A Tour of Scripture

Feeling Inadequate and prepackaged?

When sharing our faith with the world, many times we feel inadequate. Often times it seems like there are “perfect” words or phrases that we must know, but we don’t. In addition, we have been inundated with so many forms of sharing the gospel (like the “Roman Road”) that the way we tell others about Jesus feels very prepackaged. It feels like we’re trying to “sell” Jesus to people rather than help guide them through the faith.

The tour guide approach

As we strive to be tour guides of the faith rather than salesmen, one great approach is to guide others through the story of Jesus in an informative, yet simple, way. Here’s an example of how this can work:

God created the world, but soon the world turned its back on God by choosing sin (Adam & Eve.) This put a wedge in between God and humanity. But to show how passionate and loving he was to the fallen world, God raised a nation that is now known as the Jewish people. God’s relationship with the Jewish people served as an example of how much God loves us, and his desire to reconcile everyone in the Earth back to himself.
He started by using “prophets” to tell about his plan - a savior of the world was coming. Then a little over 2000 years ago, Jesus, God’s son, was born. Jesus lived a sinless life while all the time speaking of, or predicting, his death and resurrection. In the end, Jesus died voluntarily on the cross on our behalf just as he predicted. But, three days after he died, he rose again and revealed himself to many people. He died so that all of the sins that were committed, or will be committed, would be paid for and forgiven by God. This restored God and humanity, and removed the wedge that had separated the two.
Jesus rose again and showed himself to many before returning to Heaven. He did this so that we would know it is TRUE, and that He is the savior the Jewish prophets predicted.
Jesus is in Heaven with God his Father right now. But, the Bible shows that it’s not over, and that He will return to claim his kingdom and rule over the world as King in the end.



Back-pocket verses
If you’re reading this for the first time, or curious about where to find the parts of the story referenced in the short story about Jesus, here are where the verses from The Bible are located.

God created the world
• Genesis 1:1-25
The world turned its back on God
• Genesis 3
God raised a nation to reveal himself to a fallen world

God used Prophets to hail the coming of a savior
• Isaiah 7:14
• Isaiah 53
The savior was born humbly in Bethlehem
• Matthew 2
Jesus speaks of his death and resurrection
• Matt 20:17-28
• Mark 10:32
• Luke 18:31-34
Jesus lived a sin free life
• 1 Peter 2:22
• 1 John 3:5
• Hebrews 1:9
• Hebrews 4:15
• 2 Corinthians 5:21
Jesus died on our behalf so that those who believe would be reconciled to God
• 1 Peter 2:21-25
• Mark 1:15
• 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
• Romans 4:25-5:2
• Romans 10:9-11
• 1 John 1:3-4
Jesus defeated death and sin by rising from the grave as he predicted
• Matthew 28:2-7
• Romans 14:9
• Romans 1:4
Jesus showed himself before returning to Heaven
• John 21:1-14
• 1 Corinthians 15:6-8
Jesus will return to set up his reign as King
• Matt 25:31-46
• Mark 13:32-37
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Revelations 5