ARCHITECTURE OF OUR TOOLS

Biblical model to sharing the message of the Bible

It was Sunday, 2000 years ago, the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As two of his disciples travelled the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, they were joined by Jesus himself, but they did not recognize him. He asked them,

 

“What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:14-27They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:14-27

 

Jesus drew on Moses and the Prophets i.e., “the Old Testament” to explain who he was, and what he had accomplished on the cross.

 

Using the same approach Jesus used on the road to Emmaus in communicating the Bible’s message, GoodSeed resources begin at the beginning to communicate the Bible's message.

 

Biblical content in sharing the message of the Bible

The Gospel of John is used by many to share the gospel, because it is regarded as an inspired and definitive authority on the main message of the Bible.

 

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30-31 ESV

 

Because this gospel was written so people might believe, it invariably contains the essence of the Bible’s message.

In the Gospel of John in the first two chapters alone, there are no less than 55 references to concepts, phrases, customs, things, characters and geographical places which the average person today simply does not know.

The people whom John was writing to would have understood the message because they were familiar with the context and background. But for those who have absolutely no knowledge of the Bible or are unfamiliar with the time and culture of that day, just reading the Gospel of John directly may not give them clear understanding.

 

For example, in the Gospel of John in the first two chapters alone, there are no less than 55 references to concepts, phrases, customs, things, characters and geographical places which the average person today simply does not know.

 

For example, in John 3:14-15, it says:

 

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

 

Who is Moses? Was he the Man’s son? Why did Moses pick up a snake? Was the snake dead or alive? Did he get bitten?

 

What was Moses doing in a desert? And what does eternal life mean? Is that the same as reincarnation?

 

Therefore, we use the architecture of John to:

  • Determine what stories need to be to told and,
  • Ensure that enough background is provided, giving understanding to the significance of the stories.

 

The content and architecture of GoodSeed tools are mapped out in this way, so ultimately, we are teaching the gospel of John, with most of its supporting stories.