A story has five basic but important elements. These five components are: the characters, the setting, the plot, the conflict, and the resolution. These essential elements keep the story running smoothly and allow the action to develop in a logical way that the reader can follow. There are some who argue that other components are also critical, like tone, theme, and point of view. But we ask our listeners to accept these initial five as the basic building blocks of any good story.
We use the five components to examine the book of Acts, the fifth book of the New Testament. And we conclude that this book is unfinished. How it ends is up to us. Scriptures referenced include Acts 1:14-39; Acts 4:5-22; Acts 5:1-10; Acts 2:36; and Luke 20:17.
The prophet Joel provides timeless lessons on judgment, repentance, and restoration. Though his historical context is debated, the universal themes in his narrative resonate...
Genesis 32 tells the story of Jacob’s transformation through one of the most mysterious and intimate encounters in the Bible. After decades of striving—against...
Today we are going to begin a new series: 10 Ways to Thrive in Hard Times. We begin with a consideration of how we...
