UPDATE 2026-02-26: Added podcast for Week 3, and notes for Week 4.
What is the Bible? Where did its books come from? What is the story line? How does it shape the way we live in relationship with God today?
Whether you’re new to the Bible or have been reading it for years, you won’t want to miss this. If you wondered how the laws of the Old Testament apply to us, or how the wars of King David fit with Jesus’ teachings, this is for you. What do we need to know to benefit from the poetry of the Psalms or the challenge of the Prophets? How does Jesus fit with Israel’s story? How does grace fit with the Law? How do first century letters shape the church today?
Was the Bible inspired by God or written by people with their own language and worldview? How do we meet God in Scripture? What do we do when we’re not sure what it’s saying?
You can join this short course online or in person. We’ll record the two sessions each Wednesday night, posting the notes and podcasts on this page. If you’re in Perth (Western Australia) and would like to attend in person at Riverview Church, please register. To take the course online, just bookmark this page. There’s no charge either way.
Schedule:
- Week 1 (11 Feb 2026): Approaching the Bible. Notes. Podcast 1a: What is the Bible? (Note: this is part of the first session only; the second session did not record.)
- Week 2 (18 Feb): The Old Testament. Notes. Podcast 2a: The story of the Old Testament. Podcast 2b: The Wisdom, the Psalms, and the Prophets.
- Week 3 (25 Feb): The New Testament. Notes. Podcast 3a: The Gospels and Acts. Podcast 3b: The letters.
- Week 4 (4 Mar): Recognizing the genres. Notes. (Podcasts to follow).
- Week 5 (11 Mar): Living with uncertainty: we don’t know everything, but we trust the one who does.
- Week 6 (18 Mar): Living in God’s story: our participation in what God is doing.
- Week 7 (25 Mar): Your questions. (No notes or podcasts.)
Notes will be available before each session, and podcasts afterwards. The exception is Week 7, available only to those who attend in person.
Starting with the basics, this journey leads us to central character who restores humanity. Trusting his leadership, we live as the people of the heaven-appointed King of Kings we recognize as Lord of all.
Related posts and podcasts
The Formed in God’s Story series has previously covered:
- Genesis – Esther (six sessions)
- Genesis 1–12 (six sessions)
- Psalms (six sessions)
- Old Testament Prophets (six sessions)
- Isaiah (six sessions)
- Matthew 1–14 and 15–28 (twelve sessions)
- Acts (seven sessions)
- Romans 1–8 and 9–16 (twelve sessions)
- Revelation (six sessions)
Seeking the kingdom 