The Story
May 5, 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 Jesus nears the cross, His identity becomes unmistakably clear. He is confessed as the Christ, revealed in glory, and challenged by religious leaders. He raises the dead, confronts hypocrisy, and enters Jerusalem as King. The crowds cheer, the leaders plot, and the Kingdom collides with human power. You cannot stay neutral about Jesus—He is either Lord and God or nothing at all.
Passages:
Matthew 17, 21; Mark 8–12, 14; Luke 9, 22; John 7–8, 11–12
Main Idea: Jesus reveals who He is—and the world must respond.
Lesson 16: Jesus, the Son of God
I. The Son Confessed and Revealed (Matthew 16–17; Mark 8–9; Luke 9)
- Pharisees Demand a Sign – but refuse to believe (Matt. 16:1–12)
- Peter’s Confession – “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:13–20)
- Jesus Predicts His Death – and calls His followers to take up their cross (Matt. 16:21–28)
- The Transfiguration – Jesus shines in glory with Moses and Elijah (Matt. 17:1–13)
- Second Prediction of His Death – sorrow grows among the disciples (Matt. 17:22–23)
II. Radical Claims and Dangerous Opposition (John 7–8, 11)
- The Woman Caught in Adultery – mercy meets truth (John 8:1–11)
- “I Am the Light of the World” – Jesus claims divine authority (John 8:12–59)
- Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind – power and purpose from birth (John 9)
- The Raising of Lazarus – Jesus weeps, then calls the dead to life (John 11:1–44)
- Conspiracy to Kill Jesus – Caiaphas unknowingly prophesies substitutionary atonement (John 11:45–54)
III. A Matter of Faith (Mark 10; John 11)
- Jesus Blesses the Children – the Kingdom belongs to the humble (Mark 10:13–16)
- The Rich Young Ruler – walks away sorrowful (Mark 10:17–31)
- Bartimaeus Receives Sight – faith cries out, and Jesus answers (Mark 10:46–52)
IV. Coming to a Head (Matthew 21; Mark 11–12, 14; Luke 22; John 12)
- The Triumphal Entry – Jesus rides in on a donkey, hailed as King (Matt. 21:1–11)
- Cleansing the Temple Again – Jesus drives out corruption (Matt. 21:12–17)
- The Fig Tree Cursed – a warning against fruitless religion (Matt. 21:18–19)
- Jesus’ Authority Challenged – He silences His critics with wisdom (Matt. 21:23–27)
- Religious Leaders Plot His Death – afraid of losing their influence (John 11:47–53)
Key Themes & Takeaways
- Jesus makes exclusive claims—He is not merely a teacher or prophet, but God’s Son.
- Faith is required, not just admiration—will you follow or walk away?
- Jesus redefines greatness, authority, and power.
- The cross is drawing near, and the conflict is unavoidable.
- As C.S. Lewis said: “You must make your choice… but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher.”