1. Genesis is the first book of the Old Testament and tells the story of creation. The book has two main divisions. The first is the story of early modern mankind that includes the events of creation, the fall of mankind into sin, the great world-wide flood, and the dispersion of mankind throughout the world. The second section concerns the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

2. Exodus tells about the deliverance of the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery, how God chose Moses, the erection of the Tabernacle, the account of the wanderings in the wilderness of Sinai, the giving of the law to the nation of Israel, and more.

3. Leviticus has been called "The Book of the Law of the Priests" as it reveals priestly legislation and the practice of the law among the people. Great importance is placed upon Israel's separation from all pagan influences so that the nation of Israel may retain its holiness to God.

4. Numbers is a continuation of the bible book of Exodus. It is a record of the wanderings of the Hebrews in the wilderness of Sinai until their arrival at Moab. The title of the book comes from the 2 numberings of the people recorded there.

5. Deuteronomy contains three speeches and two poems given by Moses in Moab before the Hebrews crossed the Jordan River. The ten Commandments are repeated and the last days of Moses are told.

6. Joshua was the successor of Moses. Joshua led the people into the Promised Land after the death of Moses. The book also tells of the conquest of Canaan and the division of the land among the 12 tribes of Israel.

7. Judges is so named because it relates to the times of various rulers, or judges, of Israel from the possession of Canaan until the time of the prophet, Samuel. Also found in Judges is the story of Samson.

8. Ruth is a beautiful love story about Ruth, the Moabitess, and her mother-in-law, Naomi. The two women return to Judah, and there Ruth, the foreigner, marries Boaz. Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David, the ancestor of Jesus.

9. & 10. The two Books of Samuel contain valuable historical material concerning the religious and moral conditions of the period. Samuel was the great prophet-judge who helped to unite the scattered tribes under one person, King Saul. Events during the reigns of King Saul and King David are also recorded.

11. & 12. The 2 Books of Kings follow the monarchy of Israel to its height under King Solomon and the nation's division, decline, and fall under King Jeroboam and King Rehoboam. These bible books also tell about the captivity of Israel to the Assyrians and Judah to the Babylonians (Chaldeans).

13. & 14. The 2 Books of Chronicles share much information with the bible books of Samuel and Kings. Like what? Like the reign of Solomon, the division of the kingdom, the exile, and the proclamation of the Persian King, Cyrus.

15. & 16. Ezra and Nehemiah are companion books, continuing the story line of Chronicles. Ezra details the first return of the Hebrews from their slavery in Babylon and the rebuilding of the Temple. Nehemiah gives an account of the rebuilding of Jerusalem and of the efforts to bring spiritual reform to the people.

17. Esther reveals the persecution of the Hebrews in the Persian Empire. Esther, a beautiful Hebrew woman, was chosen as the new queen for Persian King Ahasuerus. Her uncle, Mordecai, had incurred the enmity of Haman, the evil court favorite, and so brought the threat of death to the Hebrews. Esther, through her position, was able to avert the tragedy and save her people from annihilation.

18. Job, first of the Wisdom Literature books, deals with the problem of suffering. God allows Satan to afflict Job, a prosperous and pious believer, with many hardships in order to test his integrity. Job lost his children, his wealth, and his health. Job questioned God but eventually yielded his will to God. God was pleased with Job and gave him twice as much as he originally had.

19. Psalms is a collection of songs written in poem form over a long period of time by various authors. The lyrics express the heart of God to all generations. The songs were sung to music.

20. Proverbs is a part of the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. Sayings of common sense and sound advice that relate to all avenues of spiritual life are in this bible book. There is also advice for everyday living.

21. Ecclesiastes contains the writings of Solomon's search for the true spiritual value and meaning of life. His conclusion, at the end of the book, is terrific.

22. The Song of Solomon is also called the "Song of Songs" and "Canticles." Love is the greatest treasure in the universe and the one who finds it is blessed. It is wonderful when one finds God and loves Him.

23. Isaiah is the first book of the Major Prophets. The prophet was hand picked by God to deliver God's message. Isaiah prophesied that the Assyrian Army would never enter Jerusalem and they never did.

24. Jeremiah prophesied the judgment by God upon his nation for its many sins. Because of this he was hated by many. The destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians took place just as he said it would.

25. Lamentations is regarded as an appendix to the book of Jeremiah as it was also written by him under inspiration. This book gives us 5 poems occasioned by the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity. The terrible plight of the nation, the past history of Jerusalem (Zion), and a prayer for compassion and deliverance should be studied in detail.

26. Ezekiel was a prophet of the exile (in Babylonian slavery). The book that bears his name can be divided into two parts- the first part denounces the sins and abominations of Jerusalem and the second sees Jerusalem as a redeemed city after it has been rebuilt. There are some messianic scriptures in this book.

27. Daniel, like Ezekiel, is divided into two parts. The first six chapters tell of Daniel's faith and the greatness of his God in comparison to the idols of Babylon. The last six chapters contain four visions of Daniel and their relevance.

28. Hosea is the first book of the twelve Minor Prophets. Because their economy was prosperous, idolatry took place and sexual immorality was widespread in Israel. Hosea urged a return to God so that God would show mercy and forgiveness to them.

29. Joel saw a locust plague and a time of great distress for his people. He sees the coming Day of the Lord in the future. All must repent with fasting and mourning and then relief and God's blessing for Israel will come.

30. Amos came from a small town in Judah. He received his call from God to prophecy against the sins of both Judah and Israel. God is the Supreme Ruler over the entire world.

31. Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, containing only one chapter. In it, Edom, a hostile neighbor country, was prophesied judgment from God. That judgment came true and Edom eventually ceased to be a nation.

32. Jonah is the story of a prophet sent by God to Nineveh. Jonah was fearful of the call and tried to flee by sea to Tarshish. During the sea voyage he was thrown overboard by the seamen and swallowed by a great fish sent by God. The prophet was saved and went on to Nineveh to preach God's Word. He was successful and God spared the city.

33. Micah, in the eighth-century B.C., preached against the idols and sins of Judah.

34. Nahum has two poems. The prophet tells of the fall of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. God is war-like to those who declare war against Him.

35. Habakkuk deals with the problem of unpunished evil in the world. It was revealed to Habakkuk that the Babylonian armies were to be God's instrument of punishment. God is great enough to do that. The book closes with a poem of thanksgiving and great faith.

36. Zephaniah revealed that only the judgment of God on Judah at that time could cure her of her sins. The Day of the Lord is coming so Israel must prepare to meet its God.

37. Haggai was a prophet who was concerned with the rebuilding of God's Temple in Jerusalem that would help restore the nation's spiritual purity. Haggai also saw the messianic age in our future.

38. Zechariah also urged the people to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem for he, too, saw the coming messianic kingdom.

39. Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament and belongs to the period of Nehemiah. The prophet's message is meant to change the priests and the people and turn them from their indifference, doubt, and immorality. Malachi also sees the coming Day of the Lord in our future.

The New Testament has a total of twenty seven books. It begins with the four Gospels that record the life and teachings of Christ from 4 different points of view. Due to their similarity, the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels; the Gospel according to John is different.

40. The Gospel of Matthew gives the complete story of Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection. It contains many words from Jesus. The Sermon on the Mount, and some of the most precious of Jesus' parables are contained in this writing.

41. The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus as the Son of God. It includes Peter's great confession, "You are the Christ."

42. The Gospel of Luke, the third Gospel, was written by "the beloved physician," the companion of the Apostle Paul. Only in Luke are found the story of the birth of John the Baptist, the Christmas story of the shepherds, the parable of the good Samaritan, the lost sheep, the prodigal son, and the great hymns— the Gloria in Excelsis and Nunc Dimitis. Jesus is presented as the compassionate savior, healer, redeemer, and friend of the downtrodden. This Gospel reveals the mercy of God.

43. John, written by "the disciple whom Jesus loved," tells us who Jesus was and what He means to those who love Him today. This Gospel proves that Christ is the Son of God. It also contains such stories as Nicodemus, and Lazarus. We observe the mock trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

44. The Acts of the Apostles was written by Doctor Luke. It tells about what the followers of Jesus did after His resurrection. It includes some history of the early Christian church and its missionaries, the baptism of Cornelius, the church council in Jerusalem, and about the conversion of Paul and his efforts to evangelize the lost, establish churches, and to teach.

45. Romans was written by the Apostle Paul from Corinth as a letter. Paul taught the universality of man's sin but that God saves all repentant men through faith in Christ. He taught about the nation of Israel in God's plan, and challenged Christians to live holy lives.

46 & 47. First & second Corinthians were written by the Apostle Paul from Ephesus as letters. The Christians of Corinth found it hard to live holy lives. In First Corinthians Paul deals with them and encourages them with his message: "You are Christ's." Second Corinthians contains Paul's message of thanksgiving and love. Then he goes on to describe his persecutions as he travelled about preaching the gospel of Christ.

48. Galatians was written by the Apostle Paul probably from Antioch as a letter. It is Paul's teaching about Christian freedom. Paul tells us how he stood firm in his belief that Christ was the Savior of repentant folks everywhere, not just to those who observed every detail of the Hebrew law.

49. Ephesians was written by the Apostle Paul as a letter. It appeared to be a general letter to the churches of Asia Minor at that time but is also for us today. Paul presents God's eternal purpose to save men through faith in Christ; "the dividing wall of hostility" between Hebrews and Gentiles has been broken down by love through the cross of Christ. Paul challenges us to live as worthy, true Christians.

50. Philipplans was written as a letter while Paul was a prisoner in Rome. This letter, Paul's farewell message, is filled with gratitude and affection for his Philippian friends, the church that was possibly the dearest to him.

51. Colossians was written by Paul as a letter, while he was a prisoner in Rome, to the Christians at Colossae in Asia Minor. Paul wrote to encourage them that, through Christ, they have the everlasting love of God.

52. & 53. First and Second Thessalonians were written as letters by Paul from Corinth. These two letters are some of his earliest. Paul encourages the believers that they must do their love service for Christ every day.

54. & 55. First and Second Timothy were written as letters by the Apostle Paul to his friend, Timothy, at Lystra. Revealed are the qualifications and duties of church officers. Second Timothy contains Paul's invitation that Timothy come to Rome to see him.

56. Titus was written by Paul as a letter. It encouraged Titus, Paul's "true child in a common faith," to pastor the church in Crete.

57. Philemon was written by Paul as a letter. It was a personal letter in which the apostle encourages Philemon to take back a runaway slave, Onesimus. The slave had come to Rome, where Paul was being held prisoner, and there had been converted to Christ by Paul.

58. Hebrews, the authorship of which has been long debated, encouraged the Hebrew Christian community not to fall back into Judaism.

59. James, written by the half-brother of our Lord, provided spiritual instruction for all Hebrew folks who had become Christians. True Christian behavior is encouraged.

60. & 61. First Peter was a letter written by the Apostle Peter to Christians. It admonishes them to have hope and courage and to trust in the power of God. Second Peter was also a letter written by the apostle Peter. It warned of false teachers who had come into the early church and encouraged Christians to be brave and patient.

62. & 63. & 64. First, second, and third John were letters written by the Apostle John. First John tells us that God is love and that love is the test of genuine spirituality. Second John was written to "the elect lady and her children" (in symbolism). Third John was addressed to "the beloved Gaius."

65. Jude was written as a letter from Jude, the half-brother of Jesus Christ. Its message was for Christians wherever unity was threatened by false teaching and wherever sound Christian doctrines and moral standards were challenged.

66. Revelation was written as a letter from the Apostle John. It is the only prophetic book in the New Testament. The book was addressed to the seven Christian churches in Asia Minor, whose members were being persecuted by Roman officials. The symbolism of Revelation can be difficult for some folks to understand today, but to the persecuted members of the seven churches, God's message through John was clearly one of hope, courage, and faith in times of persecution.

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