{"id":5265,"date":"2014-04-16T13:26:58","date_gmt":"2014-04-16T18:26:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scquest.org\/?p=5265"},"modified":"2014-04-16T13:26:58","modified_gmt":"2014-04-16T18:26:58","slug":"the-big-story-of-scripture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scquest.org\/?p=5265","title":{"rendered":"Unrolling the Scroll: The Big Story of Scripture"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the second week of the series: Unrolling the Scroll. See the\u00a0introduction<\/a>, and the first session<\/a>.<\/p>\n

___________________________<\/p>\n

The Big Story of Scripture<\/h1>\n

If a friend were to ask you, \u201cCan you explain the big story of the Bible in a few sentences?\u201d How would you answer them? You could probably break down the story of the 3 little pigs, or the plot line of a familiar movie, but the Bible? Is that even possible? There are just too many stories and plots and characters and\u2026genealogies!<\/p>\n

Big Idea: God has given structured Scriptures in order to tell a unified story<\/strong><\/p>\n

In order to view the unified story we are going to use four Words: Creation, Rebellion, Redemption, Restoration<\/strong>
\nRecognizing this overarching story is also the best way to understand the smaller episodes, characters, and yes, genealogies. We see the organic unfolding of God\u2019s revelation by tying it all to the big story. When we understand the thread running through the biblical revelation we see that God has a plan and every story is connected to it somehow.<\/p>\n

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Think of it as a tow rope. A rope is made up of many strands. Each strand is made up of numerous threads. Each thread is made up of various fibers. But although there are a variety of individual pieces, they are all pulling in one direction. These four main acts of the overarching story are like knots in the rope.<\/p>\n

The biblical authors saw this story unfold and used it as the foundation for their teaching. In Eph 1:4-11 we see:
\nGod chose us before CREATION (Eph 1:4), and then redeemed and forgave us (Eph 1:7) after our REBELLION, lavishing grace [REDEMPTION] (Eph 1:7-8) by bringing us back, in order to set forth Christ (Eph 1:9-10) \u201cas the supreme Ruler of the universe\u201d (BTOT).<\/p>\n

So, here are the major acts of the most true story in all the world:<\/p>\n

The storyline of the entire Scriptures<\/h2>\n

1. Creation<\/strong>: God bringing into existence and ruling over new life (Gen 1-2; John 1:1-3; Col 1:15-20; Ps 8, 19)
\n2. Rebellion<\/strong>:\u00a0Man rejecting God\u2019s rule out of defiance (Gen 2:16-17; 3:1-24; Rom 5:12-21)
\n3. Redemption<\/strong>:\u00a0God seeking out fallen individuals in order to restore fellowship with him (Gen 3:15ff; Rom 3:9-26; Eph 2:1-10)
\n4. Restoration<\/strong>:\u00a0God judging, removing the curse, and making all creation right (Jesus promises of the kingdom in the Gospels; Rev 19-22)<\/p>\n

Remember our structure of Scripture from last week? This is why we needed to see the structure. It points us to the fact that God began something (Gen 1) and will complete it (Rev 22)!<\/p>\n

This cycle is not only seen in the “rope” of Scripture, but also in the threads.<\/p>\n