Understanding the Bible: The Jigsaw Puzzle Analogy
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the analogy of a jigsaw puzzle to understand the Bible and its teachings. Just as a puzzle requires looking at the box to see the big picture, we need to see the overarching story of the Bible to understand its individual parts. This is especially true for the Old Testament, which was the Bible for Jesus and the early church. Over the next three months, we will delve into Old Testament Theology to grasp the main themes and narratives from Genesis to Nehemiah, and how they relate to Jesus and the New Testament.
We discussed the importance of understanding Jesus in the context of the Old Testament to avoid misinterpretations and distortions. The Old Testament provides the framework for understanding Jesus' role and mission. Without this context, we risk misappropriating Jesus' teachings and identity, as seen in historical and modern examples.
We also introduced the concept of biblical theology, which involves studying the main themes of the Bible organized according to its structure, with a focus on the overall story. This approach helps us integrate various texts and understand the Bible's message more deeply.
We then touched on the creation narrative in Genesis, emphasizing that humans are the pinnacle of God's creation, made in His image to be His representatives on Earth. This royal calling involves taking care of creation and exercising dominion in a way that reflects God's kingship.
Finally, we discussed practical applications of this theology: embracing our royal calling in whatever we do, taking time to rest and focus on relationships, and maintaining a close relationship with God to fulfill our roles as His representatives.
### Key Takeaways
1. Understanding the Big Picture: Just as looking at the box of a jigsaw puzzle helps in assembling the pieces, understanding the overarching story of the Bible helps us make sense of its individual parts. This is crucial for grasping the main themes of the Old Testament and how they relate to Jesus and the New Testament. [01:03]
2. Jesus in Context: Understanding Jesus within the context of the Old Testament is essential to avoid misinterpretations and distortions. The Old Testament provides the framework for Jesus' role and mission, helping us see Him as the fulfillment of God's promises and the central piece of the biblical puzzle. [04:41]
3. Biblical Theology: Biblical theology involves studying the main themes of the Bible organized according to its structure, with a focus on the overall story. This approach helps us integrate various texts and understand the Bible's message more deeply, providing a solid foundation for our faith and practice. [14:30]
4. Humanity's Royal Calling: Humans are the pinnacle of God's creation, made in His image to be His representatives on Earth. This royal calling involves taking care of creation and exercising dominion in a way that reflects God's kingship. Embracing this calling in our daily lives, whether at work, home, or school, is a way to honor God. [23:59]
5. Rest and Relationship: Taking time to rest and focus on relationships is crucial for fulfilling our royal calling. Just as God rested on the seventh day, we too need to take time for Sabbath, recovery, and building relationships. This rest is not just about entertainment but about true rejuvenation and connection with God and others. [34:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - The Jigsaw Puzzle Analogy
[01:58] - The Bible as a Big Picture
[02:55] - Importance of the Old Testament
[03:42] - Understanding Ourselves Through History
[04:41] - Jesus as the Missing Piece
[05:49] - Misinterpretations of Jesus
[07:37] - Goal for the Next 14 Weeks
[09:02] - Introduction to GCC (Granville Chapel College)
[10:14] - Different Levels of Engagement
[11:32] - Textbook and Supplementary Readings
[12:56] - Defining Biblical Theology
[14:30] - Theological Disciplines
[16:09] - Importance of Biblical Theology
[17:54] - Jesus and Biblical Theology
[19:25] - The Framework of the Bible
[20:28] - The Kingdom of God
[21:04] - Quiz on the Bible's Primary Theme
[23:06] - Introduction to Genesis
[23:59] - Humanity as the Pinnacle of Creation
[25:38] - The Image of God
[27:11] - Royal Terms: Subdue and Dominion
[28:49] - God's Representatives on Earth
[30:29] - The Mess of the World
[31:22] - Embracing Our Royal Calling
[32:43] - Jeremiah's Exile Instructions
[33:59] - Rest and Relationship
[34:24] - The Importance of Sabbath
[35:11] - Entertainment vs. True Rest
[36:17] - Relationship with the One True King
[37:04] - The Royal Family Analogy
[38:07] - Autonomous Royalty
[38:47] - Closing Remarks and Application Points
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:27-28: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"
2. Jeremiah 29:5-7: "Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Genesis 1:27-28 say about humanity's role in creation?
2. How does the analogy of a jigsaw puzzle help us understand the Bible's overarching story? [01:03]
3. According to the sermon, why is it important to understand Jesus within the context of the Old Testament? [04:41]
4. What instructions does God give to the Israelites in Jeremiah 29:5-7 while they are in exile?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the "big picture" of the Bible help in interpreting individual passages? [01:58]
2. In what ways does the Old Testament provide a framework for understanding Jesus' role and mission? [04:41]
3. What does it mean to be made in the image of God, and how should this influence our daily lives? [23:59]
4. How can the concept of "seeking the welfare of the city" in Jeremiah 29:5-7 be applied to our modern context?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily activities. How can you embrace your "royal calling" as God's representative in your workplace, home, or school? [31:22]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of rest and relationships. How can you incorporate true rest and meaningful relationships into your weekly routine? [34:24]
3. Think about a time when you misunderstood a part of the Bible because you didn't see the "big picture." How can you avoid this in the future? [01:03]
4. How can you ensure that your understanding of Jesus is rooted in the context of the Old Testament to avoid misinterpretations? [04:41]
5. In what ways can you seek the welfare of your community, as instructed in Jeremiah 29:5-7? What specific actions can you take this week? [33:22]
6. Identify one area in your life where you can better reflect God's kingship. What steps will you take to improve in this area? [28:49]
7. How can you maintain a close relationship with God to fulfill your role as His representative? What practices can you implement to strengthen this relationship? [36:29]
Devotional
Day 1: Seeing the Big Picture
Understanding the Bible is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle; you need to see the big picture to make sense of the individual pieces. This is especially true for the Old Testament, which provides the foundational context for the New Testament and Jesus' teachings. By understanding the overarching story of the Bible, we can better grasp its main themes and how they relate to Jesus. This holistic approach helps us avoid misinterpretations and allows us to see the Bible as a unified narrative that points to God's redemptive plan through Jesus. [01:03]
Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’"
Reflection: Think about a time when you misunderstood a Bible passage because you didn't know its broader context. How can you commit to studying the Bible more holistically to avoid such misunderstandings in the future?
Day 2: Jesus in Context
Understanding Jesus within the context of the Old Testament is crucial to avoid misinterpretations and distortions. The Old Testament provides the framework for Jesus' role and mission, helping us see Him as the fulfillment of God's promises and the central piece of the biblical puzzle. Without this context, we risk misappropriating Jesus' teachings and identity, as seen in historical and modern examples. By studying the Old Testament, we can better appreciate the depth and richness of Jesus' life and ministry. [04:41]
Luke 24:27 (ESV): "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself."
Reflection: How does understanding the Old Testament change your perception of Jesus' teachings and actions? Can you identify a specific teaching of Jesus that makes more sense in light of the Old Testament?
Day 3: The Importance of Biblical Theology
Biblical theology involves studying the main themes of the Bible organized according to its structure, with a focus on the overall story. This approach helps us integrate various texts and understand the Bible's message more deeply, providing a solid foundation for our faith and practice. By seeing the Bible as a cohesive narrative, we can better understand God's character, His plans for humanity, and our role in His story. This method of study enriches our spiritual lives and equips us to live out our faith more effectively. [14:30]
Nehemiah 9:6 (ESV): "You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you."
Reflection: How can you incorporate the practice of biblical theology into your daily Bible study routine? What steps can you take to ensure you are seeing the Bible as a unified story rather than disjointed parts?
Day 4: Embracing Our Royal Calling
Humans are the pinnacle of God's creation, made in His image to be His representatives on Earth. This royal calling involves taking care of creation and exercising dominion in a way that reflects God's kingship. Embracing this calling in our daily lives, whether at work, home, or school, is a way to honor God. By living out our royal calling, we fulfill our purpose and bring glory to God, demonstrating His love and justice in the world. [23:59]
Psalm 8:4-6 (ESV): "What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you exercise your royal calling in your current circumstances? How can you better reflect God's kingship in your daily interactions and responsibilities?
Day 5: The Importance of Rest and Relationship
Taking time to rest and focus on relationships is crucial for fulfilling our royal calling. Just as God rested on the seventh day, we too need to take time for Sabbath, recovery, and building relationships. This rest is not just about entertainment but about true rejuvenation and connection with God and others. By prioritizing rest and relationships, we align ourselves with God's design for a balanced and fulfilling life, enabling us to serve Him more effectively. [34:24]
Exodus 31:15-17 (ESV): "Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed."
Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate Sabbath rest into your weekly routine? What steps can you take to ensure that your rest is truly rejuvenating and focused on building relationships with God and others?
Quotes
1. "If you know where the big picture is, you can fit the little pieces in. You can fill in that whole puzzle. You can finish that puzzle much easier with much less energy. That's probably the most important strategy. Even if you don't know exactly where that piece is on that box, you can kind of tell where it's going to go by looking at that box. When you know the big picture, you know where you're going." [01:03] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Sometimes we get lost in those individual pieces. But we fail to see that big picture, the big story. Well, in these next three months, that's our task. It's to understand that big story. To see that whole picture, which is the Bible. We're calling this series Old Testament Theology, a new look at the old story." [01:58] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So it's incumbent upon us, to really understand the Bible, the Old Testament story. That's our task for the next three months, understanding the main themes of the Bible, especially the Old Testament. And we're going to look through the narrative, the story of the Old Testament, from Genesis through to Nehemiah. But of course, it's not just understanding the past for the past's sake, right? We learned that this past summer. We don't learn history or the past just for the sake of the past. But we learn history. And we're learning it so that we understand ourselves." [02:55] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Well, the New Testament and Jesus are like that. Last piece in the puzzle. Of course, more important than a single piece, but it helps us make sense of that entire puzzle. That's what Jesus and the New Testament are like. That central piece that helps us understand the entire puzzle. Well, it's equally true that the rest of the puzzle helps us understand that central piece. Without the Old Testament, Jesus and the New Testament have no puzzle. They have no context." [04:41] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Without truly understanding his context, it's easy for us to misunderstand who Jesus is and therefore also be misled potentially about who Jesus is. And what we call this, in terms of theology, we call this biblical theology. Old Testament theology in particular as an aspect of biblical theology." [07:37] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Biblical theology is the study of the main themes of the Bible, organized according to the structure of the Bible, with a view especially to the overall story of the Bible. Let me just read that one more time. Biblical theology is the study of the main themes of the Bible, organized according to the structure of the Bible, with a view especially to the overall story of the Bible." [13:56] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We believe as Christians that God has spoken, God has revealed something to us. That's what distinguishes Christianity from many other religious expressions. That God has actually spoken. That Jewish, Islam also believes that through their Quran, through Muhammad. But for Christians, we believe that the text is supreme. That God has spoken through the text. So that becomes the foundation of all of our understanding of truth." [14:30] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The Bible is a story of God establishing his rule, his authority, his kingship, his kingdom in this world. And foremost, his kingship in the hearts of people, which are most resistant to his rule in creation. Is that not true? We, human beings, are the most resistant to his rule in creation, or have been. That's why C is the correct answer. The story of God establishing his rule in this world." [22:00] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "We are meant to be his kings and queens over this earth. Over the rest of this planet. That's who we are meant to be. He is going to reign through his creation. Through us. Through us. Right? That's how lofty and ideal this statement is. We are his kings. We are his queens. We are his regents. That's where that word comes from. We are his representatives on this earth." [28:05] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "So think about whatever situation that you are in. That you find yourself. You have the same kind of calling. To seek the welfare of the community. In which you are part. The neighborhood of which you are part. The city of which you are part. This country of which you are part. Because you have a calling beyond just that place. But accountable to the Lord." [33:22] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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