The list of Basic Bible Truths gives criteria for an outline of a Core Set of Stories that deal with the truths. This is a list of possible stories that could be used for evangelizing when the story teller knows nothing about the worldview of the target people. This list is a good beginning point for building a set of Bible story lessons for evangelizing. There may be a need for substitutions on some stories to others more appropriate for a people. The list does not take into account stories which may be needed to bridge between major stories nor to deal with certain Bible truths that need more attention and depth in teaching. Again, this list is a suggested list of typical stories which may be used to cover the Bible truths:
CORE STORY LIST
- Creation of the world
- Creation of man
- The first sin and judgment of Adam and Eve
- Judgment of a sinful world in Noah’s day
- God’s promise to Abraham—a descendant through which God would bless all people
- God provides the substitute sacrifice for Isaac
- The Passover—the blood and the lamb
- God gives His holy Law—the Ten Commandments
- The Sacrifice System—shedding of sacrificial blood to cover sin
- The Prophets’ message and promise of a Redeemer who would suffer for man
- Birth of Jesus according to prophecy
- Baptism of Jesus—”Behold the Lamb of God”, testimony of John and the Spirit
- Jesus and Nicodemus—”You must be born again”
- Jesus has authority to forgive sin—paralyzed man and four friends
- Jesus has power over nature—Calms the Sea
- Jesus has authority over demons—Gadarene Demoniac
- Jesus is the resurrection—Jesus raises Lazarus to life
- Abraham, Lazarus and the rich man—Man must believe the message of the prophets in this life
- The Last Supper—”This is my broken body and blood shed for you” Jesus is betrayed, arrested, falsely accused, tried and sentenced to death according to prophecy
- The crucifixion, decision for and against Jesus, “It is finished”
- The resurrection and appearance to disciples and followers
- Jesus returns to the Father, the Ascension
—Following are optional stories for certain spiritual worldviews—
- Jesus the true High Priest (Heb 8-9), an advocate before the Father making intercession for believer’s sins (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25)
- Return of Jesus to receive believers unto himself, to judge and punish unbelievers, Satan and the evil spirits thus fulfilling all promises and prophecies.
The obvious weakness of this list of core stories is that many important belief issues of the target people may not be addressed sufficiently. In some cultures people may have an understanding of their sinfulness and a desire to be accepted by God and included in His family. In other cultures the people may have very faulty concepts of the severity of sin and its consequences and further be offended by anything which ties God to man implying that man can have fellowship with a transcendent God. Stories about Jesus’ ministry are chosen to qualify Jesus as having authority and power like the Father.
