THE STORY OF

SCRIPTURE
WHAT IS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF SCRIPTURE?
AND WHY IT
MATTERS
The main purpose of Scripture is to reveal God and His plan to
redeem mankind. In Isaiah 46 God says “I am God, and there is
none like me, declaring the end from the beginning … My
counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.”
Before the world existed, God’s plan was put in place.
Scripture is the telling of that plan.
CREATION
Genesis 1-2 reveals that God alone created the Universe. It
was not a cosmic battle between lesser gods, and it was not an
accident. It was the beginning of God’s plan. Mankind was
created to have fellowship with, enjoy and praise God.
FALL
Through the sin of one man, Adam, all of mankind is cursed.
Humanity can no longer enjoy and praise God, and can no
longer live according to the purpose we were created for. Sin
was not news to God, and a plan that has been in existence for
eternity is soon revealed.
THE MESSIAH
After mankind sins, God reveals the beginning of Redemptive
History - His plan to save mankind. Genesis 3:15, often called
the protoevangelion or the first gospel, reveals that God will
one day send a Messiah. The rest of the Old Testament is in
anticipation of this Messiah. Galatians 4 says that “When the
fullness of time had come”, when the moment was right in
God’s plan, “God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born
under the law, to redeem those who are under the law.” On the
cross, Jesus bore the sin of the world in order to save those
who believe. Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection is the climax
of history. In the present era we look back on Christ's
completed work but also forward to the consummation when
He will return and make all things new.
ETERNITY
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell
with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be
with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their
eyes, and death shall be no more...” Revelation 21

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUNG LIFE LEADERS?

As we teach Scripture to kids, we need to keep the overall story and purpose in mind. When we teach how to live, we need to
emphasize that we live a certain way because of the work Christ accomplished on the Cross. When we teach through the Old
Testament, we need to make sure that every story, moral or event points to Christ and the Cross. Teach Jesus in every Scripture you
teach.

Resources: Genesis 1-3 “Overview of the Bible”, The ESV Study Bible
Galatians 4 “History of Salvation”, The ESV Study Bible
Ephesians 1 Concise Theology, J.I. Packer. p. 3, 79, 87