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To get to know a biblical narrative book
 
Select one of the long narrative books of the Christian Bible, namely, Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts. (Ezra-Nehemiah are two parts of one book which were split into two scrolls in antiquity for convenience, so too First and Second Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. For the purpose of this activity treat both parts together as one book.)

(1) Read the narrative and take notes.


(2) Summarize the storyline in one paragraph.


(3) Create a broad outline showing the development of the storyline using the book's chapter divisions. Summarize the contents of each outline point in one or two sentences.
For example:
 
I  The set up (chaps 1-4)
II  The problem spreads (chaps 5-11)
And so on.

(4) Select a key episode, perhaps a turning point in the story, and explain how the episode functions within the narrative.


(5) What is the message of the narrative, that is, what is the purpose and function of the narrative?


(6) What are the implications of the narrative for Christian readers?

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