Reading 'the story'

I finished reading 'The Story: The Bible As One Continuing Story of God and His People' today. It's not like it's the "real" Bible, but at around 500 pages, I feel like it was a worthwhile endeavor and I'm glad I finally got around to it.

According to their website (thestory.com), this is a brief overview:

The Story is an abridged, chronological Bible that reads like a novel. There are no verse references, and Scripture segments are seamlessly woven together with transition text into a single grand narrative. For those intimidated or overwhelmed by the unabridged Bible, The Story helps people understand God’s Word more fully and engage with it more easily.

[FYI: An abridged book is a shortened version. You'll get the main idea of the book just not all the smaller details]

Some of my random thoughts:

• At first I wasn't all that thrilled. I thought there was too much left out. Especially on the New Testament side. It's basically about Jesus, Paul, and the Revelation. However, having read the Bible in its entirety (many times), I can see that this is a quite valuable work. As they say on the back cover, "Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Using the clear, accessible text of the NIV Bible, it allows the stories, poems, and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel..." That it did!
• I like that there are questions in the back of the book that correspond to each chapter. So it would be great to go through with a group.
• There are also extra resources on thestory.com website. There is apparently even an entire church program. Unfortunately, you have to set up an account, and I'm sure it costs money. You know... marketing and all.
• Personally, I did find it quite helpful reading as an overview of the 'story' of the Bible. I was a little surprised at how interested I found myself in wanting to read each day. I also thought it interesting how, when I would read certain sections, it took me back to so many different times and places in my own life. Memories I had with certain texts, or times when portions of Scripture 'came to life' for me, or when I preached or taught on certain sections.
• I think this would be valuable in two settings: One, as a refresher for someone who has read the Bible or is at least familiar with it. Second, in a group setting (or study) with someone who is not all that familiar with the Bible or maybe even a long-time "churched" person but who doesn't have a lot of biblical familiarity. I think it would be helpful for the second group to have someone go through it with them.

I can remember when I first heard of this project back in the mid-2000s. I think I even got some free resources and intended to someday do the church program (when I was a pastor). I never did get around to it, and now I'm not sure if I would do the church-wide thing or not. It might be interesting.

The book does make me long to be in a small group again. Or, heck, in a church community, even! If only I felt like I could adapt...

At any rate, I am glad I read it. I was pleasantly surprised. The only drawback is all the marketing of follow-up materials and whatnot. Not a big deal though. Two thumbs up!!