If someone asked you what the Bible is about, what would you tell them? There are a lot of different answers you could give, and a lot of them would be correct. After all, the Bible covers a lot of different topics. What if you had to answer the question with only one word? What would your answer be? Perhaps you would say “commands” or “love” or “God.”
In Scripture, Jesus answers this question for us twice. In John 5:39, Jesus is explaining who He is to some Jews who were persecuting him. He tells them, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life” (John 5:39–40, ESV). Wow! Jesus is saying that they know Scripture well, but they are missing the entire point of the Bible. It is about Him!
After Christ rose from the dead, he was walking to the village, Emmaus, with a couple disciples. They didn’t recognize him, and so they told him about how Jesus had recently died on the cross. They also mentioned that some disciples now said that Jesus had come back to life. Then Jesus said to them, “’O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:25–27, ESV). I would love to have a recording of that conversation! Jesus was explaining all the things in the Old Testament that were about Him. The Old Testament had been pointing ahead to Jesus. These disciples had just failed to fully see it.
Now how would you answer that question in one word? What is the Bible about? The Bible is
about Jesus!
This fall, our Sunday school will be using a new curriculum called The Gospel Project. It is a 3 year journey through the entire Bible with the goal of pointing to Jesus in every single lesson. I plan to also follow the schedule of this curriculum for my preaching. In other words, we will be doing a 3 year sermon series through the Bible. I would also love to start some related small group Bible studies where people can discuss Scripture and grow in their faith together.
This will help United Lutheran Church to grow as a “Christ-focused, Word-centered Family.”
Christ-focused - We will learn how every portion of Scripture that we study points to Jesus. After all, the Bible is about Him! As we do so, we will more deeply appreciate the salvation He won for us and better understand how that salvation affects every part of our lives.
Word-centered – Going through the Bible in this way will give us a better understanding of the events of Scripture. What happened when? Who did what? How does it all fit together in God’s plan of salvation through Christ? Without a good knowledge of the Old Testament, it is difficult to understand the New Testament. Without knowing the New Testament, you will misunderstand the Old Testament. Our faith will be deepened as we grow in our knowledge of the entire Bible.
Family – Everyone, from youngest to oldest will be studying the same thing each Sunday. This gives parents a great opportunity to discuss Scripture with their kids. It gives the various generations an opportunity to learn, grow, and discuss Scripture together as a church family.
Best of all, we will grow in our relationship with Jesus, our Savior, as we learn how all of Scripture is about Him! I can’t wait to start this journey with you!
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