Lives of the Prophets
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
Changing worldview through the power of narratives.
Description
This product is an audio cassette of dramas layed out in 13.5-minute modules. Each has an introduction and closing and uses multiple voices.
The Lives of the Prophets is a panoramic Bible that takes advantage of the power of narratives to change worldview. Each module is introduced within a dramatic modern-day setting, in which questions and issues arise. A wise elder then narrates a story of one of the prophets or heroes of the Bible that speaks to that issue or question. Before narrating the story, the elder provides some essential context information and clarifies the historical link between the story he is going to tell and other stories his listeners have heard. He then tells the story.
In dramatized versions there are multiple voices. In either case, there are sound effects and appropriate local music. Sometimes the narrator uses poetry.
Most of the modules end with some mention of the theme of the story. Often the theme is mentioned, not by the narrator, but by one of the narrator's “listeners” who has gotten the point. Sometimes the listener articulates the theme by saying something like, “This story reminds me of something that Jesus said in the Gospel, that...” Sometimes the narration is “interrupted” by one of the “listeners” asking a question or seeking confirmation that she has inferred the correct conclusion. These are the essential “footnotes,” but they are not allowed to interrupt discourse units.
In a few cases, if the narrator relates an event that the focus audience finds shocking or contrary to their culture or beliefs, one or more of the narrator's “listeners” interrupt with their own exclamation, and the narrator then clarifies. This helps the audience to identify with the people on the tape.
These Scripture portions consist of narrative and dialogue, poetry and proverbs, which present a panorama of the biblical metanarrative. Trust in the Scriptures is built early in the series. The portions present all the major themes of the Bible, developed in a progressive, learner-friendly manner. They clearly demonstrate God's goodness and love, faithfulness and justice. They show man's hopeless sinfulness and the role of sacrifices in atoning for sin. They present the prophecies of the Messiah and show Jesus as Savior and Lord of all. The work of the Holy Spirit is described, alongside a model of discipleship, church life, and ministry. The selections also affirm women and appeal to them.
Themes of The Lives of the Prophets
Appendix A: Themes of the Lives of the Prophets
The main themes identified for the Lives of the Prophets are listed in what follows. If these themes are clear in the mind of the translators and story-tellers, then it is more likely that they will be communicated clearly to their audiences.
Creation and Adam and Eve
- God's goodness in creation.
- Adam and Eve's temptation by Satan and subsequent failure to trust God regarding the tree.
- Their disbelief, their sin, and the very serious consequence of sin: judgment, separation from God, eventual death, a curse on the earth, and the spread of evil.
- Prophecy of the coming seed of the woman (women don't have seed, except for Mary) who will defeat the serpent.
The Believer Noah
- God's long but limited patience with sinners until judgment.
- Salvation of some and destruction of many sinners in a day of judgment.
- The evil of man's heart, in spite of his/her creation in the image of God.
- Noah as an amazing example of faith and obedience over a long time.
- The practice of sacrifice.
- The concept of covenant. God makes covenants with people in spite of sin.
- God's covenant can extend to one's family and descendents.
The Believer Job
- God may allow His servants to suffer.
- We cannot understand everything God does, but we should trust God's wisdom and goodness.
- Satan accuses the saints and seeks to make them turn from God.
- Satan is limited by God in what he can do to God's people.
- We should not be proud and quick to judge, as were Job's friends.
- We should not be overconfident in our own righteousness, as was Job.
- Those who sin should repent that God might forgive them.
- In the end, those who trust God will have their reward.
Additional concepts mentioned:
- Forgiveness through sacrificial substitution
- The hope of the resurrection
- The need for a mediator with God
- Affirmation for women and for granting them inheritance
- God allows His servants to suffer for a greater good
The Prophet Abraham
- Abraham was justified by faith in what God promised (Gen. 15:6).
- He had a personal relationship with God and was called the friend of God.
- Through Abraham's seed all nations will be blessed.
- God decides who is an heir to the covenant.
- One can intercede with God for others.
- God will bless or spare many for the sake of the righteous with whom they are associated. (Preparation for concept of salvation through Christ.)
- Prophecy and fulfillment of land, descendants, bondage in Egypt, Exodus
- God continues to covenant with His people.
- Concepts and background: Melchizedek and tithing
The Prophet Joseph
- Trusting God in spite of circumstances
- Being honest and faithful toward others
- God's faithfulness to His people
- God's control of history to make His name known and to accomplish His saving purposes
- Prophetic dreams, prophetic interpretation, and fulfillment of prophecy
- Joseph as a type of Christ
- Forgiveness
The Prophet Moses
- Signs of a true prophet
- Moses was a true prophet, attested by signs and predictions that came true.
- Another prophet like Moses will arise from the people, to whom they should listen.
- God intends, through the plagues, to make His name known to the Egyptians and other nations.
- Other people, besides the descendants of Jacob, joined God's people in the Exodus and afterwards.
- The promises and curses of the Mosaic covenant depended on compliance with its laws.
- Because no man can perfectly obey divine law, no one succeeds in being justified by obedience, not even Moses.
- Background and types of Christ: the Passover lamb sacrifice, the tabernacle sacrifices for sin, the rock, the snake on a pole, the delivery from bondage, promised land
- Terms and concepts: the Spirit of God on Moses and the elders, sacrifice for sin, covenant
- The necessity of a mediator
The Believer Ruth
- God values women, as exemplified by the attention given in this book to female characters.
- The example of a woman leaving her natural relatives and their religion to join God's people.
- Those from any nation who are faithful to God may join His people.
- The value of love and kindness, as exemplified by Ruth and by Boaz.
- A virtuous woman is described through Ruth and she is rewarded.
- God provides for and protects His people.
- God prepares the line of David, which eventually leads to Jesus.
- A concept of redemption is presented.
The Believer Hannah and Prophet Samuel
- Being unfaithful/disobedient to God leads to serious problems.
- God answers the prayers of women who trust in Him.
- Because of their lack of faith, people want a human to rule and protect them rather than trust in God as their king.
- God can use even a child if he is committed to serving God.
- Man looks at a person's appearance, but God looks at the heart.
The Prophet David and his Psalms
- David's relationship with God, in which he praises, trusts, voices his sorrows and fears, ventilates his anger and frustration, confesses sin, seeks forgiveness, affirms his faith, and offers thanks. Perhaps this is why he was called a man “after God's heart.”
- Prophecies of the promised Messiah who would be a descendant of David.
- Information about: the Holy Spirit, evil prophetic spirits, sin and repentance, humility before God.
- The inclusion of many events that provide background to understanding the New Testament
- Background to messianic terms: “Son of David,” “Son of God” (Ps. 2;
1 Chron. 28:6).
Psalms of David: A selection for separate circulation
- God is great and rules over all.
- Mankind is sinful.
- God does not punish us to the extent that we deserve.
- God welcomes the confession of sin and the request for forgiveness.
- God is forgiving.
- God is faithful and loving.
- God can be trusted and welcomes those who put their faith in Him.
The Prophet Solomon and his wisdom
- God blesses those who fear and obey Him.
- The importance of wisdom from God.
- The danger of worldliness and marriage to nonbelievers.
- God's promise/covenant that David's royal line would continue.
- Background and concepts: temple, worship, prayer.
- Type: Solomon, the anointed son, is a type of Christ as anointed king.
- Proverbs:
a. Rule and live to please/fear God.
b. Have good relationships.
c. Guard your speech.
d. Work responsibly.
e. Avoid trouble if possible. - Wickedness abounds; there is no one who does not sin.
- Worldliness does not bring fulfillment; one needs to please/fear God.
The Prophet Jonah
- The story of Jonah demonstrates God's power and His plan to punish sin with death, balanced by His mercy; His desire that people repent; His readiness to forgive, and His concern for all peoples, even for the enemies of the children of Israel.
- God forgives people when they turn away from their sins, no matter how evil they are.
- An entire nation repents before God.
- At the individual level, the story shows how God is able to accomplish His will through weak people with imperfect hearts.
- It also shows how God works through circumstances to draw resistant people to repentance and to a greater understanding of Him.
- It provides a model in Jonah's prayer of repentance.
- Jesus used the account of Jonah as an example of how people should respond to Him and His message.
- Jesus also used the story to suggest His own death and resurrection, an important point in this region.
The Prophet Isaiah
- God's holiness and man's sinfulness.
- Judgment (punishment) for injustice and faithlessness.
- Salvation is from God, not a result of works.
- The coming Messiah is a king who will rule forever in righteousness.
- The coming Messiah is a suffering servant who will die for the sins of the people and yet be glorified.
- A hope, a future kingdom which will include all nations.
The Prophet Daniel
- Prophecy and fulfillment of prophecies by Moses and Jeremiah.
- Punishment for transgression.
- God will set up a kingdom, later called “the coming kingdom of God.”
- It will be ruled forever through one like a Son of Man, also called the Anointed One (Christ, Messiah).
- The Messiah will appear after 69 sevens (483 years?) after the restoration of Jerusalem; He will be “cut off,” after which the city and temple will be destroyed again. (Dan. 9:20-27)
- Perseverance under persecution. God can rescue if He wills.
- The sovereignty of God.
The Lord Jesus the Messiah (Luke)
- Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and patterns.
- Jesus is the awaited Prophet foretold by Moses.
- Jesus is the awaited King of the Jews, the Christ, the Messiah, the
Messianic Son of God. - Jesus is the awaited One like a Son of Man.
- With Jesus begins the awaited Kingdom of God, with Jesus as King.
- Jesus is the Suffering Servant, the Lamb of God, the vicarious sacrifice who atones for our sins.
- Christ is the eternal Word, the eternal Son of God, God with us.
- All authority on heaven and earth is in His hands.
- Christ will return to judge, save, and complete the establishment of His kingdom.
Appendix B: Themes of the Lives of the Apostles
- Witness to Christ, the center of the Good News, and His continuing presence with His followers.
- Christ's fulfillment of OT prophecies.
- Christ's powerful use of Peter and Paul in spite of their earlier failings.
- The invitation to believe the Good News and enter the kingdom (frequent in Acts).
- Mission and evangelism in spite of persecution.
- Baptism.
- The Holy Spirit.
- Discipleship.
- The church growing in spite of persecution.
- The early church: its life, order, worship, fellowship.
- Trust in God and perseverance through trials.
- Teaching of the new covenant, salvation, sanctification, morality.
- Last things, resurrection, judgment, and the new world to come.
- Paul's theological themes:
- God's grace.
- Implications of Christ's coming for the cosmos.
- The cross.
- Ethical implications of redemption.
- The missionary mandate.
- Reconciliation.
Considerations
Limitations
Guidelines for Use
This product could be used as a media mix, making a combination of the various media of live drama, audio cassette, radio, books and booklets, etc.
The dramas are in 13.5-minute modules, each with an introduction and closing. This makes them suitable for radio and is also a good size for discussion and for memorization.
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Cost
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
Current copyright owner
Other Information
Biographical portions have been printed as individual booklets and also together as a single book. The recordings have been made available to the Hundai people as cassettes and CDs, and they can be downloaded from the web as MP3 files. The same thing was also done for a follow-up series called The Lives of the Apostles. (See Appendix B, above.)
