One of the things I often stress with the Bricks is the big picture of salvation history. I show our people different iterations of the below diagram on a regular basis. If we don’t keep the meta-narrative of what God is doing in history in mind, then we will not understand either life or the Bible.
Al Mohler warns that preaching which fails to remind people of the meta-narrative or overarching story is inadequate.
Another problem that leads to the evacuation of biblical content is a loss of the ‘big picture’ of Scripture. Far too many preachers given inadequate attention to the canonical context of the passage to be preached and of its place in the overarching story of God’s purpose to glorify Himself through the redemption of sinners. Taken out of context, and without clear attention to biblical theology, preaching becomes a series of disconnected talks on disconnected texts. This falls far short of the glory of true biblical preaching. Al Mohler
Reflect on this diagram and its major emphases of:
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Creation
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Fall
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Redemption
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Consummation
Relate all of your study of the Scripture and your experiences in life to this overarching story. If you are a Christian, then your light and momentary troubles are achieving an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Cor 4:16-18).
Was just talking to a friend about her ‘light and momentary troubles’– only they seem neither light nor momentary. But by the end of the discussion, we dicided that my friend (who is an extremely talented and beautiful girl) might never sensed a need for Jesus had he not allowed only success and joy without lifelong pain in relationships. She wouldn’t trade the hurt for redemption, and consumation does make it seem more momentary.