 36:22 - Ezra 1
Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel

45. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
 These returning Jews are the firstThese returning Jews are the first
generation to permanently forsakegeneration to permanently forsake
worshipping other gods, and they showworshipping other gods, and they show
concern to obey God.concern to obey God.
Ezra 2 - Esther 10
Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
(Old Testament ends ~400 BC)
 However, they soonHowever, they soon
start growing coolerstart growing cooler
toward God.toward God.

46. C) The Solution, Phase 2:C) The Solution, Phase 2:
God Promises to Send a SaviorGod Promises to Send a Savior
 In addition to warnings,In addition to warnings,
through prophets, God givesthrough prophets, God gives
the Israelites promises hethe Israelites promises he
will raise up from them awill raise up from them a
deliverer who will establish adeliverer who will establish a
wonderful eternal, worldwidewonderful eternal, worldwide
kingdom—one filled withkingdom—one filled with
people who trust in Him.people who trust in Him.
Isaiah 40 - 66, Micah 4 - 5:15, Zephaniah 3:9-20, Zechariah 9:9 - 14, Malachi 4

47. Part 3Part 3
The EndThe End

48. A)A) The Final Part Set-up:The Final Part Set-up:
God Sends Jesus to Save theGod Sends Jesus to Save the
WorldWorld
 400 years after the Old Testament ends,400 years after the Old Testament ends,
Jesus is born. His birth’s details fit theJesus is born. His birth’s details fit the
ancient prophecies of the promised one.ancient prophecies of the promised one.
Examples:
-A descendant of Abraham,
Israel, and David
-Born in the small town of
Bethlehem.
Matthew 1 - 2; Luke 1 - 2
(~ 0 AD)

49. A) The Set-upA) The Set-up
 At about age 30, Jesus starts preaching inAt about age 30, Jesus starts preaching in
Israel. He heals people, performsIsrael. He heals people, performs
miracles, and makes astounding claims.miracles, and makes astounding claims.
Examples of Claims:
- I am the light of the worldI am the light of the world
- I came to save the worldI came to save the world
- Whoever sees me, sees God.- Whoever sees me, sees God.
- He who believes in me has eternal life- He who believes in me has eternal life
Matthew 3 - 25; Mark 1 - 13, Luke 3 - 21, John 1 - 17

50. A) The Set-upA) The Set-up
 Jesus, though, is rejectedJesus, though, is rejected
by his nation. He isby his nation. He is
arrested, tried for treason,arrested, tried for treason,
convicted, tortured,convicted, tortured,
publicly executed on apublicly executed on a
cross, and buried.cross, and buried.
Matthew 26 - 27; Mark 14 - 15,
Luke 22 - 23, John 18 - 19

51. A) The Set-upA) The Set-up
 On the third day, JesusOn the third day, Jesus
rises from the dead. Herises from the dead. He
tells his disciples totells his disciples to
spread to all nations thespread to all nations the
gospel (“good news”)gospel (“good news”)
that they can havethat they can have
forgiveness and eternalforgiveness and eternal
life through believing inlife through believing in
Him.Him.
Matthew 28; Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20 - 21

52. A) The Set-upA) The Set-up
 After Jesus returns to heaven, the HolyAfter Jesus returns to heaven, the Holy
Spirit comes on his disciples and makesSpirit comes on his disciples and makes
them bold. They share Jesus’ gospelthem bold. They share Jesus’ gospel
Acts 1 - 28
message with Jewsmessage with Jews
and then othersand then others
throughout thethroughout the
Roman Empire. ManyRoman Empire. Many
lives are changed.lives are changed.

53. B) The 3rd Part Conflict / Problem:B) The 3rd Part Conflict / Problem:
Evil & Suffering Are StillEvil & Suffering Are Still
WidespreadWidespread
1. Accepting the Gospel changes lives and1. Accepting the Gospel changes lives and
the world. But its spread is hindered bythe world. But its spread is hindered by
disbelief and opposition.disbelief and opposition.
Acts 2 - 28

54. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
2. Believers still find it hard to live2. Believers still find it hard to live
completelycompletely new types of life (and thisnew types of life (and this
hinders the Gospel’s spread too).hinders the Gospel’s spread too).
Acts 5 - 20
(Mentioned in many of the Epistles)

55. B) The Conflict / ProblemB) The Conflict / Problem
3. Much suffering and3. Much suffering and
injustice still remain.injustice still remain.
Believers not onlyBelievers not only
experience this,experience this,
sometimes they alsosometimes they also
suffersuffer becausebecause of theirof their
faithfulness to Christ.faithfulness to Christ.
Acts 2 - 28
(also mentioned in many of the Epistles)

56. C) The Transitional Solution:C) The Transitional Solution:
The Holy Spirit’s WorkingsThe Holy Spirit’s Workings
1. The Bible says God’s Holy Spirit will work1. The Bible says God’s Holy Spirit will work
in people’s lives so that the Gospelin people’s lives so that the Gospel willwill gogo
to all the world and that eventually peopleto all the world and that eventually people
from all nationsfrom all nations willwill believe.believe.
Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10-11; Luke 24:47-48; John 16
Revelation 5:9-10

57. C) The Transitional SolutionC) The Transitional Solution
2. The Epistles describe how Christians can2. The Epistles describe how Christians can
rely on Christ and experience the Holyrely on Christ and experience the Holy
SpiritSpirit progressivelyprogressively transforming them intotransforming them into
joyful, holy people, evenjoyful, holy people, even throughthrough
hardships and pain.hardships and pain.
John 14 - 16
Romans through Jude
2. The Epistles describe how Christians can2. The Epistles describe how Christians can
rely on Christ and experience the Holyrely on Christ and experience the Holy
SpiritSpirit progressivelyprogressively transforming them intotransforming them into
joyful, holy people, evenjoyful, holy people, even throughthrough
hardships and pain.hardships and pain.

58. D) The Ultimate Solution:D) The Ultimate Solution:
Christ Returns and EstablishesChrist Returns and Establishes
His Full KingdomHis Full Kingdom
 The Bible says thatThe Bible says that afterafter
the Gospel has gone tothe Gospel has gone to
all nations, Christ willall nations, Christ will
return to earth during areturn to earth during a
time of severe hardships.time of severe hardships.
The dead will be raisedThe dead will be raised
and there will be a finaland there will be a final
judgment of all people.judgment of all people.
Matthew 24 - 25; Mark 13; Luke 21
Revelation 4 - 20

59. D) The Ultimate SolutionD) The Ultimate Solution
 Those who haveThose who have
resisted God will faceresisted God will face
an eternity of payingan eternity of paying
for their sins.for their sins.
Matthew 25; Luke 21
Revelation 20:11-15

60. D) The Ultimate SolutionD) The Ultimate Solution
 Those who have turned back toThose who have turned back to
God and trusted in Christ will beGod and trusted in Christ will be
forgiven & welcomed into God’sforgiven & welcomed into God’s
full kingdom. Their remainingfull kingdom. Their remaining
corrupt tendencies will becorrupt tendencies will be
purged and they will joyouslypurged and they will joyously
experience life as it wasexperience life as it was
originally intended under God.originally intended under God.
Matthew 25
Revelation 21 - 22

61. D) The Ultimate SolutionD) The Ultimate Solution
 This story ends then, and a new one ofThis story ends then, and a new one of
eternal wholeness and delight in Godeternal wholeness and delight in God
begins—one we can only barely imagine.begins—one we can only barely imagine.

62. ReviewReview
Part 1 - The BeginningPart 1 - The Beginning
A) The Story Set-up:A) The Story Set-up:
God Creates a Good WorldGod Creates a Good World
B) The Conflict / Problem:B) The Conflict / Problem:
People Rebel and Throw the WorldPeople Rebel and Throw the World
Into DisarrayInto Disarray
C) The Solution - First Phase:C) The Solution - First Phase:
God’s Chooses Abraham and SomeGod’s Chooses Abraham and Some
of His Descendentsof His Descendents
Ancient Times ~1800+ BC
Genesis

63. ReviewReview
Part 2 - The MiddlePart 2 - The Middle
A) The Second Part Set-up:A) The Second Part Set-up:
God Establishes Israel As HisGod Establishes Israel As His
Chosen NationChosen Nation
B) The Conflict / Problem:B) The Conflict / Problem:
The Israelites Usually Don’t TrustThe Israelites Usually Don’t Trust
in Godin God
C) The Solution - Second Phase:C) The Solution - Second Phase:
God Promises to Send a SaviorGod Promises to Send a Savior
~1500 BC ~400+ BC
The Rest of the Old Testament

64. ReviewReview
Part 3 - The EndPart 3 - The End
A) The Final Part Set-up:A) The Final Part Set-up:
God Sends Jesus to Save the WorldGod Sends Jesus to Save the World
B) The Conflict / Problem:B) The Conflict / Problem:
Evil & Suffering Are StillEvil & Suffering Are Still
WidespreadWidespread
C) The Transitional Solution:C) The Transitional Solution:
The Holy Spirit’s WorkingsThe Holy Spirit’s Workings
D) The Ultimate Solution:D) The Ultimate Solution:
Christ Returns and Establishes HisChrist Returns and Establishes His
Full KingdomFull Kingdom The Future~0 AD
The New Testament

65. 1. God is patiently giving people the1. God is patiently giving people the
opportunity to turn back to Himopportunity to turn back to Him
 2 Peter 3:3-9:2 Peter 3:3-9: “First of all, you must understand“First of all, you must understand
that in the last days scoffers will come . . . Theythat in the last days scoffers will come . . . They
will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised?will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised?
Ever since our fathers died, everything goes onEver since our fathers died, everything goes on
as it has since the beginning of creation."as it has since the beginning of creation." . . .. . .
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:
With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,
and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord isand a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is
not slow in keeping his promise . . .not slow in keeping his promise . . . He is patientHe is patient
with you, not wanting anyone to perish, butwith you, not wanting anyone to perish, but
everyone to come to repentanceeveryone to come to repentance.”.”

66. 2. Our opportunities have2. Our opportunities have
unknown time limitsunknown time limits
 God gave people in the Old TestamentGod gave people in the Old Testament
centuriescenturies of warnings to turn back to him,of warnings to turn back to him,
but when they refused to do so, eventuallybut when they refused to do so, eventually
judgment came.judgment came.
 God offers us eternal life and a place inGod offers us eternal life and a place in
his kingdom. But our opportunity to trusthis kingdom. But our opportunity to trust
in Christ can run out by our death, Christ’sin Christ can run out by our death, Christ’s
return OR our own hardness of heart.return OR our own hardness of heart.
(Hebrews 3 & 4)(Hebrews 3 & 4)