CHAPTER TWO – THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE
OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:
- Write the Key Verse from memory.
- Identify the number of books in the Old Testament.
- Identify the number of books in the New Testament.
- Explain why it is important to have a systematic plan for reading the Bible.
- List four suggestions for successful Bible reading.
KEY VERSE:
Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to thy Word. (Psalms 119:169)
INTRODUCTION
In the previous chapter you learned that the Bible is the written Word of God. You learned it is divided into two major sections called the Old Testament and the New Testament.
You learned the four divisions of the Old Testament books:
- Law
- History
- Poetry
- Prophecy
You also learned the four divisions of the New Testament books:
- Gospels
- History
- Letters
- Prophecy
The following summarizes what you have learned about the Bible so far:
THE BIBLE
GOD’S WRITTEN WORD
66 BOOKS
OLD TESTAMENT DIVISIONS NEW TESTAMENT DIVISIONS
Law Gospels
History History
Poetry Letters
Prophecy Prophecy
This chapter contains a summary of each of the 66 books of the Bible, which make up the major divisions of the Old and New Testaments. It provides an introduction to the content of both testaments.
Four suggestions for successful Bible reading are given and you will choose a systematic plan to start reading God’s Word.
OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS
(39 Books)
BOOKS OF LAW:
Genesis: Records the beginning of the universe, man, the Sabbath, marriage, sin, sacrifice, nations, and government and key men of God like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.
Exodus: Details how Israel became a nation with Moses as leader. Israel is delivered from bondage in Egypt and travels to Mt. Sinai where the law of God is given.
Leviticus: This book was a manual of worship for Israel. It provides instruction to the religious leaders and explains how a sinful people can approach a righteous God. It relates to the coming of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Numbers: Records Israel’s 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, which was a result of disobedience to God. The title of the book is from two numberings (population censuses) taken during the long journey.
Deuteronomy: Records the final days of Moses’ life and reviews the laws given in Exodus and Leviticus.
BOOKS OF HISTORY:
Joshua: Details how Joshua, the successor of Moses, led the people of Israel into the Promised Land of Canaan. It records the military campaigns and the division of the land among the people.
Judges: Israel turned away from God after Joshua’s death. This book records the sad story of their repeated sins and the judges God raised up to deliver them from enemy forces.
Ruth: The story of Ruth, a woman of the Gentile nation of Moab, who chose to serve the God of Israel. She became the great grandmother of David.
I Samuel: This book centers on three persons: Samuel who was the last of the judges of Israel; Saul, the first king of Israel; and David who succeeded Saul as king.
II Samuel: The glorious 40-year reign of King David is recorded in this book.
I Kings: King Solomon’s reign and the kings of the divided kingdom through the reigns of Ahab in the north and Jehoshaphat in the south are the subjects of this book.
II Kings: The final decline of Israel and Judah is recalled in this book. God’s people fell into deep sin.
I Chronicles: The reign of David and preparations for building the temple are recorded here. The time of this book is the same as II Samuel.
II Chronicles: This book continues Israel’s history through Solomon’s reign with focus on the southern kingdom. It closes with the decree of Cyrus, which permitted the return of the people from Babylon to Jerusalem.
Ezra: The return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity is detailed.
Nehemiah: This book recalls the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls under the direction of Nehemiah. The project was begun about 14 years after Ezra’s return with the people.
Esther: God’s deliverance of the Jews through Esther and Mordecai is the subject of this book.
BOOKS OF POETRY:
Job: This book is the story of Job, a man who lived around the time of Abraham. The theme is the question of why righteous men suffer.
Psalms: The prayer and praise book of the Bible.
Proverbs: Divine wisdom for practical problems of everyday life.
Ecclesiastes: A discussion of the futility of life apart from God.
Song Of Solomon: The romance of Solomon and his Shulamite bride. The story represents God’s love for Israel and of Christ for the church.
BOOKS OF PROPHECY:
Several of these books were written during a period when the nation of Israel was divided into two separate kingdoms: Israel and Judah.
Isaiah: Warns of coming judgment against Judah because of their sin against God.
Jeremiah: Written during the later decline and fall of Judah. Told of the coming judgment and urged surrender to Nebuchadnezzar.
Lamentations: Jeremiah’s lament (expression of sorrow) over the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon.
Ezekiel: Warns first of Jerusalem’s impending fall and then foretells its future restoration.
Daniel: The prophet Daniel was captured during the early siege of Judah and taken to Babylon. This book provides historic and prophetic teaching that is important in understanding Bible prophecy.
Hosea: Theme of this book is Israel’s unfaithfulness, their punishment, and restoration by God.
Joel: Tells of the plagues which foreshadowed future judgment.
Amos: During a period of material prosperity but moral decay, Amos warned Israel and surrounding nations of God’s future judgment on their sin.
Obadiah: God’s judgment against Edom, an evil nation located south of the Dead Sea.
Jonah: The story of the prophet Jonah who preached repentance in Ninevah, capitol of the Assyrian empire. The book reveals God’s love and plan of repentance for the Gentiles.
Micah: Another prophecy against Israel’s sin. Foretells the birthplace of Jesus 700 years before the event happened.
Nahum: Tells of the impending destruction of Ninevah, which had been spared some 150 years earlier through Jonah’s preaching.
Habakkuk: Reveals God’s plan to punish a sinful nation by an even more sinful one. Teaches that “the just shall live by faith.”
Zephaniah: Judgment and restoration of Judah.
Haggai: Urges the Jews to rebuild the temple after a 15 year delay due to enemy resistance.
Zechariah: Further urging to complete the temple and renew spiritual commitment. Foretells Christ’s first and second comings.
Malachi: Warns against spiritual shallowness and foretells the coming of John the Baptist and Jesus.
NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS
(27 Books)
THE GOSPELS:
The four books known as the Gospels record the birth, life, ministry, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The approach of each book differs:
Matthew: Emphasizes Jesus Christ as King and was directed especially to the Jews.
Mark: Emphasizes Jesus Christ as the Servant of God and was directed especially to the Romans.
Luke: Presents Jesus Christ as the “Son of Man,” the perfect man and Savior of imperfect men.
John: Presents Jesus in His position as the Son of God.
BOOK OF HISTORY:
Acts: The one history book of the New Testament records the early growth of Christianity from the time of Christ’s return to Heaven through Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. The book covers about 33 years and emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit.
LETTERS:
Romans: A presentation of the Gospel which stresses salvation by faith alone.
I Corinthians: Written to correct errors of Christian conduct in the local church.
II Corinthians: Speaks of the true ministry of the Gospel, stewardship, and Paul’s apostolic authority.
Galatians: Deals with the error of mixing law and faith. The theme is justification by faith alone.
Ephesians: Encourages believers regarding their position in Christ.
Philippians: Emphasizes the joy of the Christian unity.
Colossians: Deals with the error of “Gnosticism,” false teachings that denied Jesus was truly Son of God and Son of Man. The book also emphasizes Jesus as head of the Church.
I Thessalonians: Counsel in Christian living and emphasis on the return of Jesus.
II Thessalonians: Further instruction on the Lord’s return and how knowledge of this should affect everyday life.
I Timothy: Stresses sound doctrine, orderly church government, and principles to guide the church in the years to come.
II Timothy: Describes the true servant of Jesus Christ. It also warns of the apostasy (spiritual decline) that had already started. It presents the Word of God as the remedy to correct all error.
Titus: Paul’s letter to a young minister named Titus who was serving God on the island of Crete. Doctrine and a Godly life are stressed.
Philemon: Paul’s intercession for a runaway slave of a wealthy Colossian Christian. It illustrates the intercession of Jesus on the behalf of believers who were once slaves to sin.
Hebrews: Explains the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. Presents Jesus as the Great High Priest and the mediator between God and man.
James: Teaches that true faith is evidenced by works, although salvation is by faith alone.
I Peter: A letter of comfort and encouragement to believers, especially those suffering spiritual attacks from outside the church through unbelievers.
II Peter: A warning against spiritual attacks from within. For example, false teachers who had already “crept” into the Church.
I John: Written to combat Gnosticism, which denied Christ’s position as Son of God and Son of Man. The book emphasizes fellowship and love among believers and assures true believers of eternal life.
II John: Warns against any compromise with doctrinal error and emphasizes that the truth must be guarded in love.
III John: Warns of the sin of refusing fellowship with those who are true believers.
Jude: Another warning against apostasy and false doctrine. The theme is similar to that of II Peter.
BOOK OF PROPHECY:
Revelation of Jesus Christ: This prophetic book tells of the final events of world history. It tells of the things which were, are, and which will be in the future plan of God (Revelation 4:22).
SUCCESSFUL BIBLE READING
You will learn much in this course about how to understand and interpret the Bible. You will also learn methods of creative Bible study. But the first step in understanding the Bible is to begin to read it. To help you start reading God’s Word we have outlined several different reading plans. These include a plan for those just starting their study as well as a plan for those who are more advanced in the study of God’s Word.
First, here are four suggestions for successful Bible reading:
1. READ DAILY:
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. (Psalms 1:2)
God made your physical body so you must have food daily in order to remain healthy. In a similar manner, your spirit must be fed daily with the food of the Word of God if you are to be spiritually healthy:
. . . It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God.(Luke 4:4)
2. READ SELECTIVELY:
Start by reading the “milk” of the word. These are the simple truths of the Word of God:
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby. (1 Peter 2:2)
Later you will mature spiritually to where you can eat “meat” of the Word of God. This means you will be able to understand more difficult teachings of the Bible:
For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:13-14)
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it . . . (1 Corinthians 3:2)
3. READ PRAYERFULLY:
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord. (Ezra 7:10)
Before you start to read, pray to God and ask Him to help you understand the message He has given you through His written Word. Let your prayer be as the Psalmist David prayed:
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. (Psalms 119:18)
4. READ SYSTEMATICALLY:
Some people do not understand God’s Word because they do not have a systematic plan for reading. They read a chapter here and there and fail to understand how it all fits together. This is like reading a few pages here and there in a textbook on medicine and then trying to set up a medical practice.
The Bible tells us to “search the scriptures” (John 5:39). This means to study them carefully. The Bible is like a textbook used in school. You must read it in an orderly way if you are to understand its content.
Select one of the following reading schedules and begin reading your Bible daily.
Click here to download the partial Bible reading plans. (For Beginners, The Short Schedule, The Longer Schedule)
FOR BEGINNERS
If you have never read the Bible before, start with the book of John in the New Testament. This book was written by one of the Disciples of Jesus Christ named John. He tells the story of Jesus in a simple way that is easy to understand.
Read one chapter in John each day in the order in which they are found in your Bible. Use the following chart to check off each chapter as you read it.
THE SHORT SCHEDULE
The short schedule of Bible reading is designed to provide a basic knowledge of the Bible through selected portions of Scripture. Read the selected portions in the order in which they are listed. Use the chart to check off each portion as you complete your reading.
THE LONGER SCHEDULE
This reading plan covers the Bible in greater depth than the Short Schedule, but it does not cover the entire Bible.
THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Please click here to download the complete Bible reading schedule which takes you through the entire Bible in one year . This custom reading plan starts on Aug. 25, 2010. If you have joined this Bible Study later, please let me know. I will make another schedule for you.
SELF-TEST
1. Write the Key Verse from memory.
2. How many books are in the Old Testament?
3. How many books are in the New Testament?
4. Why is it important to have a systematic plan for reading the Bible?
5. What were the four suggestions for successful Bible reading?
FOR FURTHER STUDY
- Review the descriptions of each book of the Bible given in this chapter.
- Write the name of each book of the Bible below.
- By the name of each book summarize its basic content in three or four words.
- The first two are done as examples for you to follow.
(By condensing material in this manner you will be able to develop a general knowledge of the content of the entire Bible.)
Name Of Book Content
Genesis Book of beginnings
Exodus Exit from Egypt