Bible 101Themes

The themes that follow may be viewed as topical threads that are woven throughout the tapestry of scripture and contribute to our understanding of the unity and beauty of the biblical message.

Selected Biblical Themes

What themes or topics come to your mind when you think about Scripture?

Selected Biblical Themes

► ► MissionMission

► ► CreationCreation

► ► SinSin

► ► RedemptionRedemption

► ► CovenantCovenant

► ► CommunityCommunity

► ► DiscipleshipDiscipleship

► ► HopeHope

Biblical Theme►►Mission: Mission: an assignment one is sent to

carry out

Give an example of a person with a mission.

What are some examples of biblical characters who have had a mission to carry out?

What are some missions that you have had opportunity to carry out?

Biblical Theme►►Mission: Bible passagesMission: Bible passagesI will bless you… and you will be a blessing.. and all

peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Gen. 12:2-3

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt. 28:19-20

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

Other passages: Num. 14:21, Joshua 4:24, 1 Chron 16:31, Psalm 2:7-10, 22:26-28, 46:10, Is. 6:3, 49:6, 56:7, Mark 11:17, 13:10, Luke 2:32, 10:2, John 12:32, Acts13:47, Rom. 10:12-15, Gal. 3:14, Eph. 1:10, Rev. 5:9, 7:9, 14:6, 15:4

Biblical Theme►►Mission: a faith issueMission: a faith issue

The call of God is to share in his own mission in the world.

First, he sent his Son.

Then he sent his Spirit.

Now he sends his church, that is us.

He sends us out by his Spirit into his world to announce his Son’s salvation. He worked through his Son to achieve it; he works through us to make it known.

John Stott

Biblical Theme►►Creation: Creation: The act of making something

never made before

What are some views that attempt to explain the origin of the universe?

View of Origins Implication about God

_____________ __________________

_____________ __________________

_____________ __________________

Biblical Theme►►Creation: Bible passagesCreation: Bible passages“In the beginning God created the heavens and the

earth.” Genesis 1:1

“Through him (Word, Jesus) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:3

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 1 Cor. 5:17

Other passages: Gen. 5:1-2, Psalm 19:1 & 102:25, Jer. 10:12, Amos 4:13, Is. 40:26 & 28, Neh. 9:6, Rom. 1:20-23, Col. 1:16, Heb. 11:3, Rev. 4:11 & 10:6.

Biblical Theme►►Creation: a faith issueCreation: a faith issueThe biblical doctrine of creation is based on

divine revelation and understood only from the standpoint of faith. It is faith that distinguishes the biblical approach from the scientific. (New Bible Dictionary)

“By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God.” Hebrews 11:3

Biblical Theme►►Sin:Sin: a transgression or act against a

religious or moral law

Problems facing humankind are complex. What are examples of sin entering into each of the following areas?• Arts and entertainment?• Business?• Education?• Politics?

Biblical Theme►►Sin: Bible passagesSin: Bible passages

“Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” Psalm 51:5

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

Other passages: Gen. 3:8-24, Hosea 6:7, Is. 53:6, Romans: 7:21-25 & 5:12-14, 1 Cor. 15:21-22

Biblical Theme►►Sin: a faith issueSin: a faith issue• Sin is rebellion against God. It is a

universally destructive human condition. No one has escaped from sin’s brokenness and corruption except Jesus.

• Only through Jesus can we find redemption from sin. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6

Biblical Theme►►Redemption: Redemption: Deliverance upon

payment of an obligation or ransom

Based on your spiritual knowledge and experience, to what extent do you think you have been delivered from having to pay a penalty for your sin?

1. I think that I may have a pretty heavy price to pay.

2. I’m not there yet but making progress.

3. I’ve been completely delivered.

Biblical Theme►►Redemption: Bible passages Redemption: Bible passages “...put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is

unfailing love, and with him is full redemption." Psalm 130:7

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:30

Other passages: Exod. 6:6, Deut. 21:8, Psalm 130:8, Is. 1:27, Jer. 31:11, John 8:33-34, Luke 21:27-28, Rom. 8:23, Eph. 4:30

Biblical Theme►►Redemption: a faith issue Redemption: a faith issue

Redemption is the deliverance from the slavery of sin because of the ransom paid by Christ on the cross (Mark 10:45, Eph. 1:7) for those who repent of their sins and receive Christ by faith.

Biblical Theme►►Covenant: Covenant: a binding agreement

What are examples of the covenants (or binding What are examples of the covenants (or binding agreements) into which people typically enter agreements) into which people typically enter during their adult lives?during their adult lives?

How might these be similar to or different from How might these be similar to or different from agreements that God makes or has made with agreements that God makes or has made with humankind?humankind?

Biblical Theme►►Covenant: Bible passagesCovenant: Bible passages“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting

covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” Genesis 17:7

“I will make a new covenant with the house of Isreal... I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people” Jeremiah 31:31-33

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Luke 22:21

Other passages: Gen. 2:17, 3:15, 9:8-17, 15:9-21, 17:1-27, Rom. 9:4, 1 Cor. 15:45, 2 Cor. 3:6, Gal. 4:4, Heb. 8:1-13

Biblical Theme►►Covenant: a faith issueCovenant: a faith issue• The Bible as “covenant” constitutes the heart of

God's special revelation; when put into writing, the "Book of the Covenant" becomes the objective source for humankind’s religious hope (Exod. 24:7).

• Scripture consists of the Old Testament (covenant) and the New Testament (covenant) with its anticipatory symbols of Christ's coming (Jer. 31-32; 2 Cor. 3:14) commemorative symbols of his accomplished redemption (Jer. 31:31; 2 Cor. 3:6).

(New Bible Dictionary)

Biblical Theme►Community: a group of people living in

a social relationship

What factors lead to relational harmony or relational breakdown?

• Harmony?

• Breakdown?

Biblical Theme►►Community: Bible passagesCommunity: Bible passages“How good and pleasant it is when God's people

live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many

parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body...” 1 Cor. 12:12

“…you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:19-20

Other passages: Gen. 1:26,13:8, Exodus 20, Deut. 5, 6, John 17, Acts 1:8, 2:42, 1 Cor. 12:4-7, Rom. 12:3-8, Eph. 4:7-13, Rev. 19:7, 21:2

Biblical Theme►Community: a faith issue

The central passion of his (Jesus) life was new community. He had come into the world to reconcile humans with God... He prayed for the community of reconciliation. He knew there could be no such community unless it had oneness: thus he prayed for their oneness.

Christianity 101, Gilbert Belezikian on John 17

Biblical Theme►►Discipleship: Discipleship: The state of being a

follower (or learner)Ben and Betty have recently become followers

of Jesus. Almost everything about church is new to them. They say, “We have so much to learn. There are so many ways that we want to be involved in the life of this place. We love it here.”

What plans should be in place to disciple them, to assist with their spiritual formation and service? What will be the next few steps for them?

Biblical Theme►►Discipleship: Bible passagesDiscipleship: Bible passages“Follow me and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Mathew 7:19“Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow

where I lead is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38“Whoever serves me must follow me.” John 12:26“Follow my example, as I follow the example of

Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1Other passages: Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:9,11,

Proverbs 3:9,10, Isaiah 26:3, 41:10, Matt. 5:16, 28:19,20, Luke 9:23, John 14:21, Rom. 1:16, 12:1-2, 1 Cor. 15:58, 2 Cor. 5:17, 9:6,7, Gal. 2:20, Eph. 2:8-9, Phil. 4, 2 Tim. 3:16, Heb. 11-12, 1 Peter 5:6-7, 1 John 2:15-16

Biblical Theme►►Discipleship: a faith issueDiscipleship: a faith issue

Biblical Theme►►Hope: Hope: a desire accompanied by

confident expectation of its fulfillment An acroynm is a word formed from the

letters of its name. Create an acroynm from the word HOPE.

H____________

O____________

P____________

E____________

Biblical Theme►►Hope: Bible passagesHope: Bible passages"I will always have hope." Psalm 71:14"the LORD preserves the faithful. . . [Therefore,]

be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD." Psalm 31:23-24

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col. 1:27 “Always be prepared to give a defense to

everyone who asks you to explain the hope you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

Other passages: Psalm 119:49-50, 130:7, Jer. 29:11, Rom. 5:2,12:12, 1 Cor. 13:8,13, Col. 1:5, Heb. 3:6, 10:23

Biblical Theme►►Hope: a faith issue Hope: a faith issue Hope is gift of the Holy Spirit that, with faith and

love (1 Cor 13:8, 13). The biblical concept of hope is not mere expectation and desire but includes confidence (Rom 15:13). Christ in you is the hope of glory (Col 1:27; cf. 1 Tim 1:1). All creation hopes for redemption (Rom 8:19-25 RSV). Christians have a "blessed hope--the glorious appearing of . . . Jesus Christ" (Titus 1:2; 2:13).

New Bible Dictionary

Which of these themes is most relevant to your spiritual life at this time? Why?

► ► MissionMission

► ► CreationCreation

► ► SinSin

► ► RedemptionRedemption

► ► CovenantCovenant

► ► CommunityCommunity

► ► DiscipleshipDiscipleship

► ► HopeHope