Experience The Bible

As Noah endures God’s wrath in an ark, he recounts man’s descent from Adam into wickedness. God has sent a flood to offer a new beginning. Years later, Noah’s descendant Abraham is promised a land of his own, and offspring as numerous as the stars. But his wife, Sarah, is barren, so she encourages Abraham to sleep with servant girl Hagar. Ishmael is born. When Sarah bear a son named Isaac, Abraham casts Hagar and Ishmael into the wilderness. God then tests Abraham's, calling for the sacrifice of Isaac.

Episode 1: "In The Beginning" is based on Genesis.

The Israelites are slaves in Egypt, ruled harshly by the Pharaoh. In a fight with Pharaoh’s son, Moses’ true origins are revealed; he is an Israelite slave. Moses leaves Egypt, spending years in the wilderness, until God tells him to free his people. But the new Pharaoh will not give up the slaves, so God sends plagues to persuade him. The final plague breaks Pharaoh and the Israelites are freed. Then, Pharaoh changes his mind. Trapped by the Egyptian army, Moses parts the Red Sea. On their way to the Promised Land, God gives Moses the Ten Commandments.

Episode 2: "Exodus" is based on Exodus.

Joshua takes the city of Jericho. But after many years in their homeland, the Israelites find other invaders also want the land. God sends them Judges, such as Samson who is tested at the hands of his lover Delilah. The Israelites ask the prophet, Samuel, to appoint a king. Reluctantly, Samuel chooses the charismatic warrior Saul. The ensuing power struggle between Samuel and Saul ends bitterly, and Samuel searches for a new king and finds a young shepherd boy named David. This threatens to throw the new nation into civil war.

Episode 3: "Homeland" is based on Joshua, Judges, and 1 Samuel.

When David’s popularity explodes after defeating the Philistine warrior Goliath, King Saul’s mistrust grows. Convinced David is after his crown, Saul exiles him from the court and then pursues him, consumed with jealously. A golden age for Israel follows, as David conquers Jerusalem and settles the Ark of the Covenant. But seduced by lust, David falls for Bathsheba, the wife of a loyal friend and officer. When she gets pregnant, David orders Uriah's death. Their first son dies, but they have another, Solomon.

Episode 4: "Kingdom" is based on 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles.

Despite warnings from the prophet Jeremiah, King Zedekiah allows Jerusalem to be taken by the ruthless Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar. The Jews are led on a forced exile back to Babylon where they are enslaved. There, three of Daniel’s friends are thrown into a fire when they refuse to bow down to the king’s statue. The miraculous happens, causing Nebuchadnezzar to have faith. It’s the king’s arrogance though that leaves the empire vulnerable. Cyrus of Persia throws Daniel in a lion's den when his disobey's. Daniel’s faith endures, and God spares him.

Episode 5: "Survival" is based on Jeremiah and Daniel.

The Romans dominate, and the Jews crave a new messiah. Instead, they have Herod the Great. In Galilee, the Angel Gabriel tells Mary she will bear a child, the Son of God. As baby Jesus enters the world, magi and shepherds pay their respects. Jealous King Herod orders the death of Bethlehem’s male babies. But, the holy family escapes. When they return years later, they find Judea under direct Roman rule. Out in the wilderness, Prophet John the Baptist baptizes Jesus just before the Son of Man takes on Satan in the desert. Emerging stronger and more certain, Jesus finds Peter, his first disciple. The revolution can begin.

Episode 6: "Revolution" is based on Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Jesus is drawing in crowds in rural Galilee with his miraculous powers and inspirational words. When Jesus continues to break the rules of Judaism, Simon, a Pharisee, reports him to the High Priest Caiaphas in Jerusalem. Crowds continue to flock to Jesus and, when he miraculously feeds them all, they call for him to be their King. Jesus retreats from their aggressive demand and the disciples become confused their mission. While Peter is sure of Jesus’ divinity, he is less certain about his own faith until he walks on water. Then Jesus shows that he has power even over life itself by bringing Lazarus back to life.

Episode 7: "Mission" is based on Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

In the week before Passover, Jerusalem is full of pilgrims, celebrating the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. Jesus makes his entrance riding on a donkey – a declaration that he is the Messiah. The crowd rejoices, but High Priest Caiaphas is that Pontius Pilate will shut down the Temple. When Jesus turns on the money changers in the Temple, Caiaphas coaxes disciple Judas into betrayal. After supper, Jesus is arrested by the Temple Guards in the Garden of Gethsemane. With the charge of blasphemy, Caiaphas finds Jesus guilty, despite Nicodemus’ protests.

Episode 8: "Betrayal" is based on Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Peter, fearful and disillusioned, denies he knows Jesus. Caiaphas leans on Pilate, warning him that Jesus’ execution is necessary to keep the peace. At a public trial, Pilate gives the crowd an option to free Jesus or murderer Barabbas. The crowd clamors for Jesus’ death and Pilate grants their wish. Mocked and beaten, Jesus carries his cross to Golgotha. There, he is nailed to a cross and left to die. The days following Jesus’ death are dark, especially for Peter. But, when Mary Magdalene goes to Jesus’ tomb, she finds it empty.

Episode 9: "Passion" is based on Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Jesus returns, commissioning the disciples to ‘go and preach to all creation’. Days later, the Holy Spirit empowers them during Pentecost. When new follower Stephen speaks out against Paul of Tarsus, he is stoned to death. Then, Paul has a vision of Jesus, and is blinded. In an extraordinary change of faith, Paul begins to preach about forgiveness. He meets a young Greek called Luke, and between them they write most of the New Testament. Most of the disciples are killed. Only their written word survives. Disciple John survives death and receives a revelation of hope; Jesus is coming back.

Episode 10: "Courage" is based on Acts and Revelation.