Many reading their Bibles this year will begin in the Old Testament, which can often feel like a foreign land with its unfamiliar terrain. The upcoming series will help you find wisdom along these ancient paths. In this first article, we seek wisdom in the genre of biblical narrative.
All of us love a good story from Grimm’s Fairy Tales to Scheherazade’s Arabian Nights. So, we gather like moths to a flame whenever we hear the words, “Once upon a time.” Stories also help us make sense of our world. Like windows, they offer a glimpse into places and times beyond us (Romans 15:4). Yet like mirrors, they also reveal our souls (James 1:23–25). They show us who we truly are compared to characters on the page and, ultimately, to God’s perfect Son. Through biblical narrative, we are made like Christ one story at a time (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Imagine the Story
A Jewish rabbi once joked, “God made people because he loves stories.” So, perhaps for this reason, the original Storyteller conveyed his Word as an overarching narrative: Creation—Fall—Redemption—Consummation. The entire Bible tells his story with all our smaller stories fitting into his. From the beginning, God created the human mind to visualize his creation and to image forth his glory (Genesis 1:26–28). Yet sin’s corruption turned our God-given imagination toward guilty despair, lustful fantasies, anxious thoughts, and uncharitable judgments. Only stories resonating with biblical truth can renew our vision of godly relationships, heavenly glory, and hope-filled community as the church. Such sanctified imaginations then train us to live by faith in what we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1), expand our view of what is possible, and provide us language to articulate it. Understanding biblical narrative helps us tell a better story within God’s grand redemptive story.
Analyze the Story
To get the most from Scripture, you must also study this well-told story which interweaves your life. Many Old Testament passages fit the category of biblical narrative, which is our focus here. Three main elements of literary analysis for this genre include plot, setting, and characterization.
Plot
Plot describes the dramatic narrative arc. It begins with exposition which introduces the characters and sets the table for the story to begin (e.g., Genesis 1:1–3:1a). The plot thickens as conflict moves the story toward its climax (vv. 1b–6). Then, resolution brings the action to a close with a summary of the plot or its resulting consequences (vv. 7–24). So, as you meditate on Scripture, trace the story arc to identify the major conflict encountered by the characters. Then, picture yourself as a news photographer choosing a single action shot to represent the story’s main idea.
Setting
Setting describes the place, time, and cultural context of a story. Physical setting helps us visualize the scene (e.g., “by the vineyards of Timnah”), whereas temporal setting sets the stage in biblical history (e.g., “in the days when the judges ruled”). Cultural setting incorporates extrabiblical research such as the knowledge that Baal, the Canaanite god, promises rain for crops (1 Kings 17). The setting stokes the reader’s imagination by creating a location where the plot can take place. So, as you observe the setting, identify when and where the story happens. Bring your Bible study to life with relevant historical-cultural research. Then, locate each individual story within the grander story of God’s redemptive plan.
Characterization
In addition to plot and setting, also get to know the characters. The main character, God, remains pervasively present even when working behind-the-scenes. Other characters may include angels, demons, or human beings. People are occasionally characterized by their given name (e.g., Nabal), social status (e.g., Rahab the harlot), or physical description (e.g., Saul stood a head taller than all the people). Yet the Bible usually describes characters indirectly by the way they act and the words they speak. Famished Esau, for example, returns from the hunt and impulsively trades his birthright for a bowl of stew, while Jacob takes advantage of his brother’s appetite (e.g., Genesis 25:29–34). Each brother’s instinctive actions reveal his inner character. In addition, storytellers use selective dialogue to advance the narrative. So, the first words spoken often establish the plot (e.g., Ruth 1:9) and conversation can show how each person is perceived (e.g., Judges 17:13).
As you study biblical narrative, identify the protagonist (e.g., David), the opposition (e.g., Goliath), the foil (e.g., Saul), and supporting cast (e.g., Eliab). Observe how people’s actions display their motives. And listen closely to what their conversations reveal when they speak about others, themselves, or the world around them. Then, consider how each character produces spiritual “fruit” or sinful “thorns” in response to their challenging circumstances (Jeremiah 17:5–10).
Apply the Story
Wisdom from biblical narrative will also help you counsel yourself and others. The following example shows how to apply the biblical principles from Genesis 3 when counseling a friend to resist sexual temptation.
| Elements for Counseling Narrative | Case Study from Genesis 3 |
| Listen well to each person’s story. | Instead of jumping to conclusions, take time to understand your friend’s personal struggle. |
| Get familiar with the biblical narratives and the characters in Scripture. | The Holy Spirit directs you to consider the original temptation in Genesis 3. This story comes to mind because you have studied it many times over. |
| Observe the parallels between the biblical story and your friend’s. | Connect how each of us is made in God’s image, but live in a fallen world of temptation and harmful consequences. As sinners, we all need a Savior in Jesus Christ. |
| Enter the story together and stay inside it for awhile. | Read the story in Genesis 3 and ask questions of the text together: “What do we learn about God? How did Adam and Eve struggle? How were they tempted and how did they respond?” |
| Extract relevant truths and the story’s main idea. Beware of moralizing the application. | One truth might be, “Sexual sin looks good to the eyes, but the consequences are deadly.” The main idea is that sin separates us from God, resulting in harm for ourselves and others. |
| Enhance the story’s interpretation and application by referring to other Scriptures. | Cross-reference, for example, how Jesus faced similar temptations and resisted them by trusting his Father’s Word (Matthew 4:1–11). |
| Apply the biblical truth to your friend’s situation here-and-now. | Rejoice that God is good and urge your friend to trust God’s Word above fleshly desires. |
| Continually encourage over time as all of us remain works in progress. | Your friend may struggle with ongoing temptation, so continue your faithful exhortations to obey God’s Word. Even if your friend should fall into temptation, keep returning to the good news of redemption and restoration. |
We must learn how to tell stories inductively and creatively. So, study the Scriptures well, then learn the skillful techniques of a good storyteller (Psalm 71:15). By God’s grace, these biblical stories will cultivate our hearts to bring about lasting change. Lastly, consider the following questions for personal application.
- What does the main idea of this story teach us about God’s person and work? How does it show us a greater vision of his glory?
- What does this narrative teach us about the fallenness of man?
- Should we think or act differently because of what we’ve learned? Should we feel or be motivated differently? If so, what specifically should change?
- What obstacles to making these changes might we encounter?
- Do we need others to help facilitate these changes in our life? How can we secure that help?
- How does this narrative help us relate to Jesus better as we delight in his redemptive work?
Photo Credit: Max Van Den Oetelaar