12 Steps To Understanding The Bible

One of the keys to understanding the Bible is to see the big picture- which is presented below in 12 steps designed to help you understand the broad sweep of biblical history. Each step has four sub sections, a quick summary of important events, main actors and general physical location.

This work is based upon several works and sources including:

30 Days To Understanding The Bible – Max E Anders I first read this 25 years ago – it deserves it’s five star reputation
Agape Bible Study Overview a Catholic study – theological in content
http://www.on-mission.com/outlines/periods.html
https://quizlet.com/27183699/12-eras-of-the-bible-flash-cards/ Flash cards for memorisation

12 Step Biblical Overview

A description of the Bible's big story through history in 12 steps.

Name	Events	People	Summary
Creation	Creation Fall Flood Tower	Adam Eve Noah	God creates everything, including humans, who rebel against God and destroy God's perfect creation
The Patriarchs	Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph	Abraham Isaac Jacob Joseph	God chooses Abraham to start a family that would make God known to the world
Exodus	Deliverance The Law Rebellion (Kardesh Barnea) 40 Years Wandering	Moses Aaron	God chooses Moses to rescue the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt and gives them the law
Conquest	Jordan Jericho Conquest Dominion	Joshua Rahab	Joshua leads the Hebrew people into the promised land and conquers it.
Judges	Judgement Rebellion Cycles of sin Ruth	Sampson Ruth Deborah Gideon Samuel	Samson and others were chosen as judges to govern the people for four hundred rebellious years.
Kingdom	United Divided Northern Southern	David Solomon Rehoboam Josiah	King David, is followed by mostly unrighteous kings and God eventually judges Israel sending her into captivity.
Exile	Prophecies Prophets Exile Power Change	Daniel Shadrach Meshach Abednego	Daniel gives leadership and encourages faithfulness amongst the exiles for the next 70 years
Return	Disrepair Temple People Wall	Ezra Nehemiah Esther	Ezra leads the people back from exile to rebuild Jerusalem
Silence	The Changing Guard Political Sect Religious Sect Messianic Hope	Pharisees Sadducee Maccabeans Zealots	Pharisees and others entomb the Israelites in legalism for the next four hundred years.
Jesus	Early Life Early Ministry Later Ministry Death and Resurrection	Jesus John Disciples	Jesus comes in fulfilment of the Old Testament prophesies of a saviour and offers salvation and the true kingdom of God. While some accept Him, most reject Him, and He is crucified, buried and resurrected.
Church	Creation Growth Persecution Transition	Peter Stephen	Peter, shortly after the Ascension of Jesus, is used by God to establish the church, God’s next major plan for humans.
Mission	First Journey Second Journey Third Journey Trials and Imprisonment	Paul Silas Timothy	God uses Paul and others to take the good news about Jesus to non-Jewish people all over the known world.