Many Books & Types of Literature
The word “Bible” literally means books. The Bible is a collection of sixty-six different books. Each book of the Bible is unique. There are different authors, different types of literature, and different circumstances and purposes for which each book was written.
To understand the Bible it is important to be aware of the type of literature, background, and the context of each book:
Old Testament pages in Spark Bible
Pentateuch Books of Moses FIVE books pages 1-231
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Historical Books TWELVE books pages 232-542
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Writings Wisdom Literature FIVE books pages 543-733
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
Major Prophets FIVE books pages 734-973
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
Minor Prophets TWELVE books pages 974-1054
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum,
Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, , Zecharaiah, Malachi
New Testament
Gospels FOUR books pages 1057-1169
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Acts History ONE book pages 1170-1242
Acts of the Apostles
Letters of Paul THIRTEEN books pages 1243-1339
Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians,
1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
General Letters & Revelation NINE books pages 1340-1401
Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter; 1, 2& 3 John, Jude, Revelation
The word “Bible” literally means books. The Bible is a collection of sixty-six different books. Each book of the Bible is unique. There are different authors, different types of literature, and different circumstances and purposes for which each book was written.
To understand the Bible it is important to be aware of the type of literature, background, and the context of each book:
Old Testament pages in Spark Bible
Pentateuch Books of Moses FIVE books pages 1-231
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Historical Books TWELVE books pages 232-542
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
Writings Wisdom Literature FIVE books pages 543-733
Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
Major Prophets FIVE books pages 734-973
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
Minor Prophets TWELVE books pages 974-1054
Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum,
Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, , Zecharaiah, Malachi
New Testament
Gospels FOUR books pages 1057-1169
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
Acts History ONE book pages 1170-1242
Acts of the Apostles
Letters of Paul THIRTEEN books pages 1243-1339
Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians,
1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon
General Letters & Revelation NINE books pages 1340-1401
Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter; 1, 2& 3 John, Jude, Revelation
OLD testament
Pentateuch (Five books) or Books of Moses / the Law / Torah
GENESIS: the story begins
Beginnings
EXODUS: out of Egypt
LEVITICUS: Priestly Manual
NUMBERS: counting & leading the people
DEUTERONOMY: the Second Law
Pentateuch (Five books) or Books of Moses / the Law / Torah
GENESIS: the story begins
Beginnings
- Genesis 1:1-3 Creation
- Genesis 3:8-9 The Fall
- Genesis 6:5, 14, 17-19, 9:13-15 The Flood
- Genesis 12:1-3 To be a Blessing
- Genesis 15:1-2, 5-6, 18; 17:17-19 Covenant
- Genesis 22:1-2, 6-8 God Will Provide
- Genesis 28:11-14 Jacob/Israel
- Genesis 37:3-4, 23-24, 28, 34-35; 50:19-20 Joseph
EXODUS: out of Egypt
- Exodus 3:1-2, 5-6, 9-11, 13-14 Moses and the Burning Bush
- Exodus 12:1-3,7,12-14 Passover
- Exodus 15:1-2 Crossing the Red Sea
- Exodus 20:1-3 Ten Commandments
LEVITICUS: Priestly Manual
- Leviticus 1:1-2, 4-5 Atonement
NUMBERS: counting & leading the people
- Numbers 6:23-27 Blessing
DEUTERONOMY: the Second Law
- Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Keep These Words
Historical Books - Israel in the Land of Promise Twelve books
Joshua = courage
Judges = leadership
Ruth = loyalty
1 Kings = The Temple
2 Kings = God sees
1 Chronicles = Worship
2 Chronicles = humility
Nehemiah = return from Exile
Esther = responsibility
Joshua = courage
- Joshua 1:5, 9 Be Strong!
- Joshua 24:15 As for Me
Judges = leadership
- .Judges 5:3 Hear, O Kings
Ruth = loyalty
- Ruth 1:16-17 Where You Go
- 1 Samuel 16:7 God looks on the heart
- 1 Samuel 17:45-48 I Come in the Name of the Lord
- 2 Samuel 7:8-9, 11b-13 Promise of Messiah
- 2 Samuel 22:1-4 David’s Thanksgiving
1 Kings = The Temple
- 1 Kings 8:27, 30 Solomon’s Prayer
2 Kings = God sees
- 2 Kings 19:27 I know your risings
1 Chronicles = Worship
- 1 Chronicles 16:1, 7-10 Declare God’s Praise!
2 Chronicles = humility
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people …
- Ezra 3:10-11 For He is good!
- Ezra 6:15-16,19,21-22 with joy they celebrated
Nehemiah = return from Exile
- Nehemiah 6:9 Strengthen my hands
Esther = responsibility
- Esther 4:14 Such a time as this
Writings or Wisdom Literature – Five books
JOB: Perseverance
JOB: Perseverance
- Job 42:1-6 The Deep Things
- Psalm 4:8 Sleep in Peace
- Psalm 23:1-6 The Lord is my Shepherd
- Psalm 25:4-7 Make me to know
- Psalm 34:4-8 O Taste and See
- Psalm 42:11 Cast Down
- Psalm 46:1-7 God is our refuge
- Psalm 51:2-4, 10 Against you
- Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid
- Psalm 61:1-5, 8 As I make my vows
- Psalm 89:1-2 I will sing
- Psalm 90:4-5, 9-10, 12 A thousand years
- Psalm 103:1-5, 10-12 Bless the Lord
- Psalm 119:11,105; Your Word a Lamp
- Psalm 121:1-2 I Lift up My Eyes
- Psalm 139:7-14 Where can I go?
- Psalm 150:1-6 Praise the Lord!
- Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord
- Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the Ant
- Proverbs 6:20-22 My Child
- Proverbs 15:16-17;16:3;23:4;30:8 Better
- Proverbs 22:6 Train Children
- Proverbs 31:29-30 A Woman who Fears the Lord
- Ecclesiastes 2:11 All Was Vanity
- Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember your Creator
- Song of Solomon 2:10; Arise my love
- Song of Solomon 8:6-7 Set me as a seal
MAJOR – PROPHETS Five books
ISAIAH: Send Me
JEREMIAH: Never too young
LAMENTATIONS: in times of despair
EZEKIEL: the voice from exile
DANIEL: Fierce Faith
ISAIAH: Send Me
- Isaiah 6:1-3, 8 Here Am I, Send Me
- Isaiah 7:14; 9:6 A Child Is Born
- Isaiah 41:8-10 God’s chosen servant
- Isaiah 42:1-4 God’s Spirit put in the servant
- Isaiah 49:1b, 5-6 Called before I was born
- Isaiah 50:4, 7-9a The Lord God Gives Me
- Isaiah 53:3-5 Despised and rejected – For Us
- Isaiah 55:1-2; 10-11 Come!
JEREMIAH: Never too young
- Jeremiah 1:7-8 Only a youth
- Jeremiah 7:4-10 Do not trust in deceptive words
- Jeremiah 31:31-34 A New Covenant
- Jeremiah 33:14-16 The days are surely coming
LAMENTATIONS: in times of despair
- Lamentations 3:22-23 Great is your faithfulness
EZEKIEL: the voice from exile
- Ezekel 18:30-32 Repent
- Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart
- Ezekiel 37:3-6 Valley of dry bones
DANIEL: Fierce Faith
- Daniel 6:16, 26-27 Deliver You
Minor – Prophets Twelve books
HOSEA: CHEATING ON GOD
JOEL: INSECT INVASION
MALACHI: THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
HOSEA: CHEATING ON GOD
- Hosea 6:1-3 Water the earth
JOEL: INSECT INVASION
- Joel 2:1-2 Terrible Day of the Lord
- Joel 3:12-13 Return to the Lord
- Amos 3:8; 8:4, 6-7 God reveals
- Amos 5:24 Let justice roll
- Amos 8:4-10 Hear this!
- Obadiah 1:15 Day of the Lord
- Jonah 2:1-3, 5, 6b, 9b Jonah’s prayer
- Micah 6:8 What does the Lord require?
- Nahum 1:7 Refuge
- Habakkuk 2:20 Keep Silence
- Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the Lord
- Haggai 2:4-5 Do not fear
- Zechariah 1:3 Return to Me
- Zechariah 3:1-4 I have taken away your guilt
MALACHI: THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
- Malachi 3:10; 4:2, 6a Bring the full tithe
- Malachi 4:2, 6a Leaping like Calves
new testament
Gospels: the Good News
Each gospel emphasizes a different view of Jesus and the salvation he brings. The first three gospels are called the “synoptics” which means that they are similar in their stories and their wording.
Matthew – 1st Gospel: BRIDGING OLD TO NEW (Jesus fulfills the Old Testament)
Gospels: the Good News
Each gospel emphasizes a different view of Jesus and the salvation he brings. The first three gospels are called the “synoptics” which means that they are similar in their stories and their wording.
Matthew – 1st Gospel: BRIDGING OLD TO NEW (Jesus fulfills the Old Testament)
- Matthew 3:16-17 Baptism
- Matthew 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer
- Matthew 13:31-32, 44 Parables of Mustard Seed & Treasure
- Matthew 25:34-36, 40 Parable of Sheep & Goats
- Matthew 27:46, 50-51 Crucifixion – Matthew’s emphasis
- Matthew 28:5-9 Resurrection – Matthew’s emphasis
- Matthew 28:19 - 20 The Great Commission
- Mark 1:23, 27 Jesus acts “immediately” and amazes
- Mark 8:31, 34 Meaning of the Cross – deny yourself
- Mark 9:31-35 Meaning of the Cross - be last & servant of all
- Mark 10:32b-33, 42, 45 Meaning of the Cross – be a slave as Jesus
- Mark 12:28-31 The greatest commandment
- Mark 15:34, 37-38 Crucifixion – Mark’s emphasis
- Mark 16:5-8 Resurrection – Mark’s emphasis
- Luke 1:46-49 The Magnificat
- Luke 10:29-30, 33, 36-37 Good Samaritan
- Luke 10:39-42 Mary & Martha
- Luke 15:1-3, 31-32 Prodigal Son
- Luke 22:15, 19-20 Holy Communion
- Luke 23:33-34, 42-43, 46-47 Crucifixion – Luke’s emphasis
- Luke 24:10-11, 13, 30-35 Resurrection – Luke’s emphasis
Gospel of John
John – the 4th Gospel: THE BELOVED DISCIPLE (Jesus is the Word of God)
Acts – History of the Early Church: Dr. LUKE, PART II (the church begin)
Acts tells us the story of the early church and helpful background for the following books.
John – the 4th Gospel: THE BELOVED DISCIPLE (Jesus is the Word of God)
- John 1:1, 14 Jesus is Word and Light
- John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world …
- John 6:53-56 The Bread of Life
- .John 10:14-15 The Good Shepherd
- .John 11:25-26 The Resurrection and the Life
- .John 13:34 A New Commandment
- John 17:20-21 Jesus’ Prayer
- John 19:25-30 Crucifixion
- John 20:14-16 Resurrection – John’s emphasis
- John 21:15-17 Resurrection – Do You Love Me?
Acts – History of the Early Church: Dr. LUKE, PART II (the church begin)
Acts tells us the story of the early church and helpful background for the following books.
- Acts 1:6-8 You will Receive Power
- Acts 6:1-3, 6 Deacons
- Acts 9:4-6 Paul’s conversion
- Acts 10:30-35 Cornelius’ & Peter’s conversions
- Acts 13:1-3 Barnabas & Saul set apart
- Acts 14:23 Appointing Elders
- Acts 15:1-2, 22-23, 28 First Church Assembly
- Acts 16:29-31 What Must I Do to be Saved?
- Acts 17:22-23 What you worship as unknown I proclaim to you
- Acts 20:4 Paul’s Companions
- Acts 26:29 Paul’s Prayer
- Acts 28:25-31 Salvation has been sent to the Gentiles
Letters of Paul
Romans: CENTER OF WORLD POWER
Romans: CENTER OF WORLD POWER
- Romans 3:19, 28 Saved by Faith
- Romans 8:38-39 Nothing Separates Us from God’s Love
- Romans 12:1-2 Living Sacrifice
- Romans 14:7-8 If We Live
- 1 Corinthians 6:19; 15:51-53 Your Body – God’s Temple
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 New Creation
- 2 Corinthians 8:7 Excel in Generosity
- Galatians 3:27-28 As many of you
- Galatians 5:22-23 Fruit of the Spirit
- Ephesians 2:8-9 For by Grace
- Philippians 3:8-9, 13-14 Press on
- Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, Beloved
- Colossians 3:13-17 Bear with one another
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 Rejoice Always
- 2 Thessalonians 2:16 - 3:1 Comfort
- 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Inspired by God
- Titus 3:4-7 He saved us
- .Philemon 1:4 I Always Thank God
Universal letters
HEBREWS: FAITH HISTORY
HEBREWS: FAITH HISTORY
- Hebrews 1:1-5 Long ago
- Hebrews 4:14 - 5:1 High Priest
- Hebrews 12:1-2 Looking to Jesus
- Hebrews 13:6 The Lord is my helper
- James 1:17 Father of Lights
- James 2:14, 17 Faith without Works is Dead
- James 5:14-15 Anointing with Oil
- 1 Peter 2:24 He, Himself
- 2 Peter 1:19 Attentive to this Word
- 1 John 1:8-9 If we confess
- 1 John 3:1, 18 See what love
- 1 John 4:10-11 This is love
- 2 John 1:3 Grace, mercy, peace
- 3 John 1:4 No greater joy
- Jude 1:24 – 25 Now to him
- Revelation 1:5b-7, 10-11 Write what you see
- Revelation 3:20 Standing at the door
- Revelation 7:11-12 Worshipping God (hymn of praise)
- Revelation 11:15 The Final Trumpet (The Messiah)
- Revelation 21:3-5 Trustworthy and True
- Revelation 22:17 Come to the water