By God's grace I am planning to take this year and teach through the Bible Chronologically/historically using the curriculum Firm Foundations Creations to Christ published by NTM. Below is one reason why.
Many people have known and studied the Word of God without knowing the God of the Word! (Pharisees and Sadducees) It is our passion to lead those we disciple to encounter the God of the Word though Jesus Christ, the Word incarnate. We were created to be in relationship with God and with other people. The Bible is our curriculum and reading and studying the Bible chronologically/historically is a vital part of our plan.
For many years now the church in America has tended to study the scriptures systematically, (systematic theology) or topically...so many preachers preach and teach topically instead of teaching through a book of the bible. Even when we study books of the bible we do not see the over arching redemptive story of God revealed progressively through HIS Word in history.
By studying the scriptures this way we have lost the metanarrative, the big picture, God's big picture...the over arching story of "creation, fall, redemption and restoration." When we don't see the big picture, HIS big picture, it is easy to forget or to never see at all that you and I are living at a strategic time in HIS story and as HIS children HE longs for us to be a part in bringing in the "restoration," the new heavens and new earth. Remember Paul's words in Ephesians 2:10? "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." We are HIS workmanship, created for good works in Christ that God prepared beforehand!
"Workmanship" is the Greek word "poiema." If you look closely you will see our English word poem. Poem? What is a poem? It is an effective way to tell a story. So you and I are part of God's story, HIStory. God has written us into HIS grand story as a part of HIS poem that includes the "creation, fall, redemption and restoration and we are living at a time in HIS story immediately before the restoration. HE is inviting us and commanding us, HIS children, to be a part of HIS story, HIS plan to bring about the restoration...our part is to "go and make disciples of all nations..."
Quickly now...what happened to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus? Personally, I always jump to the "burning heart" part of the story...I love that part, because I want that to happen to me every day! Ah, but how did they come to have burning hearts? You just have love this...Luke 24:27 "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." WOW! Then their "eyes were opened" and their hearts were set on fire because the resurrected incarnate Word of God, Jesus, taught them the scriptures from beginning to end, chronologically/historically! Jesus walked them through the first five books of the bible that Moses wrote and then HE walked them through the prophets. Luke tells us that HE "interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself."
I realized that to bring others to the place of experiencing the God of the bible in a manner that ignites your heart and sets your life ablaze for the kingdom you must encounter HIM as HE has progressively revealed Himself through HIS precious Word!
It would be wonderful for some of you who have been studying and teaching the scriptures chronologically for some time now to share how God has used chronological bible study to enable you and those you disciple to encounter the God of the bible through HIS Word. Please share your stories with us!
GO Disciples!