The Old Testament

PENTATEUCH: First 5 books of the Bible: The Law

Genesis                  Jesus the Elector                50 Chapters

The beginning of creation and man, his fall and plan for redemption. Shows from the beginning God’s plan to redeem fallen mankind by the choosing of a nation through which His Son would come.   

Exodus                  Jesus the Redeemer           40 Chapters

The calling out of God’s people, Israel, from slavery and his making of a people to worship Him. Shows the redemptive act of Christ and man’s struggle to obey.

Leviticus               Jesus the Sanctifier            27 Chapters

What God required from Israel to worship Him, laws and regulations for their daily life. Describes the work of Jesus setting us apart for fellowship and service.

Numbers               Jesus the Guide                   36 Chapters

Describes the numbering of the people in the wilderness and God’s call for them to walk with Him. Shows the desire of God to bless His people and their unwillingness to yield to Him.

Deuteronomy      Jesus the Teacher               34 Chapters

The summary of the Law and an exhortation for a new generation to obey. Reveals Jesus as the teacher of His people instructing them to live for Him.

HISTORICAL BOOKS: 12 books telling of the rise and fall of Israel

Joshua                Jesus the Conqueror            24 Chapters

The conquest of the Promised Land, from the crossing of the Jordan to the dividing of the land amongst the tribes. Shows the process of sanctification as God desires us to inhabit all His blessings.

Judges                Jesus the Preserver               21 Chapters

Describes the two hundred year history beginning from the end of Joshua till the time of their last judge, Samuel; and the establishment of Israel’s kings. Shows the failure of the people when they refuse to let God reign as King of their hearts. Yet, in spite of man’s failure it shows God’s ability to preserve His people.

Ruth          Jesus the Faithful Friend                    4 Chapters

Takes place in the time of unfaithfulness (Judges), showing that there were still those who followed the Lord. It illustrates Gentile redemption by being purchased by the God of Israel.

1 Samuel       Jesus the Shepherd King          31 Chapters

Describes the organizing of God’s people into a nation; Israel’s failure both in motive and choice for a king and God’s intervention with a man after His own heart, David. Shows Samuel as a type of Christ in that he is a prophet, priest and judge. Also, reveals the contrast between outwardly looking like God’s vessel and being a man after His own heart.

2 Samuel       Jesus the Righteous King         24 Chapters

Describes the life of David from the point of Saul’s death to his own. Shows the success of obedience to the Lord and the failure of disobedience.

1 Kings         Jesus the Wise Ruler  22 Chapters

Shows the political deterioration and division of the nation because of a divided heart. Reveals what compromise produces both in relationships with mankind, division, and with God, judgment and captivity.

2 Kings         Jesus the Promise Keeper         25 Chapters

Further describes the political history of the divided nation, Israel and Judah, and the reason for their eventual captivity to the Assyrians and the Babylonians. Shows the progression of compromise from spiritual to moral to political. Yet, in spite of this we see God’s faithfulness to His covenant.

1 Chronicles        Jesus the Royal Priest       29 Chapters

Contains the religious history of Israel in the Life of David. It concerns itself with the right way to worship God and God’s plan for Judah.

2 Chronicles        Jesus the Center of Worship      36 Chapters

Continues with the religious history primarily of Judah, from Solomon to the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon. Contains the recipe for restoration in chapter 7:14 and chapter 34.

Ezra       Jesus the Restorer                              10 Chapters

It’s the story of the Jewish remnant’s return and restoration of religious life in Jerusalem from the captivity. It shows how God fulfills His promise to return us when we return to Him.

Nehemiah        Jesus the Master Builder       13 Chapters

This too, centers around the remnant’s return to Jerusalem, their rebuilding the city and their revival as God’s people. Everything was restored except a king and it was 400 years before Jesus was to fulfill that by His birth, (Matthew 2:2).

Esther           Jesus the Advocate                     10 Chapters

Though a remnant had returned to Jerusalem, the vast majority stayed in Persia. This is the story of God preserving the nation through a righteous but reluctant queen.

POETIC BOOKS: 5 books that deal with spiritual life in human experiences

Job           Jesus the Suffering Redeemer      42 Chapters

Deals with why the godly suffer. It shows the transforming of a man of God through trials with the outcome being a deeper life with God. Through this book we learn not to boast of our deeds before God but rather rest in what He has done for us.

Psalms          Jesus our Worship                      150 Chapters

The hymnbook of the Jewish people, actually 5 books in itself. Deals with how the godly suffer and their reason to worship; which is to be found in their relationship to the Lord.

Proverbs      Jesus our Wisdom                      31 Chapters

It starts with what wisdom is and where it is to be found, (1:5-7, 3:5-6) and proceeds to give instructions on how to live in Christ.   

Ecclesiastes          Jesus the Reason for Life       12 Chapters

It is the book of one man’s search for the meaning of life and his conclusion that apart from a relationship with God, all is vanity. Through this man’s search we find that only in Christ are we joyfully fulfilled.

Song of Solomon       Jesus our Groom         8 Chapters

It is a love poem between a bride and a groom. It shows the growing love in a relationship with Him. 

PROPHETIC BOOKS: 17 books that speak to the heart and conscience of Israel to return to God. Their messages were two fold:

                A.) To speak to the people of that time.

                B.) To speak to the people in the future.

Three time frames of the writers:

                1. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea - Zephaniah (11 books). Written before the final fall and captivity of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.

                2. Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel (3 books). Written during the 70 year captivity of the nation.

                3. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (3 books). Written after the 70 year exile to encourage them to rebuild and repatriate the nation.

Major Prophets: 5 books called major because of their size. 

Isaiah        Jesus the Suffering Servant         67 Chapters

Wrote to a nation that had failed to be a light unto the world. In chapters 1-39 he foretells future judgment upon Israel unless they repent for this failure. In chapters 40-55 he speaks to them after Jerusalem’s destruction for failing to repent and of a future time when God would restore the nation. And in chapters 56-66 he tells them of an even greater future if they will remain humble. Shows Jesus as the Messiah and His restoring His people through His death.

Jeremiah        Jesus our Righteousness         52 Chapters

Wrote to Judah during her last 40 years and her eventual deportation to Babylon. He proclaimed the judgment of God upon their disobedience and a future day of redemption by way of a new covenant. Shows Jesus as our only source of righteousness.

Lamentations      Jesus the Weeping Redeemer          5 Chapters

Jeremiah writes 5 poems weeping over the destruction of Jerusalem and ends with a prayer for restoration. Shows Jesus as the afflicted laughingstock of those He weeps over.

Ezekiel        Jesus our Glorious Shepherd            48 Chapters

Wrote during the Babylonian captivity to show that God was just in judging His people and that in the future Jerusalem would be restored to a greater glory. Shows the glory of God and Jesus as the great Shepherd of His people.

Daniel         Jesus the Ancient of Days           12 Chapters

Writes to Israel while in captivity, of the whole of Gentile history and future kingdom of Jesus. Shows the futility of man’s rule upon the earth and of the glorious kingdom of our Lord.

MINOR PROPHETS: 12 books so called minor because they are shorter

Hosea        Jesus our Faithful Husband             14 Chapters

Writes to tell of God’s faithfulness to a people that had been adulterous towards God. His was a message understood by experience as he was told to marry a harlot. Jesus is seen as the faithful husband in spite of our failure.

Joel            Jesus the Filler of His People           3 Chapters

Writes about the day of the Lord, the soon coming judgment and the need to repent. He predicts the future time when God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. Preceding this event, Jesus is seen as the judge of the nations and the refuge of His people.

Amos          Jesus the Restorer of His People               9 Chapters

Writes to a nation blessed materially but dead spiritually. This farmer turned prophet speaks to them of a future judgment because of their bankruptcy. Jesus is seen as the rebuilder and restorer of His people.

Obadiah         Jesus the Deliverer                   1 Chapter

Tells of the future judgment of the Edomites, (descendants of Esau), for failing to help their brother Israel, (descendants of Jacob). Jesus is seen as the Savior of the nation.

Jonah          Jesus the Missionary to All People       4 Chapters

It is the story of a reluctant missionary. He was called to preach repentance to the most wicked city of his time, Nineveh of the Assyrians; and he knew forgiveness would follow. Jesus is seen as the prophet to all people.

Micah            Jesus the Righteous Ruler             7 Chapters

Writes to the rulers in Jerusalem pronouncing judgment upon them for their oppression of the poor. He also speaks of the establishment of the Lord’s kingdom and as the judge of the nations.

Nahum          Jesus the Avenger                       3 Chapters

Writes to the people of Judah concerning the destruction of the city of Nineveh. 100 years had passed since the revival from the preaching of Jonah, yet they had forgotten that and returned to their wicked ways. Jesus is seen as a jealous God for His people.

Habakkuk            Jesus the Light of the World           3 Chapters

Writes to Judah just prior to her captivity to Babylon. Though given many opportunities to repent, they remained hard hearted. Jesus is seen as the Holy One calling to His people to live by faith.

Zephaniah       Jesus the Victor in our Midst               3 Chapters

Writes on the eve of Judah’s captivity to call them into repentance from their false security. Jesus is seen as the future restorer of the nations and the One who will dwell in their midst.

Haggai           Jesus our Temple                      2 Chapters

Writes to the remnant that returns to Jerusalem. Although they were rebuilding the city, they had not started on the temple for nearly 20 years. He calls on the people to have a renewed holiness and faith to finish the task. Jesus is seen as the center of worship.

Zechariah        Jesus the Servant King          14 Chapters

He writes to the same group as Haggai concerning the same thing, but from the perspective of encouraging them by way of reminding them of the future importance of the temple, the dwelling place of the glory of God. Jesus is seen as the triumphant King whom they have pierced.

Malachi                Jesus the New Covenant           4 Chapters

Writes to the remnant during the time of Nehemiah. His message is one of Judgment because of corruptness and their sense of pride in their privileged relationship before God. So sinful was this people that God did not send a prophet to them for 400 years until John the Baptist. Shows Jesus as the refiner’s fire.

The New Testament

The 27 books of the New Testament span 130 years showing Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy. We see this through His life and ministry, His subsequent ongoing ministry through His church and His soon return for His church. In the gospels and the book of Acts we have the observation and proclamation of Jesus Christ into the world. In the epistles we see the interpretation and application of Jesus to the church. Finally, in Revelation we see the consummation and realization of Jesus to the world and the church. 

THE GOSPELS: Four books with one aim: To set forth the person of Jesus Christ. These historical narratives do not attempt to describe Him but rather to make Him known that the world may trust in Him for eternal life.

Matthew        Jesus our King                            28 Chapters

Written by a converted Jewish tax collector who shows through the Old Testament prophesies that Jesus is the promised King and that He alone holds the hopes and dreams of all people. From His earthly ancestors to what He taught, He was the Sovereign King the promised Savior.

Mark               Jesus our Servant                     16 Chapters

Written by John Mark the cousin Barnabas and close companion of Peter. Mark shows Jesus, in this the shortest of the gospels, as the servant of the Lord, the One who does mighty miracles. In Mark we see what Jesus did as the powerful Servant.

Luke               Jesus our Savior                        24 Chapters

Written by the “beloved physician” and companion of Paul, an orderly account of the events in the life of Jesus so readers could know the certainty of the things they had been told, (1:3-4). Luke shows us the purpose of His coming: “to seek and save the lost”, (19:10). He is the perfect man, therefore the perfect Savior.

John              Jesus our God                              21 Chapters

Written by Jesus’ closest friend, the apostle John. A personal account of the Word of Life, that the reader could have life by believing in His name, (20:31). Shows Jesus as the God the Son, coequal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Through His conversations we see Him as personable and approachable.

OTHER NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS

Early Church History

Acts                Jesus our Gospel                        28 Chapters

Written by Luke, it speaks of the continuing work of Jesus into all the world through the promised Holy Spirit empowering those who believe in Him. Jesus’ commandment to make disciples of all people can only be fulfilled by those disciples who do this work in the Holy Spirit’s power. Jesus is seen as the message of hope to all the world.

The Epistles: 21 letters written to churches or individuals. 13 by Paul the apostle, (Pauline epistles), and 8 written by various authors, (general epistles): 2 by Peter; 3 by John, 1 each by James and Jude, the half brothers of Jesus, and 1 of uncertain authorship, Hebrews.

PAULINE EPISTLES: 13 letters written by Paul, three classifications and times.

                1. Missionary letters: I and II Thessalonians, I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Romans. Written during Paul’s missionary journeys.

                2. Prison letters: Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Philippians. Written after Paul’s imprisonment.

                3. Pastoral letters: I and II Timothy, Titus. Written at the end of his life to encourage pastors.

Romans                 Jesus our Redemption       16 Chapters

Paul wrote this letter to a church he had never visited to establish them in Christ. Pictured in this is the whole of Jesus’ work for us, our freedom from the penalty and power of sin as well as the declaration that we are right before God by faith in Him, (grace). In Romans we see how Jesus’ death and resurrection affects the believer in his every day life.

1 Corinthians      Jesus our Sanctification         16 Chapters

Paul wrote this letter to address some questions and set straight some disorders in the church. In doing this he brings forth how Christians should behave. Jesus is seen as the One who sets apart the believer. We also see how He needs to be in every area of our life.

2 Corinthians       Jesus our Comfort            13 Chapters

In this, Paul’s third letter to the church in Corinth He vindicates his apostleship and encourages them to be united together. Jesus is seen as the believer’s light, guide, and our ever present comfort.

Galatians              Jesus our Freedom            6 Chapters

Paul wrote this letter to several churches in the area of Galatia to defend Christ’s teaching of complete salvation by grace and not by obedience to the law. Some were trying to make the Gentile believers practice Jewish customs in order to be right before God. Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of the requirements of the Law.

Ephesians             Jesus our Identity                   6 Chapters

Paul writes this letter to a group of believers who are rich in Christ, but are living as if they were poor. In the first three chapters he tells them what incredible treasures they have in Christ. In chapters 4 and 5 they are told how to live as children of the King. Then, in the 6 the chapter they are encouraged to stay strong in the Lord. Jesus is seen as our wealth and all that we need to live a godly life.

Philippians           Jesus our Joy                      4 Chapters

Paul wrote this letter to a church that was in danger of splitting apart because of the disunity of the leadership. He shows them that joy is only possible in humility. Jesus is seen as the greatest example of this as He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death for mankind.

Colossians            Jesus our Sufficiency                 4 Chapters

Paul wrote this letter to the church at Colossae instructing that it should be read at the church in Laodicea. Its purpose is to counteract the work of false teachers who were saying that they need something more than Jesus in their life Jesus is seen as all we need in life.

1 Thessalonians                   Jesus our Hope                  5 Chapters

Paul wrote this the first of two letters to the young church he founded to give thanks to God for their growth and to address some misconceptions concerning Christ’s second coming. Jesus’ soon return for His church and our conduct in light of that fact is clearly seen.

2 Thessalonians                       Jesus our Glory             3 Chapters

Paul wrote this letter a short time after the first because teachers were saying that Jesus had already come the second time. Thus, the church was apathetic to their Christian life. Paul corrects this lie and exhorts the believers not to be idle concerning their faith. Jesus is again seen coming for His church, bringing them into His presence.

1 Timothy            Jesus our Example                 6 Chapters

Paul wrote this letter to “his son in the faith”, Timothy. He had been left in Ephesus and as a young pastor faced many difficulties. Paul instructs him in how to set up leadership, how to deal with false teachers and how to conduct himself as a servant of God. Jesus is seen as the source of faithfulness for His servants.

2 Timothy            Jesus our Pastor                 4 Chapters

Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy expecting his own death for his faith in Christ. He encourages Timothy to endure in the ministry which God gave him and to expect opposition to true teaching. Jesus is seen as the one who abolished death and brought life through the gospel.

Titus                Jesus our Refiner                           3 Chapters

Paul wrote this the third of his pastoral letters to Titus, a young pastor called to set in order a rough church in a tough place, the island of Crete. Paul provides instructions on the qualifications of leadership as well as the proper behavior of the church. Jesus is seen through His work on the cross purifying us for His service.

Philemon              Jesus our Benefactor                 1 Chapter

Paul wrote this letter to a fellow servant of Jesus in Colossae on behalf of Onesimus, a converted runaway slave who had stolen some property from his master Philemon. Paul sends Onesimus back to Philemon with the encouragement to love him as a brother. Jesus is seen as the One Who has forgiven us and given us every good thing.

GENERAL EPISTLES

Hebrews       Jesus our Perfection                  13 Chapters

Written to the Jewish people who were steep in history and tradition and could not see Jesus as its fulfillment. The author shows Jesus as being superior to their traditions in that He precedes them, exceeds them and supersedes them. Jesus is the entrance into the New Covenant which they are exhorted to come to faith in.

James                    Jesus our Practice                  5 Chapters

The half brother of our Lord wrote to Jewish believers from man’s perspective of the evidence of true faith that produces fruit, “works”. Much like Proverbs, James shows the practical side to our faith. Jesus is shown as our wisdom in every aspect of Christian life.

1 Peter                   Jesus our Inheritance            5 Chapters

Peter wrote the first of two letters to Jewish believers that faced annihilation for their faith. He reminds them that they were called to a living hope, therefore patience must be seen in their conduct, suffering and submitting to one another. Jesus is seen as our hope and our example.

2 Peter                   Jesus our Maturity                  3 Chapters

Peter wrote this letter to warn the same believers against false teachers and to exhort them to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Jesus is our key to spiritual growth and maturity as well as being a defense against false teachers.

1 John                   Jesus our Fellowship               5 Chapters

The apostle John wrote this general epistle in his advanced age to combat false teaching and to set forth the purpose and goal of life; “full joy in fellowship with God”. Jesus is seen as our advocate, friend and Savior.

2 John                   Jesus our Rock                          1 Chapter

This, John’s second letter, is addressed to a chosen lady and her children exhorting them to continue to stand on Jesus and walk in His love as a defense against false teachers. Jesus is seen not only as the reason for our fellowship and love, but also the reason for life.

3 John                   Jesus our Goodness                   1 Chapter

John wrote this letter to his beloved Gaius commending him for his love for the brethren shown in his hospitality towards them. Gaius is seen as a contrast to some in the church who for reasons of pride don’t show love in practice. Jesus is seen as the reason for our love in action.

Jude                       Jesus our Shelter                         1 Chapter

This half brother of Jesus wrote to counter a new false teaching that Christians could continue in a self centered life. He exhorts them to contend for the faith by applying the word of God in their lives. Jesus is seen as the believer’s preserver against false teachers.

PROPHECY

Revelation            Jesus our Triumph            22 Chapters

John in exile, wrote this prophesy to the seven churches in Asia. In this book we see the consummation of time, the entrance of a heavenly kingdom that will last forever, the judgment of God against those who will refuse His love for them and the complete destruction of Satan.