Have you ever witnessed someone struggling to find a book in the Bible, or even worse, searching for it in the wrong testament? This issue is more common than you might think. In this chapter, I will help you navigate the Bible effectively by breaking it down into manageable segments, making it easier for you to identify specific books.
Understanding the Bible’s Structure
First, you must understand that the Bible comprises sixty-six books: thirty-nine in the Old Testament and twenty-seven in the New Testament.
Old Testament Division
The Old Testament can be divided into four main categories:
-
Pentateuch/Torah/Law:
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
-
Historical:
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- 1 Samuel
- 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings
- 2 Kings
- 1 Chronicles
- 2 Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Esther
-
Poetic/Wisdom:
- Job
- Psalms
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Solomon
-
Prophetical:
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
Memorize the First Five
Start by memorizing the first five books, collectively known as the Pentateuch. These were written by Moses and include Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
The Historical Books
Following the Pentateuch, you’ll encounter the Historical books. Joshua is the first of these, and it’s crucial to remember that it immediately follows the Law. You can use the abbreviation “JJR-SKC-ENEJ” to remember them:
- JJR: Joshua, Judges, Ruth
- SKC: 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings
- ENEJ: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job
Poetic/Wisdom and Prophetic Books
The Poetic books contain the heartfelt songs and poetry of David and others, while the Wisdom books focus on the wisdom of King Solomon. The Prophetic books foretell events related to Jesus.
New Testament Division
The New Testament is also divided into four categories:
-
The Gospels:
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
-
Historical:
- Acts of Apostles
-
Epistles or Letters:
- Romans
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Galatians
- Ephesians
- Philippians
- Colossians
- 1 Thessalonians
- 2 Thessalonians
- 1 Timothy
- 2 Timothy
- Titus
- Philemon
- Hebrews
- James
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter
- 1 John
- 2 John
- 3 John
- Jude
-
Apocalypse:
- Revelation
Conclusion
This breakdown of the Bible’s structure should help you easily locate any book mentioned in any congregation. Knowing these divisions and the order of books within them will enhance your understanding and navigation of the Bible.
