In this episode, we begin our Biblical Story series. Throughout this series, we will explore the Bible's main themes, ideas, and overarching story. Each episode will focus on "blocks" of scripture and the narrative captured within them. We also will discuss how these stories are a part of one giant narrative about God's redemption of creation and humanity's role in that story. We hope this series can become a useful road map for you to use as you read the Bible for yourself.

Follow us on:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thekingdom.movement/

youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KingdomMovementBotswana

Episode Outline Notes:

Creation: Temple, Garden, Image-Bearers (Creates humans in his image) (Gen. 1:27-31)

Caretakers and Stewards in God’s image (Humanity’s purpose

God’s intention is to have humans rule and reign on his behalf as they reflect his love and purpose in the world.

So what happens?

1. The tree of knowledge of good and evil is representative of the ability to take matters of discernment into our own hands. Rather than operate from a relationship with the creator we can define our world by our terms.

2. The lie is believed and we live in the result of a world where those meant to bear God’s image (rule, authority, love, purpose) now take matters into their own hands.

3. The creator can’t have this so they are exiled from his intimate presence.

4. Humanity continues to spiral, neglecting the purposes of God. Instead of filling the earth (Gen. 1:28), they decide to gather in a city of pride known as Babel. (Get 11:1-9)

5. God brings about his purposes despite humanity (rather than with them) by confusing their language and scattering them.

6. Babel later Babylon from then on becomes an archetype of pride and rebellion against God throughout the Bible, even up until revelation.

7. What is God to do? It seems like no solution can be found. In the very next chapter, we find our answer in the call of Abraham.