Bible Stories Have a Point
Perhaps I’ve convinced you that part of Bible study requires picking up an author’s train of thought. And you can see it most clearly with instructional texts like epistles, wisdom poetry, and prophets. But what about the narrative books? Do they have a train of thought as well?
Ted McGrath (2014), Creative Commons
Remember that Bible stories are more than stories. While biblical narratives tell a true history of God’s redemption, the purpose of the stories is more than the history itself (or the story itself). Paul uses biblical narratives to provide examples to follow and warnings to avoid (1 Cor 10:6, 11). Jesus uses biblical narratives to draw ethical principles for his day (Mark 10:6-9). And Hebrews uses biblical narratives to inspire and motivate people not to shrink back but hold fast to Jesus despite great affliction (Hebrews 10:39-12:3). Examples, morals, and motivation all come from stories.
Finding the Point of a Bible Story
What does this mean for our Bible study? How do we find the main points of Bible stories?
Narratives by nature don’t present their material logically. You won’t find many “so that”s or “therefore”s in narratives, so it’s more challenging to trace out a logical train of thought.
But the tools of narratives lie primarily in plot, structure, and climax. Learn to see these things, and you’ll discover the narrator’s train of thought.
Plot: What is the primary sequence of action? Who does what to whom, and what are the results? At what point does the plot hinge and build toward climax and resolution?
Structure: Narratives won’t make clear logical argument, but they structure their material intentionally.
Climax: Where is the highest point of energy in the story? Where do the characters find what they seek or resolve their tension?
Look for these clues, and you’re on your way toward the main point.
Example #1 – Matthew 1:18-25
This short example begins with a clear title statement: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way” (Matt 1:18). The plot immediately thickens as Mary gets pregnant and Joseph tries to do the right thing by her. Suddenly, an angel appears to him in a dream (not an everyday occurrence) and gives Joseph two commands with explanation:
- command 1: do not fear to marry her.
- explanation: this child is from the Holy Spirit.
- command 2: call his name Jesus.
- explanation: he will save his people from their sins.
So not only the marriage, but also the child’s name is important here. We don’t hit the story’s climax, though, until we read “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet” (Matt 1:22), which leads into more talk of pregnancy, birth, and naming of a child – with another explanation of the name (God with us – Matt 1:23).
As the tension resolves, Joseph obeys the angel. And Matthew goes out of his way to tell us that he 1) married her without making love to her, and 2) named the child Jesus (Matt 1:24-25).
We’re not told much in this short tale, but the following things are clear:
- Joseph is not this child’s father.
- God has come to be with us.
- This God will save his people from their sins.
What is the point of this short story? God himself has come to deal with his people’s sin. See how the story’s train of thought leads us to this key point?
Example #2 – Mark 6:7-8:30
I don’t have the space to analyze this lengthy passage exhaustively, but I want to show how observing structure helps us to get the point.
Intro: Jesus sends out the 12, creating a crisis for Herod: Who is Jesus? – 6:7-29
A Jesus feeds 5,000 – 6:30-44
B Jesus crosses the sea with his disciples – 6:45-56
C Pharisees argue with Jesus – 7:1-23
D Jesus talks to a woman about bread – 7:24-30
E Jesus heals a deaf man – 7:31-37
A Jesus feeds 4,000 – 8:1-9
B Jesus crosses the sea with his disciples – 8:10
C Pharisees argue with Jesus – 8:11-13
D Jesus talks to his disciples about bread – 8:14-21
E Jesus heals a blind man – 8:22-26
Conclusion: Peter sees and understands exactly who Jesus is – 8:27-30
Seeing this larger structure is what helped me to understand why it took Jesus two tries to heal the blind man in Mark 8:22-26. Mark portrays two parallel cycles of events with the disciples, where they get to experience firsthand who Jesus is. Herod’s initial questions (John the Baptist? Elijah? One of the prophets?) go unanswered until Jesus takes his disciples through these two cycles.
And they don’t get it (Mark 8:21). But in healing the blind man, Mark gives a living parable of Jesus’ healing of the disciples blindness. And then, finally, they see him clearly. Not John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets – but the Christ (Mark 8:27-29).
The narrative has a train of thought; not only within a particular episode but also across many episodes. Look for this train and hop on board.
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