Old Testament

Genesis — beginning of all things: creation of the world and of the Hebrew people. Promises of Abraham and generations that follow (Isaac, Jacob/Israel)

Exodus — the exodus of the Israelites (children of Jacob/Israel) out of Egyptian captivity, the plagues and crossing the Red Sea, giving of the law of Sinai, and the instructions about the tabernacle

Leviticus — the law of Moses, instructions regarding the sacrifices and being holy and what God expects, the particulars about maintaining a covenant with a holy God 

Numbers — history of the people being unfaithful and wondering in the wilderness on their way to Canaan

Deuteronomy — the second telling of the law of Moses and instructions for when they take possession of Canaan; promise of blessings and the warning of curses

Joshua — the history of Israel after Moses dies and Joshua begins to lead the people, the wars they fight to drive out the Canaanites and take possession of the land

Judges — the generations after Joshua. The cycle of faithful people and unfaithful.  The unfaithful nation would suffer and God would deliver them through a judge

Ruth — story of Ruth, a woman faithful to God during judges period, becomes ancestor to Jesus

I & II Samuel — the last years of the judges (ending with Samuel). The beginning of the monarchy, starting with Saul and going through David’s reign

I & II Kings — following the death of David, his son Solomon’s prosperous reign (including the construction of the temple, which replaced the tabernacle). The kingdom being split and the northern nation of Israel and the southern nation of Judah and the strife between them and the line of kings from both. The unfaithful northern nation (Israel) and her destruction/captivity by the Assyrians; the unfaithfulness of the southern nation (Judah) and her destruction by Babylon. Most of the prophets wrote during the Kings and/or Chronicle accounts

I & II Chronicles — various histories of the kings, spanning all the years of the monarchs. There are records of David all the way to some of the last kings (focused mainly on Judah’s kings)

Ezra — after the Babylonians allowed the Jews to go back to Jerusalem (after the events of Samuel, Kings, & Chronicles) and started rebuilding the temple

Nehemiah — a contemporary of Ezra who helped rebuild the walls around Jerusalem after the return from Babylonian captivity 

Esther — the history of a young Jewish woman who became the queen of Persia and helped deliver the Jews from destruction

Job — likely dated to the time of early Genesis. Follows the suffering and ultimate faithfulness of Job 

Psalms — the songbook of ancient Israel written by numerous different authors

Proverbs — statements of wisdom from Solomon, the son of David

Ecclesiastes — a survey of life: the purpose, meaning, and value, all from the standpoint of Solomon, the wisest man to ever live. Also one of the wealthiest kings of the time 

Song of Solomon — the love between husband and wife, the appreciation and beauty and faithfulness of that relationship 

Isaiah — prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah, during the years leading up to the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel (also called Samaria). And also prophesied about Jesus and the exile of Judah into Babylonian captivity and their return. 

Jeremiah — prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah leading up to the Babylonian captivity. Prophesied about the return of the nation and the coming new covenant

Lamentations — poetic lament, or cry of pain written by Jeremiah to describe the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians 

Ezekiel — prophetic warning written by Ezekiel during his exile in Babylon. It is mainly apocalyptic (meaning, written in dramatic language, almost like a comic book). Judah needed to be reminded God is still in control of history: He will judge the nations and He will restore His people 

Daniel — written by Daniel while he was in Babylon and Persia. God rules on His throne even though empires like Babylon/Persia seem so strong. Sections of the book are apocalyptic. He also prophesied about the coming Kingdom of God 

Hosea — written by the prophet Hosea during the decline of the northern kingdom of Israel (also called Samaria). It tells the love story of Hosea marrying a woman who does not treat him right. It mirrors the story of Israel not treating God right. 

Joel — written by Joel, but the date is unclear and probably from the southern nation of Judah. Things are bad for God’s people and His judgment is swift. But, turn back to Him and He will restore you. Ultimately fulfilled in the NT with the church 

Amos — written by Amos during the time when both kingdoms still stood, and were at their peak of power and wealth. Southern nation prophet sent to northern nation to preach. He warns them of their impending destruction but also the coming restoration

Obadiah — written by Obadiah but the date is uncertain. It is the shortest book of the OT. Message: God will conquer evil and will save His people. It is the prophecy of Edom’s destruction. (Edomites were descendants of Esau, brother of Jacob/Israel) 

Jonah — written by Jonah who wrote before the Assyrians destroyed the northern nation and long before Judah (the southern nation) was destroyed. It follows Jonah as he preaches to the Ninevites (Assyrian capital) and calls them to repent, but only after being swallowed by the great fish

Micah — written by Micah, a prophet from Judah who preached against the sin of both the northern (Israel/Samaria) and southern (Judah) kingdoms. He warns of coming judgment against sin and the hope of restoration for all who return to God 

Nahum — written by Nahum, tells of the coming destruction of the Assyrians and the fall of their capitol city Nineveh. It describes God as the great warrior and judge and He will respond to Assyria’s ungodliness

Habakkuk — written by Habakkuk before the fall of Judah. It addresses the question of how could God use a wicked nation (like Babylon) to destroy His people (Judah). The prophet asks God and God responds. It does not ignore the hardship God’s people sometimes face, but it ends with a praise to God, for He is worthy of praise 

Zephaniah — written by Zephaniah just before Judah is destroyed by Babylon, describing God’s judgment against sin and the coming salvation for God’s people

Haggai — written by Haggai during the return after exile in Babylon. It describes the rebuilding of the temple and the future of God’s people 

Zechariah — written by Zechariah to encourage the Jews returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. It describes the opposition against God’s people and the Messiah who would save them though His eternal kingdom 

Malachi — written by Malachi about the same time as Nehemiah. Written to encourage Jews after returning from Babylon to be faithful to God. Last OT book written, and offers special emphasis on coming Messiah and restoration of God’s covenant people

New Testament

Matthew — the story of Jesus, written by Matthew the apostle. It emphasizes Jesus as the Messiah and King — Jewish audience in mind 

Mark — the story of Jesus, written by Mark likely following the records of Peter the apostle. He emphasizes Jesus as the miracle worker and highlights all the wonderful power of Jesus

Luke — the story of Jesus, written by Luke likely following the careful historical record of the witnesses (including the apostles). He emphasizes how Jesus cares for the outcast — Gentile audience in mind 

John — the story of Jesus, written by John the apostle. Gives special attention to the fact that Jesus was/is fully and completely God. Proves its claim: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

Acts — the events that follow Jesus’ ascension back to heaven. The works Jesus started in the gospel accounts, His followers continued in the church. Acts details the history of the early church. Most of the letters (epistles) written in the NT fall somewhere in the record of Acts

Romans — written by the apostle Paul to the church in Rome. A detailed explanation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, how God is justified in sending people to hell, but doesn’t want to. Instead, He would rather save through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

I Corinthians — written by Paul to address numerous issues in the church in Corinth. There were also many questions they had sent him and to which he responds. This text helps us understand the local church, its duties and roles. 

II Corinthians — written by Paul to a few months after the first letter. 

Galatians — written by Paul not many months after he helped to start these congregations. Addressed to churches in the area of the southern Galatian province. There were false teachers seeking to combine Jewish practices with Christianity and this letter responds to such errors 

Ephesians — written by Paul to the church in Ephesus. It gives us a good survey of what God did to save mankind and the last half tells us how we should live as a result

Philippians — written by Paul to the church in Philippi. This was a positive letter, focused on joy despite the fact that Paul was in prison when he wrote it

Colossians — written by Paul to the church in Colossae. In many ways this letter mirrors Ephesians, addressing most of the same topics but in less detail

I Thessalonians — written by Paul to the church in Thessalonica. There were false teachers and false idea influencing this young church and Paul seeks to fix it

II Thessalonians — written by Paul a few months later to again address issues that he was hearing were influencing them

I Timothy — written by Paul to the young preacher Timothy who had spent some time with Paul. This is Paul’s wise council to the younger preacher while he was in Ephesus  

II Timothy — written by Paul to Timothy a few years later. This is the last letter Paul wrote and in it he expresses a hope for heaven and warns against failing to preach the gospel 

Titus — written by Paul to Titus, likely sometime around I Timothy. He describes the preacher’s job in helping make a church sound and stable

Philemon — written by Paul to the wealthy slave owner Philemon. Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon to try and resolve any issues between them, since they are both Christians 

Hebrews — written to Christians who came out of Judaism and were struggling to remain faithful to Jesus Christ. There is a special emphasis on Jesus being better than the old covenant. Jesus is better, priest, sacrifice, system, etc. 

James — written by Jesus younger brother, James. Likely written fairly early and with special attention to Jewish Christians. He offers great insight and wisdom in how to live the way a servant of King Jesus should 

I Peter — written by the apostle Peter a few years before he is killed. He describes the resilience a Christian must have, even when facing suffering, persecution, and pain—the Christian cannot afford to waver. Jesus didn’t, the Christian can’t 

II Peter — written by Peter a short time after the first epistle. It warns against false teaching and false teachers. It reminds the reader that such things only lead to destruction and life can only be found by faithfulness to Jesus Christ

I John — written by the apostle John (same as the gospel) towards the end of his life. It advocates knowing Jesus and God the Father by doing their will and obeying their word. It warns against being deceived and deceiving yourself. Christianity is built out of a love for God because of His love for us

II John — written by John (same as previous) around the same time. It warns against leaving the doctrine (teaching) of Jesus Christ. There is only one standard of living and that’s God’s—the Christian adheres to it and nothing else 

III John — written by John (same as previous) around the same time. It has the feel of a personal letter, but it reminds the reader to love and be brotherly toward our siblings in the faith. Christians want other Christians to be faithful to God and are willing to help them do it

Jude — written by Jude, the brother of Jesus and James (author of the letter). It warns against false teachers and false teaching. The seriousness of leaving the truth and not sticking to the teaching of the gospel. There are serious consequences for ignoring the truth 

Revelation — written by John (the apostle and author of the other NT books). It is the only NT book that is apocalyptic (see note on Ezekiel). It discusses the suffering and pain of the Christians under the oppression of the evil Roman Empire. At the same time, Christians need not be afraid. Rome will come down and Jesus always wins. He is the Lord of history, nations, and He reigns over all

5/10/23