Books of the Bible

The Old Testament

Books of the Bible

Book of Genesis Genesis answers two big questions: “How did God’s relationship with the world begin?” and “Where did the nation of Israel come from?”	Book of Exodus God saves Israel from slavery in Egypt, and then enters into a special relationship with them.
Book of Leviticus God gives Israel instructions for how to worship Him.	Book of Numbers Israel fails to trust and obey God, and wanders in the wilderness for 40 years.
Book of Deuteronomy Moses gives Israel instructions (in some ways, a recap of the laws in Exodus–Numbers) for how to love and obey God in the Promised Land.	Book of Joshua Joshua (Israel’s new leader) leads Israel to conquer the Promised land, then parcels out territories to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Book of Judges Israel enters a cycle of turning from God, falling captive to oppressive nations, calling out to God, and being rescued by leaders God sends their way (called “judges”).	Book of Ruth Two widows lose everything, and find hope in Israel—which leads to the birth of the future King David.
Book of 1st Samuel Israel demands a king, who turns out to be quite a disappointment.	Book of 2nd Samuel David, a man after God’s own heart, becomes king of Israel.
Book of 1st Kings The kingdom of Israel has a time of peace and prosperity under King Solomon, but afterward splits, and the two lines of kings turn away from God.	Book of 2nd Kings Both kingdoms ignore God and his prophets, until they both fall captive to other world empires.
Book of 1st Chronicles This is a brief history of Israel from Adam to David, culminating with David commissioning the temple of God in Jerusalem.	Book of 2nd Chronicles David’s son Solomon builds the temple, but after centuries of rejecting God, the Babylonians take the southern Israelites captive and destroy the temple.
Book of Ezra The Israelites rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, and a scribe named Ezra teaches the people to once again obey God’s laws.	Book of Nehemiah The city of Jerusalem is in bad shape, so Nehemiah rebuilds the wall around the city.
Book of Esther Someone hatches a genocidal plot to bring about Israel’s extinction, and Esther must face the emperor to ask for help.	Book of Job Satan attacks a righteous man named Job, and Job and his friends argue about why terrible things are happening to him.
Book of Psalms A collection of 150 songs that Israel sang to God (and to each other)—kind of like a hymnal for the ancient Israelites.	Book of Proverbs A collection of sayings written to help people make wise decisions that bring about justice.
Book of Ecclesiastes A philosophical exploration of the meaning of life—with a surprisingly nihilistic tone for the Bible.	Book of Song of Songs A love song (or collection of love songs) celebrating love, desire, and marriage.
Book of Isaiah God sends the prophet Isaiah to warn Israel of future judgment—but also to tell them about a coming king and servant who will “bear the sins of many.”	Book of Jeremiah God sends a prophet to warn Israel about the coming Babylonian captivity, but the people don’t take the news very well.
Book of Lamentations A collection of dirges lamenting the fall of Jerusalem after the Babylonian attacks.	Book of Ezekiel God chooses a man to speak for Him to Israel, to tell them the error of their ways and teach them justice: Ezekiel.
Book of Daniel Daniel becomes a high-ranking wise man in the Babylonian and Persian empires, and has prophetic visions concerning Israel’s future.	Book of Hosea Hosea is told to marry a prostitute who leaves him, and he must bring her back: a picture of God’s relationship with Israel.
Book of Joel God sends a plague of locusts to Judge Israel, but his judgment on the surrounding nations is coming, too.	Book of Amos A shepherd named Amos preaches against the injustice of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
Book of Obadiah Obadiah warns the neighboring nation of Edom that they will be judged for plundering Jerusalem.	Book of Jonah A disobedient prophet runs from God, is swallowed by a great fish, and then preaches God’s message to the city of Nineveh.
Book of Micah Micah confronts the leaders of Israel and Judah regarding their injustice, and prophecies that one day the Lord himself will rule in perfect justice.	Book of Nahum Nahum foretells of God’s judgment on Nineveh, the capital of Assyria.
Book of Habakkuk Habakkuk pleads with God to stop the injustice and violence in Judah, but is surprised to find that God will use the even more violent Babylonians to do so.	Book of Zephaniah God warns that he will judge Israel and the surrounding nations, but also that he will restore them in peace and justice.
Book of Haggai The people have abandoned the work of restoring God’s temple in Jerusalem, and so Haggai takes them to task.	Book of Zechariah The prophet Zechariah calls Israel to return to God, and records prophetic visions that show what’s happening behind the scenes.
Book of Malachi God has been faithful to Israel, but they continue to live disconnected from him—so God sends Malachi to call them out.	Holy Books of the Bible

The New Testament

Book of Matthew This is an account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, focusing on Jesus’ role as the true king of the Jews.	Book of Mark This brief account of Jesus’ earthly ministry highlights Jesus’ authority and servanthood.
Book of Luke Luke writes the most thorough account of Jesus’ life, pulling together eyewitness testimonies to tell the full story of Jesus.	Book of John John lists stories of signs and miracles with the hope that readers will believe in Jesus.
Book of Acts Jesus returns to the Father, the Holy Spirit comes to the church, and the gospel of Jesus spreads throughout the world.	Book of Romans Paul summarizes how the gospel of Jesus works in a letter to the churches at Rome, where he plans to visit.
Book of 1st Corinthians Paul writes a disciplinary letter to a fractured church in Corinth, and answers some questions that they’ve had about how Christians should behave.	Book of 2nd Corinthians Paul writes a letter of reconciliation to the church at Corinth, and clears up some concerns that they have.
Book of Galatians Paul hears that the Galatian churches have been lead to think that salvation comes from the law of Moses, and writes a (rather heated) letter telling them where the false teachers have it wrong.	Book of Ephesians Paul writes to the church at Ephesus about how to walk in grace, peace, and love.
Book of Philippians An encouraging letter to the church of Philippi from Paul, telling them how to have joy in Christ.	Book of Colossians Paul writes the church at Colossae a letter about who they are in Christ, and how to walk in Christ.
Book of 1st Thessalonians Paul has heard a good report on the church at Thessalonica, and encourages them to “excel still more” in faith, hope, and love.	Book of 2nd Thessalonians Paul instructs the Thessalonians on how to stand firm until the coming of Jesus.
Book of 1st Timothy Paul gives his protegé Timothy instruction on how to lead a church with sound teaching and a godly example.	Book of 2nd Timothy Paul is nearing the end of his life, and encourages Timothy to continue preaching the word.
Book of Titus Paul advises Titus on how to lead orderly, counter-cultural churches on the island of Crete.	Book of Philemon Paul strongly recommends that Philemon accept his runaway slave as a brother, not a slave.
Book of Hebrews A letter encouraging Christians to cling to Christ despite persecution, because he is greater.	Book of James A letter telling Christians to live in ways that demonstrate their faith in action.
Book of 1st Peter Peter writes to Christians who are being persecuted, encouraging them to testify to the truth and live accordingly.	Book of 2nd Peter Peter writes a letter reminding Christians about the truth of Jesus, and warning them that false teachers will come.
Book of 1st John John writes a letter to Christians about keeping Jesus’ commands, loving one another, and important things they should know.	Book of 2nd John A very brief letter about walking in truth, love, and obedience.
Book of 3rd John An even shorter letter about Christian fellowship.	Book of Jude A letter encouraging Christians to contend for the faith, even though ungodly persons have crept in unnoticed
Book of Revelation John sees visions of things that have been, things that are, and things that are yet to come.	Holy Books of the Bible