The Big Picture: Notes from Last Night

by | Jun 25, 2013 | Bible Study, Monday Study Notes | 0 comments

Great time with you all at Rittenhouse last night. The Lord let it rain on us just enough to make us show if we were serious or not! I’m hoping to plan another soon.

Here’s the basic outline of verse we covered last night, since I said I’d post it. Again, this is an attempt to show the central storyline of scripture by looking at the major turning points, or “sign-posts” in the unfolding story the Bible tells. Learning these, and knowing their significance, can be a very helpful way to deepen and sharpen your understanding of scripture, and your own life as well. (Because, as we discussed, if this is what God’s doing with the whole world, and we’re part of this world, how could we understand our lives or ourselves rightly if we don’t know this, and see our connection to it and our part in it?)

The History of the World and God’s Plan of Redemption

1. The Creation: God makes everything Good
Genesis 1:1, 1:26-28
​God: eternal, the creator of all
​The Earth: Good
​Humanity: Blessing, Dominion

2. The Fall: The rebellion of sin ruins everything
​Gen 3:17-19, 3:22-24, 3:15
​Loss of blessing → Curse on creation
​Death → no eternal life
​But: The “Seed” is promised…

3. The Plan (part 1): God chooses Abraham’s family as His channel to bless the world
Gen 12:1-3, 22:17-18
​Blessing will return to earth through Abraham’s family (Seed)
​(Along the way: the law covenant)​

4. The Plan (part 2): Abraham’s family grows and receives law and promises (Joshua – 2 Chronicles)
The “Old Covenant” Lev 17:11 (Law: blood sacrifice)
​2 Samuel 7:12-16 — ​A descendant (Seed) of David will occupy the throne forever

5. The kingdom fails, but the Prophets announce that God’s plan still moves forward (Isaiah – Malachi)
​Isaiah 9:6-7, Daniel 7:13-14
A New Covenant: Jer 31:31-34
​Israel will be regathered.
​The coming seed from Abraham will be a descendant of David.
​He will rule Israel and the whole earth and return blessing to all.

6. The Plan (part 3): The promised solution comes: Jesus.
​Matthew 1:1, Mt 4:17, John 3:3, Galatians 3:13-14
New Covenant: Mk 14:22-25
​The kingdom is near.
​Only the reborn can enter.
​The consequences of Adam’s fall must be dealt with before blessing (eternal life) can return.

7. The Plan (part 4): After He dies and is raised, Jesus sends followers to announce His work.
​Luke 24:46-48, Acts 1:1-8
​We are the witnesses of who Jesus is and what He did.
​Forgiveness is being offered, the kingdom is coming.

8. The Plan (part 5): Jesus returns, undoes the effects of sin, and all things are made new.
​Rev 19:11-15, 21:1-4, 22:1-5
Jesus reigns as king.
​Blessing restored, God with Man