Overview of the Books of the Bible

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering the outlines, themes, characters, and dates for the books of the Bible based on the lecture notes.

Genesis

Pentateuch book outlining Creation, fall, flood, and patriarchs; theme is Creation, Fall, and promise of a male child (Abraham, 2000 BC).

Exodus

Pentateuch book outlining the Exodus, Law, and Tabernacle plans and construction; theme is God delivers his people and forms a covenant nation (Exodus, 1450 BC).

Leviticus

Pentateuch book outlining sacrifices, priests, and holiness laws; theme is how a holy God can live with an unholy people.

Numbers

Pentateuch book outlining the wilderness journey, rebellion, and new generation; theme is counting the people twice, the first and second generation of Israel.

Deuteronomy

Pentateuch book outlining law review, covenant renewal, and last words; theme is covenantal directions for the Promised Land.

Joshua

Historical book outlining conquest, land division, and covenant renewal; theme is God fulfills his promise by giving the land.

Judges

Historical book outlining sin, oppression, deliverance, repeat; theme is God rescues his sinful people again and again (began about 1350 BC).

Ruth

Historical book outlining leave and return, gleaning, night-time rendezvous, and marriage; theme is God works in Ruth and Boaz in preparation for David.

1 Samuel

Historical book outlining Samuel, Samuel and Saul, Samuel and David, Saul and David; theme is David’s rise from shepherd boy to king (David’s reign begins in 1014 BC).

2 Samuel

Historical book outlining David’s reign, David’s sin, and final words; theme is the rise and fall of David, God’s faithfulness.

1 Kings

Historical book outlining Solomon, the unified kingdom, the divided kingdom, and Elijah; theme is the division and early history of the two kingdoms Israel and Judah.

2 Kings

Historical book outlining the divided kingdom and exile; theme is the two kingdoms are exiled but the promise to David continues (Northern Kingdom exile, 722 BC; Southern Kingdom exile, 586 BC).

1 Chronicles

Historical book outlining genealogies and David’s reign; theme is David’s worship, God’s covenant.

2 Chronicles

Historical book outlining Solomon and kings of Israel; theme is the results of faithfulness and unfaithfulness.

Ezra

Historical book outlining return, rebuild, and reform; theme is post-exile worship (return from exile, 538 BC).

Nehemiah

Historical book outlining walls rebuilt and covenant renewal; theme is the walls are rebuilt but the people remain rebellious.

Esther

Historical book outlining threat, courage, and deliverance; theme is God protects his people from destruction.

Job

Poetic book outlining suffering, dialogues, God’s monologue, and Job’s confession; theme is the suffering of the righteous.

Psalms

Poetic book divided into five books (Book I, book II, book III, book IV, book V); theme is the coronation, suffering, and ultimate victory of “the man” (the Son of God).

Proverbs

Poetic book outlining wisdom introduced, the Proverbs of Solomon, and the wisdom of Agur and Lemuel; theme is the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom.

Ecclesiastes

Poetic book outlining transitory life, seasons and limitations, wisdom, and fear God; theme is life on earth only makes sense in light of fearing and worshipping God.

Song of Solomon

Poetic book outlining courtship, marriage, pursuit, and celebration of love; theme is a retelling of the Adam and Eve story with a happy ending.

Isaiah

Major Prophet book outlining Isaiah’s call, judgment, comfort, and final glory; theme is God judges sin but comforts his people by telling them about restoration through his suffering servant (740-680 BC, Judah and Jerusalem).

Jeremiah

Major Prophet book outlining Jeremiah’s call, prophecies against Judah, prophecies against the nations, and fall of Jerusalem; theme is God judges rebellion but promises a new covenant (627-580 BC, Judah before and during exile).

Lamentations

Major Prophet book outlining Jerusalem’s sorrow and judgment, the hope of God’s mercy, Jerusalem’s humiliation, and prayer for restoration; theme is hope in God’s mercy persists in judgment (627-580 BC, Judah before and during exile).

Ezekiel

Major Prophet book outlining Ezekiel’s call, judgment on Judah, prophecies against nations, restoration, a new heart, and a future temple; theme is God judges sin but restores his people for his glory (593-571 BC, Judah in exile).

Daniel

Major Prophet book outlining Daniel and his friends, and visions of kingdoms and God’s kingdom; theme is God rules over every kingdom and will set up his eternal kingdom (605-530 BC, Judah in Babylon and future kingdoms).

Hosea

Minor Prophet book outlining Hosea’s marriage, Israel’s unfaithfulness, and restoration; theme is God is faithful even if his people are spiritually adulterous (755-715 BC, Northern Kingdom of Israel).

Joel

Minor Prophet book outlining locusts, plague and devastation, call to repentance and Day of the Lord, and future restoration and judgment of nations; theme is repentance brings restoration before the coming Day of the Lord (835-796 [not certain], Judah).

Amos

Minor Prophet book outlining judgment on nations, Israel’s injustice, and visions of judgment and restoration; theme is God demands justice, righteousness, and true worship (760-750 BC, Northern Kingdom of Israel).

Obadiah

Minor Prophet book outlining judgment against Edom and restoration of God’s people; theme is pride leads to judgment, but God defends his people (586 BC, Edom).

Jonah

Minor Prophet book outlining Jonah running, praying, Nineveh repenting, and God’s compassion; theme is God extends mercy even to evil nations (580-560 BC, Assyria/Ninevah).

Micah

Minor Prophet book outlining judgment on Samaria and Jerusalem, a future kingdom and Messiah, God’s case against his people, and restoration; theme is God desires justice, mercy, and humble obedience (735-700 BC, Northern Kingdom of Israel, Judah).

Nahum

Minor Prophet book outlining God’s justice and power, and destruction of Nineveh and reasons; theme is God judges evil nations and protects his people (663-612, Assyria/Ninevah).

Habakkuk

Minor Prophet book outlining questioning God, God’s answer, and Habakkul’s prayer of trust; theme is the just will live by faith (609-597 BC, Judah).

Zephaniah

Minor Prophet book outlining judgment at the Day of the Lord, repentance, and restoration and rejoicing; theme is God judges sin and restores the humble (640-609 BC, Judah).

Haggai

Minor Prophet book outlining rebuilding the temple, encouragement, and future glory; theme is the people of God are called to pursue God’s temple and God’s work (520 BC, returned exiles in Judah).

Zechariah

Minor Prophet book outlining night visions and encouragement, fasting, and a future king and kingdom; theme is God will restore his people through the coming Messiah-King (520-518 BC, returned exiles in Judah).

Malachi

Minor Prophet book outlining God’s love questioned, rebuke of priests and people, and the Day of the Lord; theme is God demands covenant faithfulness while awaiting the coming Messenger (450-430 BC, post-exilic Judah).

Matthew

Gospel outlining birth and preparation, ministry in Galilee, journey to Jerusalem, and death and resurrection; theme is Jesus is the promised Messiah and King who fulfills the Old Testament.

Mark

Gospel outlining ministry, journey toward the cross, final week, and death and resurrection; theme is Jesus is the suffering Servant and powerful Son of God.

Luke

Gospel outlining births of John and Jesus, ministry in Galilee, journey to Jerusalem, and death and resurrection; theme is Jesus came to seek and save the lost and offers salvation to all people.

John

Gospel outlining prologue, signs and public ministry, private teaching to disciples, and death and resurrection; theme is Jesus is the Son of God, and believing in him brings eternal life.

Acts

New Testament historical book outlining Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and larger Roman world; theme is the fulfillment of the Great Commission through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Key Dates in Acts

Resurrection of Jesus (30 AD), Conversion of Paul (33-35 AD), 1st Missionary Journey (46-48 AD), Jerusalem Council (48-49 AD), 2nd Missionary Journey (49-52 AD), 3rd Missionary Journey (53-57 AD).

Romans

Pauline letter outlining sin, salvation, and service; theme is salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, not the works of the Law (56-58 AD, Corinth [maybe Ephesus]).

1 Corinthians

Pauline letter outlining divisions in the church, moral problems, worship and spiritual gifts, and resurrection of the dead; theme is unity and holiness in the church is centered on Christ (53-55 AD, Ephesus).

2 Corinthians

Pauline letter outlining Paul’s defense of his ministry, comfort in suffering, generosity and giving, and strength in weakness; theme is God’s strength is displayed through human weakness (55-56 AD, Macedonia).

Galatians

Pauline letter outlining justification by faith, freedom in Christ, and life by the Spirit; theme is Christians are saved by grace through faith, not by keeping the Law (48-55 AD [debated], maybe Antioch).

Ephesians

Pauline letter outlining spiritual blessings in Christ, unity of the church, Christian conduct, and armor of God; theme is the church is united in Christ and called to live faithfully (60-62 AD, Rome).

Philippians

Pauline letter outlining joy in suffering, humility of Christ, pressing toward the goal, and encouragement; theme is joy and contentment are found in Christ (60-62 AD, Rome).

Colossians

Pauline letter outlining supremacy of Christ, false teaching, new life in Christ, and Christian relationships; theme is Christ is supreme over all creation and sufficient for salvation (60-62 AD, Rome).

1 Thessalonians

Pauline letter outlining encouragement, holy living, and Christ’s return; theme is believers are called to live faithfully while awaiting Christ’s return (50-51 AD, Corinth).

2 Thessalonians

Pauline letter outlining Day of the Lord, idleness, and encouragement in persecution; theme is stand firm and remain faithful until Christ returns (51-52 AD, Corinth).

1 Timothy

Pauline letter outlining church leadership, worship, doctrine, and godly living; theme is sound doctrine and godly leadership are essential for the church (62-64 AD, maybe Macedonia).

2 Timothy

Pauline letter outlining final encouragement, hardship, preach the Word, and goodbye; theme is remain faithful to Christ and the gospel to the end (64 AD, Rome).

Titus

Pauline letter outlining elders, sound doctrine, and Christian conduct; theme is healthy churches are built on sound doctrine and godly living (62-64 AD, maybe Macedonia).

Philemon

Pauline letter outlining appeal for forgiveness and reconciliation, and acceptance of Onesimus as a brother; theme is the gospel transforms relationships through forgiveness and brotherhood (60-62 AD, Rome).

Hebrews

Letter outlining Christ greater than angels and Moses, Jesus as High Priest, superiority of the new covenant, perseverance, and examples of faith; theme is Jesus is the perfect and final revelation of God, superior to the old covenant system.

James

General letter outlining perseverance, hearing and doing, faith and works, tongue, wisdom and prayer; theme is genuine faith is demonstrated through obedient action and godly living.

1 Peter

General letter outlining hope, holy living, Christ’s example, instructions for believers, and persecution; theme is Christians are called to remain holy and hopeful during suffering.

2 Peter

General letter outlining spiritual maturity, false teachers, and Christ’s return; theme is believers must stand firm in truth and beware of false teaching.

1 John

General letter outlining fellowship with God, walking in the light, love for others, antichrist, and assurance of eternal life; theme is believers live in love, truth, and obedience to God.

2 John

General letter outlining truth and love, and deceivers; theme is Christians must balance love with commitment to truth.

3 John

General letter outlining commendation of Gaius, warning about Diotrephes, and praise for Demetrius; theme is faithful believers support truth and show hospitality.

Jude

General letter outlining false teachers, examples of judgment, perseverance, and praise to God; theme is believers must contend for the faith and resist false teachers.

Revelation

Apocalyptic book outlining opening vision, seven churches, heavenly throne room, seals, trumpets, dragon, bowls, Babylon, Christ’s return, judgment, and new heaven and earth; theme is Jesus Christ is the victorious King who will ultimately defeat evil, judge the world righteously, and establish a new creation where God dwells forever with his people.