'THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD' IS MORE THAN JUST A CLICHe. God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story is all about: the story of the Bible, God's great love affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Using the clear, accessible text of the NIV Bible, it allows the stories, poems, and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel. And like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption; and this story's true! From the foreword by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee: 'This book tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time: the story of a true God who loves his children, who established for them a way of salvation and provided a route to eternity. Each story in these 31 chapters reveals the God of grace---the God who speaks; the God who acts; the God who listens; the God whose love for his people culminated in his sacrifice of Jesus, his only Son, to atone for the sins of humanity.' Features: * The story of the Bible---in its own words. Selections from the NIV Bible with short transitions to connect the reader to the continuing story. * Events, characters, and teachings of the Bible arranged chronologically * Timelines of Bible events * New International Version (NIV) Bible text Church families around the globe can now embrace The Story for a full ministry year through worship services, small group studies, and family activities. Learn more about this whole-church experience at TheStory.com. An excerpt from The Story: After Judas left, Jesus gave the disciples a glimpse of what was to come. He foreshadowed the fact that he was going to be 'broken' and 'poured out'---he was going to take humanity's punishment for sin on himself. While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.' Jesus warned his disciples that he would be with them only a little while longer. He went on to comfort his confused followers. 'Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.' Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?' Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.'
The Story, NIV
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
79 of 81 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Reading through the entire Bible is for some a daunting task. I know it took me months! And while I'd suggest that everyone attempt to read the entire Bible (KJV is my favorite) I can also recommend reading "The Story" as a quick way to familiarize yourself with all the main stories the Bible offers.
I never get tired of reading about Boaz and Ruth, David and Bathsheba and Daniel in the Lion's Den. This book also focuses on the life of Paul from the New Testament. The Gospels are also condensed into six chapters with the story flowing beautifully and no repeats. So you read about Jesus' life in a logical progression.
Because this reads like a novel it brings the biblical stories to life in a new and interesting way. There are however many omissions that had to be made in order to keep to a manageable book size. You won't find chapters on Jewish law or very many references to chronology. Revelation seems to have been shortened and many books of the Old Testament are not included like Psalms and Proverbs.
If you have read the entire Bible this will become apparent to you. So I'd suggest reading this book as it will give you new perspectives. I would not in any way suggest that you read this instead of reading the entire Bible because you will miss out on some important sections that might be very meaningful to you. This book will take you maybe a week to finish and will give you an overview of how much God loves the human race and what he has done to ensure that anyone who decides to believe in Jesus can have eternal life.
~The Rebecca Review
I never get tired of reading about Boaz and Ruth, David and Bathsheba and Daniel in the Lion's Den. This book also focuses on the life of Paul from the New Testament. The Gospels are also condensed into six chapters with the story flowing beautifully and no repeats. So you read about Jesus' life in a logical progression.
Because this reads like a novel it brings the biblical stories to life in a new and interesting way. There are however many omissions that had to be made in order to keep to a manageable book size. You won't find chapters on Jewish law or very many references to chronology. Revelation seems to have been shortened and many books of the Old Testament are not included like Psalms and Proverbs.
If you have read the entire Bible this will become apparent to you. So I'd suggest reading this book as it will give you new perspectives. I would not in any way suggest that you read this instead of reading the entire Bible because you will miss out on some important sections that might be very meaningful to you. This book will take you maybe a week to finish and will give you an overview of how much God loves the human race and what he has done to ensure that anyone who decides to believe in Jesus can have eternal life.
~The Rebecca Review
127 of 142 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
The name for this book was poorly chosen. Having read the Bible through several times I have come to recognize that it does contain a large narrative that holds all the threads together. However, this book seems to miss the mark at every turn! A better name might be excerpts from the story or even Bible Clif-Notes. Brief, yet important sections are left out all together without even a mention, like the tower of Babel. Some of the editorial comments are often just a bit off the mark of reality and thus produce a revisionist element to the biblical text and some comments also appear to be in subtle contradiction to the text that is there. Many of the parts of the Biblical narrative that are literary gem stones are missing. Long story short! This book was poorly edited for its purpose. I love the concept, someone should actually do that. This book however, I'm afraid falls short.
81 of 91 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reading the Bible for the first time with fresh depth through the 3D glasses of drama, doctrine, and directions
June 23, 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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*****
"The Story reveals the unfolding, grand narrative of the Scriptures. Using the clear, accessible text of the NIV, this rendering of the Bible allows its stories, poems, and teachings to come together in a single, compelling read."
I am relentlessly convinced that too many Christians are missing the big picture of the overall drama of human fall and salvation, how the Bible spiritual story fits into an integral narrative. As kids we heard tales of Noah and his ark, Jonah and the whale, as youngsters sat through Sunday School, and in adulthood we listened to sermons about salvation history, and the time of fullfillment. Those who continue to carry their daily devotions, may start relating to the biblical message assembling the puzzle pieces.
It astonishes me that as many others of my Christian and Jewish friends alike, who grew up in religious families, may have never got an overall grasp of what the Old Testament, or the New Testament messages are? How they integrate in a vivid story of God's love for his creation that the Bible continues to tell, much less, how to react with it, as a good Samaritan. In modern terms, of Jim Davies words, "To see the Bible with fresh depth through the 3D glasses of drama, doctrine, and directions?" So, after some weeks of study, they may come away with the ten Laws of the Decalogue, or sections of Old Testament history, or few gospel or epistle verses, and even pieces of Apocrepha. But do they fit together, and how would they integrate the verses, books, and the testaments together to clear the puzzle: The book of Old and New?
Reading the Bible is one thing, understanding it is another, but living it is eternal life, here, and now. Exploring the text, which "The Story" helps you understand and perceive the significance of each chapter in the scriptures. This book, an innovative Bible Story presents Scripture in chronological order, as a continued living narrative. Among the great teachers of Christian antiquity, Origen put the focus on the details of the scripture with his comprehensive breadth of hermeneutics. It was said that, "To read Origen's exegesis is like standing underneath a waterfall." At the same time, his approach consistently lead toward a unified reading of the text. "The Story", in a simple parallel, offers an articulate and conceptually precise rendition of scriptures and its interpretation. The overall picture of God's redemptive plan comes into focus as you learn about the timeline that shows how the events of 'The Story' relates to the rest of historical Plot, briefly describing the key themes of narrative, or a 'Cast of Characters'.
With a foreword by Rvd Max Lucado and Randy Frazee: "This book tells the most compelling story of faith in a true God who loves his children, guiding them in the way of salvation," and providing guideposts to eternal life. Introducing the people featured in the OT books, the first 21 chapters, in a tightly knitted story revealing the God of Old, who speaks, and acts. In the next ten chapters on the NT, the heavenly Father, whose love for his people culminates in the ministery of Jesus, to teach and by atones, healing by love for the fall of humanity. With two front and rear maps, and Epilogue, Discussion Questions, to tie loose ends, reflection on Characters in short biographies. Ending with a chart of references, for its 31 chapters, where core quotations of the Bible verses add a deeper understanding of the progress of the salfivic plan.
"I've been going to Sunday School all my life, and I've even been teaching Sunday School for years, but I've never understood how the whole Bible fits together until now." Jimmy Davis
"The Story reveals the unfolding, grand narrative of the Scriptures. Using the clear, accessible text of the NIV, this rendering of the Bible allows its stories, poems, and teachings to come together in a single, compelling read."
I am relentlessly convinced that too many Christians are missing the big picture of the overall drama of human fall and salvation, how the Bible spiritual story fits into an integral narrative. As kids we heard tales of Noah and his ark, Jonah and the whale, as youngsters sat through Sunday School, and in adulthood we listened to sermons about salvation history, and the time of fullfillment. Those who continue to carry their daily devotions, may start relating to the biblical message assembling the puzzle pieces.
It astonishes me that as many others of my Christian and Jewish friends alike, who grew up in religious families, may have never got an overall grasp of what the Old Testament, or the New Testament messages are? How they integrate in a vivid story of God's love for his creation that the Bible continues to tell, much less, how to react with it, as a good Samaritan. In modern terms, of Jim Davies words, "To see the Bible with fresh depth through the 3D glasses of drama, doctrine, and directions?" So, after some weeks of study, they may come away with the ten Laws of the Decalogue, or sections of Old Testament history, or few gospel or epistle verses, and even pieces of Apocrepha. But do they fit together, and how would they integrate the verses, books, and the testaments together to clear the puzzle: The book of Old and New?
Reading the Bible is one thing, understanding it is another, but living it is eternal life, here, and now. Exploring the text, which "The Story" helps you understand and perceive the significance of each chapter in the scriptures. This book, an innovative Bible Story presents Scripture in chronological order, as a continued living narrative. Among the great teachers of Christian antiquity, Origen put the focus on the details of the scripture with his comprehensive breadth of hermeneutics. It was said that, "To read Origen's exegesis is like standing underneath a waterfall." At the same time, his approach consistently lead toward a unified reading of the text. "The Story", in a simple parallel, offers an articulate and conceptually precise rendition of scriptures and its interpretation. The overall picture of God's redemptive plan comes into focus as you learn about the timeline that shows how the events of 'The Story' relates to the rest of historical Plot, briefly describing the key themes of narrative, or a 'Cast of Characters'.
With a foreword by Rvd Max Lucado and Randy Frazee: "This book tells the most compelling story of faith in a true God who loves his children, guiding them in the way of salvation," and providing guideposts to eternal life. Introducing the people featured in the OT books, the first 21 chapters, in a tightly knitted story revealing the God of Old, who speaks, and acts. In the next ten chapters on the NT, the heavenly Father, whose love for his people culminates in the ministery of Jesus, to teach and by atones, healing by love for the fall of humanity. With two front and rear maps, and Epilogue, Discussion Questions, to tie loose ends, reflection on Characters in short biographies. Ending with a chart of references, for its 31 chapters, where core quotations of the Bible verses add a deeper understanding of the progress of the salfivic plan.
"I've been going to Sunday School all my life, and I've even been teaching Sunday School for years, but I've never understood how the whole Bible fits together until now." Jimmy Davis
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT
I can understand the main stories behind the Word, its not a replacement for the Bible, but an excellent addition to it.
Published 3 hours ago by mamal
3.0 out of 5 stars
Awatedmetkme
What a disappointment. I thought I was getting the full version of the Bible and found a storybook version. Oh well live and learn!
Published 1 day ago by Mary Lee S. Phillips
5.0 out of 5 stars
What an excellent book
Since reading this book, I've been so captivated by it. Even when I have to put it down its hard for me to do so. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Carley
1.0 out of 5 stars
I have ZERO interest in this....
I would never purchase, listen to or read this book. I have however, flipped through chapters and read through a few pages of the... Read more
Published 2 days ago by WS
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect!
The Bible as a story is much easier to understand, at least for me. I'm enjoying my Bible reading very much!
Published 4 days ago by Country Colie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully done!
This is truly a masterpiece. It is an amazing overview of the entire Bible that clearly reveals the work of a holy, loving and forgiving God.
Published 8 days ago by Linda S. Mikels
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great way to see how God is at work in our world
Great way to see the overall picture of how God has a plan for his creation and for us,. I am teaching classes using The Story as the text. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Harold M. Onwiler
5.0 out of 5 stars
#1 novel of all times for me
When I started reading this book, I could not put it down! It is a very easy read, but so meaningful. I read it from cover to cover.
Published 8 days ago by mary w knox
5.0 out of 5 stars
The story
Very easy to read and very understandable. Got way more out of it than reading the actual bible. Many thanks to the author!
Published 9 days ago by Frank H. Ruhmann
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chapters Listing for 'The Story'
I have the book 'The Story of Jesus (NIV)' which is an excerpt from the larger 'The Story', and have listened to it via MP3 download from Zondervan (I listen to it on my car stereo... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Brian
