Genesis
1-3, 6-8, 11, 12, 22, 27, 43-46
God, Adam, Eve, Noah, Abram/Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
Creation, the Fall, the Flood, Covenant with Abram/Abraham, Sacrifice of Isaac, Jacob getting the birthright, Joseph in Egypt
God’s providence/sovereignty in everything, sin and judgement, mercy, covenants to the faithful
Exodus
1-3, 7-12, 14, 16-17, 20, 31-34, 40
Moses, Pharaoh, Israel (I think this counts), Aaron
Plagues, Exodus, Crossing the Red Sea, Mana from Heaven and Water from stone, Creation of the Ten Commandments, Golden Calf, The Tabernacle
God keeping his promises/covenants, God’s presence and care over His people, His mercy upon Israel
Leviticus
8, 10, 16, 19, 23
Moses, Aaron, Aaron’s sons, God
Explanations of the laws, Consecration of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu being smitten by God, The Day of Atonement
God’s holiness, God’s power, Loving each other and God, Punishments for sin and the blessings of not
Numbers
1-4, 7, 13, 20, 22-24, 26, 31, 33
Moses, Joshua, Balaam
Censuses, The duties of certain tribes, spies sent to Canaan, 40 years in the wilderness, Balaam’s Oracles, Israel defeats the Midianites
The fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham (God keeps His promises, God is with Israel), God’s jealousy for His glory, God’s mercy
Deuteronomy
1-2, 4, 5-6, 11, 28-30, 31, 32-34
Moses, Joshua, God
Israel wondering in the wilderness for 40 years, Moses’ messages to Israel, Commandments, Moses’s song, Moses’ death
God’s love for Israel, God’s need for obedience, God’s mercy (seeing this one a lot)
Looking Down
The Pentateuch covers the start of time from Adam and Eve to the story of Israel in the wilderness about to claim the promised land. It contains 3 covenants about and to God’s chosen people, promising that He will be with them and make them a great nation for His glory. It starts with perfect creation, and it’s process of no longer being such (Genesis), the captivity that comes through sin entering the world and God’s mercy to protect His people (Exodus), God’s need for obedience, perfection, and holiness in His people (Leviticus, Deuteronomy), and also the fact that God keeps His covenants (Numbers).
Looking Forward
It shows the human need for a Savior. God’s chosen people keep trying to rebel against Him at almost every moment and there is nothing a mere human could do to fix that. It also show’s God’s grace and love towards us that He would “put up” with us for so long.
Sources
esv.org, my study Bible
Joshua
1, 2, 6, 8, 13-15, 23-24
Joshua, Rahab
Israel conquers Jericho, loss and win against Ai, division of the land,
Importance of obedience to God, unity, sovereignty of God, faithfulness
Judges
1-2, 4, 7, 9, 13-16, 20
Israel, Deborah, Gideon, Samson, Samuel
Canaanite defeat, Gideon defeats Midianites, Samson’s life, Birth of Samuel
Human rebellion, God’s compassion, selfishness
Ruth
2-4
Naomi, Ruth, Boaz
Naomi’s family dying, Ruth in Boaz’s field, Ruth and Boaz marry
Hesed Love, kindness, redemption, God’s sovereignty
1-2 Samuel
1st: 6, 8-10, 15-17, 19, 24, 29-31
2nd: 1-2, 5, 7-8, 11-12, 22-24
Samuel, Saul, David, the rest of the Kings of Israel
Saul becomes king, David’s anointing, David and Goliath, David becomes king, Davidic covenant, David’s adultery
God as the true King, God’s providence, God’s will, Davidic covenant
1-2 Kings
1st: 1-3, 6, 8, 11, 22
2nd: 9-10, 12, 17, 22-25
Solomon, Jeroboam, Elijah, Moab, Elisha, Isaiah, Hezekiah, Josiah
Solomon anointed king, building of the Temple
God’s faithfulness, human unfaithfulness, consequences, God punishes sin
1-2 Chronicles
1st: 11-12, 16, 18
2nd: 5, 7-8, 12, 24, 30
David, Solomon, the rest of the Kings of Israel
David anointed king, the Ark returned to Israel, Davidic covenant, defeat of the pagan nations, divisions of Israel, the Temple
The Davidic covenant, God being with the Kings, importance of the genealogies
Ezra
3-5, 9-10
Cyrus, Ezra
Rebuilding the Alter/Temple, calling out those who sin
God’s faithfulness, providence, importance of worship, human fallenness
Nehemiah
1-2, 4-5, 8-9, 11-12
Nehemiah, Ezra, those opposed to the rebuilding of the Temple
Rebuilding of the Temple (again), stopping of opposition, rebuking of Israel
God listens, protection, mercy, opposition to the work of God
Esther
2-4, 7-9
Esther, Mordecai, Haman, Xerxes I
Esther chosen as Queen, Haman is hanged, Jews saved
Providence, responsibility, power corrupts
Looking Back
They also show the way that God works in and through people for His will and His glory, that sin does not go unpunished, and that God has compassion on those who sin and repent. They continue the story of God’s chosen people throughout time, showing the fallenness and the tribulations that happened to them as a nation.
Looking Forward
These books continue setting up and showing humanity’s need for the Savior because of Israel’s continual and reoccurring sin, and they contain the genealogies that are fulfilled through Christ.
Job
1-3, 8, 10, 12-13, 19, 21, 23-24, 31, 38, 42
Job, Satan, God, Eliphaz, Zophar, Bildad, Elihu
Job’s family and possessions taken away, Job’s doubts and being rebuked, God’s answer
God’s goodness, importance of trials, bad things happen to good and blameless people
Psalms
1, 8, 9, 12, 13, 20-21, 23, 30, 37, 78, 81, 93, 110, 119, 145
Psalmist, David
N/A – a collection of songs and prayers
Importance of worship, thanksgiving, monotheism, forgiveness, grace
Proverbs
1, 6, 10, 18-19, 22-24
Solomon
N/A – wisdom passages
Biblical wisdom, relationships, God’s will
Ecclesiastes
1-3, 7-8, 12
“the Preacher” (Solomon)
N/A – practically a sermon
The fall/sin/death, fear of God, work
Song of Solomon
1, 3, 5-6, 8
The young man and woman
Dreams/wants, admirations, their marriage
Marriage, love, sexual purity,
Looking Back
It provides wisdom on how to live a Godly lifestyle, almost a contrast to the historical books about Israel and everything not to do. It also shows the intention and gives some of the God’s reasoning behind the laws given to Israel as well.
Looking Forward
It general, points to the fact that we will never follow all the wisdom in these books, and that we need Someone who can. Directly, multiple Psalms prophecy to Christ and Ecclesiastes shows the fallenness of the world and the need for Christ to mend it.
Isaiah
1-3, 6, 9, 12, 22, 24-25, 27-29, 32, 34, 41, 43, 50-52, 54-56, 60-66
Isaiah, God, Cyrus, Hezekiah
The judgment by and to the nations, prophesies of Christ, the oracles to different nations, Israel’s rebellion and God’s grace
God’s holiness, providence, judgment, and wrath
Jeremiah
1-2, 5, 10-11, 15, 17, 21, 25, 31, 33, 39-40, 46, 52
Jeremiah, God, Nebuchadnezzar
Jeremiah’s call, Israel’s sin and punishment, the promise of the Seed of David, the false prophets, judgment of the nations
God’s relationship with us, human sin, forgiveness through Christ, God’s providence and plan for humanity
Lamentations
1-3, 5
God
Jerusalem’s destruction and punishment, God restores Israel
God’s judgment, forgiveness, mercy, our relationship with God
Ezekiel
1-4, 7, 10-12, 15-16, 21, 24, 29, 34, 37, 40-43
Ezekiel, God, Israel
Ezekiel’s call, judgment against idolatry, Israel and Egypt’s destruction, the army from bones, the Temple restoration
Holiness, God’s supremacy, judgment of sin, God’s love
Daniel
1-6, 9, 12
Daniel, Daniel’s friends, Nebuchadnezzar
Daniel and his friends taken to Babylon, don’t bow to the statue of Nebuchadnezzar, are thrown in the furnace, the lions’ den
God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, God rules, God’s providence
Hosea
1-6, 9, 11, 13-14
Hosea, Gomer, Israel
Hosea marries a whore, Israel is punished for their sins, God restores Israel
The sin of idolatry, God’s holiness, compassion, and sovereignty
Joel
1-3
Joel, Judah, God
Locust plague, call of repentance, judgment of the nations
Repentance, the Judgment, the Day of the Lord
Amos
1-3, 5, 7-9
Amos, Israel, God
God’s judgment on Israel and Judah, Israel turning from God, Amos’s visions, Israel’s destruction
God’s supremacy, anti-hypocrisy, God’s judgment, but love for Israel
Obadiah
1 (no duh)
Obadiah
Announcement of the Judgment of Edom, the promise of the restoration of Israel
Salvation, judgment, God’s justice, deliverance for God’s people
Jonah
1-4
Jonah, God, Ninevites
Jonah’s calling, resistance, compliance, and angry prayer
Obedience, compassion, God’s sovereignty, repentance
Micah
1-2, 4-5
Micah, God
Judgment on Israel and Judah, prophesy of Christ, restoration of Israel
Judgment, forgiveness, forgiveness
Nahum
1-3
Nahum, God
Announcement of the coming judgment of Nineveh
Destruction of sinners, God is a jealous God, judgment
Habakkuk
1-3
Habakkuk, God
Habakkuk complains, God responds (x2), Habakkuk praises God
God’s sovereignty, God will punish sin, faith saves
Zephaniah
1-3
Zephaniah, God
Announcing the judgment of the nations, but also a promise of salvation
Judgment of Judah, the Day of the Lord, grace, individual salvation
Haggai
1-2
Haggai, God
Rebuilding the Temple, the coming glory of the future Temple
Restoration, God’s sovereignty, the prophesies are God’s Word
Zechariah
1, 3, 7, 8-10, 12-14
Zechariah, Joshua
Zechariah and Joshua’s visions, the promise of Christ and Israel being restored
Repentance, Christ’s eventual coming, God’s judgment and triumph
Malachi
1-4
Malachi, God
Criticism of the sin in Israel, promise of the Day of the Lord
Israel must remember their covenant with God, judgment on those who don’t
Looking Back
This section of the Bible keeps developing the story of Israel, showing more of their sin and the way that God continually shows His grace to them by sending prophets to correct them and bring them back to Him. The Prophets also quote a lot of law and historical events.
Looking Forward
The Prophets point directly to the Messiah and the New Covenant (especially in Jeremiah). The restoration of Israel back to their original relationship with God. They show the need for One who can save us from the sins we cannot escape.
Matthew
1, 3-5, 7, 10, 13-14, 16-17, 20-21, 24, 26-28
Jesus, the Disciples, the Pharisees
The genealogy of Jesus, Jesus’s birth, Jesus’s ministry / parables / miracles, Jesus’s foretelling and fulfilling His death and resurrection
Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophesies, salvation, the church being built / the Great Commission
Mark
1, 4-6, 8-9, 11, 14-16
Jesus, John the Baptist, the Disciples, the Pharisees
Jesus’s baptism, Jesus calls the Disciples, lots of Jesus’s miracles and parables, Jesus’s foretelling and fulfilling His death and resurrection, Jesus’ ascension
Jesus is both fully man and fully God, Jesus must suffer, God calls all people to Himself, the works of Jesus, discipleship
Luke
1-4, 6, 9, 11-12, 15, 17, 19-20, 22-24
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, the Dsciples, the Pharisees
John the Baptist and Jesus’s birth, Jesus’s baptism, Satan’s tempting, Jesus’s ministry, Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension
The Gospel is for all, already/not yet kingdom, God’s sovereignty, stewardship, the Holy spirit
John
1, 3, 5-6, 8, 11, 13-14, 17-18, 19-21
Jesus, the Disciples, the Pharisees
Jesus calls the Disciples, Jesus’s ministry / miracles / parables, Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension
Jesus is God, Jesus is the Messiah, the Trinity, salvation/eternal life, the Great Commission
Looking Back
This section is the fulfillment of the Prophetical books and tells of the One who did what Israel could not. It is the culmination of the entire Old Testament as the climax of the New Testament.
Looking Forward
These are the stories of Christ: His birth, ministry, transfiguration, death, and resurrection.
Acts
1-2, 4-5, 8-9, 13, 16, 18, 21, 28
The Apostles and the early Church, the Holy Spirit, Stephen, Saul/Paul, Barnabas, Timothy, Silas
Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, the Apostles arrested and set free x2, Stephen’s stoning, Saul’s conversion, Paul’s many trips to various nations
The importance of the church, the Holy Spirit, the Great commission, suffering for Christ, what it means to be a faithful witness, fellowship
Looking Back
This book continues the story directly after Christ, with the early church and their acts. This is the start of the Great Commission, showing the Holy Spirit’s work in the church.
Looking Forward
This is the testimony of those who were with Christ and those who believe. A witness telling the everyone they can about the Christ whom the whole Bible speak about. Debating and explaining Christ’s fulfillment of the Old Testament.
Romans
1-3, 5-6, 8, 10, 12-14, 16
Paul, Christ
(not really a story book, but it talks about:) Judgment day, Adam’s sin, Christ’s suffering, Israel’s years of unbelief
God’s judgment, God’s mercy, human fallenness, salvation by faith through Christ alone, new life in Christ
1 Corinthians
1, 3, 5-6, 7, 9-10, 12-14, 15
Paul, the Corinthian church, Christ
(again, mostly teaching:) Christ’s death and resurrection, the Apostles’ lives, the Rapture
Church unity, importance of the resurrection, idolatry, sexual morality, being a good witness
2 Corinthians
1-6, 9-11, 13
Paul, the Corinthian church, Paul’s opposition, Christ
Paul is accused as an unbeliever, Paul’s defense, Paul’s teaching about sin
Suffering for Christ, endurance, the Holy Spirit, repentance, Judgment Day, New Covenant
Galatians
1-6
Paul, the Church of Galatia, Peter, Christ
(again, mostly teaching:) Hagar and Sarah
The New Covenant, conversion, salvation, justification by faith, the Holy Spirit
Ephesians
1-6
Paul, the Churches in Ephesus, Christ
Paul’s imprisonment (mostly teaching)
The unity of the church, Christians are new people, reconciliation
Philippians
1-4
Paul, Timothy, the Philippian church, Epaphroditus, Christ
Paul’s imprisonment, Epaphrodidtus’s sickness (mostly teaching)
Joy, spiritual progress, suffering, relationships, faith
Colossians
1-4
Paul, the Christians in Colossae, Christ
(mostly teaching)
Paul’s imprisonment
Christ’s supremacy, fulfillment of prophesy, spiritual growth
1 Thessalonians
1-5
Paul, Silas, Timothy, the Thessalonian church, Christ
Christ’s return (mostly teaching / encouragement)
The Second Coming, salvation, joy in suffering, holiness
2 Thessalonians
1-3
Paul, Silas, Timothy, the Antichrist, Christ
Christ’s return (mostly teaching), the Antichrist pulling people to him
The Second Coming, the Antichrist, eternal life vs eternal damnation
1 Timothy
1-6
Paul, Timothy, church elders, Christ
(mostly teaching about how to run a church) Adam and Eve
Godliness, the effects of salvation, church leaders
2 Timothy
1-4
Paul, Timothy, deserters, Christ
(teaching about suffering and trials) Paul’s final days
Suffering for the Gospel
Titus
1-3
Paul, Titus, Christ
(teaching about church organization and works)
Faith and works, false teaching, church leaders
Philemon
1
Paul, Onesimus, Philemon, Christ
Paul meets Onesimus, Onesimus gets saved, Onesimus is sent back to Philemon
Reconciliation, love, forgiveness, self-worth
Hebrews
1-6, 8-13
Hebrews, Gentile Christians, Melchizedek, Christ
OT sacrifices explained, Christ’s sacrifice, wilderness wandering
Endurance, Christ’s supremacy, encourage others to hold the faith
James
1-5
James, early Christians, Christ
(talks about trials) Abraham offering Issac, Rahab and the Spies
Christians must live out their faith, trials, obeying God’s Word, importance of faith
1 Peter
1-5
Peter, scattered believers, Christ
(gives encouragement to the believers) Christ’s suffering, Noah/Flood
Encouragement, persecution, Christ is the basis of our faith, faithfulness
2 Peter
1-3
Peter, the churches
(teaching on false teachers) The Day of the Lord, Noah
Grace, false teachers,
1 John
1-5
John, Christ, the Antichrist
The incarnation, Cain and Abel
Obedience, faithfulness, devotion, God overcomes, eternal life
2 John
1
John, Christ
(again, just a letter:) Jesus’s coming
God’s love, obedience to God, eternal rewards
3 John
1
John, Gaius, Diotrephes
Diotrephes attacking the faith, Gaius’s health
Faithfulness, “walking in the truth”
Jude
1
Jude, Christ
(not really a story book, but it talks about:) Judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, Judgment Day
False teachers, defending the faith, God’s sovereignty, Judgment Day
Looking Back
The Epistles pick up the story of the early church and ministry after Christ’s death and resurrection. They show how both the Gentiles and the Jews became one Church and spread to all the nations. Paul sent many letters to the churches on how to live the Christian life and how to keep unity in the church.
Looking Forward
The Epistles talk about Christ’s first coming and many Epistles point directly to the Second Coming of Christ. They helped the churches keep their minds on Christ and His ministry and help us apply what Christ taught. They serve as major doctrines for us as Christians as we study the Bible and interpret it in context.
Revelation
1, 4-6, 8, 10-14, 16-18, 20-22
John, Jesus, God, angels, Satan, demons, the Beast, the Dragon
The letters to the churches, Christ’s defense of the Church, destruction of His enemies
Jesus conquers, His supremacy, persecution, Judgment Day
Looking Back
Revelation is the conclusion to the Bible, and more importantly, the prophesy of the conclusion of sin, death, and destruction. The relationship between God and man is restored, allowing for harmony together again. Life is restored to the way it was in the garden of Eden, free from sin and with communion and worship to God.
Looking Forward
This is the section about Christ’s absolute and complete overcoming of sin. This fully ties together all the prophesies about Christ, showing Him as the One and true Messiah. He establishes His eternal kingdom for us as believers, dwelling together in love.
Sources
My study Bible, thegospelcoalition.org