Session 1 - Introduction

Jeff Cavins explains the importance of Scripture to the Catholic Faith and considers the reasons why so many Catholics find it so hard to read the Bible. Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church and The Bible Timeline, he introduces how he will explain the story of salvation through the fourteen narrative books of the Bible.
Moderator: Core Group

Bible Timeline Bookmark & Chart

Session 2 - Early World

Jeff begins to tell the story of salvation beginning with the first time period, the Early World. He gives guidelines for understanding the prehistoric stories in the Bible, (Creation and the Fall), and shows the significance of the Flood and Tower of Babel stories. Jeff shows how many of these events in the Early World are meant to warn us about the effects of sin.
Moderator: Core Group

Session 3 - Patriarchs

The Patriarchs session covers the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. Jeff Cavins focuses on the everlasting covenant God establishes with Abraham, who passes down God’s promise through Isaac and Jacob. Joseph is presented as a figure of Christ, one who reconciles his brethren to their father.
Moderator: Core Group

Session 4 - Egypt and Exodus / Desert Wanderings

Session 4 covers the third and fourth time periods, Egypt & Exodus and Desert Wanderings. Jeff Cavins tells of how the Israelites were slaves for generations, and then liberated by God through Moses. They are then led into the desert where God teaches them to trust him, which takes them another 40 years. A new generation has to learn to walk in faith.
Moderator: Core Group

Session 5 - Conquest and Judges / Royal Kingdom

Jeff explains how Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promised Land triumphantly and how they settle there. It doesn’t take long, however, before the next generation sins against God. As a result, the Israelites fall into servitude to the surrounding nations. When they cry out for help, God raises up a judge. After a period of twelve judges, Israel asks for a king. Jeff covers the reign of Saul, David and Solomon. The Israelites unite and expand, but this period ends in sin and the looming division of the kingdom.
Moderator: Core Group

Session 6 - Divided Kingdom / Exile / Return

Jeff tells the story of how the Kingdom of Israel is divided into two kingdoms. He explains how to navigate this complicated period of many kings and prophets. Despite warnings from many prophets, both kingdoms repeatedly turn from God. Assyria and Babylon force the divided kingdoms into exile. Jerusalem and the Temple are destroyed. The tribe of Judah endures seventy years of exile, then returns to rebuild with the guidance of Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah. Jeff shows how God was with them through it all helping his people to triumph.
Moderator: Core Group

Session 7 - Maccabean Revolt / Messianic Fulfillment, part 1

In the years leading up to the Maccabean Revolt, the Jews grow in faithfulness to God but Greek influence threatens their identity. Judas Maccabeus and his sons revolt, and lead the Jews into a time of self-rule until Rome rises to power. In the first part of the Messianic Fulfillment, Jeff Cavins considers the coming of Jesus, the promised Messiah, to fulfill all righteousness. Jeff ultimately shows how Jesus’ life is a recapitulation of the entire story of salvation.
Moderator: Core Group

Session 8 - Messianic Fulfillment, part 2 / The Church / Continuing the Journey

Jeff completes his telling of the Messianic Fulfillment story, tying everything together and showing how the entire Bible has been pointing to the life, passion, death and resurrection of Christ. In the final period, Jeff explains how the Church continues the ministry and mission of Jesus in the book of Acts. The story that began in the Garden of Eden extends through the lives of all Christians. The baton is passed on to each new generation.
Moderator: Core Group