The Heart of the Story: Tracing God's Big Idea through Every Story in the Bible

I first chose this book with a college student who was having trouble understanding the point of the Bible . She & I loved it! Randy's book is readable, clear, helpful & (most importantly) practical. What a difference it has made to have a tool to help college students understand God's "upper story" & how our "lower story" lives fit into His exciting purposes. It helps them see how the Bible IS relevant to their lives...not just a bunch of stories. I now order this book by the dozen, and am using "The Story" adult curriculum to give newcomers to the Bible an overview--before they deep dive into specific passages. Definitely one of the most useful & powerful Bible tools I have ever had!

I am very surprised at the example of the size of the earth compared to the moon. Why would this mistake happen - especially on the second page. How could the earth be smaller than the moon when reduced if it's 3.7 times larger than the moon now? This does not influence his overall point but makes this a difficult book to recommend. Which is sad because I feel the overall series is excellent for introducing people with little background to the Bible.

I've not read this entire book, but what I have read comes across as a little too man-centered and not God-centered. The impression I get from this book is that God was sad and lonely so he created man. Not just that, but man is just the next-best thing to God himself. I would contend rather that man's importance is only because God chooses to interact with man, not because humans are intrinsically great.

I would recommend those interested to read the first few pages of "The Heart of the Story" and then read Psalm 8? These are essentially trying to communicate the same thing, but it is quickly apparent that the scripture is far more focused on the greatness of God than is Frazee. In the scripture, God is a creator to be feared, in Frazee's book, one gets the feeling that God is just a good pal - or was a good pal at least in the beginning. I would say that even prior to the fall, Adam and Eve were not God's "pal" - at least in the sense that two people are pals with each other on earth. This is evidenced in the book of Revelation (and places like Ezekiel, Isaiah, etc.) where there are once again perfect, sinless people and they fall on their face and cry "Holy, Holy, Holy" to God.

I guess if you need "milk" and not "solid food" then maybe reading "The Story" would get you started, but for any High-School or older literate person in the U.S. at least, reading the actual Bible itself shouldn't be that hard. I would say lack of effort is more the cause for biblical illiteracy than lack of comprehension. So read your bible from cover to cover - you don't even have to spend any money to do that.

I found this book to be a little disappointing. I teach a Bible Class and expected this product to help me with ideals for teaching. Not really helpful.

I am currently leading a small group study on this series. The Heart of the Story is beautifully written and captures the beauty and majesty of God's very personal plan of redemption. A great study for Seekers or well seasoned Disciples.