There are few things in life I enjoy more than a good book, especially one I have read again and again. Ever since childhood I have been enamored by books and stories. My first aspiration was to be an author and my first degree was in literature. Over the years, I have collected several favorite books with well-worn covers, characters I consider friends and memorable lines I like to quote. Even though I know exactly what is going to happen every time I re-read one of these favorites, I discover little details I had forgotten and relish reliving exciting plot twists and interesting character developments.
Considering my lifetime love of story and literature, I was thrilled when my New Testament seminary professor announced on the first day of class that he would be using the narrative approach to biblical study. He told us we were going to read the Gospels of the New Testament as we would a favorite novel or biography, reading each gospel from beginning to end paying attention to such literary constructs as setting, plot structure, author’s voice, character development, and, most importantly, reading for context.
In the video Pastor Jeff shared on Sunday, renowned biblical scholar N.T. Wright encouraged everyone to, at least once, read a book of the bible from beginning to end in one sitting. When you read one of the four gospels from beginning to end, instead of in short sections similar to how we hear Scripture read on Sunday mornings, you experience the story in a different way. Changes in setting from Galilee to Jerusalem bring a change in mood. The action draws attention to the constant presence of Roman oppression and the dialogue foreshadows conflicts to come between Jesus and the Jewish leaders. Connecting details add meaning often overlooked when Scripture is read and studied in smaller passages. Links to the prophecies of the Old Testament provide context to the story of Salvation. Familiarity enhances important characters’ motivations, mistakes, and personal improvement. One of my favorites is following Peter through his many missteps as he grows from a hard-working fisherman to a trusted disciple bestowed with the keys to God’s kingdom.
Most importantly, reading the story of Jesus in the framework of story immerses you in the fullness of Jesus’ life, lessons, and love. In essence, you become emotionally invested in the story. You feel you truly know Jesus better because you know the whole story. We humans are people of story. Story has connected us from the beginning of oral history, and it still bonds us to each other today, because story brings together all the elements of the human experience—love and loss, triumphs and tribulations, death and resurrection, purpose and perseverance.
As Christians, the bible is our story. It is the story of our relationship with our God. For me, knowing this story is a source of strength in times of hardship and a comfort in times of contentment. It is a source of strength because I know the story, I know the places, I know the characters, I know the conflict, and I know the resolution. Like reading one of my favorite books, reading and re-reading the books of Jesus brings back all the feels and all the person, promise, and presence of the old familiar stories I love to hear.
Try to make time this week to cozy up with the greatest story of all time and read as far as you can in one sitting. When you are finished, take a moment and ask yourself:
Was this a new experience for me? Did I notice anything new reading the gospel this way? How might this change my relationship with Jesus? How can the story of Jesus be a source of strength for me today?
Written by Andrea Laux, Director of Adult Discipleship.
