on to bible literacy. overall goal this lesson series aims to help us become literate in the bible...

On to Bible LiteracyOn to Bible Literacy

On to Bible LiteracyOn to Bible LiteracyOVERALL GOAL

This lesson series aims to help us become literate in the Bible by motivating us to develop a habit of reading it.

This is to be accomplished through a discussion of three ways we can view the Scriptures and how each is relevant to us as Christians.

On to Bible LiteracyOn to Bible LiteracyLesson OutlineThe Problem of Bible IlliteracyMain Discussion: The Bible: An Epic StoryQuestion and Answer PortionChallenges

Note: All Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV, 1989).

The Problem of Bible The Problem of Bible IlliteracyIlliteracy

“One of the most serious problems facing the Church in the 21st century is the problem of Biblical illiteracy. Simply put, most professing Christians do not possess a sound and coherent understanding of the Bible, beginning with sound doctrine and general Biblical history. Evidence for this sad reality is quite overwhelming.”*

Henry B. Smith, Jr.Director of Outreach

Associates for Biblical Research

Do you suppose his comment on Bible illiteracy is accurate?

*Biblical Illiteracy; http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2008/09/Biblical-Illiteracy.aspx#Article; 12 March 2013


Following are statistics on Bible illiteracy among Americans*:12 percent of adults believe Joan of Arc was Noah’s wifeOver 50 percent of a high school graduating class thought Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife60 percent know less than five of the Ten Commandments82 percent think “God helps those who help themselves” is a Bible verseA number of respondents to a poll believed the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy GrahamMany professing Christians cannot name more than three of Jesus’ apostlesLess than half of all adults can name all the four Gospels

*Compiled by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.; The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem; http://www.christianity.com/print/1270946/; 12 March 2013


“Americans revere the Bible—but, by and large, they don’t read it. And because they don’t read it, they have become a nation of biblical illiterates.”*

George Gallup and Jim CastelliResearchers

Hopefully, this is not true of the Mactan Zone.

As Christians, the Bible should be at home in us: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16a). It is time for us to become Biblically literate, and a good way to start is by learning the three ways we can view the Scriptures.

*Quoted by R. Albert Mohler, Jr. in The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem; http://www.christianity.com/print/1270946/; 12 March 2013

THE BIBLETHE BIBLEAn Epic StoryAn Epic Story

The Makings of an The Makings of an EpicEpic

Are You Familiar With These?Are You Familiar With These?

These film franchises are highly successful thanks mostly to the epic stories they tell.

The Makings of an The Makings of an EpicEpic

What is an Epic Story?What is an Epic Story?Epic: “a long poem narrating the deeds of a hero”*

Every epic story has three essential elements:1)Set of characters: Consists of a hero (or heroes), a villain (or villains), and a supporting cast2)Stakes: Extremely high (example, the end of the world)3)Basic plot: Consists of a dilemma caused by the villain, the hero’s drastic efforts to resolve the dilemma, and the dilemma’s resolution in the end

These elements contribute greatly to making epic stories very enjoyable.

*Webster’s Universal Dictionary and Thesaurus; 2002, Geddes & Grosset

The Bible’s Epic StoryThe Bible’s Epic StoryEssential Elements of the Bible’s Epic StoryEssential Elements of the Bible’s Epic Story

The Cast of CharactersGod: The HeroSatan: The villainThe Human Race: The supporting cast

The Stakes: The eternal destiny of the human race

The Basic PlotThe dilemma: Because of sin, the human race is doomed to die—physically and spiritually.God’s effort to resolve the dilemma: The cross of ChristThe resolution: Through the cross of Christ, the human race is given a chance at salvation and eternal life.

The Bible’s Epic StoryThe Bible’s Epic StoryFocusing on the Basic PlotFocusing on the Basic Plot

Romans 5:12-1912Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man,

and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned—13sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. 14Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.


Romans 5:12-1915But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died

through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. 16And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. 17If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.


Romans 5:12-1918Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for

all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.


The Gist of Romans 5:12-19

Because of the sin that Adam introduced, the entire human race is doomed to die—physically and spiritually. However, by God’s grace, the human race is given a chance at salvation and eternal life through Jesus. Although Adam’s sin brought death to all, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross brings eternal life to all who receive this gift from God.

““The Fifteen”The Fifteen”Foundational Narratives of the Bible’s Epic Foundational Narratives of the Bible’s Epic

StoryStory“The Fifteen”

GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudges1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 KingsEzraNehemiahLukeActs

“Among the world’s religions, Judaism and Christianity are unique in that their teachings and theology are immersed in history. The Bible is a record of historical events—the story of God creating a people to whom and through whom to send the Messiah.”*

Dr. John M. OakesPresident

Apologetics Research Society

*From Shadow to Reality; Illuminations Publishers International; 2005, JMOakes; page 22




These 15 books comprise the foundational narratives for the rest of the Bible:When read in sequence, these books tell the Bible’s entire epic story from start (when the dilemma began) to finish (when the dilemma is resolved through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross).The other 51 books make best sense when read in view of the historical context of “The Fifteen”.




These 15 books comprise the foundational narratives for the rest of the Bible:Genesis: Sin enters the world and God lays the foundation for its salvation




These 15 books comprise the foundational narratives for the rest of the Bible:Genesis: Sin enters the world and God lays the foundation for its salvationExodus to Deuteronomy: God forms the nation of Israel




These 15 books comprise the foundational narratives for the rest of the Bible:Genesis: Sin enters the world and God lays the foundation for its salvationExodus to Deuteronomy: God forms the nation of IsraelJoshua to Judges: God gives Israel its own land




These 15 books comprise the foundational narratives for the rest of the Bible:Genesis: Sin enters the world and God lays the foundation for its salvationExodus to Deuteronomy: God forms the nation of IsraelJoshua to Judges: God gives Israel its own land1 Samuel to 2 Kings: God raises up kings for Israel; because of sin, Israel is scattered among its enemy nations




These 15 books comprise the foundational narratives for the rest of the Bible:Genesis: Sin enters the world and God lays the foundation for its salvationExodus to Deuteronomy: God forms the nation of IsraelJoshua to Judges: God gives Israel its own land1 Samuel to 2 Kings: God raises up kings for Israel; because of sin, Israel is scattered among its enemy nationsEzra to Nehemiah: God restores Israel




These 15 books comprise the foundational narratives for the rest of the Bible:Genesis: Sin enters the world and God lays the foundation for its salvationExodus to Deuteronomy: God forms the nation of IsraelJoshua to Judges: God gives Israel its own land1 Samuel to 2 Kings: God raises up kings for Israel; because of sin, Israel is scattered among its enemy nationsEzra to Nehemiah: God restores IsraelLuke: God, in Jesus, once-and-for-all makes salvation for the world possible




These 15 books comprise the foundational narratives for the rest of the Bible:Genesis: Sin enters the world and God lays the foundation for its salvationExodus to Deuteronomy: God forms the nation of IsraelJoshua to Judges: God gives Israel its own land1 Samuel to 2 Kings: God raises up kings for Israel; because of sin, Israel is scattered among its enemy nationsEzra to Nehemiah: God restores IsraelLuke: God, in Jesus, once-and-for-all makes salvation for the world possibleActs: God makes salvation available to the whole world

““The Fifteen”The Fifteen”What About the Other Books?What About the Other Books?

“The Fifteen”


The Other 51 Books

They make best sense when read in view of the historical context of the Bible’s epic story—“The Fifteen”.

They may be considered as......supplementary......complementary......commentary......to the Bible’s epic story.


“The Fifteen”


The Other Narratives

Ruth (supplementary)1 Chronicles (complementary)2 Chronicles (complementary)Esther (supplementary)Matthew (complementary)Mark (complementary)John (supplementary)


“The Fifteen”


The Wisdom Books

Job (supplementary)Psalms (commentary)Proverbs (commentary)Ecclesiastes (commentary)Song of Songs (commentary)


“The Fifteen”


The Prophets(primarily commentary)

Pre-Exile: Exile:IsaiahLamentationsJeremiah EzekielHosea DanielJoelAmos Post-Exile:Obadiah HaggaiJonahZechariahMicah MalachiNahumHabakkukZephaniah


“The Fifteen”


The Epistles(commentary)

Romans Titus1 Corinthians Philemon2 Corinthians HebrewsGalatians JamesEphesians 1 PeterPhilippians 2 PeterColossians 1 John1 Thessalonians 2 John2 Thessalonians 3 John1 Timothy Jude2 Timothy Revelation

Relevance to Relevance to ChristianityChristianity

What Does This Mean for Us?What Does This Mean for Us?1 Peter 1:10, 1210Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the

grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry.... 12It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you...

According to Peter, all the prophets who prophesied in God’s Name were actually serving us, the objects of His grace.

We are the supporting cast in the Bible’s epic story. By God’s efforts, our salvation and eternal life are secure. Ultimately, the Bible’s epic story is about His pursuit of us.

QuestionsQuestions– – and/or –and/or –

Thoughts and Thoughts and CommentsComments

ChallengesChallengesConsider: If a world-class director were to make a movie and he/she wants you to play a supporting role in it, would you not want to see it when it hits the theaters?

Since the Bible’s epic story is about God’s pursuit of us (the supporting cast), let us develop a habit of always reading it:Read the Bible from-cover-to-cover this year—and each year thereafter.Before the year ends, take time to read “The Fifteen” foundational narratives in sequence, and then develop a working knowledge of the essential flow of the story.

on to bible literacy. overall goal this lesson series aims to help us become literate in the bible...

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problem of biblical

biblical illiteracy

epic stories

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scandal of biblical