Stories

Stories of Scripture

Fifty moments where God met His people, told in the words of Scripture.

• Genesis 1In the BeginningGod speaks light into the formless dark and fills the world with life, calling it good.And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3
• Genesis 2The Garden of EdenGod plants a garden in Eden and places the man and woman there, among rivers and the tree of life.And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, where He placed the man He had formed. Genesis 2:8
• Genesis 6–8Noah’s ArkAs the floodwaters recede, Noah sends out a dove, and it returns with a fresh olive leaf.And behold, the dove returned to him in the evening with a freshly plucked olive leaf in her beak. So Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. Genesis 8:11
• Genesis 9The Rainbow CovenantAfter the flood God promises never again to destroy the earth by water, setting His rainbow in the clouds as a sign.I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Genesis 9:13
• Genesis 11The Tower of BabelPeople unite to build a tower to the heavens, and the Lord confuses their language and scatters them.“Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.” Genesis 11:4
• Genesis 15Count the StarsGod brings Abram outside under the night sky and promises him descendants as countless as the stars.And the Lord took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” Genesis 15:5
• Genesis 22Abraham and IsaacAbraham obeys God on Mount Moriah, and God provides a ram in place of his son Isaac.And Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. So to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:14
• Genesis 28Jacob’s LadderSleeping on a stone at Bethel, Jacob dreams of a stairway to heaven with angels going up and down.And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder. Genesis 28:12
• Genesis 45Joseph and His BrothersJoseph, now ruler in Egypt, reveals himself to the brothers who sold him and forgives them.Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! Genesis 45:4
• Exodus 3The Burning BushGod calls Moses from a bush that burns but is not consumed and sends him to free Israel.“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5
• Exodus 14The Parting of the Red SeaTrapped between Pharaoh’s army and the sea, Israel watches the Lord part the waters and walks through on dry ground.But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the Lord’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. Exodus 14:13
• Exodus 16Bread from HeavenIn the wilderness God feeds His hungry people each morning with manna, bread from heaven.When the Israelites saw it, they asked one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. So Moses told them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. Exodus 16:15
• Exodus 19–20The Law at SinaiAt Mount Sinai, amid thunder and cloud, God gives His people the Ten Commandments.“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Exodus 20:2
• Joshua 6The Walls of JerichoIsrael marches around Jericho as God commanded, and at the trumpet blast and shout, the walls fall.So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it. Joshua 6:20
• Judges 7Gideon’s Three HundredWith only three hundred men, trumpets, jars and torches, Gideon routs the vast Midianite army.The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” Judges 7:20
• Ruth 1Ruth and NaomiWidowed Ruth refuses to leave her mother-in-law Naomi, choosing her people and her God.But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Ruth 1:16
• 1 Samuel 3God Calls SamuelThe boy Samuel, sleeping in the tabernacle, hears the Lord call his name and answers, “Speak.”Then the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10
• Psalm 23David the ShepherdThe young shepherd David, who would become king, sings of the Lord as his own shepherd.A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1
• 1 Samuel 17David and GoliathThe shepherd boy David faces the giant Goliath with a sling and his trust in the Lord.But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 1 Samuel 17:45
• 1 Kings 8Solomon Dedicates the TempleKing Solomon dedicates the temple in Jerusalem and prays before the gathered people.But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. 1 Kings 8:27
• 1 Kings 18Elijah on Mount CarmelElijah challenges the prophets of Baal, and the Lord answers with fire from heaven.Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. 1 Kings 18:38
• 2 Kings 2Elijah Taken UpA chariot of fire takes Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, and his cloak falls to Elisha.As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind. 2 Kings 2:11
• Nehemiah 2Nehemiah Rebuilds the WallNehemiah returns to Jerusalem and rallies the people to rebuild its broken walls.I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me. “Let us start rebuilding,” they replied, and they set their hands to this good work. Nehemiah 2:18
• Esther 4–5Queen EstherRisking her life, Esther approaches the king unbidden to plead for her people, and he extends his scepter.As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter. Esther 5:2
• Isaiah 6Isaiah’s VisionIsaiah sees the Lord high and exalted, is cleansed, and answers God’s call: “Here am I. Send me.”Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
• Daniel 3The Fiery FurnaceShadrach, Meshach and Abednego refuse to bow to the king’s idol and walk unharmed in the fire with a fourth figure.“Look!” he exclaimed. “I see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire—and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!” Daniel 3:25
• Daniel 6Daniel in the Lions’ DenThrown to the lions for praying to God, Daniel is kept safe all night by God’s angel.My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.” Daniel 6:22
• Jonah 1–2Jonah and the Great FishFleeing God’s call, Jonah is swallowed by a great fish, prays from its belly, and is cast onto dry land.And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. Jonah 2:10
• Luke 1The AnnunciationThe angel Gabriel tells Mary she will bear the Son of God, and she answers in faith.“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38
• Luke 2The Birth of JesusIn Bethlehem Mary gives birth to Jesus and lays Him in a manger.And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
• Luke 2Angels and ShepherdsAngels announce the Savior’s birth to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks at night.“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!” Luke 2:14
• Matthew 2The Wise MenMagi from the east follow a star to Bethlehem to worship the newborn King.When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight. Matthew 2:10
• Luke 2The Boy Jesus in the TempleAt twelve, Jesus stays behind in the temple, listening to the teachers and asking them questions.“Why were you looking for Me?” He asked. “Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” Luke 2:49
• Matthew 3The Baptism of JesusAs John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan, the Spirit descends like a dove and the Father speaks from heaven.And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!” Matthew 3:17
• Matthew 4Tempted in the WildernessJesus fasts forty days in the wilderness and answers every temptation with the word of God.But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
• Matthew 4Fishers of MenBy the Sea of Galilee Jesus calls fishermen to leave their nets and follow Him.“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
• Matthew 5The Sermon on the MountSeated on a hillside, Jesus teaches the crowds the Beatitudes and the way of the kingdom.“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3
• Mark 4Jesus Calms the StormAs waves swamp the boat, Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea becomes perfectly calm.Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. Mark 4:39
• Matthew 14:22–33Jesus Walks on the WaterJesus comes to His disciples across the stormy sea, and Peter steps out to meet Him.But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27
• John 6Feeding the Five ThousandWith five loaves and two fish, Jesus feeds a crowd of thousands, with baskets left over.Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. John 6:11
• Luke 10The Good SamaritanJesus tells of a Samaritan who stops to care for a beaten stranger others passed by.But a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, and when he saw him, he had compassion. Luke 10:33
• John 10The Good ShepherdJesus calls Himself the good shepherd who knows His sheep and lays down His life for them.I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11
• Luke 15The Prodigal SonA wayward son returns home in rags, and his father runs to embrace him.So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. Luke 15:20
• John 11Lazarus RaisedAt the tomb of His friend Lazarus, Jesus weeps, then calls him out alive.After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” John 11:43
• Matthew 21The Triumphal EntryJesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey as crowds spread cloaks and palm branches before Him.The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9
• Luke 22The Last SupperOn the night before He dies, Jesus shares bread and wine with His disciples.And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19
• Luke 22GethsemaneIn the garden, Jesus prays in anguish and surrenders to the Father’s will.“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Luke 22:42
• Luke 23The CrossJesus is crucified, prays for those who crucify Him, and commits His spirit to the Father.Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46
• Matthew 28The Empty TombAt dawn, women come to the tomb and find it empty: an angel tells them Jesus has risen.He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay. Matthew 28:6
• Acts 2PentecostThe Holy Spirit comes on the gathered disciples with wind and tongues of fire.And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4