Through the Bible

Many people strive to read through the Bible every year and there are many different tools available to help with doing just that. I'd like to share a few of my own favorite resources here.

An eon ago (okay, 1991), when I spent the summer on a short term mission trip in Venezuela I came across this chart for reading the Bible through. I fell in love with it and have used it ever since. It was designed by Dr. Bill Smallman of Baptist Mid-Missions and he has graciously given me permission to distribute it. I have a PDF version available, which I would be happy to email to you if you want it. I love this chart because you can read the chapters in any order that you wish and can complete your reading in your own timing. I particularly like to finish in about 34 weeks (5 chapters per day), leaving the rest of the year for a more concentrated study.

I also love the ESV on CDs. The Bible, especially the Old Testament, was intended to be heard. Listening to scripture adds a whole new dimension to our understanding of God's Word. For my girls, looking at the entire Bible and trying to imagine reading the whole thing is a daunting task. But it is easy to put a disk in while we are in the car and listen to several chapters together. They don't have to struggle with pronunciations and their comprehension is much better.

More recently, I have found some books that are opening up my understanding of the "big picture" of scripture.

God's Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible, Vaughn Roberts

According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible, Graeme Goldsworthy

The Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel and Kingdom, Gospel and Wisdom, and The Gospel in Revelation, Graeme Goldsworthy

About every three years in my Sunday School class we like to take a week off from the curriculum and do a "walk through the Bible" lesson. It is great fun to tell the kids that "Next week I'm going to teach you the whole Bible!" I don't remember the details, but I got this lesson in one of my college classes from a favorite professor. Disclaimer: I cannot draw my way out of a paper bag. Please don't make fun of my stick figures.

Starting at the bottom of the page (I like to use an overhead during class), work your way up through the illustrations and explanations, elaborating as time allows.

Creation
Day 1-light/dark; Day 2-firmament; Day 3-land, seas, grass, trees; Day 4-sun, moon, stars; Day 5-fish, birds; Day 6-Animals, Man; Day 7-Rest~this section also includes Noah and the Tower of Babel.

Clan
Abraham ((Lot/Sodom), Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Joseph

Confinement
Slavery in Egypt for generations; Moses and the Plagues (river to blood, frogs, lice, flies, cattle die, boils, hail, locust, darkness, death of firstborn); Escape

Commandments
The Law is given to Israel. 1. No other Gods; 2. No idols; 3. No swearing; 4. Remember Sabbath; 5. Honor parents; 6. No murder; 7. No adultery; 8. No stealing; 9. No false witness; 10. No coveting.

Conquest
The judges leading Israel in battle against enemies and deciding matters of the Law. Jericho/Joshua, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Samson, Samuel.

Confusion
Israel wants a King over them (Saul). Then divided into two kingdoms of Judah and Israel. David, Solomon.

Captivity
God allows enemies to rule them because of their sin. Fall of Jerusalem, Daniel, ends with fall of Babylon (Belshazar, writing on wall, Medes & Persians).

Construction
Rebuilding the nation~between testaments, remnant of 50,000 return to rebuild Temple, Esther.

Cross
Jesus Christ comes as the long awaited Messiah and is crucified to pay the price of our sins. The problem of Israel's failure to fulfill the Law is solved by Christ fulfilling it for them (Gentiles too). Our Redemption is "vouchsafed".

Church
The time of the first Christians (followers of Christ), missionaries, martyrs, and the beginning of the Church.

Completion
A new heaven and new earth after the rapture and tribulation period, millenium and then eternity in the presence of God.

Obviously, this is just the bare bones of the lesson. The use of Scripture verses to flesh out the points is expected. After all, this is a walk through the Bible, not the teacher's memory. I have not included any verses here, however, to allow you to study on your own and to adapt the lesson for your needs and those of your target audience.