Within the past few years, I've been exposed to the bookends approach to explaining salvation and the message of the Bible.
I love this approach, although I would follow it up with a section I would call Response to make it more personal.
It is a narrative that walks the person through an understanding of Scripture as a whole.
Here's what it involves, in outline form:
CREATION
God's attributes
God as Creator
God dwells with mankind in the Garden of Eden
Man's purpose to be an image-bearer of God in terms of character
Creation in harmony (shalom, wholeness, rest)
Mankind in proper relationship with God
Mankind in proper relationship with fellow man
Mankind in proper relationship with nature
Mankind's body working harmoniously
FALL
Adam and Eve fall into sin after being tempted by Satan to rebel against God
The image of God in mankind becomes "shattered" or distorted
Creation harmony is lost
Mankind is not in proper relationship with God
Mankind is not in proper relationship with fellow man
Mankind is not in proper relationship with nature
Mankind's physical body does not work harmoniously and becomes susceptible to death, disease and decay
REDEMPTION
Promises of the Messiah
Jesus undoes the work of Satan in the Fall upon the Cross
RESTORATION
Restoration of the image of God in redeemed mankind (being conformed to the image of Christ or God)
Restoration of the proper relationship with fellow man
Restoration of nature and the creation
Restoration of the physical body through glorification and the resurrection
God dwells with mankind again in the New Heavens and New Earth
I find this outline to be very good, and a very handy way to explain salvation to someone who is at the basic level as far as Bible knowledge.
I am wondering if anyone else has used this approach, and if so, do you have any suggested materials in regards to it? I am already familiar with The Story booklets as well as SpreadTruth.com.
Matt Chandler's book The Explicit Gospel also covers this approach fairly well.
Any suggestion on further points to include in the outline? I am developing a written explanation to use for my own resources and would like to get feedback from individuals who are aware of this approach, so that I can make it fairly complete.
I love this approach, although I would follow it up with a section I would call Response to make it more personal.
It is a narrative that walks the person through an understanding of Scripture as a whole.
Here's what it involves, in outline form:
CREATION
God's attributes
God as Creator
God dwells with mankind in the Garden of Eden
Man's purpose to be an image-bearer of God in terms of character
Creation in harmony (shalom, wholeness, rest)
Mankind in proper relationship with God
Mankind in proper relationship with fellow man
Mankind in proper relationship with nature
Mankind's body working harmoniously
FALL
Adam and Eve fall into sin after being tempted by Satan to rebel against God
The image of God in mankind becomes "shattered" or distorted
Creation harmony is lost
Mankind is not in proper relationship with God
Mankind is not in proper relationship with fellow man
Mankind is not in proper relationship with nature
Mankind's physical body does not work harmoniously and becomes susceptible to death, disease and decay
REDEMPTION
Promises of the Messiah
Jesus undoes the work of Satan in the Fall upon the Cross
RESTORATION
Restoration of the image of God in redeemed mankind (being conformed to the image of Christ or God)
Restoration of the proper relationship with fellow man
Restoration of nature and the creation
Restoration of the physical body through glorification and the resurrection
God dwells with mankind again in the New Heavens and New Earth
I find this outline to be very good, and a very handy way to explain salvation to someone who is at the basic level as far as Bible knowledge.
I am wondering if anyone else has used this approach, and if so, do you have any suggested materials in regards to it? I am already familiar with The Story booklets as well as SpreadTruth.com.
Matt Chandler's book The Explicit Gospel also covers this approach fairly well.
Any suggestion on further points to include in the outline? I am developing a written explanation to use for my own resources and would like to get feedback from individuals who are aware of this approach, so that I can make it fairly complete.