Anchored in Christ

You know something is good when word about it spreads quickly. Earlier versions of Dr. Ryan McGraw’s A Divine Tapestry: Summaries and Memory Verses from Every Chapter of Scripture were made for his kids. Then seminary students started asking for his notes. Then word got out to church members who wanted it as well.

If you’ve followed me for any time, you’ll know I love Bible-centered resources that are practical, and A Divine Tapestry fits right in. McGraw, a professor at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, describes the book:

This book aims to help readers become more familiar with the storyline of the Bible, through summarizing the content of every chapter in Scripture, and by singling out key verses that epitomize each chapter. Seeking to show the argument of each biblical book in its context, the summaries indicate what happens and why in each chapter, paving the way for letting the Bible tell us its own story in its own words.

Each book of the Bible includes:

• A summary sentence of the book’s message.
• Each chapter summarized in one sentence.
• For each chapter, there are suggested representative verses for memorization. (To see what a short book of the Bible looks like, scroll down to see a sample from the Epistle to Titus.)

I find A Divine Tapestry really helpful and really practical. I love quick and faithful overviews of Bible books, and thus, I love how this book allows me to quickly read through a book’s key passages and ideas.

There are so many uses for a volume like this. Students will enjoy it because it will help them follow the message of larger books of the Bible (think the books of Samuel or Isaiah). Families will enjoy it to strengthen time in family Bible reading. Teachers and preachers will enjoy it to gain a better grasp on all of Scripture. Bible memory folk will enjoy a gold-mine of suggested passages they can hide in their hearts.

I do have a few minor quibbles about the book, and they are all due to the fact that I work with words and books, thus I look at projects like this and think what I would have done differently. But don’t let any minor quibble of mine take away from the overall value of the volume. Quibble one is that Bible chapter divisions are somewhat artificial, they are not inspired by God, and sometimes they will include several big ideas or spread out their big idea over a few chapters, something hard to capture in one sentence focused on a single chapter. I also didn’t like how summary sentences had capital letters at the start of each word, making it harder to read. (See the Titus example below.) I’d also prefer the Bible version to be ESV or CSB over the NKJV. But, again, those are minor quibbles.

A Divine Tapestry is simple and well-executed, a book that will give you practical help in getting in God’s Word in 2024. I expect it to help many enjoy deeper and more fruitful time engaging the Bible.

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TITUS

Through Paul, God instructs Titus to appoint elders in the churches and to remind believers that the grace by which God saves them also teaches them to be zealous for good works.

Chapter 1

After Noting his Apostolic Call to Preach as it Relates to the Faith of God’s Elect, the Truth that Accords with Godliness, and God’s Eternal Promise of Eternal Life, Paul Gives Titus Instructions to help Order the Churches, Outlining the Qualifications of Elders, who are Bishops or Overseers of the Churches, to Counter False Jewish Teachers, who are Marked by Ungodly Conduct.

Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior. Titus 1:1-3

Chapter 2

Titus Must Teach Sound Doctrine, Instructing People of Both Sexes and All Ages How to Behave in the Church, Reminding the Church that Christ Redeemed the Church to Make His people Zealous for Good Works, Being Motivated by Christ’s Second Coming.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14

Chapter 3

Titus Must Remind Believers of the Kindness and Love of God to them, who Saved them by Grace Rather than by Works, by the Regeneration of the Spirit, Being Justified Through Faith in Christ, so that they Might Maintain Good Works, Rejecting Divisive People, Paul Concluding with Greetings and a Benediction.

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7