1. The Days of Creation and New Beginnings
- A World of Nothing
- Before anything existed, God was there. It was all dark and empty.
- Then, God spoke! “Let there be light!” Suddenly, brightness filled the world.
- God’s Week of Creation
- Day 1: Light and dark. God called light “day” and dark “night.”
- Day 2: Sky and clouds above, seas below.
- Day 3: Dry land popped up, then plants, flowers, vegetables, and huge trees.
- Day 4: Sun in the daytime, moon and stars glitter at night.
- Day 5: Fish splashing in water, birds flying everywhere.
- Day 6: Lions, elephants, horses, and every animal appeared—and then humans: Adam and Eve! Created in God’s image, to be friends with Him.
- Eden: The Magical Garden
- God made a perfect garden, Eden, full of animals, rivers, and trees.
- Adam and Eve lived with God, taking care of everything and naming the animals.
- One rule: They couldn’t eat fruit from a special tree in the center.
- The Serpent and the First Wrong Choice
- A trickster serpent sneaked in and whispered lies to Eve.
- Eve was curious; she tasted the fruit and gave some to Adam.
- Their happy friendship with God was broken; they felt shame for the first time.
- Learning About Mistakes
- God was sad but still loved them. He helped them, gave them clothes, told them what would happen next.
- They had to leave Eden, start life outside, working hard but still having God’s care.
2. The First Families and Adventures
- Cain and Abel: Brother Troubles
- Adam and Eve’s sons, Cain and Abel, loved God in different ways.
- Abel’s gift pleased God more, and Cain got jealous and made a terrible choice: he hurt his brother.
- God wants us to love, not hurt each other, even when hurt or jealous.
- The World Gets Busy—and Messy
- More families, towns, noise, but also more selfishness and sin.
- People forgot about God and made bad choices everywhere.
- Noah: The Brave Boat Builder
- One good man, Noah, obeyed God.
- God asked Noah to build a huge boat (an ark) to rescue animals and his family because a flood would come.
- Animals came two by two; Noah loaded them onto the ark.
- Rain poured for 40 days and nights; only those in the ark were safe.
- Rainbow Promise
- After the flood, Noah thanked God.
- God placed a sparkling rainbow as a sign: He loves the earth and will never flood it all again.
- Tower of Babel: Mixed-Up Words
- Later, people thought they were very wise and tried to build a tower to reach the sky.
- God changed their languages; people could not understand each other and moved away to different lands.
3. Patriarchs: Promises and Family Adventures
- Abraham: Trusting God
- God called Abraham to leave his home and promised wonderful things: land, children, blessings for everyone.
- Abraham trusted God, even when it was hard to believe.
- Sarah’s Laughter
- Abraham’s wife Sarah was old, but God said she’d have a baby. She laughed!
- Baby Isaac was born—a miracle boy.
- A Test of Faith: Abraham and Isaac
- God asked Abraham to show his trust in a hard way—Isaac on an altar.
- At the last moment, God stopped Abraham—He just wanted to know Abraham trusted Him.
- God provided a ram instead!
- Isaac’s Sons: Jacob and Esau
- Isaac married Rebekah; they had twins, Jacob and Esau.
- Jacob, with a clever plan, got the family blessing.
- Esau was angry, but God still cared for both.
- Jacob’s Ladder Dream
- Jacob had a dream: a ladder reaching to heaven, with angels going up and down.
- God promised to always be with Jacob and his family.
- Joseph’s Colorful Coat and Big Adventure
- Jacob’s son Joseph had a bright coat; his brothers were jealous.
- They sold him to traders. Joseph ended up working in Egypt.
- Joseph faced many hard times, even jail, but trusted God.
- He used his gift of understanding dreams to help Pharaoh.
- Joseph rose to power, saving Egypt and his family from hunger.
- Joseph forgave his brothers; God always plans for good, even when people mean harm.
4. Exodus: Freedom and God’s Surprises
- Slaves in Egypt
- Joseph’s family grew into a big nation. Trouble came: A new Pharaoh made them slaves.
- God heard their cries; He had a rescue plan.
- Baby Moses in a Basket
- Moses was born when Pharaoh wanted every Hebrew baby boy gone.
- His mother hid him in a basket on the Nile River; Pharaoh’s daughter found and adopted him!
- Burning Bush: Special Mission
- Grown-up Moses saw a bush burning, but not burning up!
- God spoke: “Go, tell Pharaoh — Let my people go!”
- Ten Powerful Plagues
- Pharaoh said “No!” God sent ten plagues—frogs, darkness, hail, and more.
- Last: Angel passed over homes with lamb’s blood; oldest sons in Egypt died, but Hebrews were safe.
- Crossing the Red Sea
- Moses led the people out. Pharaoh chased them.
- God parted the Red Sea; Israelites walked through, then the waters crashed back on Pharaoh’s army.
- Miracle Food in the Desert
- Hungry and thirsty, God sent “manna” (bread from heaven) every morning and water from a rock.
- Ten Commandments: God’s Special Rules
- God gave Moses laws on Mount Sinai—rules for loving God and living well together.
- Wandering and Learning
- The people often forgot to trust God and complained.
- They wandered in the desert for 40 years, but God never left them.
5. The Promise Land and Real Heroes
- Joshua and the Walls of Jericho
- Joshua took Moses’s place and led the people into the land God promised.
- God gave an unusual battle plan: March around Jericho, blow trumpets, shout—the giant walls fell!
- Judges and Brave Leaders
- Without a king, God raised up “Judges” to help when enemies attacked.
- Deborah: Wise; led Israel to victory.
- Gideon: Chose only 300 men; God defeated a huge army.
- Samson: Super-strong, fought Philistines. Made mistakes, but his last act was heroic.
- Samuel: The Boy Who Listened
- Samuel heard God calling as a child in the night.
- Grew up to help Israel, listened carefully to God.
6. Kings and Kingdoms: From Saul to Solomon
- King Saul: First but Flawed
- People wanted a king; God gave Saul.
- Saul was brave but started disobeying God; his heart changed.
- David: From Shepherd to King
- David was the youngest son, shepherd boy.
- Defeated Goliath—a giant—using just stones and faith!
- Became the favorite king; wrote songs (Psalms) to God.
- Loved God, but sometimes messed up and asked forgiveness.
- Solomon: Wisdom and Wonder
- David’s son Solomon became king.
- Asked God for wisdom; was known as the wisest man.
- Built the magnificent Temple.
- Later, he stopped following God’s ways and trouble started.
7. Broken Kingdoms, Brave Prophets and God’s Messages
- The Split: Two Kingdoms
- After Solomon, the country split: Israel in the north, Judah in the south.
- Some kings were good, many were not.
- Prophets: God’s Messengers
- God sent brave prophets to remind people to listen and obey.
- Elijah: Called fire from heaven; stood up to wicked king Ahab.
- Elisha: Made miracles; helped many people.
- Daniel: Stayed faithful in Babylon; wasn’t afraid of lions.
- Jeremiah: Warned people but was often ignored.
- Jonah and the Big Fish
- Jonah tried to run away from God’s plan; ended up inside a fish!
- God rescued him; Jonah learned God loves everyone, even people who don’t know Him yet.
- Esther and Courage
- Queen Esther was brave; she risked her life to save her people from a wicked plan.
- Fiery Furnace: Trusting God
- Three friends wouldn’t bow to a statue; thrown in the fire, but God protected them!
8. Away From Home: Exile and Return
- Trouble Comes
- Because of continued sins, God’s people were taken far from home.
- Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by Babylon.
- Hope in Hard Times
- Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego trusted God in a foreign land.
- Daniel in the lion’s den—God shut the lions’ mouths.
- Ezra and Nehemiah: Building Again
- After 70 years, God let His people go home.
- Ezra taught the Bible; Nehemiah led rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls.
9. Waiting for the Rescuer
- God’s Big Promise
- The prophets told about someone special to come—a Savior, King, Rescuer.
- Years of Waiting
- God’s people hoped and waited for the Messiah for hundreds of years.
10. Jesus: The Savior Is Born!
- Angels Come to Mary and Joseph
- An angel visited Mary and said, “You will have God’s Son. Name him Jesus!”
- Joseph, her husband-to-be, learned the news from an angel in a dream.
- Journey to Bethlehem
- Road trip! census time, no rooms in the inn; a kind stable owner offered his manger.
- Jesus was born among animals, wrapped in cloths, and laid in a manger.
- The Shepherds’ Surprise
- Angels lit up the night sky: “Good News! God’s Savior King is born!”
- Shepherds hurried to see Jesus, the newborn king.
- Gifts from Wise Men
- Far away, wise men saw a special star, knew a king was born.
- They traveled a long way, bringing rich gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.
- Danger and Escape
- Wicked king Herod wanted to harm Jesus. God warned Joseph in a dream to leave for Egypt until it was safe.
11. Young Jesus: Learning and Growing
- Jesus at the Temple
- At 12, Jesus amazed teachers with his questions and wisdom.
- He loved God deeply, always obeyed his parents.
- Jesus Works as a Carpenter
- Grew up helping Joseph, learning woodwork.
12. John the Baptist Prepares the Way
- John’s Wild Ministry
- Wore camel’s hair, ate locusts and honey.
- Told everyone: “Get ready—the Savior is coming! Repent and be baptized.”
- Jesus is Baptized
- Jesus came to the river; John baptized Him.
- Heaven opened, and God’s voice said: “He is My beloved Son.”
13. Jesus Begins His Work
- Choosing Disciples
- Jesus called ordinary people: fishermen, tax collectors, even some disliked ones, to follow Him and help.
- Miracles and Kindness
- Turned water to wine, calmed storms, healed many sick people.
- Helped blind to see, fed big crowds with little food, even raised the dead.
- Meeting People Where They Are
- Loved people no one else liked—sinners, tax collectors, lepers.
- Told powerful stories (parables) to help people understand God.
- A Few Famous Parables
- The Lost Sheep: God loves everyone—even those who wander.
- The Good Samaritan: Be kind to everyone, even if they’re different.
- The Prodigal Son: God always welcomes us back, no matter what.
14. Jesus’ Last Days: Love and Sacrifice
- Palm Sunday: Welcome Like a King
- Rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, people cheered and waved palm branches.
- Last Supper
- Shared a special meal with His disciples; taught about serving others.
- Washed their feet to show humility.
- Praying in the Garden
- Prayed to God, knowing hard times were coming.
- Jesus Arrested and on Trial
- One disciple, Judas, betrayed Jesus for money.
- Jesus was arrested, treated badly; people shouted “Crucify him!” even though He had done no wrong.
- The Cross
- Jesus was nailed to a wooden cross; He took the punishment for everyone’s wrong choices.
- While dying, He forgave those hurting Him.
- Darkness and Sorrow
- Earth shook, darkness spread, Jesus died.
- Friends buried Him in a tomb.
15. The Greatest Miracle: Resurrection and Good News
- Easter Morning
- Women came to the tomb; found it open and empty.
- Angels said, “Jesus is alive!”
- Jesus Appears to Friends
- Visited his disciples, talked, ate with them, proved He really was alive.
- The Great Commission
- Told his followers: “Go tell everyone the Good News! God loves them!”
- Back to Heaven—with a Promise
- Jesus went up to heaven but promised to be with his friends always.
16. Why It All Matters
- The Bible’s Huge Message
- God made us to be close to Him.
- People mess up, but God always had a plan—forgiveness and forever friendship, through Jesus!
- The Bible’s heroes weren’t perfect, but God loved and worked through them.
- The story keeps going as everyone is invited to trust Jesus and learn from His amazing love.
Vox Divini 