OT
The Law + early history:
Gen 1-3 • 12 • 37
Ex 3-4 • 12 • 20
Leviticus 19
Numbers 11
Deut 4 • 6 •
8 • 30
History:
Joshua 1 • 24
Judges 6-7
Ruth 1
1 Sam 3 • 16 • 24
2 Sam 7 • 11-12
1 Kings 8•12• 18f 2 Kings 5 - 6 17 • 25
1 Chron 29
2 Chron 20
Ezra 9
Nehemiah 1-2
Esther 3
Wisdom:
Job 1f • 19 • 42
Psalms 1 • 19 • 23 40 • 51 • 103 • 139 • 145
Prov 3 • 11 • 28
Eccl 3 • 12
Song of Songs 2
Prophecy:
Isaiah 6 • 43 • 53 55 • 58 • 61
Jer 1 • 7 • 17 • 31
Lam 3 • Ezek 2-3 • 34 • 36 • 37
Daniel 1 • 6 • 9
Hos 6 • Joel 3
Am 5 • Ob • Jon 2 Mic 6 • Nahum 1
Hab 1:12 - 2:4
Zeph 1:14 - 2:3
Hagg 1 • Zech 2
Malachi 3
NT
The life and teaching of Jesus:
Luke 2 • John 1 Mark 1 • Luke 6 Mat 6 • John 3 Mat 10 • Luke 12 John 10 • Mat 16 John 14 - 15
Mat 24 • Mark 14 Luke 23 • Mat 28
The first
Christians:
Acts 1 • 2 • 9 •
17 • 26
Paul’s letters:
Rom 1 • 3 • 8 • 12
1 Cor 1 • 13 • 15
2 Cor 1 • 4 • 5
Gal 5 • Eph 2
Phil 3 • Col 1
1 Thess 5
2 Thess 3
1 Tim 1 • 2 Tim 3
Titus 3 • Philemon
Other letters:
Hebrews 11 • 12
James 4
1 Pet 2 • 2 Pet 3
1 John 4 • Jude
Visions of the future:
Revelation 1 • 3
5 • 22

Important chapters
from every book of the Bible

Prophecies about Jesus
Prophecy Fulfilment
Born in Bethlehem Micah 5:1 Matt 2:1-6 • Luke 2:4
Mighty and everlasting Isaiah 9:6-7 Luke 1:31-33
Born of a virgin Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:18-23
From the tribe of Judah Genesis 49:10 Revelation 5:5
Herod’s child murders Jeremiah 31:15 Matthew 2:16-18
Escape to Egypt Hosea 11:1 Matthew 2:15
Cleansing of the temple Psalm 69:9 John 2:13-17
Entry into Jerusalem Zechariah 9:9 Matthew 21:1-11
Thirty silver coins Zechariah 11:12-13 Matt 26:15 • 27:3-10
Silent before accusers Isaiah 53:7 Mat 26:62f • 27:12-14
Praying for enemies Isaiah 53:12 Luke 23:34
Casting lots for clothing Psalm 22:18 Matthew 27:35
In a rich man’s tomb Isaiah 53:9 Matthew 27:57-60
Suffered and died Isaiah 53:4-12 Matt 8:17 • Rom 4:25
for our sins 1 Cor 15:3 • 2 Cor 5:21
1 Pet 2:22-24 and 3:18
Other prophecies (see cross-references in the Bible for each verse): Deuteronomy 18:15,18 • Isaiah 11:1-5 • 42:1-4 • 50:6 • 61:1f Jeremiah 23:5f • Zechariah 12:10 • Daniel 7:13f

On dark days
Nobody cares Ps 142
How long, O Lord? Ps 13
Hear my cry, O Lord! Ps 102
Sometimes I’d like to die ... Job 3
... but there is hope Lam 3:21-26
You know me, Lord Ps 139
Where is help available? Ps 121
Losing heart? 2 Cor 4:7 - 5:10
Strength of the weak Isa 40:25-31
Against all odds Rom 8:31-39

God’s Word
Living and sharp Hebr 4:12-13
Inspiration & purpose 2 Tim 3:14-17
Eye witnesses Luk 1:1ff • 1 Jn 1:1-4
The Word is truth John 17:17-19
Do what it says! James 1:22-25
Gives joy to the heart Psa 19:7-11
The Spirit’s role 1 Cor 2:9-14
Invented stories? 2 Pet 1:16-21
The Word became flesh Jn 1:1-5,14
Jesus and Scripture John 5:39-47 Passion for the Word Psalm 119

Share the gospel
Read the Bible verses and
questions together with a friend who hasn’t yet understood the gospel and received Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Talk together about the answers.
Rom 3:23 Who has sinned?
Isaiah 59:2 What has sin done in your life?
Hebr 9:27 What will happen when you die?
Eph 2:8-9 What will not help you to be saved?
Rom 5:8 What has Christ done for us?
John 1:12 What must we do to become part of God’s family?
Rev 3:20 Where is Jesus now?
What is he doing?
What must you do? Will you do it?
John 5:24 What happens when you hear and believe?

Good reasons
for sharing the gospel
with others
1. God commands it:
Mat 28:18-20 — Acts 1:8
2. Jesus is the only way to God: John 14:6 — Acts 4:12
3. Hell / perdition is a reality:
Mat 7:13f — 2 Thess 1:8-9
4. People’s deepest need is to be reconciled to God:
2 Cor 5:18-20 — Col 1,21f
5. We cannot keep silent about what we have experienced: Acts 4:20 — 2 Cor 5:14-15
6. God rejoices and is
honoured when someone is saved: Luke 15:7,10,21ff
7. Jesus is coming soon:
James 5:8 — Rev 22:7,20

God’s most exciting project:
The gospel to all nations
Mat 24:14 • 28:18ff • Mark 16:15 Luk 24:46f • Rom 10:12-15
Acts 1:8 • 13:47 • 26:16-18
Psalms 67 • 96 • Rom 15:8-13 Rev 7:9-10 • 1 Chron 16:23-31

‘. . . with all
l Love.... Mat 22:37 • Deut 6:5
l Seek.... Jer 29:13 • Ps 119:2
l Serve... Rom 1:9 • Joshua 22:5
l Praise... Psalm 9:1 • 86:12
l Obey.... Psalm 119:34
your heart ’
l Trust....... Proverbs 3:5
l Rejoice... Zephaniah 3:14
l Return.... Joel 2:12 • Jer 24:7
l Call on God... Psalm 119:145
l Be true to the Lord... Acts 11:23

Money
New perspective 1 Tim 6:6-10,17ff
Whom do I serve? Mat 6:19-24
Joy of giving 2 Cor 9:6-9
Neither ... nor ... Prov 30:8-9
Do not forget! Deut 8:11-20
Equality 2 Cor 8:13-15
Never enough? Eccl 5:9,14
Content & confident Hebr 13:5-6
‘I am rich’ Rev 3:17-20
Wise stewardship Luke 16:9-13
Sex & Greed Eph 5:5-6
Honour the Lord Prov 3:9-10
Being a fool Luke 12:13-21
Tithing Malachi 3:8-10 Luke 11:42

Sexuality
Created for each other Mat 19:4-6
The Bible's love poem Song of Songs
Driven by lust ... 2 Sam 11-12
... or by love 1 Cor 13:4-7
Do not be fooled! Prov 5 and 7
An example to follow Gen 39
Sexual immorality (Fornication):
The Greek word is ‘porneia’. It means "sexual relations before and outside marriage". The New Testament warns against sexual immorality more than 30 times. Here are some of the verses:
1 Thess 4:3-8 • 1 Cor 6:15-20 & 7:8f
Hebr 13:4 • Col 3:5f • Mat 15:19
Homosexuality: Lev 18:22
1 Cor 6:9-11 • Rom 1:26-27
(See also Mat 19:4-6 & 19:10-12)
= «Alle seksuelle forhold før og utenfor ekteskapet» (fotnote til Matt 5:27 i Bibelselskapets bibelutgave). Ordet er brukt ca 50 ganger i NT.
Homoseksualitet Rom 1:18-27
1 Kor 6:9-11 • 3 Mos 18:22

T i m e
L i n e
Adam and Eve
Noah
Tower of Babel
.......................................
c.2000—- Abraham, Isaac
B.C. and Jacob
c.1850—- Joseph
- Slaves in Egypt
c.1520—- Moses is born
c.1440—- Exodus from Egypt
- Joshua
- Samuel
1000 —- David king
- Solomon
930 —- Divided kingdom:
B.C. •Israel in North, •Judah in South
- First prophets 722 —- Fall of Israel
587 —- Fall of Judah, the
B.C. people deported to Babylon
538 —- Back from exile in Babylon
520- —- The temple and 445 Jerusalem’s B.C. walls are rebuilt
c. 5 —- Jesus is born
B.C.
30 —- Jesus’ death and A.D. resurrection
c. 68 —- Paul’s death
70 —- Jerusalem is
destroyed by
the Romans

Pray Bible texts
Choose 3-4 verses and take one phrase at a time: Praise God, confess sins, give thanks, pray for yourself
and others on the basis of words
and expressions in the verses.

Where do I find ...?
The Ten Commandments Exod 20:1-17
The Priestly Blessing Num 6:24-26
‘The Lord is my shepherd’ Psalm 23
The Psalm of repentance Psalm 51
The Suffering Servant Isaiah 53
The Sermon on the Mount Mat 5 - 7
The Beatitudes Mat 5:1-12
Our Lord’s Prayer Mat 6:9-13
The Golden Rule Mat 7:12
The Great Commission Mat 28:18-20
The Greatest Commandment Mark 12:29-31
The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37
The Lost (Prodigal) Son Luke 15:11-32
The Bible in a nutshell John 3:16
Jesus is the Good Shepherd John 10:1-16
Spiritual Gifts 1 Cor 12 - 14
The Song of Love 1 Cor 13
The Resurrection Chapter 1 Cor 15
The Fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22-23
The full armour of God Eph 6:10-18
Heroes of Faith Hebr 11
A new heaven and a new earth Rev 21:1-8

- tired? Mat 11:28-30 Psalm 23:1-3 • Isa 40:28ff
- afraid? Isa 41:10,13 • Ps 56:3-4 118:5-9 • Jn 14:1,27 • 16:33
- tempted to gossip? Mat 7:12
James 3:2-12 • 2 Cor 12:20
- rejected because of my faith?
Mat 5:10-12 • Jes 51:7f • 1 Pet
4:12f • 2 Tim 3:12 • Acts 5:41
- worried? Phil 4:6f • 1 Pet 5:7
Luke 12:22-31 • Isa 43:1-5.10-13
- lonely? Psa 25:16 • 27:7-10 Isa 41:10 • 49:15f • Deut 31:8
- tempted? 1 Cor 10:13 • Heb 2:18 James 1:12-16 • Mark 14:38
- making important choices?
Mat 6:33 • Joshua 24:14-15
Psa 37:5 • Jer 17:7-10
- weak? 1 Cor 1:26-31
2 Cor 12:9f • Psa 138:3-8
- in need of wisdom? James 1:5f Prov 2:1-8 • 9:10 • Eph 1:17f
- discouraged? Lam 3:19-26
Jn 14:27 • Psa 34:19 • Rom 8:31ff
Eph 3:16-21 • 2 Thess 2:16f
- lacking assurance of
salvation? Jn 5:24 • 6:47
1 Jn 5:11-13 • Rom 10:9-10
- happy? Psalms 33 • 145 • 150
- afraid of death? Psa 23:4
John 11:25f • 14:1ff
Rom 8:35-39 • 14:8
- needing forgiveness? 1 Jn 1:9 Isa 1:18 • Psa 32 • 51 • 130
- bored? Prov 11:25 • Eccl 3:1-8
Mat 7:12 • Rom 12:2
- feeling let down? Isa 49:14-16
Psa 27:7-14 • 118:5-8 • 9:10
- in need of peace? Phil 4:6f
Jn 14:27 • 16:33 • Psa 85:8
Lam 3:21-26 • Num 6:24ff
- feeling God is distant?
Deut 4:7 • Isa 57:15 James 4:8 • Lam 3:57
Psa 145:18 • 139:1-18
- doubting? Jn 20:24-29 • Mark 9:23f • Mat 11:2-6 • 2 Cor 4:18 & 5:7 • Isa 45:9-12 • Deut 29:29
- in danger? Psa 91 • 118:5-9 18:2f • 121:5-8 • Rom 8:35-39
- envious? Psa 37:1-7 • Prov 14:30 • Gal 5:25f • 1 Pet 2:1-3
James 3:13-18 • Mark 7:21f
- sick and powerless? Psa 6
13 • 42 • 86 • 2 Cor 12:9f
- uncertain about God’s will?
Micah 6:8 • Psa 25:4-14
Prov 3:5-12 • Jer 29:11-13

What can I read when I am . . .

Occultism
and New Age
Occult rituals Deut 18:10-14
Astrology Deut 4:19-20
Horoscopes Isaiah 47:10-15
‘Table of demons’ 1 Cor 10:21-22
Counterfeit miracles 2 Thes 2:9-12
Burn them! Acts 19:18-20
Spiritual warfare Eph 6:10-18
Test the spirits 1 John 4:1-6
Consult the Word! Isaiah 8:19ff
Power of Jesus Luke 10:17-22
Fullness in Christ Col 2:8-10
Other gods? Is 43:10-13 • 44:6-8

By trusting in Jesus I am ...
A child of God 1 Jn 3:1f
Saved by grace Eph 2:8-9
Secure in his love Rom 8:35ff
Justified Rom 5:9
Forgiven Eph 1:7
Citizen of heaven Phil 3:20
Branch of his vine John 15:5
Temple of God 1 Cor 3:16
God’s heir Rom 8:17
God’s property Rom 14:8
A new creation 2 Cor 5:17
Salt and light Mat 5:13f
Having life 1 Jn 5:12f
At peace with God Rom 5:1
Truly free Jn 8:31f,36
Precious for God Isa 43:4
His witness Acts 1:8

Matthew
5:13-16 Salt and light
7:24-27 Two house builders
13:1-9,18-23 Sower and soils
13:24-30,36-43 Weeds
13:31-32 Mustard seed
13:33-35 Yeast
13:44-46 Treasure and Pearl
13:47-50 Net
18:23-35 Unmerciful servant
20:1-16 Workers in vineyard
21:28-32 Two sons
21:33-44 Tenants
22:1-14 Wedding banquet
25:1-13 Ten virgins
25:14-30 Talents
25:31-46 Sheep and goats
(Last judgment)
Luke
7:41-43 Money-lender
10:25-37 Good Samaritan
12:16-21 Rich fool
14:15-24 Great banquet
14:28-33 Cost of discipleship
15:1-7 Lost sheep
15:8-10 Lost coin
15:11-32 Lost (prodigal) son
16:1-13 Shrewd manager
16:19-31 Rich man and Lazarus
18:1-8 Persistent widow
18:9-14 Pharisee and tax
collector
John
10:1-16 Good shepherd
15:1-8 Vine and branches

Well-known
Parables of Jesus

Bible meditation
Try this simple and effective method: Choose a Bible verse, emphasise one word
at a time, and reflect on the meanings that you discover. Example:
Seek first his kingdom .....
Seek first his kingdom .....
Seek first his kingdom .....
Seek first his kingdom .....
..... etc

Explanation
of abbreviations in this leaflet
7:3f = v. 3 + following verse
7:3ff = v. 3 + several verses
19A = first half of chapter 19
19B = second half of chapter 19
Psa (or Ps) = Psalms
Isa (or Is) = Isaiah
Lam = Lamentations Mat = Matthew Jn = John

Bible statistics § Longest chapter: Psalm 119
§ 66 books: 39 in the OT and 27 in the NT § Shortest chapter: Psalm 117
§ 1189 chapters § 31,173 verses § Shortest verses: John 11:35
§ Chapter in the middle of the Bible: Psalm 117 1 Thess 5:17

This leaflet has no copyright. The entire leaflet, or parts of it, may be copied and translated without permission. Make copies and give them to others!
It is produced by Oivind Benestad, obenestad@gmail.com

A help to discover
the treasures in
God’s Word

The Word of God was not given
to us to increase our knowledge,
but to transform our lives.

You can keep the leaflet permanently in your Bible
by sticking this page to the inside of the cover.

The Psalms
Psalms of praise: Psalm 29 l 33 l 65 l 66 l 89A l 95A 100 l 103 l 111 l 113 l 117
135 l 136 l 144 - 150
Psalms of creation: Psalm 8 l 19A l 104 l 139 l 148 Psalms of trust: Psalm 5 l 16 l 17 l 23 l 25 l 26 l 27
40 l 41 l 62 l 63 l 67 l 71 l 75
85 l 91 l 108 l 118 l 121
Psalms of thanksgiving
Collective: Psalm 68 l 107 l 124 l 126
Individual: Psalm 9 l 18 l 30 l 31B
34A l 92 l 116 l 138
Psalms of distress and prayer for deliverance
Collective: Psalm 44 l 60 l 74 l 79 l 80 l 83 l 89B
Individual: Psalm 3 - 4 l 7 l 10 - 14 l 22 l 28 l 31A 35 l 36 l 39B l 42 l 43 l 54 l 55 l 56
57 l 59 l 61 l 64 l 69 l 70 l 77 l 88
86 l 94 l 102 l 109 l 140 l 141 l 142
Psalms of repentance: Psalm 6 l 32 l 38 l 51 l 130 l 143
Psalms of wisdom Psalm 1 l 19B l 34B l 37 l 39A l 49 and teaching: 50 l 52 l 53 l 58 l 73 l 81 l 82 l 90 101 l 112 l 115 l 119 l 127 l 133 l 139
Proclaiming God as king: Psalm 47 l 93 l 96 l 97 l 98 l 99
Royal psalms: Psalm 2 l 18 l 20 l 21 l 45 l 72 l 110 l 132
Historical psalms: Psalm 78 l 105 l 106 l 114 l 137
Psalms of Zion (Jerusalem): Psalm 46 l 48 l 76 l 84 l 87 l 122
Psalms used in pilgrimages to Jerusalem: Ps 15 l 24 l 120-134
2 l 20 l 21 l 45 l 72 l 110 l 132
Jahve-kongePsalmr: Psalm 47 l 93 l 96-99

Who is Jesus?
Lamb of God John 1:29 Alpha and Omega Rev 22:13
Prince of Peace Isa 9:6 The Life John 14:6
Author of Life Acts 3:15 Light of the World John 8:12
The Way John 14:6 Bread of Life John 6:35
The Image of God 2 Cor 4:4 The Truth John 14:6
The Word John 1:1,14 Word of Life 1 John 1:1
Rock 1 Cor 10:4 Lion of Judah Rev 5:5
Lord of Glory 1 Cor 2:8 The Living One Rev 1:18
Mighty God Isa 9:6 Mediator 1 Tim 2:5
The Holy One Acts 3:14 True God 1 John 5:20
The Righteous One Acts 3:14 King of Israel John 1:49
Deliverer Rom 11:26 Lord and Saviour 2 Pet 2:20
Son of the Most High Luke 1:32 The Cornerstone Eph 2:20
Our Life Col 3:4 Wonderful Counsellor Isa 9:6
Redeemer Job 19:25 Author and Heb 12:2
The Good Shepherd John 10:11 Perfecter of our faith

What happened on the cross?
The Bible uses different words and illustrations to explain what
happened at Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Here are some of the most important:
a) Sacrifice — an illustration from the Temple:
Jesus was sacrificed for us as the Lamb of God
1 Cor 5:7 w Eph 5:2 w Heb 9:27f w Rev 5:12f w John 1:29
b) Reconciliation — an illustration from friendship / relationships:
The friendship with God is restored and the enmity is removed
Rom 5:10 w 2 Cor 5:18-20 w Col 1:21-22
c) Redemption (=Liberation) — an illustration from slave markets:
Jesus bought us (freed us) from slavery to sin and the Devil
1 Cor 6:20 w Eph 1:7 w 1 Pet 1:18f w Rev 5:9 w Mark 10:45
d) Justification — an illustration from the law court:
We are declared innocent because Jesus took the penalty for us Rom 3:24 & 5:1,9 w Gal 2:16 w 1 Cor 6:11 w Isaiah 53:11
e) Adoption — an illustration from family life:
God receives us as his children because of Jesus
Rom 8:15-17 w Gal 4:4-7 w Eph 1:5

What is God like?
He is ...
Creator Gen 1 • Psa 33 • Col 1:15-17
The only God Is 43:10-13 • Is 44:6-8 • 1 Cor 8:4-6 • Jude 1:25
Faithful Ex 34:6 • Deut 7:9 & 32:4 • 2 Thes 3:3 • 2 Tim 2:11ff
Full of love Psa 86:5,15 • 103 • Mic 7:18f • 1 John 4:7-21
Our Father Mat 6:6 • Mat 7:11 • Gal 4:6f • Isa 63:16
Holy Psa 99 • Is 6:1-5 • 1 Pet 1:15f • Rev 15:3f
Eternal Deut 33:27 • Ps 90 • Jer 10:10 • 1 Tim 1:17• 2 Pet 3:8
Righteous Psa 9:8 • 11:7 • 33:4f • John 17:25 • 2 Tim 4:8
Almighty 1 Chron 29:10-13 • Jer 32:17 • Mat 28:18 • Rev 1:8
Visible in Jesus John 14:8-11 • Col 1:15-20 • Heb 1:1-3 • Isa 9:2-6
Full of care Psa 23 • Mat 6:25-34 • 10:28-31 • 1 Pet 5,7
Judge of all Isa 33:22 • Mat 25:31-46 • Acts 17:31 • James 4:12
Friend of sinners Luke 15:10,21-24 • 19:10 • Mat 9:9-13 • 1 Tim 1:15
Beyond comparison Psa 139:1-18 • Is 55:8-11 • Rom 11:33-36
Triune Mat 3:16-17 • 28:19 • Jn 10:30 • Rom 8:9 •
1 Cor 12:4-6 • 2 Cor 13:14 • 1 Pet 1:2 • Gen 1:26
— Unchangeable Hebr 1:10-12 — God of all comfort 2 Cor 1:3-5 — Full of grace Eph 2:4-10 — Immortal and invisible 1 Tim 6:15f
— Near the lowly Isa 57:15 — God of history Dan 2:20-22 — Performs miracles Psa 77:14 — Forgives Micah 7:18f
— Lord of peace 2 Thess 3:16 — Hates evil Isa 61:8
— A consuming fire Hebr 12:28f — Receives our complaints Psa 13
This overview shows only a very small part
of what the Bible reveals about God.

Great verses to memorize
The gospel
Rom 3:23 All have sinned Rom 6:23 Penalty for sin
1 Pet 3:18 Once for all
Eph 2:8-9 Saved by grace
Rev 3:20 Receive Jesus
John 5:24 Assurance
Life with Jesus
2 Cor 5:17 New life
Gal 2:20 Christ in me
John 14:21 Obedience
Heb 4:12 The Word
Phil 4:6f Prayer
Heb 10:24f Fellowship
1 Pet 3:15 Prepared
God’s gifts
1 Cor 2:12 God’s Spirit
Isa 41:10 God’s power
John 14:27 God’s peace
1 Pet 5:7 God’s care
Lam 3:22f His faithfulness
1 Cor 10:13 A way out
Discipleship
Mat 6:33 New priorities
Rom 12:2 Counter-culture
1 Cor 10:31 For God's glory
2 Cor 9:6-7 Cheerful giving
Micah 6:8 Requirements Mat 20:26-28 Servant heart

Promises
for life and death
Deut 31:8 • 2 Chron 7:14
Ps 9:10 • 16:11 • 34:18 • 55:22 103:11ff • 121 • 145:18
Isa 41:10 • 45:3 • 49:15 • 57:15
Jer 17:7f • 29:11-13
Lam 3:21-26 • Ezek 34:15-16 36:26f • Zeph 3:17 • Mat 7:7f 10:28-31 • 11:28-30 • 18:19-20
Mark 10:29-30 • Luke 1:37
John 5:24 • 6:35,40 • 8:12,31f 10:27-28 • 11:25-26 • 14:27
Rom 8:15-17• 8:28,35-39 • 14:8
1 Cor 10:13 • 2 Cor 9:8
Heb 7:25 • 13:5 • Rev 21:1-6

Selected Prayers
in the Bible
Deut 9:25-29 — 2 Sam 7:18-29 1 Chron 29:10-19 — Ezra 9:5-15
Nehemiah 1:5-11 — Isaiah 64:1-11
Jeremiah 20:7-13 — Daniel 9:4-19
Jonah 2:2-10
Acts 4:24-30 — 1 Thess 3:10-13
Eph 1:15-23 and 3:14-21 — John 17
The book of Psalms in the Old
Testament is the prayer book of the Bible. See the overview on this page.

Suggestions for your
Daily
Quiet Time
1 Start with a short prayer.
2 Read a passage from the Bible.
(Half a chapter is often suitable.
Read it slowly a couple of times.)
3 You may use one of these two
methods for studying the passage: A) The 4P Method
l What is the main point ?
l Are there any parallel texts about the same themes? (Use cross-references in the Bible.)
l What is the message to me
personally? What does God want to tell me?
l What are the practical
implications of these verses for my life as a Christian?
B) 5 Facts & Observations
Read the text carefully and try to find 5 significant facts / truths /
observations. Write them down. Decide which is the most impor- tant verse or expression in the passage. Reflect on the following question: What is the significance of these verses for my life today?
4 Prayer
a) Adoration and praise
b) Confession of sins
c) Thanksgiving
d) Prayer: •for myself •for others

Overview of the Old Testament

Genesis
1-2 Creation
3-4 Fall
6-9 Noah
11 Tower of Babel
12-25 Abraham (c. 2000 B.C.)
21-27 Isaac
25-36 Jacob
37-50 Joseph (c. 1850 B.C.)
Exodus
1 Oppression in Egypt
2-6 Birth and call of Moses
7-11 The 10 plagues in Egypt
12-13 Exodus from Egypt
(c. 1400 B.C.)
14-19 Journey to Mount Sinai
20 The 10 Commandments
21-31 Laws and regulations
32 The Golden Calf
33-34 Renewal of the covenant
35-40 The Tabernacle
Leviticus
1-7 Laws regarding offerings
8-9 Ordination of Aaron
11-15 Laws of purity
16 The Day of Atonement
17-27 Laws and regulations
Numbers
1-10 Census of the people, the Levites, various laws
11-21 Leaving Sinai, journey in the desert, disobedience, various laws
22-24 Balaam
25-36 Journey to the area east of Jordan. Various laws
Deuteronomy
The farewell discourse of Moses, repeating the most important events from the 40 desert years.
1-4 Historical review and
exhortations
5-11 Reminder about the covenant with the Lord
12-26 Various laws, warnings against leaving the Lord
27-30 Curses and blessings
31-34 Moses’ final farewell
Joshua
1-5 Preparations for the
conquest of Canaan
6-12 Conquest of Canaan
6: The fall of Jericho
13-22 Distribution of the land
among Israel’s tribes
23-24 Joshua’s farewell
Judges
1 The conquest of Canaan
2-16 The 12 Judges
6-9: Gideon
13-16: Samson
17-21 Religious and moral
disorder
Ruth
The story of Ruth, David’s great-grandmother. Around 1100 B.C.
1 Samuel
1-8 Samuel as Judge
9-15 Saul, Israel’s first king
16 David anointed to be king
17 David and Goliath
18-30 Saul persecutes David
28 & 31 Saul’s defeat and death
2 Samuel
1-24 David as king over Israel (from around 1000 B.C.)
7: God’s covenant with David
11-12: David and Bathsheba
13-19: Absalom’s rebellion
22: David’s song of praise
1 Kings
1-2 The death of David
3-11 Solomon as king
12-16 The kingdom is divided into two separate parts:
— Israel in the north, — Judah in the south
17-22 The prophet Elijah
18: Elijah on Mount Carmel
2 Kings
1-2 Elijah’s last days
3-8 The prophet Elisha
5: Naaman
9-16 Short accounts of
the kings of
- Judah in the south and - Israel in the north
17 Israel’s fall. Deportation of the people to Assyria (722 B.C.)
18-23 The kings of Judah from
722 B.C. to 587 B.C.
23: King Josiah renews the covenant
24-25 The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar conquers Jerusalem. The people are deported to Babylon in 587 B.C.
1 Chronicles
The two books of Chronicles tell a very condensed version of the biblical story, concentrating on the reigns of David and Solomon. 1-10 Genealogies
11-21 The reign of David
22-29 The Temple
2 Chronicles
1-9 The reign of Solomon,
the building of the Temple
10-36 History of the kings of
Judah in the south
The EXILE in BABYLON
587 - 538 B.C.
Ezra
1 The Persian king Cyrus lets the Jews return home from exile in Babylon
2-6 Rebuilding of the Temple
(around 520 B.C.)
7-10 Ezra and his work
in Jerusalem
Nehemiah
1-7 The walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt (around 450 B.C.)
8-13 Renewal of the people’s religious life
Esther
1-2 The Persian queen is
deposed. Esther is made queen in her place
3-8 Plot to destroy the Jews. Esther intervenes.
9-10 Triumph of the Jews
Job
1-2 Prologue: Job and Satan
3-37 Dialogues between Job and his ‘friends’
38-41 The Lord speaks to Job
42 Job’s confession and restoration
Psalms
The Psalms were the Israelites’ book of prayers and hymns.
According to information in the Psalms, 73 of them were written by David, 12 by Asaph, 12 by the Sons of Korah, 2 by Solomon,
1 by Moses, 1 by Heman and 1 by Ethan. 48 lack indication of
author. See the detailed overview of the Psalms below.
Proverbs
A collection of wise sayings, rules for living and exhortations, written by Solomon and other wise men – e.g. Agur 30:1 and Lemuel 31:1.
Ecclesiastes
1 Introduction to the theme:
'Everything is meaningless'
2-12 The theme is expounded
3: ‘A time for everything’
Ch 12:13-14 Conclusion
Song of Songs
Poem about the love between a man and a woman. In addition to being a love poem, many interpret the message of the book as a
poetic illustration of the relationship between the heavenly bridegroom (Christ) and his church.
Isaiah (c. 740-680 B.C.)
Ch 1 - 39: The Book of Judgment
1-12 Messages of rebuke and promise for God’s people
6: Isaiah’s calling
13-23 Judgment against the
nations
24-39 Messages of judgment and promise
Ch 40-66: The Book of Comfort
Deliverance and Restoration.
The 4 songs about the Lord’s suffering servant: 42:1-6 • 49:1-6 • 50:4-9 • 52:13-53:12
Jeremiah (c. 627-587 B.C.)
1 The calling of Jeremiah
2-25 Warnings to Judah and Jerusalem
26-29 + 36-45 Sufferings of Jeremiah
30-33 Promises of restoration
46-51 Judgment against the
nations
52 Fall of Jerusalem
Lamentations
Written around 587 B.C. when Jerusalem was destroyed and
the people deported to Babylon.
Ezekiel (Ministered as a prophet 593-571 BC)
1-3 The calling of Ezekiel
4-24 Warnings and judgment
against Judah
25-32 Judgment against other nations
33-39 Consolation for Israel
34: Sheep and shepherds
40-48 Visions of the new
Temple and the new land
Daniel (c. 605-530 B.C.)
1-6 The story of Daniel
6: Daniel in the lions’ den
7-12 Daniel’s visions
12 ‘minor’ prophets
Hosea c. 750 B.C.
Joel c. 800 B.C.?
Amos c. 750 B.C.
Obadiah c. 600 B.C.?
Jonah c. 730 B.C.?
Micah c. 730 B.C.
Nahum c. 620 B.C.
Habakkuk c. 600 B.C.
Zephaniah c. 625 B.C.
Haggai c. 520 B.C.
Zechariah c. 520 B.C.
Malachi c. 440 B.C.

Read the OT
If you are unfamiliar with the OT, it might be a good idea to start your reading with these books:
Genesis ® Exodus ® 1 & 2 Samuel Psalms ® Proverbs ® Isaiah 40-66