Unfolding Grace: 40 Guided Readings through the Bible

40 Guided Readings through the Bible

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• Publisher: Crossway
• eBook ISBN: 9781433582226

Part 1

The Story Begins

God’s Creation and Humanity’s Fall

The Bible’s opening words direct us to the very beginning of the story of the world. In these first chapters we learn how God creates all things and makes humanity in his image. We learn how he has made us to enjoy his presence and to reflect his goodness by ruling over his world. We learn that originally there was no sin, suffering, or sadness—everything was “very good.” Humanity was in right relationship with God, with one another, and with the creation itself. This is a picture of shalom—peace—universal flourishing, harmony, and happiness.

But this story also shows the fall of humanity into sin. As a result of humanity’s rejection of God, the world is now filled with sin, suffering, and death. Life is not the way it is supposed to be.

Yet God speaks his word of grace into the midst of our brokenness. He promises that a son of Eve will conquer the Serpent, which signals that God will reverse the consequences of sin and restore blessing to the world. This is the first promise of grace, the promise that unfolds across the Bible’s pages and through history’s ages. The Bible unfolds God’s gracious plan to restore God’s people to God’s place, to enjoy his presence and reflect his rule.

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Genesis 1–4

1 1:1In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 1:2The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

3 1:3And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 1:4And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 1:5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

6 1:6And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 1:7And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. 8 1:8And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

9 1:9And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10 1:10God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

11 1:11And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. 12 1:12The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 1:13And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

14 1:14And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 1:15and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 1:16And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars....

Table of contents

• Cover
• Newsletter Signup
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Part 1 The Story Begins
• God’s Creation and Humanity’s Fall
• The Flood and God’s Covenant with Noah
• Babel and the Promise to Abraham
• Abraham and the Promise of Isaac
• The Promise to Isaac and the Blessing of Jacob
• Israel Comes to Egypt
• Part 2 God’s People Redeemed
• Israel’s Oppression and Moses’ Call
• God’s Judgment of Egypt
• God’s Deliverance of Israel
• God’s Covenant with Israel
• The Idolatry of Israel and the Heart of God
• Israel’s Journey and Rebellion
• Israel Enters the Land
• Part 3 God’s Kingdom Established
• Israel’s Cycle of Sin and Restoration
• Israel Needs a King
• Israel Receives a King
• The Rejection of Saul and Anointing of David
• The Covenant with David
• The Kingdom Established through Solomon
• The Temple Built by Solomon
• Part 4 God’s Kingdom Declined and Partially Restored
• The Kingdom Divided
• Judah Exiled
• Exiles Return and Rebuild the Temple
• Israel Recommits to Obey God
• Part 5 The Hope of Restoration
• The Hope of a New Exodus
• The Hope of a New Creation
• The Hope of a New Covenant
• The Hope of New Life
• Part 6 The Dawning of the Kingdom
• Jesus’ Ministry Begins
• Jesus’ Ministry Continues
• Jesus’ Journey to Jerusalem
• Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
• Part 7 The Gospel Spreads and All Is Made New
• The Church’s Mission Begins
• The Church Multiplies in Jerusalem and Beyond
• The Gospel Begins to Spread to the Gentiles
• The Gospel Continues to Spread
• The Gospel Explained
• The Gospel Applied
• The King Speaks to His Churches
• The Return of the King and the Restoration of All Things
• Colophon