1. 1. How to interpret Narratives
Agenda: Narratives
1. How to interpret Narratives
2. The Bible GPS on Genesis 6: 5-8 > God
3. The Bible GPS on Genesis 22: 2-19 > Abraham
4. The Bible GPS on Exodus 2: 1-10 > Moses
5. The Bible GPS on 2 Samuel 11:1-27 > David
6. The Bible GPS on Luke 12: > Jesus
7. The Bible GPS on Acts 9: 1-20 > Paul
8. The Bible GPS on Luke 15: > God

2. The GPS Message to the original receiver 21st Century
Luke 12: 15-21
21st
Century
The GPS C O M U N I A T U N D E R S T A I G
DIFFERENCES of
Language
Tradition
Time
Situation
History
A P P L I C A T I O N
Message to the
original receiver

3. The First Process: Understanding
Luke 12: 15-21
S.T.A.R.T.
1. Situation U N D E R S T A I G
2. Type of literature
3. Analyze the passage
4. Relate the message to the rest of the Bible
Message to the
original receiver
5. Test your findings 3

4. The Steps of Understanding
S.T.A.R.T.
1. Situation
Jesus was teaching a large crowd. Suddenly, someone in the back calls out and interrupts the whole group with a question about his legal affairs. Jesus responded with a parable. He used this situation to minister to the crowd about possessions and greed.
2. Type of literature
Story
Allegory
History
Parable
Conversation
Apocalyptic
PROSE
Narrative
Procedure
Explanation
Instruction
POETRY in
Psalms
Prophets
Wisdom Literature

5. 3. Analyze the passage 3.1 Divide the Story in Episodes
(An Episode is chain of events that are related, having the same
location, time and major participants)
3.2 Determine the Plot-Structure and Main Themes
(The plot is the way in which the story develops and serves to keep the
interest of the reader)
3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver

6. Luke 12: 15-21
Tension: The rich man’s harvest is too large for his barn
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.
17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
Relief of tension: He builds bigger barns
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
Result: God thinks he is a fool
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
(New International Version)

7. 3. Analyze the passage 3.1 Divide the Story in Episodes
(An Episode is chain of events that are related, having the same
location, time and major participants)
3.2 Determine the Plot-Structure and Main Themes
(The plot is the way in which the story develops and serves to keep the
interest of the reader)
God consider you foolish when you are greedy and when money becomes your significance.
3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver

8. 4. Relate the message to the broader Biblical and theological framework?
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches;    to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22– NIV)
5. Test your findings
 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6 NIV) S T A R
God consider you foolish when you are greedy and when money becomes your significance.

9. Incidental = Cultural, Ceremonial & Civil
21st
Century C O M U N I A T
God consider you foolish when you are greedy and when money becomes your significance. U N D E R S T A I G
Incidental = Cultural, Ceremonial & Civil
A P P L I C A T I O N
Message to the
original receiver
Essential =
Moral

10. The GPS Message to the original receiver 21st Century A small groupD E R S T A I G
A small group
A P P L I C A T I O N
Message to the
original receiver

11. Please read Day 252 of “The Bible as Your GPS.”
1. What touched you the most in this parable and why?
What are some of the problems wealth can bring? Share a (your) story.
2. Read page 74 of “Hearing God’s Tweet.”
What touched you the most in this passage and why?
3. Read page 77 of “Hearing God’s Tweet.”
4. Read page 131 of “Hearing God’s Tweet.”