The Bible's Big-Picture StorySample

STAGE 2: CREATED FOR RELATIONSHIP. To be loved.

God is a relational God who exists inside a relationship. The story of creation right at the start of the Bible tells us we were created in His image, male and female, which reflect the fullness of God’s image. We were created out of a relationship for a relationship, both with God and with each other.

We are all made in His image, and we each uniquely display Him. The male and female parts of God are represented in us uniquely and as a whole; we reflect the fullness of God. There are different character strengths we have that reflect a unique part of God. We are wonderfully and fearfully made to reflect God in all His beauty, for His Glory.

God created order out of chaos in which we could flourish.

The book of Genesis shows us there was a beautiful order to creation where God hovered over the water, speaking life into being. He created land where we can live with everything we need for wellbeing. Amazingly, God then invited people into that creative process, asking the first man, Adam, to name the animals.  He gave purpose and honour by asking us to look after our planet—a place to rest in, a place where we find delight. He met us there and walked with us in the cool of the evening.

We were never meant to exist in isolation but in a loving relationship connected to God and each other, through all kinds of relationships. The story describes Adam on his own and God saying it is ‘not good,’ so Eve was created to exist in relationship.  It’s the place we were designed to flourish, finding belonging and wholeness!

The big-picture story of the Bible weaves in so many people, from all walks of life, men and women who walked with God and others.  One of the most mentioned people in the Bible was Moses, and it says that Moses met God face to face and knew God’s acts and importantly His ways. Each relationship is unique and intimate, taking us out of isolation.

The Bible records God speaking in different ways to people over 2,000 times during the Bible’s big-picture story.  It reveals how God has been continuously pursuing that loving relationship with us, just as He will continue to do right until the very end of the story.

An invitation to interact with God and His life-giving Word:

Perhaps read today’s Bible verses, then ask God to remind you of His heart for relationship with you, giving thanks where you have experienced that. You may want to ponder other relationships you have, giving thanks where those have brought life, before releasing any disappointment to Jesus and allowing God’s love into your heart.

Part of your interaction may look like visualising it with words, images, poetry, song, movement or quiet meditation… Enjoy!