What's the story?

This past Sunday, we were starting the book of Galatians. When you study Paul's letters, it's like hearing one side of a stranger's phone conversation. The words all make sense, but you are missing all of the context. A good bible teacher will place the letter in context.

I started at the beginning and began to jog through the biblical story. I expected it to take 15 minutes or so. I was surprised. We never made it to Galatians.

The room was full of people who had been Christians for decades. Most of them did not know the big story of the Bible. This is not an indictment of the people in the room. As we started walking through the story, they asked questions because they wanted to know the story!

This is an indictment of how we teach the Bible in America today. We teach people individual stories but do not connect them to the big story and themes of the Bible. When we do that, we miss so much!

It's like the big movie franchises of today; Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, or others. If you only watch one, you will only get part of the story. You will miss part of the movie you watch because it is loaded with references to the dozens of stories they have told. People who love those franchises watch all the stories, whether as movies, TV, or print, over and over again. They make connections and pick up on themes that many don't.

I've been called to teach. I've been struggling with the call and what to do. I think this might be it. Tell the story. More specifically, tell the story in the way we communicate today.

As I speak to people, I've come to understand why they do not understand the story, even when they read the Bible. We communicate much differently, tell stories much differently, than the original authors and audience of the Bible. This communication difference leads to us missing details. I want to tell the story in a way that our generation will understand.

That seems ridiculously pompous and arrogant. What is special about me?

I think it seems pompous because we have lost track of our job. Telling the story to the next generation is what we are supposed to do!

Psalm 78:4 (ESV)

4We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

We have stopped telling the big story. We tell little stories like Samson or Jesus raising Lazarus or the fruits of the spirit. We provide easily digestible Jesus nuggets with a task to accomplish. Be kind. Invite your neighbor. Pray.

Is it any surprise that getting to know the God of the Universe is more complicated than that?!

Often, there is no "life application" of studying the Bible. Its more like the conversation with a friend. You do not expect to change how you behave every time you talk with your friend. You expect to get to know your friend better! That's what should happen when you read the Bible. You know God a little better. Whether it is hearing the same story again, picking up on a new detail, or hearing a new story. We do the same when we talk to each other!

Let's get to know God better but learning the story He is telling!