The Story
Mar 24, 2019 • Chris Reighley
The Story:
The Bible As One Continuing Story of God and His People
by Mac Lucado & Randy Frazee
The Story tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time!
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. Like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption—and this story’s true!
As Israel and Judah slide deeper into rebellion, God sends prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel to call them back. Their messages are rejected, and the kingdoms fall. But even in judgment, God promises redemption. From the ashes of destruction will rise a Servant, a Shepherd, and a future hope. The exile is not the end—God still holds the pen.
Passages:
- 2 Kings 17–19, 21, 23–25
- 2 Chronicles 33, 36
- Isaiah 3; 6; 13–14; 49; 53
- Jeremiah 1–2; 4–5; 13; 21
- Lamentations 1–3, 5
- Ezekiel 1–2; 6–7; 36–37
Main Idea: God’s judgment is never without warning—and never without hope.
Lesson 11: The Beginning of the End & The Kingdoms’ Fall
I. The Fall of Israel (2 Kings 17)
- Hoshea’s Last Reign – Israel’s final king (vv. 1–5)
- Exile to Assyria – the northern kingdom falls (v. 6)
- Reasons for Israel’s Collapse – idolatry, disobedience, covenant breaking (vv. 7–23)
- Foreigners Settle in Israel – spiritual confusion and syncretism (vv. 24–41)
II. Taking a Stand – Hezekiah’s Reforms (2 Kings 18–19; 2 Chronicles 29–32; Isaiah 36–37)
- Temple Cleansed and Passover Restored
- Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
- Isaiah Assures Deliverance
- Hezekiah Prays; God Delivers – Assyrians defeated by divine intervention
III. A Prophet Called – Isaiah’s Commission (Isaiah 6)
- Vision of God’s Holiness
- Isaiah’s Cleansing and Calling
- A Ministry Marked by Rejection and Hope
IV. The Very Bad News – Judgment Declared (Isaiah 13–14)
- Babylon’s Fall Foretold
- Day of the Lord Prophesied
- Nations to be Judged
V. The Very Good News – Salvation Foretold (Isaiah 49, 53)
- Servant Songs: The Messiah’s Global Mission
- Isaiah 53: The Suffering Servant
- Messianic Themes in Isaiah:
- Virgin birth (7:14), Galilean ministry (9:1–2), Deity and eternal throne (9:6–7)
- Substitutionary death, burial with the rich, worldwide reign, and ultimate peace
VI. Even Worse Than Before – Judah’s Final Kings (2 Kings 21–25; 2 Chronicles 33–36)
- Manasseh and Amon – Great Evil
- Josiah – A Righteous Reformer
- Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin – Rapid Decline
- Zedekiah – The Final Collapse
VII. Courage to Confront – Jeremiah’s Ministry (Jeremiah 1–2; 4–5; 13; 21)
- Called Before Birth
- Godlessness Exposed
- Messages of Imminent Judgment
- The Ruined Waistband – A Symbol of Defilement
VIII. No Remedy – The Fall of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36)
- Babylon Besieges and Destroys
- Temple Burned, Walls Broken, People Carried Off
- Judah’s Sinful Rebellion Reaches the Point of No Return
IX. Lament – The Grief of Exile (Lamentations 1–3, 5)
- Zion’s Desolation
- Jeremiah’s Personal Pain
- Hope in the Lord’s Mercies:
- “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases…” (Lam. 3:22–23)
X. For My Holy Name – Hope for Restoration (Ezekiel 36–37)
- God Promises to Restore Israel for His Name’s Sake
- Valley of Dry Bones – National Resurrection
- Reunion of Israel and Judah
- A New Davidic King – A New Covenant Future
Key Themes & Takeaways
- Judgment delayed is not judgment denied.
- Prophets were God’s mercy before His wrath.
- Even in ruin, God speaks restoration.
- Jesus is the Suffering Servant and the King who will unite and restore.
- Dry bones can live again—because the Word and the Spirit still work.