1. © 2014 wheresjenny.com Bible

2. © 2014 wheresjenny.com Bible The Bible has had an amazing influence. A prime influence on Western Civilization Millions across the world say they have had their lives changed through believing this book This has happened for centuries by all sorts of people. The Bible has an amazing composition. Written over 1600 years Written by over 40 authors Written on 3 continents: Asia, Africa, Europe And it all fits together coherently! The Bible says it reveals what we need to know. Who God is God’s good intent for the world What’s gone wrong with us and our world How our lives and world can be restored through God

3. © 2014 wheresjenny.com Bible Background on How the Bible Is Organized Old Testament New Testament Historical Books Historical Books Historical Books Poetic Books Epistles/Letters Epistles/Letters Prophetic Books Prophetic Book Prophetic Book Ancient Time to ~400 BC ~0 AD to ~100 AD

4. © 2014 wheresjenny.com Bible Part 1 The Beginning A)The Story Set-up: God Creates a Good World God creates the universe and people God tells man how to live Everything is in harmony with itself and God Life is beautiful and people can live forever as long as they follow God B) The Conflict / Problem: People Rebel and Throw the World Into Disarray The first people choose to disobey God They experience shame, guilt and fear for the first time As a result, God says life will now be full of pain, futility, conflict, and death People are cast out of God’s presence on earth

5. © 2014 wheresjenny.com Bible B) The Conflict / Problem  God grieves over how bad things get. He sends a worldwide flood to destroy all but the family of Noah and one pair of each animal who can repopulate the earth.  Noah’s descendents ignore God and seek to build a city and tower to their own greatness.  God breaks them up by separating them into different languages and nations across the world.

6. © 2014 wheresjenny.com Bible C) The Solution - First Phase: God’s Chooses Abraham and Some of His Descendents  God talks to a man Abraham. God says he will bless Abraham, make of him a great nation, and through him all nations will be blessed.  Though imperfect, Abraham believes God and follows him, even though he and his wife are very old and have no son  After 25 years of waiting, God gives Abraham and his wife a son, Isaac, who will inherit God’s promises.

7. © 2014 wheresjenny.com Bible Part 2 The Middle The Second Part Set-up: God Establishes Israel As His Chosen Nation Many years later, Israel’s descendents have grown to hundreds of thousands, but they are now all Egyptian slaves. God raises up a man, Moses, to lead them out of Egypt. After a series of 10 divinely caused plagues, the Egyptian king agrees to let Moses and the Israelites leave miraculously. Once they are out of Egypt, God gives Moses and the Israelites 10 commandments and other laws to follow, saying they will be blessed if they obey, but cursed if they disobey.

8. © 2014 wheresjenny.com Bible  The Israelites ask God for a king, and after warning them about how kings act, God chooses Saul to be their first king.  Saul begins well, but he starts disobeying God and God tells Saul (through a prophet) he will replace him.  God chooses David to be the next king, David obeys and trusts in God, and Israel prospers.  When David gets older though, he commits adultery and murder, and he and his kingdom starts to deteriorate.  For the next few hundred years, Israel’s kings and people keep disobeying God.

9. © 2014 wheresjenny.com Bible The Final Part Set-up: God Sends Jesus to Save the World 400 years after the Old Testament ends, Jesus is born. His birth’s details fit the ancient prophecies of the promised one. At about age 30, Jesus starts preaching in Israel. He heals people, performs miracles, and makes astounding claims. Jesus, though, is rejected by his nation. He is arrested, tried for treason, convicted, tortured, publicly executed on a cross, and buried.

10. © 2014 wheresjenny.com Bible On the third day, Jesus rises from the dead. He tells his disciples to spread to all nations the gospel (“good news”) that they can have forgiveness and eternal life through believing in Him.