In 2019, a Lifeway Research study indicated 32% of regular church attenders read their Bible everyday. We hear it taught during our weekly worship services, maybe read a few verses in a devotional or as we scroll social media, but only a third of us intentionally take the Word in every day.
Time evaporates - we're too tired or stayed up too late. We struggle with routine or discipline. The season with littles prevents us from developing consistent habits.
You've found yourself at one time or another, starting a reading plan, until you've finally landed in Leviticus overwhelmed trying to make sense of what you're reading. Understanding Scripture can seem daunting and difficult, causing you to lose any momentum you had.
In The Epic Story of the Bible: How to Read and Understand God's Word you'll find a resource to help you understand the story of the Bible.
As we gain understanding about what it is we're reading, we're less afraid to open the pages and better equipped to learn about who God is and what He's doing.
The Epic Story of the Bible | Book Review
Content
Purpose of the Book
Table of Contents
Summary
My Take
My Recommendation
Quick Stats
More Like This
Scriptures About The Word
Follow Along
Content
Purpose of the Book
The author wants you to understand every book of Scripture is working together to tell one grand story about God and redemption. One storyline through all the Bible.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: What the Bible Is, and Where It Came From
Chapter 2: The Trail Ahead: The Grand Storyline of the Bible
Chapter 3: My Dwelling Place: The Theme of God’s Presence
Chapter 4: You Will Be My People: The Theme of Covenant
Chapter 5: The Lord’s Anointed: The Theme of Kingship
Chapter 6: Without Blood, There Is No Forgiveness: The Theme of Sacrifice
Chapter 7: Setting Out
Summary
The author provides us with the basic facts about the Bible, how the books were put together and became accepted as Scripture. Then he outlines the narrative of the Bible through the lens of creation, the fall, redemption and consummation; with a handful of the peak points in between, fitting together the chain of events of God's work in the world.
The next 4 chapters each highlight a theme throughout scripture - God's presence, covenant, kingship and sacrifice - following how these come up from cover to cover and how they are connected.
My Recommendation
If you've felt a bit overwhelmed about the Bible, or you’ve read it for years and never looked at how the whole story relates to the smaller parts, this is a very helpful resource.
I’d suggest it for discipleship wherever that happens in your local church or small group, when you’re building a framework to understand what the Bible teaches. Also would be very useful in youth groups or Sunday school.
Quick Stats
# of pages: 176
Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
My Rating: 4 stars
Podcast With the Author
For those who love to gain knowledge through listening rather than reading, i hope you'll enjoy this podcast with the author on 15 questions about reading and understanding the Bible.
More Like This
Scriptures About The Word
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Ps. 119:105)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim.3:16-17)
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Rom. 15:4)
But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4)
Follow Along
*A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review!
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