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1|GETTING THE BIG PICTURE
S T U D Y G U I D E
Bible Class is the teaching ministry of Salisbury Christian Church 56 Henson Rd Salisbury QLD 4107 AUSTRALIA contact@salisburychristianchurch.com.au www.bibleclass.com.au Page 1
Readings 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Getting A Big Picture • Contrast the big picture view of the Bible versus a piecemeal study of individual books, stories and topics. • A big picture view unites the individual parts with a single narrative or scope of thinking. • As a work with a unity of purpose, the Bible does have a big picture purpose. 1. Diversity • 66 Books. • 40+ Authors. • Over ~1,600 years. • Diverse people: kings, shepherds, Government officials, a general, fishermen etc. • Diverse cultures and places of authorship. 2. Unity • The Holy Spirit inspired all of the authors. • Each book has a role in developing the revelation which this single author wished to convey. • The purpose of scripture is therefore, ultimately, united. Defining the Theme of the Bible 1. The Central Theme of Scripture • The Bible is showing to us the existence and the actions of God; and • The origin and the actions of man; and • The relationship between God and man. 2. The Revelation of Scripture • It tells us what could otherwise not have been known. • It is the true revelation of who God is and what God is like. • It is the true revelation of the reason for the existence of man. • It is the true revelation of the real nature of man. • It is the true revelation of the blessings reserved for the man or woman who seeks after God.
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3. Sin is the Key Problem of Scripture • The knowledge of God and the blessing of man is destroyed because of sin. • At the point in scripture where the entrance of sin is recorded (Genesis 3), the Bible and the whole of history are divided into two parts. • Post Genesis 3, the purpose of scripture is to reveal the restoration of the knowledge of God and the blessing of man. To this end, Christ is the central figure. 4. Christ is the Key Figure of Scripture • This is evident from the beginning. • Before His coming, the scriptures point forward to Him. • After His coming, the scriptures deal with the results of His coming. • He is central to the theme of scripture, because God is known and man is blessed because of Christ. • In Christ, the problem of sin is dealt with. 3. The Final End of Scripture • The New Heaven and the New Earth are the ultimate end of God’s plan, and therefore the ultimate end of scripture. • The re-creation of all things, reunited in Christ, without sin is God’s ultimate purpose. • In this environment, the knowledge of God and the blessing of man are perfected. • In this environment, the possibility of creation falling into sin is excluded. • Revelation 21:1-5
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."
• Ephesians 1:9-11
...making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to reunite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
The Turning Point of Scripture 1. The Fall • In light of the theme as defined above, the principal turning point of scripture is the entrance of sin. • God’s purpose of restoration flows out of this point. • God’s purpose of perfection is evident before this point.
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Review Questions 1. Scripture gives the record of God’s restoration of what? A. The knowledge of God and the blessing of mankind. B. The Garden of Eden and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. C. The Old Testament and the New Testament. D. The fallen angels and unbelieving people. 2. Which of the following is NOT a feature of the diversity of scripture? A. 40+ Authors B. Written over ~1,600 years C. Contradictions D. 66 Books 3. Which of the following is NOT a feature of the unity of scripture? A. It is all written in the same style. B. It is all inspired by the Holy Spirit. C. It is all God’s revelation of things contained in it. D. It all unites to reveal the unfolding of God’s ultimate purpose. 4. Christ is the key figure of scripture in what sense? A. He is the main character of the New Testament, which is the part that matters to us. B. The Old Testament points forward to Him, the New Testament reveals His coming and its results. C. Because God is known and mankind is blessed because of Him. D. Both B and C. 5. Which of the following is NOT part of the central theme of scripture? A. The existence of God. B. The actions of God. C. The relationship between God and man. D. The individual stories of the Old Testament. 6. The ultimate end of scripture is... A. The same as the ultimate end of God’s purpose. B. The New Heaven and the New Earth. C. The reuniting of all things under God, in Christ. D. All of the above.
Answers | 1A | 2C | 3A | 4D | 5D | 6D bibleclass.com.au
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