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Dr. Mike Jones

STUDYING FROM A BASIC OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLE

The zeal that we bring to Christianity, leads to, at some point, desiring to read through the entire Bible. And, as we attempt to keep that resolution, we soon discover that 66 books containing words, places, people and things, that we are unfamiliar with, soon start weighing on us, in terms of trying to remember important facts, from the 39 books that constitute the Old Testament and the 27 books that are the New Testament. Even Christians with the best of intentions, find the task daunting.

Like many Bible scholars, I want to suggest that you start 2020 with an overview of the Bible. We want to first understand the basic framework of the structure of the Bible. And once you understand the basic framework, you are much better equipped to read the Bible, and not get bogged down, with the more difficult sections. Below is a perfected pattern that I learned from my Reformed Theology mentor Dr. Robert Charles Sproul [Ligonier Ministries/Table Talk], that I recommend for those of you, that have inquired about an overall systematic study of the entire Bible, as well as, ‘ALL’ serious students of sacred Scripture.

The Old Testament overview:

  • Genesis (History of Creation, fall, and God’s covenants)
  • Exodus (Israel’s history as a Nation)
  • Joshua (Promised Land’s conquests)
  • Judges (Israel’s transition to a monarchy)
  • 1 Samuel (Israel’s rule under Saul and David)
  • 2 Samuel (David’s reign)
  • 1 Kings (Solomon’s reign)
  • 2 Kings (Israel’s fall)
  • Ezra (The return from exile)
  • Nehemiah (Jerusalem’s restoration)
  • Amos and Hosea (Minor prophets)
  • Jeremiah (Major prophet)
  • Ecclesiastes (Wisdom Literature)
  • Psalms and Proverbs (Hebrew poetry)

The New Testament overview:

  • The Gospel of Luke (Jesus’ life)
  • Acts (Early church)
  • Ephesians (Introduction to Paul’s teachings)
  • 1 Corinthians (Church life)
  • 1 Peter (Introduction to Peter)
  • 1 Timothy (Introduction to the Pastoral Epistles)
  • Hebrews (Christology)
  • Romans (Paul’s theology)

The Ligonier Ministry Team have compiled a thorough list of various Bible reading plans for your convenience; they will assist YOU in developing a regular Bible study habit!

Click below:

https://www.ligonier.org/blog/bible-reading-plans/