February 19, 2008

Only 15 Pages

"If you could only give someone 15 pages of the Bible what sections would you choose? You have minutes to decide." This engaging question is posed by Gordon MacDonald in an article titled, "Is Your Bible Big Enough?" (You are hereby encouraged to read the article!)

This question has now become a game of tag. Here are the ground rules...

1. Find the Bible you are currently using.
2. Make your list of 15 pages. You should do this exercise in less than 5 minutes.
3. Add a few explanatory comments as to why you chose each page.
4. Post the introduction and these instructions along with your selections.
5. Tag up to 5 others.
6. Leave me a comment letting me know you've completed the meme.

I tag Paul (for the European view), Idaho Paul, Mike, Carolanne (for the Aussie view), and Cori (for the view from South Africa) - sorry Idaho Paul and Mike, you guys are just lowly North Americans ;-)!

I submit for your consideration the 15 pages I would choose from the Bible I am currently using.
1. Genesis 1:1 - 2:15 - Got to have the beginning of the story.
2. Revelation 21:6-22:21 - Got to have the end of the story.
3. Luke 24:41 - John 1:25 - Really after John 1 with this selection but the final passage of Luke is instructive as well.
4. Romans 1:1 - 2:19 - The righteous shall live by faith
5. Genesis 2:16-4:18 - The beginning of our sin problems
6. Genesis 21:23 - 24:6 - The story of Isaac sets the stage for understanding the remedy for our sin problem
7. Psalm 120:5 - 128:2 - Got to have a song to sing on the journey!
8. Isaiah 60:17 - 62:11- Promises of salvation!
9. Matthew 5:13 - 6:22 - The Heart of the Sermon on the Mount.
10. Acts 1:8 -2:19 - The instruction to be witnesses followed by the giving of the power to do it!
11. Romans 7:11 - 9:9 - Romans 8 is a gold mine of God's truth!
12. 2 Corinthians 1:18 - 5:4 - Forgiveness, triumph, hope, grace, perseverance.
13. Hebrews 10:34-12:11 - The 'Hall of Fame of Faith' is a condensed version of the O.T. followed by a challenge to endure!
14. 1 John 3:8-5:21 - Challenge to love each other, test the teaching you hear, confidence in salvation.
15. John 14:25 - 16:30 - Stay connected to Christ, the Holy Spirit's work, victory!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

1. John 1:1-51; This covers creation and God in the flesh
2. Exodus 20:1-26; The 10 commandments show us our sin against God
3. Romans 8:1-39; This shows our deliverance from the bondage of sin
4. Revelation 1:1-20; The revelation of Jesus Christ
5. Hosea 1:1-11; See next
6. Hosea 2:1-23; See next
7. Hosea 3:1- 4:19; The story of Hosea is a great illustration of a loving God.
8. Acts 1:1-2:36; The beginnings of the church and Peter’s sermon is a critical starting point for the church.
9. Jude; A must in keeping the church pure.
10. Galatians 1:1-24; This about the perversion of the Gospel will help warn the church of strange doctrine
11. Numbers 22:1-41; A little comic relief of a talking donkey and a great example of someone not obeying God.
12. Matthew 5:1-48; See next
13. Matthew 6:1-34; See next
14. Matthew 7:1-28; The sermon on the mount has several must for me. It’s Jesus speaking and it hits so many important issues in life.
15. Hebrews 3:1-4:16 I would choose all of Hebrews if I could, but to choose one page out of it I would need to include the explanation of Jesus being our High Priest and the promise of a better rest.

Garrett Hubbard said...

John. thank you for the encouraging word on my photo blog.

Be strong and courageous!
-garrett

Paul said...

Hey John! Next time give me a shout when you tag me! I didn't know... and now I have to think hard about this... In the meantime go and have a look to see what I've told my valued blog visitors to do! :-)