Books of the Bible

The account of the creation of the world, including Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden, Noah and the flood, God’s promise to make Abraham the father of a great nation, and Joseph’s reign as second in charge of Egypt and his protection of the Israelites from starvation.

These books contain how Moses delivered the children of Israel from 400 years of slavery to the Egyptians, the plagues, parting of the Red Sea, the Ten Commandments, and the Israelites wandering in the desert for forty years

God gave the Israelites laws to worship Him and live a holy life.

Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land.

God raised up men and women as temporary military leaders to rule His people and fight off enemy nations.

A short story set in the time of the judges about God’s faithfulness and care for Ruth and Naomi, and God’s care for us through a kinsman redeemer.

Samuel was the last judge and the first prophet to the Israelite people.

1 Samuel covers the life of Samuel, the first king (Saul), and David’s rise as the next king of Israel. 2 Samuel is David’s reign over Israel.

1 Kings is the story of David’s son, Solomon, who becomes the third king of Israel. Israel was divided into two kingdoms following Solomon’s reign. In addition, this book contains the reign of other kings of Israel and Judah and the ministries of the prophets Elijah and Elisha.

2 Kings begins with the spotlight on Elijah’s ministry. Other kings of Israel and Judah are also described.

1 Chronicles is a book of genealogy from Creation to David. It also includes David’s anointing and his reign as king.

2 Chronicles covers the reign of Solomon and the history of the kings of Judah.

Ezra was written in 440 BC.  In 586 BC, the Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar, destroyed Judah. The Persians defeated the Babylonians in 539 BC and allowed Ezra and others to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king of Persia. The book of Nehemiah is the account of the rebuilding of the walls surrounding Jerusalem.

The book of Esther is the story of a Jewish woman who became the queen of Persia. God used her to protect the Jewish people from destruction by the king of Persia.

Job answers the question, “Why do bad things happen to God’s people?”

Psalms is a collection of poems and songs written by King David and others.

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings by King Solomon and others.

In this book, King Solomon reflects on his pursuit of fulfillment and the meaning of life.

This is King Solomon’s story of a bride and groom celebrating marriage and God’s wonderful gift of love.

While Israel was under attack, Isaiah prophesied a warning to the nation of Judah to repent or face a similar fate. Isaiah also prophesied about a Messiah that would one day come and save His people from sin.

Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. He warned the nation of Judah to repent before the Babylonians came and invaded them. The people of Judah did not repent, and as a result, they were defeated and taken captive to Babylon.

This is Jeremiah’s book of mourning over the Babylonian invasion.

Ezekiel was a prophet who lived in exile in Babylon. While in Babylon, he prophesied that the city of Jerusalem would fall because of their sin. The only hope, according to Ezekiel, was to live in peace with themselves and God during their exile. He also prophesied a series of judgments on seven enemy nations warning that God’s wrath was soon to come.

While living as a captive in Babylon, Daniel and his friends stood for God and refused to bow. Daniel also prophesied about the end of all time and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom.

Hosea prophesied that judgment was coming through the Assyrians to the nation of Israel. His marriage to his unfaithful wife, Gomer, was a symbol of the unfaithfulness of the people and God’s relentless love for them. Hosea also prophesied about a coming Messiah.

Joel was a prophet who said that the severe drought devastating Judah was a result of God’s judgment because of their refusal to repent of their sin.

Amos was a prophet to Judah and Israel. He also told the people they must repent or suffer exile. Amos also prophesied about the Messiah’s coming kingdom.

The prophet Obadiah wrote that the nation of Edom would soon face God’s judgment because of their rejoicing over the fall of Jerusalem.

Jonah was called by God to warn the Ninevites to repent of their sin. Jonah refused and headed in the opposite direction. He learned that a man cannot run from God. Jonah reluctantly shared God’s message with the people of Nineveh—and they repented.

Micah was a prophet to the nation of Judah, and he predicted the fall of Samaria. He also shared the hope that one day the Messiah would come from Bethlehem.

After Jonah left Nineveh there was a brief time of repentance, but Nineveh ultimately returned to its evil ways. Nahum predicted that the Assyrian empire, along with its capital city of Nineveh, would fall.

Habakkuk was a prophet that God used to predict the coming Babylonian invasion.

Zephaniah warned of God’s destruction on Judah and on other nations because of their idolatry and wickedness.

Haggai was among the remnant of the people that the king of Persia allowed to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Haggai clearly teaches the consequences of obedience and disobedience to God. Haggai states that when the people of God give priority to God and His house they are blessed, rather than cursed.

When the people returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity, Zechariah reminded them that God still loved them and still had a plan for them. He also prophesied about the coming Messiah.

Malachi is a sarcastic book of people asking sarcastic questions to God. God answered their questions and reminds them that the blessed life is the obedient life. Malachi also predicted the coming Messiah.

These four books are called the four Gospels. The word Gospel means good news. Each book shares the life and ministry of Jesus through four different perspectives. Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah who came to die for the sins of all mankind. It is through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus that we have the hope of eternal life.

The book of Acts was written by Luke and is the history of the early church and the spread of the church throughout the world.

The book of Romans explains that we are saved by faith, not because of anything we have done, but because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross, through His death, burial, and resurrection.

Paul wrote these two letters to the church at Corinth. This church had all kinds of problems.  Paul lovingly wrote to them about the error of their ways and how to live a holy life as followers of Christ.

Paul wrote to the church of Galatia, explaining to the people that it is nothing we do that makes us right with God. It is what has been done for us, through Jesus, by His death, burial, and resurrection.  It is all about the grace of God. Grace is undeserved favor.

Paul reminded the church at Ephesus of all that Jesus had done for them and calls them to live their lives wholeheartedly for their Savior.

Paul wrote to the church at Philippi about being joyful in every circumstance.

Paul wrote to the church at Colossi explaining that Jesus is supreme over all; therefore, we are called to live a holy life.

Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica about the second coming of Jesus.

Paul instructed these two men on how to lead a God-honoring church.

Philemon is Paul’s short note about how to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us.

This book explains the superiority of Jesus. He is greater than the angels, greater than Moses, greater than all. As a result, we must persevere for the One who persevered for us.

James was written by Jesus’ half-brother. It is practical advice on living for Christ.

Peter wrote these books. He explained how to live a holy life and how to remain faithful to Christ, even in the midst of suffering.

The apostle John wrote the books of John so that we might have the assurance of our salvation. He explains that we are to love God and love others.

Jude warns us to not be deceived by false teachers.

Revelation, written by the apostle John while exiled on the island of Patmos, is about the end of all time. It is a book of prophecy that explains what life on earth will be like before, during, and after the second coming of Christ.