Key Terms
Narrative — A story — an account of events with characters, settings, and a plot. Biblical narratives are true historical accounts told with literary artistry to make a theological point.
Descriptive vs. Prescriptive — The difference between what the Bible describes happening and what it commands you to do. Not every action in a Bible story is an example to follow.
Theological Point — The truth about God that the story is designed to communicate — the reason the author told this story in this way
Key Concepts
- Narrative teaches through story, not direct command
- Descriptive vs. prescriptive — not every Bible story is an example to follow
- Ask what the author is showing you about God, not just what happened
Scripture Focus
Genesis 22:1-19 (Abraham and Isaac)
Judges 6-7 (Gideon)
Acts 2:42-47 (early church)
Learning Objectives
- Read biblical narratives for their theological point — what the author is revealing about God — not just for moral lessons or life hacks
- Distinguish between descriptive and prescriptive passages: just because someone in the Bible did something does not mean God wants you to do it
- Identify the literary techniques (repetition, dialogue, contrast, plot structure) that biblical authors use to make their point
Resources
Download the companion handout for this lesson to review key terms and concepts offline.
Download Lesson Handout (PDF)