God's Big Picture
Bible overview course
by Vaughan Roberts. Vaughan is pastor and he has struggled with unwanted homosexual feelings. The reasons I can endorse this study is that the study is biblical and and that pastor Vaughan lives a celibate lifestyle. In 2017, he was among the initial signatories of the Nashville Statement. He believes that marriage is between one man and one woman: "marriage of a man and a woman is the Bible's greatest unchanging picture of Christ and his love for the church and is not something we are at liberty to redefine".
See Bible overview website
See Bible overview website
Introduction
The God's Big Picture Bible overview course traces the story of the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation to see how it all fits together, telling of God's wonderful plan to save the world through Jesus Christ.
Each of the 9 units consists of a 10 minute video followed by an hour long Bible study which you could do in a group at church or by yourself at home. The entire course is free to download here at God's Big Picture, and from our partners Clayton.tv.
This bible-based course is based on Vaughan's book of the same name, published by IVP, the UK's leading evangelical publisher.
Each of the 9 units consists of a 10 minute video followed by an hour long Bible study which you could do in a group at church or by yourself at home. The entire course is free to download here at God's Big Picture, and from our partners Clayton.tv.
This bible-based course is based on Vaughan's book of the same name, published by IVP, the UK's leading evangelical publisher.
Unit 1 : the Pattern of the Kingdom
God's people, in God's place, under his rule and blessing - that's how it all starts.
God's people, in God's place, under his rule and blessing - that's how it all starts.
The Bible isn't just a random collection of books but one connected story and it is vital to understand it in that context. This first video explains that the Bible has one author: God, one subject: Jesus Christ and one overarching theme: God's plan to save the world through his son Jesus Christ.
We begin to look at this unfolding story in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, which sets up the pattern of God's kingdom that we will trace through the rest of the units. We see that in God's perfect created order, God's People, Adam and Eve, live in God's Place, the Garden of Eden, and enjoy his Rule and Blessing. In this creation the relationships between God & man, man & woman and mankind & creation are perfect, just as they were supposed to be. But it doesn't last long...
We begin to look at this unfolding story in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, which sets up the pattern of God's kingdom that we will trace through the rest of the units. We see that in God's perfect created order, God's People, Adam and Eve, live in God's Place, the Garden of Eden, and enjoy his Rule and Blessing. In this creation the relationships between God & man, man & woman and mankind & creation are perfect, just as they were supposed to be. But it doesn't last long...
Read Genesis 1:1-2:3 and Genesis 2:4-25
Unit 2 : the Perished Kingdom
An evil snake, two foolish rebels and then judgement, murder and death...
An evil snake, two foolish rebels and then judgement, murder and death...
God's perfect creation is all too quickly ruined. In this episode we consider the question of evil, the tactics of the Devil who wants people to distrust and disobey God and the sinfulness of human hearts.
As we read more of Genesis we see that God's people, Adam and Eve, disobey God, reject his rule and suffer the dire consequences. Once they have turned their back on God he must turn his back on them. Relationships are broken and God's people suffer the just curses of a fallen world. Sin and death infect the whole of creation. God's people deserve judgment but in God's grace this isn't where the story ends...
As we read more of Genesis we see that God's people, Adam and Eve, disobey God, reject his rule and suffer the dire consequences. Once they have turned their back on God he must turn his back on them. Relationships are broken and God's people suffer the just curses of a fallen world. Sin and death infect the whole of creation. God's people deserve judgment but in God's grace this isn't where the story ends...
Read Genesis 3
Unit 3 : the Promised Kingdom
God's eternal plan to fix his broken world; shafts of light into the the darkness of sin; and then a promise to one man that would set the agenda for the rest of history...
God's eternal plan to fix his broken world; shafts of light into the the darkness of sin; and then a promise to one man that would set the agenda for the rest of history...
It looks like it's all gone wrong but in unit 3 we learn that God has an eternal plan to save his people and restore his perfect creation. Reading on in Genesis we see that God, in his amazing grace, is going to send a saviour to rescue his fallen people. He then makes a foundational covenant or promise with one man, Abraham, which has implications for the rest of history. God promises to make himself a people through Abraham, to bring his people to a place and to bless them. As we see more of human sin and weakness we also see more and more of God's grace and we realise God's people cannot save themselves. Only God can save.
But questions abound... How will he make a people from an elderly, barren couple? Where is this land? And how can he restore the perfect relationships of creation?
But questions abound... How will he make a people from an elderly, barren couple? Where is this land? And how can he restore the perfect relationships of creation?
Read Genesis 17:1-8
Unit 4 : the Partial Kingdom - people and blessing
A million slaves rescued, a faceoff between God and Pharaoh, and a nation is born...
A million slaves rescued, a faceoff between God and Pharaoh, and a nation is born...
God's covenant promises of unit 3 are beginning to be worked out. In Genesis 12 - Exodus 18 we see how God begins to make a people for himself by miraculously granting Abraham and Sarah children and then many descendants. We see again and again that evil, unworthy persons become God's people and it becomes clear that it is God who saves and that no man can boast.
We see how God rescues his people from slavery in Egypt by substitution, by conquest and by defeating their enemies. Once freed from slavery God's begins to bless his people by giving them his law and by being amongst them. Things are beginning to look up, but there is much more to be fulfilled.
We see how God rescues his people from slavery in Egypt by substitution, by conquest and by defeating their enemies. Once freed from slavery God's begins to bless his people by giving them his law and by being amongst them. Things are beginning to look up, but there is much more to be fulfilled.
Read Exodus 19: 4-6 and Exodus 20:1-17
Unit 5 : the Partial Kingdom - land and king
A million lives lost in the desert, the farewell speech of a dying man, and then battles, chaos and coronations...
A million lives lost in the desert, the farewell speech of a dying man, and then battles, chaos and coronations...
Having seen the 'people' and 'blessing' promises partially fulfilled we're now looking out for the promsie of 'land' to be fulfilled. But, because of further disobedience, we read in the book of Numbers that God's people are delayed forty years in getting into a land he has promised them. Once in the land things don't get much better: the nation descends into a cycle of sin, judgment and grace as God provides judges to rule his people.
Perhaps God's people would do better if they had a king to rule over them? In 1 Samuel-2 Chronicles God's promise of a king is seemingly fulfilled by Saul, David and then Solomon. The last two kings bring great periods of peace and prosperity to Israel, but ultimately each one fails to bring the everlasting peace and kingdom that God has promised. We conclude that these partially fulfilled promises must be pointing to something greater.
Perhaps God's people would do better if they had a king to rule over them? In 1 Samuel-2 Chronicles God's promise of a king is seemingly fulfilled by Saul, David and then Solomon. The last two kings bring great periods of peace and prosperity to Israel, but ultimately each one fails to bring the everlasting peace and kingdom that God has promised. We conclude that these partially fulfilled promises must be pointing to something greater.
Read 2 Samuel 7:1-17
Unit 6 : the Prophesied Kingdom
A disastrous line of idolatrous kings, the catastrophic destruction of God's kingdom, and amidst the rubble, new shoots of hope...
A disastrous line of idolatrous kings, the catastrophic destruction of God's kingdom, and amidst the rubble, new shoots of hope...
Israel's history takes a downward turn as they continue to disobey. They are exiled from the promised land, they become a scattered fragmented people and are left facing God's judgment rather than blessing. But in his grace God sends prophets to speak his word to his people and enforce his covenant.
This unit maps the various prophets found in the Old Testament, all bringing a message of judgment and hope. Speaking God's words and not their own, the prophets stress that God's people will face judgment if they continue to disobey, but they also bring a wonderful message of hope: God will keep his promise to bless his people. Most excitingly they prophesy of a new hope and a glorious, perfect King who will rule God's people forever - that is of course, Jesus Christ. We're left at the end of this unit eagerly looking for the arrival of God's King.
This unit maps the various prophets found in the Old Testament, all bringing a message of judgment and hope. Speaking God's words and not their own, the prophets stress that God's people will face judgment if they continue to disobey, but they also bring a wonderful message of hope: God will keep his promise to bless his people. Most excitingly they prophesy of a new hope and a glorious, perfect King who will rule God's people forever - that is of course, Jesus Christ. We're left at the end of this unit eagerly looking for the arrival of God's King.
Read Hosea 1-3
Unit 7: the Present Kingdom
The King is here and nothing will ever be the same again...
The King is here and nothing will ever be the same again...
Finally all of God's promises are fulfilled! Here we truly see how the whole of the Bible fits together. God's promised king arrives to save God's people - Jesus is born. This unit shows how each of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) give complementary accounts of Jesus' life and teachings, each concluding that Jesus is the Messiah, the saviour of God's people and the fulfilment of all the Old Testament promises.
We see how Jesus is God's people, place, rule and blessing and what each of these promises mean for the believer. Most importantly this unit describes the way in which Jesus saves God's people through substitution, by taking the punishment they deserve, so that God's people can be restored to perfect relationship with him. There is a tension that remains however because the presence of sin remains...
We see how Jesus is God's people, place, rule and blessing and what each of these promises mean for the believer. Most importantly this unit describes the way in which Jesus saves God's people through substitution, by taking the punishment they deserve, so that God's people can be restored to perfect relationship with him. There is a tension that remains however because the presence of sin remains...
Read Luke 1:67-79
Unit 8 : the Proclamed Kingdom
How can a kingdom be both now and not yet? Why doesn't the king just come back? And who is the Holy Spirit?
How can a kingdom be both now and not yet? Why doesn't the king just come back? And who is the Holy Spirit?
Jesus' Kingdom is 'now' and 'not yet'. This unit explains that we live in the 'last days'; between Jesus' first and second comings. God is patiently waiting for more people to come into his Kingdom before he sends Jesus back to wrap everything up. As we move on to the book of Acts, we see that, to accomplish the task of making a great nation for himself, God sends his Holy Spirit into his people so they can tell others of Jesus.
We learn that the Holy Spirit brings about new birth, he equips believers to serve Christ and he produces holiness. Though believers have been wonderfully save God does not promise an easy life now, rather they are to expect suffering. Believers are to persevere in holiness and in spreading the gospel, by looking forward to the glorious, eternal future when sin and death will be no more.
We learn that the Holy Spirit brings about new birth, he equips believers to serve Christ and he produces holiness. Though believers have been wonderfully save God does not promise an easy life now, rather they are to expect suffering. Believers are to persevere in holiness and in spreading the gospel, by looking forward to the glorious, eternal future when sin and death will be no more.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; 13-18
Unit 9 : the Perfected Kingdom
A curtain drawn back to reveal the truth behind human history; the judgement of Babylon, the beast and the false prophet; and our king, slain but now triumphant ushers in a whole new world...
A curtain drawn back to reveal the truth behind human history; the judgement of Babylon, the beast and the false prophet; and our king, slain but now triumphant ushers in a whole new world...
The end of evil and the beginning of eternity: the final book of the Bible, Revelation, is a series of visions given to the apostle John which conveys a message through symbols to strengthen believers.
There is a vision of a lamb on a throne in Heaven which encourages believers to know that though this world is full of evil there is someone in charge, Jesus, who gave his life for his people. Next there is a series of visions of seals, trumpets and bowls which depict the warmongering, economic instability and death that will mark every age until Christ returns. Then there is the final judgment when all evil and opposition to God will be totally and finally destroyed. And finally, there is the glorious picture of the new creation; God's perfect kingdom where there will be no sin, or sadness or death.
We see how God's promise to Abraham is fully and finally fulfilled: God's people from all nations will live in God's place, the new creation, and enjoy his rule and the blessing of his presence eternally. So we pray 'Come Lord Jesus' and while we wait ask for 'the grace of the Lord be with God's people Amen'.
There is a vision of a lamb on a throne in Heaven which encourages believers to know that though this world is full of evil there is someone in charge, Jesus, who gave his life for his people. Next there is a series of visions of seals, trumpets and bowls which depict the warmongering, economic instability and death that will mark every age until Christ returns. Then there is the final judgment when all evil and opposition to God will be totally and finally destroyed. And finally, there is the glorious picture of the new creation; God's perfect kingdom where there will be no sin, or sadness or death.
We see how God's promise to Abraham is fully and finally fulfilled: God's people from all nations will live in God's place, the new creation, and enjoy his rule and the blessing of his presence eternally. So we pray 'Come Lord Jesus' and while we wait ask for 'the grace of the Lord be with God's people Amen'.
Read Revelation 21:1-8
Read Revelation 21:22-22:5
Read Revelation 21:22-22:5