The entire Bible is about Christ, the Trinity, and God’s plan of redeeming the world to Himself for His glory. We often look to find ourselves in the story of Scripture, usually as the protagonist—the main character. However, in reality, we’re either minor characters in the story, or worse, we are actually represented by the antagonist! Though we can have positive attributes, and these stories are examples of godly men and women that we can and should model, the Bible ultimately is a book about God, and we should see it as such! Every story and character (and often objects) in Scripture point beyond themselves to One who is greater—Jesus Christ. Many symbols, analogies, objects, people, places, and events are foreshadowing Christ. He is the true and better example and the only one who can reconcile us to the Father. When you read the Bible Christologically (seeing Scripture in light of the Gospel and through the lens of Christ) your heart will be drawn to worship God as you see how the entire Bible testifies about Him (John 5:39).

So, how do you remove yourself from the center and strive to discover Christ and the Gospel as you read? Use the acronym E.F.A.P described on the next page as a tool in your Scripture reading to help you in this process:

How Is Christ Our Example To Follow? (He Shows Us How)

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21

Is there something or someone described that reminds you of the person or work of Jesus and stands as an example of Him in which you should follow? This doesn’t have to be limited to the actual person of Jesus, but often the characteristics of other people or objects that point to Christ. Every command Christ completes to perfection. Every strong character quality Christ has in full. Every warning against sin Christ never does. Christ is the complete and perfect example for us.

How Has Christ Fulfilled Where We’ve Failed? (He Does What We Cannot)

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Matthew 5:17

Are there roles, relationships, or characteristics in the Bible that are ruined by sin, wickedness, or mistakes? Although there may be good people or neutral objects in Scripture, the holistic story is that they’re never good enough. Jesus contrarily fulfills every single promise and does perfect every command of the Law; something we could never do. He is the true and better leader, king, friend, husband, Passover lamb, rock of our salvation, servant, priest, prophet, temple, etc. Watch this video for more examples of how Christ is the True and Better by Dan Stevers.

How Does Christ Give Us His Power To Walk In? (He Gives Us His Power)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8

Oftentimes, we end the Gospel narrative at the death of Jesus on the cross for our sins, but that’s not where the story ends! Jesus rose from the dead and the same powerful Spirit that was in Him now lives in us as believers! When reading Scripture, can you see how Christ gives us His power as He invites us to partner with Him in the ministry? In other words, now we can actually follow His example originally set for us, and if/when we fall short, we have the gospel that forgives. For example, Joshua led the people of Israel to march around the walls of Jericho, trusting the Lord’s promise, and the walls fell down in their victory over the enemy! We too have the same power to knock down the walls of oppression and sin in our lives and the lives of those around us. We are not Joshua—he’s the Christ figure—but we are the people who followed him and joined in the fight!

One of the beautiful things about scripture is its depth. You can read the same verses over and over and find something new with each pass. Often there is not just one example of Christ in each story, but multiple ways we can see the person and work of Christ. Below is one way to see Jesus as our example, fulfillment, atonement, and power in the story of David and Goliath

How Did Christ Make Atonement For Our Sins? (He Takes Our Place & Gives Us His Right Standing)

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Not only did Jesus make right all of our wrongs, fulfilling what we couldn’t do, He also traded places with us, taking upon Himself the wrath that sin deserved for our lawlessness, and giving us the righteousness of God that should only come from perfection. As you read, do you see ways in which Christ actually takes the undesirable position or punishment even though He did no wrong? In order to do this properly, you have to be able to see yourself as the one deserving of judgment…which can be hard for some of us to do. We are often not the hero in the story; we’re more likely the enemy. Can you see how Jesus, the innocent One, traded places with Barabbas, the one who actually did commit sins worthy of crucifixion? Or how Pharaoh, the enemy of God’s people, was drowned in the Red Sea and yet we, who are enemies of God (Rom 5:10), are instead saved by the blood of Christ, His death for our life?