The Bible isn’t a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne—everything—to rescue the one he loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life!

You see, the best thing about this Story is—it’s true.

There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.

from The Jesus Storybook Bible

Welcome to The Story Arc, a 30-day reading plan that will walk you through the narrative arc of the Bible—its Big Story—in bite-size pieces. We’re excited that you and your reading partner have taken the first step towards becoming consistent Bible readers.

Reading the Bible is one of our five CABLE practices, which serve as guidelines for the way of life that best helps us consistently live what we believe. The L in CABLE stands for “Listen for God’s voice and learn from his Word.” At Engedi Church, we believe that the Bible is inspired by God. It contains God’s truth. It communicates his mission and heart, and it reveals that God is (and has always been) at work in this world. It is our lamp and guide in faith and life, and each book points to Christ.

Reading the Bible is important, but we also know that taking the first step is always the hardest part when attempting to engage in a new spiritual discipline—so we hope to make it as accessible as possible. Within this journal we’ve included a 30-day reading schedule, some probing questions that help you delve deeper and apply the scripture, check-in reminders for you and your reading partner, and resources for taking your studies to the next level.

After the 30 days are complete, we’d love to hear how your experience went. Please email us at thestoryarc@engedichurch.com or visit engedichurch.com/thestoryarc to provide feedback or stories regarding your 30 days.

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ACCOUNTABILITY + COMMUNITYStarting a new ritual becomes more sacred when we invite friends to join us in that ritual. Bible study is no different. Checking in with your partner at least once a week will not only make sure you’re both on track, but will also allow you to encourage each other with what God is teaching you and ask questions you have from the reading.

We’ve included scheduled reminders to check in with your reading partner throughout the journal. Use whichever method of communication works best for the two of you: text, email, phone call, Facebook, getting together for coffee, CABLE group meetings, etc. These sched-uled reminders are here to help relieve the pressure of checking in on each other, but be open to connecting more often. If you have a story, a question, an inspira-tion, or just some thoughts you’d like to share with everyone who is doing the Arc, go to facebook.com/groups/thestoryarc and tell us about it.

JOURNAL + QUESTIONSThis journal is designed to not only give you the nitty gritty details of the Arc, but to also give you space to write down your thoughts, learnings, questions, and prayers. What you write will also serve as a great reminder of how God spoke to you. You can refer to your notes when checking in with your reading partner or commenting on the Facebook group.

The questions are simple in nature, but give space to open the complexities of the Bible and your growing faith. What?, So What?, and Now What? are the three reflection questions you’ll use each day to help you engage and wrestle with the text.

WHAT?Answering “What?” gives us the opportunity to recap and reflect on the story, main ideas, themes, and people we read about.

MY READING PARTNER:

CONTACT INFO:

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SO WHAT?“So What?” is how we ask, “Why is this important?” It helps us reflect on what we learned from our reading. Did we see Jesus in a new light? Did we read about Israel’s history or hear a prophecy for the first time? Did we make a connection between one of Jesus’ miracles and a personal story? Whatever our insights, So What? gives us the space to reflect on the reading and connect it to our lives.

NOW WHAT?“Now What?” opens us up to taking what we’ve read and what we learned and applying it to our own spiritual journey. If you saw the power of Jesus in his miracles, how is God asking you to trust in him for a miracle in your own life? If you read about Israelites who risked their lives to follow God, what does the faith of the Israelites inspire you to do with your own faith?

We hope that through these three simple questions, your Bible reading opens you up to new experiences and challenges in your walk with Christ.

INTENTIONAL TIME AND PLACEWe’ve all been there. A new years resolution to exercise more, eat less, and spend more time with family. Then 6am rolls around and you make excuses to sleep in, that candy bar in the grocery store is just what you need after a long day, and Aunt Pam sends you another spam “don’t break this chain” email (thanks Aunt Pam...). As if you needed those excuses, your resolution was once again short lived. The same is true of our Bible reading goals.

Did you know that people who are trying to develop a Bible-reading discipline are twice as likely to succeed if they have a set time and place? If you don’t have a specific time when

you plan to read and a specific place you will do the reading, chances are you’ll miss out on your time with the Bible. Set the time and place now. Where

will you go for some peace and quiet? When will you sit down for 10–15 minutes and dive into the reading for the day? Lock those in ahead of time, before you start making excuses.

WHEN I’M GOING TO READ:

WHERE I’M GOING TO READ:

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TIPS î Put your Bible in a visible spot as a reminder. For example, if you plan to read in the morning, put it in front of your coffee pot. Or if you are a night reader, place it on your pillow in the morning, so it is waiting for you when you go to bed.

î Track your progress by marking off readings as you complete them on the chart provided.

î Make no exceptions! Vow to do it no matter what.

If you blow the last tip, then just start over from where you left off! Don’t worry about what you missed. Just do the reading allocated for that day. Most people allow catching up to be an obstacle to simply getting back on track.

EXTRA RESOURCESIf you’re interested in having some additional places to help you further your understanding of your readings, or have questions you want answered, here is a short list of additional resources for you to check out.

î NetBible.org

î BibleGateway.com

î Resource Room at Engedi Church

î YouVersion.com

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JANUARY 14, DAY 1 GENESIS 1–2 | THE CREATION STORY

WHAT? (WHAT IS THIS PASSAGE ABOUT?)

SO WHAT? (WHY DOES THIS MAT TER?)

NOW WHAT? (HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME TODAY?)

c Check it off when done.

CHECK INEither today or tomorrow, check in with your reading partner. Talk through when you’re planning to read, and how you’ll follow up with each other during the challenge.

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JANUARY 15, DAY 2 GENESIS 3 | THE BEGINNING OF SIN

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

POST TO THE FACEBOOK GROUPWhy are you doing this 30-day challenge? What do you hope to gain through the readings? facebook.com/groups/thestoryarc

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JANUARY 16, DAY 3 GENESIS 15, 17.15–27 | GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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JANUARY 17, DAY 4 GENESIS 21.1–7, 22 | GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

HELPFUL TIPWant a cool app for reading your Bible on your phone, tablet or computer? Check out youversion.com. Just don’t get distracted! Plus once you get done with The Story Arc, you can find all kinds of reading plans.

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JANUARY 18, DAY 5 EXODUS 3–4 | GOD CALLS MOSES TO DELIVER HIS PEOPLE

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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JANUARY 19, DAY 6 EXODUS 20, JOSHUA 1 | THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, CONQUERING THE PROMISE LAND

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.CHECK INCheck in with your reading partner today. Find out what they’ve learned so far and share your thoughts.

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JANUARY 20, DAY 7 1 SAMUEL 16–17 | DAVID AND GOLIATH

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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JANUARY 21, DAY 8 1 KINGS 3, 8.1–9.9 | KING SOLOMON’S WISDOM AND THE TEMPLE

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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JANUARY 22, DAY 9 1 KINGS 18 + 2 KINGS 25 | THE PROPHET ELIJAH AND THE PROPHETS OF BAAL + THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM AND EXILE OF JUDAH

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

POST TO THE FACEBOOK GROUPHave you tried to read the Bible before, but couldn’t get into it? Or maybe you have a good rhythm. Join the discussion on reading

habits. facebook.com/groups/thestoryarc

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JANUARY 23, DAY 10 DANIEL 2–3 | DANIEL IN BABYLON + THE FIERY FURNACE

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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JANUARY 24, DAY 11 EZRA 3 | REBUILDING THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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JANUARY 25, DAY 12 ISAIAH 9, 53, 61 | THE PROPHECY OF THE COMING MESSIAH

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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JANUARY 26, DAY 13 LUKE 1–2 | THE BIRTH OF JESUS

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done. CHECK INCheck in with your reading partner today. You’ve been at it for 2 weeks! Ask how they’re doing on the readings. Find out what’s working and share some tips.

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JANUARY 27, DAY 14 JOHN 1.1–18 + LUKE 4.14–44 | WHO JESUS IS AND THE BEGINNING OF HIS MINISTRY

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

HELPFUL TIPWant some more resources to dig deeper? Check out netbible.org. There, you’ll be able to compare translations, see Greek/Hebrew word definitions and more.

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JANUARY 28, DAY 15 MAT THEW 5–6 | THE CORE OF JESUS’ TEACHING

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done. You are now halfway!

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JANUARY 29, DAY 16 JOHN 3 + 5 | GOD’S LOVE FOR THE WORLD + JESUS’ MIRACLES/AUTHORITY

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

POST TO THE FACEBOOK GROUPShare with the group one observation from the readings that you didn’t know before starting the challenge. facebook.com/groups/thestoryarc

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JANUARY 30, DAY 17 JOHN 11 | JESUS’ POWER OVER DEATH

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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JANUARY 31, DAY 18 JOHN 15 + 17 | THE CHRISTIAN LIFE DEFINED + JESUS’ HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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FEBRUARY 1, DAY 19 MAT THEW 26–27 | THE ARREST AND CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done. HELPFUL TIPHave you skipped any days? If you have, you’re not alone. Don’t try to catch up—just read the passage for the day you’re on.

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FEBRUARY 2, DAY 20 JOHN 20 + LUKE 24 | THE RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF JESUS

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

CHECK INCheck in with your reading partner today. They say habits are formed after 30 days. Are you both making a habit of reading? Share some insights you’ve gained.

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FEBRUARY 3, DAY 21 ACTS 2 | THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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FEBRUARY 4, DAY 22 ACTS 9 + 16 | THE CONVERSION OF SAUL + THE GOSPEL SPREAD TO EUROPE

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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FEBRUARY 5, DAY 23 ACTS 26 | PAUL’S DEFENSE OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done. POST TO THE FACEBOOK GROUPHave a question about a passage you’ve read? Ask the group. facebook.com/groups/thestoryarc

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FEBRUARY 6, DAY 24 ROMANS 3 | JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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FEBRUARY 7, DAY 25 ROMANS 7–8 | THE BATTLE WITH SIN + LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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FEBRUARY 8, DAY 26 1 CORINTHIANS 13 + 15 | THE WAY OF LOVE + THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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FEBRUARY 9, DAY 27 GALATIANS 5 + EPHESIANS 6 | FREEDOM IN CHRIST + THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

CHECK INCheck in with your reading partner today. You’re almost done! Share with your reading partner some of your favorite passages from the challenge. What was unexpected?

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FEBRUARY 10, DAY 28 PHILIPPIANS 1.18–2.18 | CHRIST’S EXAMPLE

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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FEBRUARY 11, DAY 29 JAMES 1 | PURE RELIGION

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

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FEBRUARY 12, DAY 30 REVELATION 21–22 | THE NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH

WHAT?

SO WHAT?

NOW WHAT?

c Check it off when done.

You’re done! Check in with your reading partner. Ask how they did on the readings. What worked? What was difficult?

TAKE THE SURVEYWe’d love to hear from you about what worked, what didn’t and whether you feel this 30-day reading was helpful. Go to engedichurch.com/thestoryarc and click to take the survey.