“The arc of meaning in the Bible: God’s love story”

The arc of meaning of the Biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation based on selected key sections

Schedule: Sundays, 9:30AM to 10:10AM, January 5 to June 22 2025

All are welcome to attend.

Course Outline

(scroll down to download a printable version)

This 25-Sunday Bible study explores the overarching narrative of the Old and New Testaments, revealing their interconnectedness and unified meaning. The focus is on a broad overview, rather than exhaustive detail, cultivating a deeper appreciation for God's design and plan for his people.
To enrich our discussions, please read or skim through the assigned Bible passages before each class.

Section 1: Creation, Fall, and Covenant (Sessions 1-5)

Session 1 (January 5)
Creation and the Fall (Genesis 1-3): God's perfect creation, humanity's disobedience, and the introduction of sin and death. Discussion: Explore the implications of the Fall for human relationships and the world.
Session 2 (January 12)
Early Patriarchs and Promises (Genesis 4-11): Cain and Abel, Noah's Ark, the Tower of Babel – themes of violence, faith, and God's judgment. Discussion: How do these stories foreshadow later events?
Session 3 (January 19)
Abraham and the Covenant (Genesis 12-25): God's covenant with Abraham, the promise of land and descendants. Discussion: What is the significance of this covenant for the rest of biblical history?
Session 4 (January 26)
Jacob, Joseph, and the Exodus Prelude (Genesis 25-50): Family struggles, betrayal, and God's faithfulness amidst adversity. Discussion: How does Joseph's story reflect God's sovereignty?
Session 5 (February 2)
Exodus and the Covenant Renewed (Exodus 1-15): Slavery in Egypt, Moses, the plagues, the Passover, and the parting of the Red Sea. Discussion: What is the meaning of the Passover and its continuing significance?

Section 2: Law, Kingdom, and Exile (Sessions 6-12)

Session 6 (February 9)
The Sinai Covenant (Exodus 19-40): The giving of the Law, the Tabernacle, and the establishment of God's covenant community. Discussion: What is the purpose of the Law?
Session 7 (February 16)
Wilderness Wanderings (Numbers): The Israelites' journey through the desert, their rebellion, and God's faithfulness. Discussion: How does this reflect the human condition?
Session 8 (February 23)
Conquest of Canaan (Joshua)
The Israelites' entry into the Promised Land and the conquest of Canaan. Discussion: Examine the ethical complexities of this period.
Session 9 (March 2)
Judges and the Cycle of Apostasy (Judges): The period of the Judges, characterized by cycles of sin and repentance. Discussion: What are the patterns of human behavior revealed?
Session 10 (March 9)
The United Monarchy (1 Samuel - 1 Kings 11): Saul, David, and Solomon – the rise and fall of a united kingdom. Discussion: How does David's life exemplify both greatness and failure?
Session 11 (March 16)
Divided Kingdom and Prophecy (1 Kings 12 - 2 Kings 25): The division of the kingdom, the rise of the prophets, and the exile to Babylon. Discussion: Analyze the role of prophets in challenging the kings and the people.
Session 12 (March 23)
Exile and Hope (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations): The Babylonian exile, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the message of hope from the prophets. Discussion: How does the exile shape the later understanding of God's plan?

Section 3: Return, Restoration, and the Messiah (Sessions 13-18)

Session 13 (March 30)
Return from Exile (Ezra, Nehemiah): The rebuilding of the temple and the walls of Jerusalem. Discussion: What does this represent in terms of restoration and rebuilding?
Session 14 (April 6)
Post-Exilic Judaism (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi): The challenges and triumphs of the post-exilic community. Discussion: How does the expectation of a Messiah develop?
Session 15 (April 13)
Intertestamental Period Overview: A brief overview of the period between the Old and New Testaments, setting the stage for Jesus’ arrival. Discussion: What were the major religious and political developments?
Session 16 (April 20)
The Gospels: Jesus' Life and Ministry (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John): Jesus' birth, ministry, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. Discussion: Compare and contrast the different Gospel accounts.
Session 17 (April 27)
Jesus' Teachings and Parables: Focus on key themes in Jesus' teachings, such as the Kingdom of God, love, forgiveness, and discipleship. Discussion: What are the most significant parables and their meanings?
Session 18 (May 4)
Jesus' Death and Resurrection: A deeper dive into the significance of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Discussion: How does this event reshape the narrative?

Section 4: The Church and the Future (Sessions 19-25)

Session 19 (May 11)
Acts: The Early Church: The spread of Christianity after the resurrection, the birth of the church, and the early challenges. Discussion: What were the keys to the early church's growth?
Session 20 (May 18)
Paul's Letters: Theology and Practice: Key themes from Paul's letters, including justification by faith, grace, and the nature of the church. Selected passages from Romans, Galatians and 1Corinthians. Discussion: Explore the major differences and similarities in Paul's letters.
Session 21 (May 25)
Hebrews: Focus: The superiority of Christ’s sacrifice and the new covenant. Discussion: How does the text reveal the fulfillment of Old Testament promises in Christ?
Session 22 (June 1)
Other New Testament Letters: Overview of the general epistles (e.g., James, Peter, John, Jude) and their contributions to understanding Christian life. Discussion: How do these letters address specific challenges faced by early Christians?
Session 23 (June 8)
Revelation: The End Times: An introduction to the book of Revelation and its symbolic language. Discussion: What are the key themes of Revelation, and how are they interpreted?
Session 24 (June 15)
The New Creation (Revelation 21-22): Discuss the vision of the new heaven and the new earth, the promise of eternal life, and God's ultimate reign.
Session 25 (June 22)
The Bible's Message for Today: Connecting the overarching narrative to contemporary issues and challenges. Discussion: How does understanding the Bible's narrative inform our lives today?