An Overview of the Bible -The Big Four

Genesis - Exodus 20 — The Old Test. is the foundation for the New Test. (Luke 24:27,32)

Genesis 1-11 : 4 major events: Creation, the Fall, the Flood, Babel

Themes:

• Attributes of God
• Where sin came from
• Judgment of God

Genesis 12-50 : 4 major people: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph

Themes:

• Promises of God
• Faithfulness of God

Exodus 1-20

Themes:

• God remembers His covenant to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (2:23,24)
• Passover (Exodus chapter 12)
• Ten commandments (Exodus chapter 20)

Matthew — The link book to the Old Testament (see Matthew chapter 1)

Themes:

• Jesus as king (Matthew 2:2)
• Jesus as the new lawgiver (Matthew 5 ties into Exodus 20)

John — Goes back to the beginning ( John 1:1-3)

Themes:

• Emphasis on belief (John 20:31)
• 7 signs
• 7 "I ams" demonstrate who Jesus is

Romans — Paul’s clear and logical explanation about the gospel ( Romans 1:16-17)

Themes:

• God’s righteousness
• Man’s sinfulness
• God’s solution

Why use the Big Four?

• Many people are no longer familiar with the Bible — this gets them into the Bible.
• Those who are familiar with the Bible have it in bits and pieces — this gives the big picture.
• This is Bible based — gets people into the Word on a personal basis and allows for self-discovery.
• God’s Word, not Bible study material, becomes the source of authority.
• They read the Bible on their own when not with you — extensive and intensive sowing.
• The habit of spending time in the Word begins forming and carries over after conversion.
• You can use this in small groups or one-on-one.
• This is an evangelism method that helps to produce disciples.

Applications:

• Read these books and look for the above-mentioned themes in each book.
• Begin praying for someone to share this with.

Reprinted with permission of Mark Bogart