1. 1. How to interpret Narratives Agenda: Narratives 3. The Bible GPS on Genesis 22: 2-19 > Abraham 2. The Bible GPS on Genesis 6: 5-8 > God 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: 15-21 > Jesus 7. The Bible GPS on Acts 9: 1-20 > Paul 8. The Bible GPS on Luke 15: 11-32 > God

2. UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING A P P L I C A T I O N Message to the original receiver 21 st Century The GPS DIFFERENCES of Language Tradition Time Situation History COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION Genesis 22: 2-19

3. The First Process: Understanding 1. Situation S.T.A.R.T. 2. Type of literature 3. Analyze the passage 4. Relate the message to the rest of the Bible 5. Test your findings UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING Message to the original receiver Genesis 22: 2-19

4. The Steps of Understanding 2. Type of literature 1. Situation God promises Abraham land and numerous descendants. Now God tests Abraham's faith by commanding that he sacrifices Isaac. Story Allegory History Parable ConversationApocalyptic S.T.A.R.T. PROSE Narrative ProcedureExplanationInstruction POETRY in PsalmsProphets 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. Genesis 22 (story) Tension: Abraham must offer up his son Relief of tension: The Lord provides a lamb Result: God’s grace truimphs (NIV ) 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” 12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” 16 … “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore… 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

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) 3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver God is able to provide a way out in surprising and unpredictable ways. Human beings are active in the way God provide.

8. 4. Relate the message to the broader Biblical and theological framework? 5. Test your findings STARTSTART 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50– NIV) God used Ruth, Naomi and Boas paved the way for a new chapter world history. (Day 60 of “The Bible as your GPS”) Ester, a Jewis orphan became a queen in a foreign country (Day 201 in “The Bible as Your GPS”) God is able to provide a way out in surprising and unpredictable ways. Human beings are active in the way God provide.

9. UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING A P P L I C A T I O N Message to the original receiver 21 st Century Essential = Moral Essential = Moral COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION Incidental = Cultural, Ceremonial & Civil God is able to provide a way out in surprising and unpredictable ways. Human beings are active in the way God provide.

10. UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING A P P L I C A T I O N Message to the original receiver 21 st Century The GPS COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION

11. Please read Days 6 of “The Bible as Your GPS” or page 22 of Hearing God’s Tweet and answer the following questions. 1. What touched you the most in this story and why? 2. How can this story comfort us in difficult times? 3. Do things happen coincidently in our life? Read Day 58 from “The Bible as Your GPS” or page 51 of “Hearing God’s Tweet” to get more clarity on this question.

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