Table of Contents
Introduction 5
The Old Testament
Genesis: Beginnings: The World, Humankind, and the People of God 11
Exodus: God's People Escape Egypt, Head for Home 15
Leviticus: Wilderness Wanderings: Laws and Regulations 20
Numbers: Forty Years of Wilderness Travels 24
Deuteronomy: The Law Revisited and Explained 28
Joshua: New Leader; New Land of Promise 33
Judges: A New Era under the Judges 38
Ruth: Faithful Ruth Joins the Lineage of Jesus 43
1 Samuel: Israel Asks for a King 46
2 Samuel: The Story of King David 50
1 Kings: Solomon Reigns in Israel 54
2 Kings: Two Kingdoms: Divided and Conquered 59
1 Chronicles: David's Reign Revisited 65
2 Chronicles: From the Heights of Solomon's Reign to the Fall of Jerusalem 69
Ezra: The Exiles Return, Rebuild, and Reestablish Worship 73
Nehemiah: A Cupbearer Returns to Rebuild the Wall 77
Esther: A Surprise Jewish Queen Saves Her People 81
Job: A Godly Mans Suffering 85
Psalms: The Songbook of the Bible 89
Proverbs: Selected Sayings of the Wise 93
Ecclesiastes: The Meaning of Life with and without God 97
Song of Songs: The Delights of Love 100
Isaiah: The Prophet of the Messiah 104
Jeremiah: The Heroic Prophet 109
Lamentations: Sorrow over Jerusalem's Downfall 114
Ezekiel: The Coming and Going of God's Presence 117
Daniel: Beyond the Lions' Den 122
Hosea: A Shocking Story 126
Joel: Watch Out for Locusts! 130
Amos: An Intense Warning for Israel 133
Obadiah: Judgment on Edom 137
Jonah: Proclaiming Salvation Reluctantly 140
Micah: Judgment Now; Hope for the Future 144
Nahum: Bad News for Nineveh 148
Habakkuk: The Just Shall Live by Faith 150
Zephaniah: The Corning Day of the Lord 154
Haggai: It's Time to Rebuild the Temple 157
Zechariah: A Look Ahead 160
Malachi: Ready for a Transition 163
The New Testament
Matthew: The Gospel of the Messiah 171
Mark: The Gospel of Hope 176
Luke: The Gospel of Certainty 181
John: The Gospel of Jesus' Deity 187
Acts: The New Church in Action 192
Romans: Doctrine and Practice of the Christian Faith 197
1 Corinthians: Trouble in the Church 201
2 Corinthians: Things Get Personal for Paul 205
Galatians: Paul's Handwritten Note 210
Ephesians: An Encouraging Mote from a Friend in Jail 214
Philippians: The Joy of Shared Service 218
Colossians: Addressing Major Error 222
1 Thessalonians: Encouragement and Instruction 226
2 Thessalonians: Correction and Assurance 231
1 Timothy: Guidance for a Young Pastor 234
2 Timothy: A Farewell Letter from Prison 238
Titus: Ministry to a Greek Island 242
Philemon: Uncommon Love and Concern 245
Hebrews: The Promise of a Better Hope 248
James: How Faith and Works Work 251
1 Peter: An Encouraging Word 255
2 Peter: A Warning and e Promise 258
1 John: Reality Check 261
2 John: To the Chosen Lady 265
3 John: Personal Note to a Faithful Man 267
Jude: Addressing Church Trouble 269
Revelation: The Revelation of Jesus Christ 272
Sources 279
Notes 280
