The Story of Scripture

Growing up, many of us were introduced to the Bible through a series of small, memorable stories: Jonah and the fish, Daniel and the lions, David and Goliath, and so on. These stories are often highlighted in children’s curriculum, and while they are important and valuable, there’s a deeper truth that can easily be overlooked. When we view the Bible simply as a collection of isolated stories, we miss the bigger picture—the one unified story that runs from Genesis to Revelation.

Understand the Bible as One Big Story

Whether you’re teaching your children or growing in your own faith, it’s essential to approach the Bible as one unified story. Shifting your perspective in this way not only deepens your understanding but also strengthens your biblical literacy. The Bible is far more than a collection of moral lessons or historical accounts—it’s a single, cohesive narrative that centers on one person: Jesus Christ.

As the Foundations Workbook puts it on page 8: “The Bible is one big unified story, made up of many smaller stories. The entire book is really about Jesus.” Grasping this truth is key to understanding the bigger picture of Scripture and how every part

Learn Four Key Words That Frame the Story

There are many helpful ways to begin understanding the overarching story of the Bible. While we’ll explore several insights from authors and theologians, a great place to start is with four simple words: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Re-Creation. These words capture the grand narrative of Scripture and provide a clear framework for seeing how the individual stories and teachings of the Bible fit together.

Creation

In the beginning, God creates everything good and out of nothing. Humans are made in God’s image, very good, and designed for relationship with Him. God’s kingdom is a place of peace and human flourishing and ruled by a good King.

Fall

In Genesis 3, everything changes. The first humans disobey God bringing sin and brokenness into the world. This is known as the Fall. It’s the moment when the perfect world God created is marred by human rebellion. The consequences of sin—separation from God, shame, pain, suffering, and death—enter into the world.

Redemption

Throughout the Old Testament, God gives glimpses of his plan to restore and redeem humanity back to their creator God. The story of redemption is ultimately fulfilled in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

Re-creation

The story doesn’t end with redemption. The Bible points forward to a time when God will make all things new. In the final chapters of Revelation, we see the ultimate Re-Creation: a new heaven and a new earth where God dwells with his people, and there is no more sin, suffering, or death. God bring his people back to live under his good rule and reign.

Why This Matters

When we view the Bible this way, it helps us see how every part of Scripture points to Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is one big story about the Kingdom of God, his love, care, and provision for his creation and His plan to bring about peace and flourishing.

Other ways the Story of Scripture has been summarized:

We love the way Harvey Turner unpacked it in his book, Friend of Sinners.

Creation

God makes all that is – seen and unseen – out of nothing, and it is good. Humans are the crowning achievement of this creation because they are made in the image of the creator God.

Fall

Humanity rebels against the creator God by disobeying his command, and turns inward in self-reliance. This behavior brings the consequences of sin: death, disease, suffering, war, famine, pain, confusion, and alienation.

Redemption

God promises and sends a Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who reconciles humanity to the creator God. He does this by living the perfect human life, dying a substitutionary death for sinners, and rising from death as the first of a new humanity. Jesus then ascends to heaven and sends God’s Spirit to humanity to establish his kingdom in the hearts of his people. This action reestablishes his relationship with them by adopting them into his family.

Re-Creation

Jesus Christ returns to earth to restore creation to God’s original intention. All things will be made perfect, sin will be removed, justice will be restored, suffering will cease, tears will be dried, and joy will be fully known. Jesus will rule as king, and we as his people will forever be with God in his home. The kingdom of this world will be the kingdom of our God.