Master the Bible: How to Get and Keep the Big Picture of the Bible's Story

Mas ter the B i b l e : How to Get and Keep the B i g P i c ture of the B i b l e ’ s Stor y

68

familiar with its time line of God’s salvation history and God’s love for his creation.

Contact

“So many pages, so many stories, so many details.” (Based on a true story). At a meeting to encourage inner city pastors to both master and teach the Scriptures, one pastor lamented his long plight with learning Scripture. “God knows I love the Bible – its message has changed my life. But, really, I don’t read well, and the Bible is just so many words.” Pointing to his copy of the Bible on the table, he said, “Look! There are so many pages, so many stories, so many details – I just feel like I will never come to know it well. The way I read and study, that’s just impossible.” Have you ever shared the opinion and feelings of this urban pastor regarding mastering the Bible? Explain. “Storytelling? What are you talking about! That’s for kids!” In a class on Storytelling and the Word of God, one of the students couldn’t hold in his frustration at the course’s basic idea. “I’ve sat here and heard you talk about story and history and such, and I don’t believe you can summarize the Bible down to a single story. The fact is, all of the Old Testament stories are just preparation for the coming of Christ and his death on the Cross. I don’t get why you’re so excited about storytelling and even story itself. Now, if you’re talking about children, stories are fun and interesting. But adults don’t need stories, they need deep theology and sound doctrine. Storytelling? What are you talking about! That’s for kids!” What do you think about this student’s opinion about stories and the Bible? Where is he right? Where is he wrong? Explain.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Content

I. The Importance of Story in Human Experience

The Christian community gathers to remember and to enact its particular identity as those called out by God in Christ. Because all ministries are rooted in the redemptive presence and activity of Christ in the world, the church’s sense of time and place is oriented toward God’s self-giving in the whole person and work of Jesus Christ. Christian worship involves the gathering of a baptized people who are commissioned and empowered to serve the world. Such

Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs