The Bible...the great book of wisdom that tells what was, what is, and what will be.
An Introduction and Overview of the Bible
The Bible is a collection of 66 books. They are divided into two parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament was written before the birth of Christ, and the New Testament was written after the birth of Christ. The books of the Bible were written by men, but they were divinely inspired by God.
To understand the Bible, it is helpful to see its overview.
Old Testament
The books of the Old Testament were originally written in the Hebrew language.
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
The creation of the world
The fall of man by the sin of Adam and Eve
The great flood that destroyed the earth
God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants, the Israelites.
Abraham’s descendants as slaves in Egypt.
Moses leadership of the Israelites out of slavery into the promised land.
God gives His laws to the Israelites.
Joshua, Judges
Joshua becomes the leader of the Israelites.
The Israelites enter the promised land and divide it among the twelve tribes.
The Judges enforced the laws of God.
Ruth
Ruth married Boaz and they become ancestors of King David.
1 Samuel, 2 Samuel
Saul becomes the first king of the Israelites.
David becomes the second king of the Israelites and makes the city of Jerusalem the capital.
1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles
The history of Israel after King David.
Israel divides into two separate kingdoms–Israel and Judah.
The books of the Prophets:
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
Israel sins and worships other gods.
The prophets warn of punishment from God if Israel does not repent.
Israel is invaded, and the people are carried away to Babylon.
Promises from God of the Messiah to come to save the people.
The people live in exile in Babylon.
Ezra, Nehemiah
The people return to Jerusalem and rebuild the wall of the temple.
Esther
A Jewish woman becomes the Queen of Persia and helps her people.
Job
A story of a good man who has many bad things happen to him.
Psalms
Songs of praise, most of which were written by King David.
Proverbs
Statements of wisdom from King Solomon.
Ecclesiastes
More writings of King Solomon.
Song of Songs
A poem written by King Solomon for his wife.
The New Testament
The books of the New Testament were written in Greek.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
The birth of Jesus is foretold.
Jesus is born in the city of Bethlehem.
Jesus grows up.
At the age of 30, Jesus begins his ministry.
Jesus is crucified on the cross.
Jesus is resurrected
Jesus gives the Great Commission, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..."
Acts
History of the early Christian church.
Conversion of Paul, who was a much-feared executioner of early Christians.
Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians,
Letters from Paul to the churches in the cities of Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus,
Philippi, Colosse, and Thessalonica.
Paul instructs the churches on the issues of Christian living.
1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
Letters from Paul to other Apostles, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude
Letters written by James and Jude (the brothers of Jesus) Peter, and John.
Revelation
A letter written by John about the vision he had of the second coming of Jesus Christ.