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WHAT IS THE STORY? The Story is all about - the story of the Bible. Zondervan Bible Publishing has recently come out with a church program to assist people in reading the Bible. The Story, a book which takes the stories of the Bible and has arranged them in chronological order. Organized into 31 chapters, The Story reads like a novel while using selections of the actual NIV text of Scripture along with short transitions to connect the reader to the continuing story. The reader of The Story will gain a real understanding of the story of the Bible, its history and timeline. We are encouraging each attendee of Bethel to purchase a copy of The Story, and then to read a chapter each week in preparation for the message Pastor Tim will preach that Sunday. Over the course of the year, we will cover the stories of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, both in the reading of The Story and in the Sunday messages. Our kids ministry, youth ministry and young adult ministry will also be following along each week with teaching from The Story. The Story for Kids and Teens is also available for personal reading or as a part of family devotions. Take advantage of this opportunity to go through The Story of the Bible as a church community and as a individual and as a family.
WHY THE STORY? It’s Biblical... The Story uses the actual NIV text of the Scripture. Reading the Bible is one of the primary disciplines of the Christian believer, yet sadly it is often neglected. As well, we have a responsibility to provide our young people a good knowledge of God’s Word. This church program, through reading The Story and Sunday messages, will provide for you and your family a solid understanding of the Word of God. It’s Unifying... Going through The Story as a church community will be a unifying experience. Each week, we are reading a chapter and preparing ourselves for the message on Sunday. You will feel like you are not alone but you are part of something that is bigger. It will assist you in being consistent in your reading as we will be going through The Story together. It’s LifeChanging... Whenever you make the Word of God a priority in your life - your life will be changed.
WHEN WILL IT START? The first message (Chapter 1) of The Story message series will be on Sunday, January 29th. A special Introduction Sunday will take place on Sunday, January 8th and books can be ordered that day. Books will then be distributed on Sunday January 22nd to begin reading chapter 1 that week in preparation for Sunday January 29th.
6 WAYS TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE STORY PERSONAL READING Each week read a chapter of the book The Story. This will also prepare you for that weeks Sunday message by Pastor Tim. Each chapter can be read in approximately 15 to 30 minutes. Make this a part of your weekly devotional schedule. You can purchase a copy of The Story from your local Christian bookstore, online or through Bethel Church. An audio version of The Story is also available for those who are not readers.
FAMILY TIME Using The Story for a weekly Family devotion time. For those with younger children, there are 3 versions of The Story for Kids for the age categories. Take advantage of this opportunity to go through God's Word together as a family.
AN EXCERPT FROM THE STORY After Judas left, Jesus gave the disciples a glimpse of what was to come. He foreshadowed the fact that He was going to be “broken” and “poured out”-He was going to take humanity’s punishment for sin on Himself. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
SUNDAY TEACHING
Then He took a cup, and when He had given
Each week Pastor Tim will be teaching on a certain aspect of that weeks
all of you. This is My blood of the covenant,
chapter of The Story with an emphasis on providing an overall
which is poured out for many for the forgiveness
chronological understanding of the stories of the Bible and on application
of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit
of life principles. Most Sunday nights, Pastor Tim will go even deeper into
of the vine from now on until that day when I
the teaching of that week's reading lesson.
drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
CHURCH MINISTRIES
Jesus warned his disciples that He would be
Our Kids ministry on Sundays will also be reviewing that weeks chapter lesson to reinforce the lesson.
thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it,
with them only a little while longer. He went on to comfort his confused followers.
A teen edition of The Story is also available. Our youth ministry will be
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe
teaching each week on the scheduled chapter from The Story.
in God; believe also in Me. My Father’s house has
Our Young Adult Ministry, LIFE, will be using their Tuesday night Bible
many rooms; if that were not so, would I have
study nights to review and discuss that weeks chapter of The Story.
SPECIAL BIBLE STUDIES
told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that
As a part of The Story message series, Bethel will offer various
you also may be where I am. You know the way
opportunities for additional study. These opportunities will be presented
to the place where I am going.”
as a special seminar teaching on either a one-night teaching time, a Saturday morning or a Sunday school class. Examples: A mid-week 2 hour teaching on The Feasts of Israel, A Saturday morning seminar on leadership from the book of Nehemiah, a two-week Sunday School class on Understanding the Tabernacle. (These are suggestions to simply provide an example.)
SMALL GROUPS
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”
For those interested in leading a small group discussion group as part of The Story message series or in being a part of a small group as we go through The Story, please speak to one of the Pastors. Pastor Tim will provide each week a lesson outline and discussion questions related to that weeks reading and Sunday message.
• Editors Notes in Italics • Scripture in Non-Italics
MATERIALS FOR THE STORY The Story is all about—the story of the Bible. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Using the clear, accurate, and easy-tounderstand text of the NIV Bible, it allows the stories, poems, and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel. This is the book that we are encouraging every attendee at Bethel to purchase and to read a chapter each week, leading up to the Sunday service where Pastor Tim will teach from week's chapter lesson from The Story. Hardcover version.
The Teen Edition is exactly like The Story but it is soft-cover.
The Story for Kids has it all - the same 31 chapters as The Story for Adults - The Story for Kids is told using the New International Reader's Version (NIrV), the easiest to read of all Bible translations.Events, characters, and teachings are arranged in chronological order so you can better understand God's plan for creation and his people. This is a great read for bigger kids and as well as for family devotions as each chapter includes discussion questions.
The Story for Children is a unique collection of forty-eight Bible stories and tells the big picture of God’s enormous love for his children. The vibrant illustrations that accompany the stories help bring the Bible to life for readers of any age. Ages 2-5.
The Story for Little Ones is filled with vibrant illustrations and simple text that bring 31 pivotal Bible stories, including Creation, David and Goliath, and the birth of Jesus to life for children. At the end of each story, a simple message will help children personalize and remember the greatest story ever told. This picture book Bible, designed for children ages 2-5.
The Action Bible is not part of The Story program however, Pastor Tim highly recommends this Bible for kids as it presents the stories of the Bible in comic book form to captivate the attention of a child.
HOW DO I GET A COPY OF THESE MATERIALS? All of these materials are available through your local christian bookstore or by. Or you may purchase on-line. Some of these materials are available for your e-reader, kindle, nook, devises etc.
THE SCHEDULE 3 WEEK INTRODUCTION SERIES TO THE STORY Jan 8th - Introduction to The Story
7 WEEK SERIES "MESSAGES FROM ABOVE" (THE PROPHETS)
Jan 15th - The Importance of God’s Word
June 3 - Chapter 15 – God’s Messengers
Jan 22nd - Creation: The Beginning of Life (Intro)
READING BEGINS THIS WEEK 6 WEEK SERIES "NEW BEGINNINGS" (PENTATEUCH)
(Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea) June 10 - Chapter 16 – The Beginning of the End June 17 - Chapter 17 – The Kingdom’s Fall June 24 - Chapter 18 – Daniel in Exile July 1 - CANADA DAY CELEBRATION SERVICE
Jan 29 - Chapter 1 – Creation: The Beginning of Life
July 8 - Chapter 19 – The Return Home
Feb 5 - Chapter 2 – God Builds a Nation
July 15 - Chapter 20 - The Queen of Beauty and Courage (Esther)
Feb12 - Chapter 3 – Joseph: From Slave to Pharaoh
July 22- Chapter 21- Rebuilding the Walls (Nehemiah)
Feb 19 - Chapter 4 - Deliverance Feb 25 - Chapter 5 – New Commands and a New Covenant Mar 4 - Chapter 6 - Wandering Mar 11 - SPRING BREAK
3 WEEK SERIES "LESSONS IN COURAGE" (JOSHUA & JUDGES) Mar 18 - Chapter 7 – The Battle Begins Mar 25 - Chapter 8 – A Few Good Men…And Women Apr 1 - Chapter 9 – The Faith of a Foreign Woman (Ruth) Apr 8 - EASTER SUNDAY with John Wilkinson
5 WEEK SERIES "THE GOOD, THE BAD, & THE UGLY" (UNITED & DIVIDED KINGDOMS)
SUMMER BREAK - AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER 9TH 6 WEEK SERIES "WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS" (THE GOSPELS) Sept 16 - Chapter 22 – The Birth of the King Sept 23 - Chapter 23 – Jesus Ministry Begins Sept 30 - Chapter 24 – No Ordinary Man Oct 7
- Chapter 25 – Jesus, The Son of God
Oct 14 - Chapter 26 – The Hour of Darkness Oct 21 - Chapter 27 – The Resurrection Oct 28 – ENCOUNTER SERVICES with Mike Livengood
Apr 15 - Chapter 10 – Standing Tall, Falling Hard (Samuel & Saul)
4 WEEK SERIES "GOD'S WORK IN WORLD & IN HEAVEN"
Apr 22 - Chapter 11 – From Shepherd to King (David & Saul)
(THE APOSTLES)
Apr 29 - Chapter 12 – The Trials of a King (David Reign & Sin)
Nov 4 - Chapter 28 – New Beginnings
May 6 - Chapter 13 – The King Who Had It All (Solomon)
Nov 11 - Chapter 29 – Paul’s Mission
May 13 - Chapter 14 – A Kingdom Torn in Two
Nov 18 - Chapter 30 – Paul’s Final Days
(Jeroboam & Rehoboam)
Nov 25 - Chapter 31 – The End of Time
20 - VICTORIA DAY SUNDAY
The Story Message Series Concludes
27 - PENTECOST SUNDAY w/ David Wells, PAOC Superintendent
*Schedule Subject To Change