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Glossary
Forty words that unlock the whole path, in plain language.
- Apocalypse
- “Unveiling” — symbolic visions revealing God's plan, as in Daniel and Revelation.
- Apostle
- One sent with Christ's authority; the twelve plus Paul. See stop 10.
- Atonement
- Reparation for sin — Christ's death making sinners right with God. See stop 9.
- Baptism
- Water immersion marking entry into Christ and his church. See stop 10.
- Blessing
- God's promised favor, first given to Abraham for all nations. See stop 2.
- Church
- All believers in Christ worldwide, gathered in local congregations. See stop 10.
- Commandment
- One of God's laws; the Ten Commandments summarize covenant loyalty. See stop 4.
- Covenant
- A binding promise-relationship God makes with his people — with Abraham, at Sinai, and the new covenant in Christ.
- Cross
- Rome's execution stake; where Jesus bore sin's judgment. See stop 9.
- Disciple
- A learner-follower of Jesus, called to obey and witness. See stop 8.
- Exile
- Forced removal from the land as judgment — Assyria 722 BC, Babylon 586 BC. See stop 7.
- Exodus
- Israel's escape from Egypt; the Bible's pattern for every later rescue. See stop 3.
- Faith
- Trust in God and his promises, counted as righteousness since Abraham. See stop 2.
- Fall
- Humanity's first disobedience and its broken aftermath. See stop 1.
- Forgiveness
- God canceling sin's debt through Christ's blood, received by repentance and faith.
- Gentile
- Any non-Jew; welcomed fully into God's people through Christ. See stop 10.
- Gospel
- “Good news” — that Christ died, rose, and reigns, offering salvation to all who believe.
- Grace
- God's undeserved favor — salvation as gift, not wage. See stop 11.
- Heaven
- God's dwelling and believers' final home in the new creation. See stop 12.
- Holy Spirit
- God himself present and active — empowering, convicting, transforming. See stop 10.
- Idolatry
- Worshiping anything instead of God; Israel's besetting sin. See stop 6.
- Israel
- Jacob's new name; then his twelve-tribe descendants, God's chosen nation.
- Judges
- Rescuers God raised before the kings — Deborah, Gideon, Samson. See stop 5.
- Justification
- God declaring sinners righteous through faith in Christ. See stop 11.
- Kingdom of God
- God's reign — breaking in through Jesus, completed at his return. See stop 8.
- Law
- God's commands given at Sinai, fulfilled by Christ. See stop 4.
- Manna
- Bread God provided daily in the wilderness. See stop 4.
- Mercy
- God withholding the judgment we deserve; compassion in action.
- Messiah/Christ
- “Anointed one” — the promised king; Jesus is the Christ. See stop 6 and stop 8.
- Miracle
- A sign of God's power authenticating his messenger — plagues, healings, resurrection.
- Parable
- An earthly story with a heavenly meaning; Jesus' signature teaching form. See stop 8.
- Passover
- Israel's yearly memorial of escape from Egypt; fulfilled in Christ. See stop 3.
- Pentecost
- The Spirit's descent fifty days after Easter; the church's birthday. See stop 10.
- Prophet
- God's spokesperson — calling to repentance, foretelling judgment and hope. See stop 7.
- Providence
- God's unseen guidance of all events for good — Joseph's story is the classic case. See stop 2.
- Repentance
- Turning from sin to God — the doorway response John, Jesus, and Peter all demand.
- Resurrection
- Jesus' bodily rising; the pledge of believers' own rising. See stop 9.
- Sacrifice
- An offering for sin; all sacrifices point to Christ's final one. See stop 4.
- Tabernacle/Temple
- God's dwelling among Israel — tent, then temple; fulfilled when God dwells in believers.
- Trinity
- One God in three persons — Father, Son, Holy Spirit — revealed fully in Jesus and at Pentecost.