All powerful stories contain undercurrents of truth and follow a series of components called a plot line.
Think high school English. There you learn that there are four crucial stages in the development of a plot line:
Stage 1 - set up
Some people call it the exposition. This is where it all begins! The stage is set, the characters introduced. We see the setting, the main characters. The set-up gives us background information. The tone is set. Stage 1 – set-up.
Stage 2 - struggle
Some people call this the “rising action.” A struggle happens. Problems come. Complications occur. Stage 2 – struggle.
Stage 3 - climax
This is the high point of the story. The hero and the villain collide. Struggles come to a head. The conflict rages. The hero wins, usually after some kind of personal sacrifice. Stage 3 – climax.
Stage 4 - resolution
The conflict is over. The hero wins. The conclusion, the end, is coming. Stage 4 – resolution.
OK. So, what’s the plotline of the Bible?
The Plotline:
Creation.
Fall.
CREATION
God (Genesis 1:1)
Good (Genesis 1:31)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 (ESV)
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. Genesis 1:31 (ESV)
FALL
Sin (Romans 3:23)
Separation (Isaiah 59:2)
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (ESV)
Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God. Isaiah 59:2 (ESV)
RESCUE
Christ (I Timothy 1:15)
Cross (Romans 5:8)
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I Timothy 1:15 (ESV)
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (ESV)
RESTORATION
Faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Follow (Luke 9:23)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:23 (ESV)
That’s it. That’s the story. You can tell this. Learn 12 words and a few verses and you have talking points. Tell it your way and in your own words. And as you do, lives will change. Heaven will be populated.
Think high school English. There you learn that there are four crucial stages in the development of a plot line:
Stage 1 - set up
Some people call it the exposition. This is where it all begins! The stage is set, the characters introduced. We see the setting, the main characters. The set-up gives us background information. The tone is set. Stage 1 – set-up.
Stage 2 - struggle
Some people call this the “rising action.” A struggle happens. Problems come. Complications occur. Stage 2 – struggle.
Stage 3 - climax
This is the high point of the story. The hero and the villain collide. Struggles come to a head. The conflict rages. The hero wins, usually after some kind of personal sacrifice. Stage 3 – climax.
Stage 4 - resolution
The conflict is over. The hero wins. The conclusion, the end, is coming. Stage 4 – resolution.
OK. So, what’s the plotline of the Bible?
The Plotline:
Creation.
Fall.
Rescue.
Restoration.CREATION
God (Genesis 1:1)
Good (Genesis 1:31)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 (ESV)
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. Genesis 1:31 (ESV)
FALL
Sin (Romans 3:23)
Separation (Isaiah 59:2)
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (ESV)
Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God. Isaiah 59:2 (ESV)
RESCUE
Christ (I Timothy 1:15)
Cross (Romans 5:8)
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I Timothy 1:15 (ESV)
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (ESV)
RESTORATION
Faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Follow (Luke 9:23)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:23 (ESV)
That’s it. That’s the story. You can tell this. Learn 12 words and a few verses and you have talking points. Tell it your way and in your own words. And as you do, lives will change. Heaven will be populated.
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