Gods Story An Overview of the Bible Introduction

God’s Story An Overview of the Bible

Introduction • We will look at the most important parts of the Bible. • We will see how the Bible shows God’s plan for us. • First – let’s look at the Bible itself…. .

The Bible There are 66 books in the Bible: • 39 Books in the Old Testament. • 27 Books in the New Testament.

Old Testament History: The first 5 books are called “The Law of Moses” or “The Pentateuch”. The Jews’ name for it is “The Torah”: Genesis – Exodus – Leviticus – Numbers – Deuteronomy. There are more history books. They continue to tell the history of Israel : Joshua – Judges – Ruth – 1 & 2 Samuel – 1 & 2 Kings – 1 & 2 Chronicles – Ezra – Nehemiah Esther

Old Testament Poetry: Job – Psalms – Proverbs – Ecclesiastes – Song of Songs. • Songs of praise to God. Mostly written by King David. • Wisdom writing – mostly written by King Solomon

Old Testament Prophets: From Isaiah to Malachi • There were many prophets. • They warned the Israelites (God’s chosen people) when they made mistakes. • They appeared at different times in history.

New Testament History: Matthew – Mark – Luke – John The Four Gospels (“Good News”) • Tells about the life of Jesus. • This is where the Old Testament points to.

New Testament Book of Acts: • Tells us about God’s new family. • What happened to them after Jesus left. • How the Good News spread to many other countries.

New Testament Paul’s Letters: From Romans to Philemon • As Paul travelled spreading the Gospel of Jesus, he wrote letters to help the new churches. • Letters to Timothy & Titus were to encourage Pastors. • Philemon is a personal letter.

New Testament Other Letters: Hebrews to Jude • Written by other apostles (Peter, James, John & Jude). • To help churches who are having difficulties. • The writer of Hebrews is not known.

New Testament Book of Revelation: • The Apostle John wrote down visions shown to him by Jesus. • It shows in picture language, that Jesus has won over sin, death and Satan. • God and his people will live as friends together in a wonderful land.

One Way to See the Bible The Old Testament is like a base or foundation. The New Testament fits on top. It tells us many things we need to know about God. It shows us the finished picture. But it is not enough on it’s own.

Another Way to See the Bible …As a story line, from the beginning to the end. This is how we will follow the story.

The Basic Story… • God Creates the universe and is friends with man in the garden of Eden. • Man goes against God.

God makes a Promise… • Abraham is chosen by God. • God promises that he will make friends again with man. • He also promises His people a special home-land. • God will bless them.

Jesus is The Way… • Over many centuries, many prophets spoke about a saviour who will come. • Jesus was that saviour. • Through Him, God and man became friends again.

And Finally… • God and man are now friends. • They live in peace in the New Creation.

So Let’s Begin… Just a reminder, We start here….

Who is God?

Who is God? Question: • When we say “God”, what do we think of? • What’s your idea of God?

Who is God? God is 3 persons in one: • The Father • The Holy Spirit • The Christ, Jesus

Who is God? Genesis 1: 1 -3 (Read) King James Bible In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Who is God? • God the Father – who existed before all creation. • The Holy Spirit – an actual person, who performs many acts. • The Christ (saviour) Jesus – The Word of God

Who is God? • • • God is 3 in 1 - Called “The Trinity” 3 persons, separate but together. He is 1 God, not 3. He is a spiritual being. He is the ONLY God.

Who is God? God the Father: • Existed before time and creation. • He knows all things (omniscient). • He is in all places and times (omnipresent). • He is all powerful. • All life comes from Him.

Who is God? Jesus, the Christ (Son of God): • • • Born as a human – of a human mother. Father was the Holy Spirit of God. Lived a perfect life – no sin. Willingly died for the sins of everyone. Was the first human to come back to life. Has a new body and returned to heaven.

Who is God? John 1: 1 -3 (Read) King James Bible In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Who is God? John says that Jesus is “the Word” of God He is the spoken word of God

Who is God? The Holy Spirit: • A spiritual being. • Comes to believers and lives in us. • Acts as a guide to us of God’s desires for us. • He has God’s power to do amazing things.

God The Creator

God the Creator Genesis 1: 1 -25 (Read) King James Bible • He created everything out of nothing. • He spoke and it was there! • He made the stars and the Earth and Moon. • He made the plants, fish, animals and birds.

God the Creator Perfect Design: How do you see God’s perfect design in nature?

God the Creator He made all living things to reproduce: • Humans & animals (plus fish) have babies. • Plants reproduce their own kind through seeds. • Plants often work with animals to reproduce.

God Created Humans

God Created Humans Genesis 1: 26 -28 (Read): King James Bible “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living that moveth upon the earth. ”

God Created Humans Who Are You? • Made in God’s image (not the same as God). • Male & Female. • Gave us power over all living things. • Blessed by God.

God Created Humans Why Are You Here? • • • Simply, because He created us. To be part of a family of others like Him. To design & build (similar to God). To think, feel and love. To worship and love God.

God Created Humans What Did He Make Us For? • To know Him. • To walk, talk, praise and love Him. • To live for Him and follow his commandments. • To bring Him Glory (so he can be proud of us).

God Created Humans King James Bible Revelation 4: 11 (Read) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

God Created Humans King James Bible For more information on the creation of the first man (Adam) and his wife (Eve), read: Genesis Chapter 2

That’s all for today • Next time we will see how God’s first Humans fell from His favour and committed the first sin. • We will see how their descendants were saved from God’s judgement of the sinful men and women of the Earth. • We will learn how God starts to put his plan of salvation for Mankind into action.

End of Study No. 1 God bless you until next time.