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Stories, Genesis to Revelation
32 storiesLife of Jesus
Luke 1:26–38; 2:1–20; Matthew 2:1–12
A Baby in a MangerAn angel visits a young woman in Nazareth. Months later, in crowded Bethlehem, her son is laid in a feeding trough, and shepherds come running to see.
Matthew 28; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–18
The Empty TombAt dawn on the first day of the week, grieving women go to Jesus' tomb and find the stone rolled away. Before the day is out, Mary Magdalene has heard him speak her name.
Luke 2:22–38
Simeon and Anna: The Long WaitForty days after Jesus is born, Mary and Joseph bring him to the temple. Two faithful old people who have waited their whole lives recognise him at once.
Matthew 2:13–23
Flight by Night: The Escape to EgyptWarned in a dream, Joseph wakes Mary in the middle of the night and the little family flees to Egypt as refugees, staying hidden until it is safe to return and make a home in Nazareth.
Luke 2:41–52
Lost and Found in JerusalemOn the way home from the Passover festival, Mary and Joseph realise twelve-year-old Jesus is missing. Three anxious days later they find him in the temple, listening to the teachers and asking questions.
Luke 3:1–20
A Voice in the WildernessOut by the Jordan River, John calls crowds to turn back to God, gives tax collectors and soldiers surprisingly practical advice, points to someone greater, and pays a price for telling a ruler the truth.
Matthew 3:13–17
Beloved: The Baptism of JesusJesus walks into the Jordan River and asks John to baptise him. John protests, but Jesus insists, and as he comes up out of the water, heaven opens and a voice calls him beloved.
Matthew 4:1–11
Forty Days in the WildernessHungry and alone after forty days in the desert, Jesus faces three temptations from the devil, and answers each one with the words of Scripture.
Luke 5:1–11
Fishers of PeopleAfter a long night of empty nets, a teacher borrows Simon's boat and tells him to try once more. The catch that follows changes what Simon will spend his life doing.
John 3:1–21
A Visitor by NightA respected teacher of Israel comes to Jesus after dark with careful questions, and hears about being born again, the wind of the Spirit, and how much God loves the world.
John 4:1–42
Living WaterAt noon by Jacob's well, a tired Jewish teacher asks a Samaritan woman for a drink. The conversation that follows crosses every line it shouldn't, and a whole town comes out to meet him.
Matthew 5–7
The Sermon on the MountOn a hillside in Galilee, Jesus sits down and turns the world's ideas upside down: blessing for the humble, love for enemies, freedom from worry, and a house built on rock.
Matthew 6:5–15
Our FatherJesus warns against praying to impress people or piling up empty words, then gives his followers a short prayer that Christians all over the world still pray every day.
Luke 19:1–10
Zacchaeus Comes DownThe richest, least popular man in Jericho climbs a tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus, and Jesus stops, looks up, calls him by name and invites himself to dinner.
Luke 10:38–42
Martha, MarthaMartha opens her home to Jesus and rushes to serve; her sister Mary sits and listens. When Martha asks Jesus to send Mary to help, his gentle answer surprises them both.
Mark 10:13–16
Let the Children ComeParents bring their little ones to Jesus for a blessing, and the disciples try to send them away. Jesus is not pleased, and he opens his arms.
Mark 10:17–31
The Man Who Had EverythingA wealthy man runs to Jesus with the biggest question there is, and gets an answer that costs more than he is willing to pay. Then Jesus tells his friends what is impossible for people, and possible for God.
Matthew 17:1–13
Shining on the MountainOn a high mountain, three friends see Jesus as they have never seen him before, shining like the sun, talking with Moses and Elijah, while a voice from a bright cloud says, Listen to him.
Mark 14:3–9
Perfume Poured Out at BethanyDays before the cross, a woman breaks open a jar of costly perfume and pours it over Jesus. The guests call it a waste. Jesus calls it a beautiful thing, and promises the world will remember it.
Matthew 21:1–11
The King on a DonkeyJesus rides into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey while crowds throw down their cloaks and shout Hosanna, and the whole city asks the same question: Who is this?
John 2:13–22
Zeal for My Father's HouseAt Passover, Jesus finds his Father's house crowded with traders and money changers, and drives them out. When the leaders demand a sign, he gives them a puzzle about a temple raised in three days.
Mark 12:41–44
Two Small CoinsIn the busy temple courts, Jesus sits and watches people give. The rich pour in plenty. Then a poor widow drops in two tiny coins, and Jesus says she has given more than all of them.
Luke 22:7–38
The Last SupperOn the night before he dies, Jesus shares the Passover meal with his friends, gives them bread and wine to remember him by, and, as they argue about who is greatest, shows them what true greatness looks like.
John 13:1–17
The Towel and the BasinOn his last evening with his friends, Jesus gets up from the meal, wraps a towel around his waist, and kneels to wash their dusty feet, the job of a servant. Peter is horrified. Jesus has a lesson for them all.
Matthew 26:36–56
Night in GethsemaneIn an olive grove on the night before he dies, Jesus prays in deep sorrow while his closest friends fall asleep, then meets the crowd that Judas leads to arrest him.
Luke 22:54–62
Before the Rooster CrowsPeter follows the arrested Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, and by a fire in the dark he says three times that he does not know him. Then a rooster crows, and the Lord turns and looks at Peter.
John 18:28–19:16
What Is Truth?At dawn Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate finds no case against him and tries to set him free, but in the end he hands Jesus over to be crucified.
Luke 23:26–49
Father, Forgive ThemOn the road to the place called the Skull and on the cross itself, Jesus forgives those who crucify him, promises paradise to a dying thief, and entrusts his spirit to his Father.
Luke 24:13–35
The Stranger on the Emmaus RoadTwo heartbroken followers of Jesus walk home from Jerusalem with a stranger who explains the scriptures to them. Only when he breaks bread at their table do they see who he is.
John 20:24–29
Thomas Sees and BelievesThomas missed the evening when the risen Jesus appeared to his friends, and he will not believe until he sees for himself. A week later, Jesus comes back for him.
John 21
Breakfast on the BeachAfter a fruitless night of fishing, the disciples meet the risen Jesus on the shore of Galilee. Over a breakfast of bread and fish by a charcoal fire, Jesus gently restores Peter and calls him to follow.
Acts 1:1–11
Up Into the CloudsForty days after Easter, the risen Jesus promises his friends the power of the Holy Spirit and sends them to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. Then he is taken up into heaven before their eyes.