Why should you read the Bible? Many people find it to be an obscure and oddly organized book; they are not sure how to approach it, so they don't. Even many Christians who own multiple copies of the Bible, and claim to believe what it says, hardly ever read it. They reserve the Bible for Sundays, weddings, and funerals; it has little practical relevance to their daily lives. The Panoramic Bible breaks down common barriers to reading the Bible, understanding who God is, and enjoying who you can be as his child.
Using nine major divisions, The Panoramic Bible presents the Bible in historical sequence, giving the storyline of Scripture in 205 summaries ("pixels") of its major themes and events. Each pixel, a point of biblical light, is accompanied by a Bible verse that helps emphasize the main topic of the pixel, along with an interactive question to spur personal insight. In addition, Reflections challenge you to understand the meaning and application of the biblical text, and encourage spiritual formation and maturity. Connections give historical context to explain the continuity of the Bible and how one part relates to the next. Original artwork depicts and interprets some biblical scenes and events.
So, what is the main purpose of the Bible? God tells us through the Bible who he is and what his plans are. His big-picture plan is to establish for himself a special family for his treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation, who desire to live with him forever and by his grace will do so. For us to understand God's purpose, we also need to think about who he is and how he goes about helping us understand things of the spirit (that is, things beyond the material world).
The Panoramic Bible presents a simplified approach to the Bible, yet with scriptural accuracy and insight to encourage personal Bible study, for use as a discipleship tool, and to promote spiritual formation. In instructional settings, the book will serve as a resource in churches, Sunday schools, home groups, and schools that have Bible instruction, including home schools. The book will encourage personal devotions and will help families where parents want to transition children from "Bible stories" to the story of the Bible.
