The Bible Library - New testament - Gospel books
The book written to jews and declared Jesus is the Messiah
The book written to the whole world shown Jesus as the saviour of the world
The book written to Romans and picturing Jesus as the servant of God
Central theme: The life of Jesus Christ
The audience: The Jews
Tagline: 'CHRIST The ROCK rocks the world'
The characters
Jesus, the jews, Mary and Joseph, John the Baptist, Mathew and his fellow disciples
Things to read
- The instant obedience of Matthew, the tax collector who was doing a cushy job
- The parables, Jesus's cool stories that is shown
Central theme: The life of Jesus Christ
The audience: The Jews
Tagline: 'CHRIST The ROCK rocks the world'
The characters
Jesus, the jews, Mary and Joseph, John the Baptist, Mathew and his fellow disciples
Things to read
- The instant obedience of Matthew, the tax collector who was doing a cushy job
- The parables, Jesus's cool stories that is shown as verbal pictures
Look at
- Jesus's life style
- His miracles
- His teachings
- Religious leaders' reaction and confusions
- The commitment of Matthew to write the summary of Jesus's life after nearly 30 years
The book written to Romans and picturing Jesus as the servant of God
The book written to the whole world shown Jesus as the saviour of the world
The book written to Romans and picturing Jesus as the servant of God
Central theme: Jesus Christ, the GOD-MAN
The audience: The Romans
Tagline: "The briefest but the sharpest"
The characters
Jesus, Mark, the 12 disciples, Pharisees
Things to read
- Christ's ministry in Galilee
- His journey to Jerusalem
- His Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension
Look at
- Jesus's popularity as well as opposition
- The tricky questions of Pharisees
- Puzzling verses
The book written to Greeks and presented Jesus as the son of God
The book written to the whole world shown Jesus as the saviour of the world
The book written to the whole world shown Jesus as the saviour of the world
Central theme: The human story of God
The audience: The Greeks
Tagline: "A physician writes about the Great Physician"
The characters
Jesus, Luke, Theophilus, Mary - the mother of Jesus, Zacchaeus, the good Samaritan and the prodigal son
Things to read
- Jesus's birth and His baptism
- His ministry in Galilee
- Emphasis on prayer
- His final week of mini
Central theme: The human story of God
The audience: The Greeks
Tagline: "A physician writes about the Great Physician"
The characters
Jesus, Luke, Theophilus, Mary - the mother of Jesus, Zacchaeus, the good Samaritan and the prodigal son
Things to read
- Jesus's birth and His baptism
- His ministry in Galilee
- Emphasis on prayer
- His final week of ministry
Look at
- The words joy and rejoicing repeated frequently
- Luke addresses the book to Theophilus, a roman believer
- Luke including women, children and poor more in his book
The book written to the whole world shown Jesus as the saviour of the world
The book written to the whole world shown Jesus as the saviour of the world
The book written to the whole world shown Jesus as the saviour of the world
Central theme: Jesus Christ, the life changer
The audience: The whole world
Tagline: "Jesus, my friend"
The characters
Jesus, John, John the Baptist, the other disciples, collection of people
Things to read
- the miracles
- the words of Jesus
- the testimony of witnesses
Look at
- the invitation 'come & see'
- Jesus, the miracle worker, the teacher, the victor
The BIBLE LIBRARY - PROPHETIC books (Minor) - Part I
Hosea
Central theme: God's relationship with His people
The master: God
The audience: Ephraim, the tribe
The watch word: Pentateuch
Tagline: Only God
Things to read
The Lord's compassion
Divine sovereignty of God
Hosea's personal life
Isolation of Israel
Look at
Human marriage is the divine institution of marriage that is the foundation to the flourishing of human society
Joel
Central theme: Day of the Lord
The master: God
The audience: The inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem
The watch word: Repentance
Tagline: Return and Redeem
Things to read
Judgement on Godless nations
God's far-reaching grace in the midst of the judgement
True repentance
Look at
Salvation amid judgement
Joel's prophecy for the global church today and read the message of the whole Bible in a nutshell.
Amos
Central theme: Universal justice of God
The master: God
The audience: Israel
The watch word: The impartial God
Tagline: Prosper, Prosper
Things to read
The purpose of prosperity
Israel's misuse of prosperity
Judgement for Israel's lack of mercy
Ultimate prosperity in the new earth
Look at
The prophecy of Amos
The church must never presume upon God's favour. His judgement is universal.
Obadiah
Central theme: God's relationship with His people
The master: God
The audience: Edomites
The watch word: Pride
Tagline: God's enemies, Beware
Things to read
The danger of pride
Divine retribution
The universal kingdom of God
Look at
The prophecy of Obadiah that provides deep consolation for believers everywhere
It's a short book with a single chapter
JONAH
Central theme: God's boundless compassion for people
The master: God
The audience: People of Nineveh
The watch word: God's forgiveness
Tagline: Repent or Perish
Things to read
The compassion of God
God's sovereign purposes
The universal need for grace
Look at
The call to us to extend the compassion to others
The need to speak the gospel to lost people
MICAH
Central theme: Judgement and forgiveness
The master: God
The audience: Israelites
The watch word: Salvation through judgement
Tagline: The Lord, the Judge
Things to read
The gracious restoration of God's people
Compassion and advocacy for the oppressed
God's overflowing redemption
Look at
The call to pay heed to what God's doing
The compassion we should demonstrate to this world
God's determination to set all wrongs right at the end of history
The BIBLE LIBRARY - PROPHETIC books (Minor) - Part II
NAHUM
HABAKKUK
Central theme: The sovereign God
The master: God
The audience: The Assyrians
The watch word: Nineveh, the bullying nation
Tagline: Hear comes the Judge
Things to read
The Lord's anger against Nineveh
The fall of Nineveh
Woe to Nineveh
Look at
Nahum's declaration, description and hid defense
God never allows sin go unpunished
Nahum's announcement that the judgement was imminent
HABAKKUK
HABAKKUK
Central theme: God handling the doubts and confusions
The master: God
The audience: Israelites
The watch word: Salvation through judgement
Tagline: The Lord, the Judge
Things to read
Habakkuk's experiences
1. Perplexity: faith wavers
2. Perspective: Faith watches
3. Perseverance: Faith worships
Look at
God's answers for Habakkuk's tough questions
Habakkuk's feeling for good people suffering and evil ones succeeding
Zephaniah
Central theme: The day of the Lord
The master: God
The audience: People in Jerusalem and Judah
The watch word: The message of judgement
Tagline: Enough is Enough
Things to read
1. Judgement to to Jerusalem, Judah and Gentile nations
2. God's mercy
3. The future of Jerusalem
Look at
Warning of the destruction
The great day of the Lord
Haggai
Central theme: God will take care
The master: God
The audience: Israelites
The watch word: Rebuilding
Tagline: C'mon guys! Let's build!
Things to read
The call of Haggai
Be honest
Put God's house first
Be encouraged
Be strong
Look at
Whenever God's work is being neglected, the preaching of the word gets things going again
ZECHARIAH
Central theme: God's zeal for Jerusalem
The master: God
The audience: Israelites
The watch word: Jerusalem
Tagline: Oh! Good times for us
Things to read
Eight visions concerning Jerusalem and the Jews
Two burdens about the future of the nation
Look at
For God's people, the best is yet to come
God remembers His people and His promises
Malachi
Central theme: People's unfaithfulness
The master: God
The audience: Israelites
The watch word: God's name
Tagline: The mini revival
Things to read
God's questions
God condemns the sins
God seeks repentance
Look at
Malachi was concerned about being faithful, not being famous
The BIBLE LIBRARY - PROPHETIC books (Major)
What are prophetic books?
The books starting from Isaiah to Malachi are called the Prophetic Books. These books include God’s messages to the people of Israel and Judah by means of sermons, visions, and life experiences of prophets who would have lived between about 750 and 450 B.C. Some are in the form of judgment and warning and others are forgiveness and renewal. The Prophetic Books are divided as “Major Prophets” and “Minor Prophets”. The messages of the Prophetic Books talk about issues that are of continuing importance to God’s people: proper worship of God, justice and equality, and caring for oppressed and mistreated people. Glance through the intro and Read on...
Isaiah
Central theme: God's spoke-person
The master: God
The audience: People of Judah
The watch word: Prophecy
Tagline: Megaphone
Things to read
The Saviour to come
Judgement and Joy
God's messenger man
Look at
How God corrects our "junk" sin
Redeemer who bought us back
Jeremiah
Central Theme: The weeping Prophet
Tagline: Doom & Gloom
Specialist: Called to confront kings
Things to read
God's call to Jeremiah
Jeremiah's call to people of Judah
Jews response to Jeremiah
Look at
Jeremiah as a master of imagery
God's touch
God's reminder on Hope and Joy
Lamentations
Theme: Sadness, weeping & tears
Tagline: Funeral Dirges
Things to read
The Babylonian siege
Burning of Jerusalem
Look at
Jerusalem, the sweet heart to Jews
The massacre of Jewish defenders
Ezekiel
Ezekiel
Watch word: I am the Lord
Tagline: Flesh & bones
Specialist: Action sermons
Things to read
God's call of Ezekiel
God's judgement on Jerusalem
God's judgement on the nations
God's restoration of His people
Look at
Idolatry of Judah
New vision
Rescuing and restoring Jews into their land
Daniel
Ezekiel
Theme: Dare to be a Daniel
Tagline: Meet the Lion king
Watch word: Dreams and Visions
Things to read
Dreams but not so sweet dreams
Writing on the wall
Jaws of Life
Look at
Daniel's Godly integrity
Flame on the giant toaster
Daniel's interpretations
The bible library - Books of POETRY
Job
The central theme: The best man
The Master: God
The Spoiler: Satan
Watch Word: The question 'Why?'
Things to read :
- The tragedy
- Cosmic test
- The court room
- Mocking wife
- Cruel friends
Look at:
- Eloquent Speeches
- Great crisis
- Satan's challenges
- God's final words
Psalms
The central theme: Bible within Bible
The Master: David
Watch Word: Songs of sorrow and joy
Things to read :
- The hymn book
- Praise and worship
- Faith in God
- Loving and caring God
Look at:
- Psalm 3-4 when you can not sleep
- Psalm 25 when you need God's guidance
- Psalm 91 when you are afraid
- Psalm 31 when you are ill
- Psalm 51 when you have sinned
Proverbs
The most down to earth book
The central theme - 'Wisdom'
The Master: Solomon
Watch Word: Guide book for the Godly
Answers questions on :
- Concern for success
- Warm advices and counsel
- Caution for young people
- How life works
Look at:
- The spiritual sixth sense
- Distilled truth
- Right use of knowledge
- Fear of the Lord
Read the book slowly
Ecclesiastes
The central theme: When life seems senseless
The Master: Solomon
Watch Word: Is life worth living? - Vanity
Look at:
- The realistic book
- World of contradictions
- Seeming futility
- Life as God's gift
Life is worth living if you put God first
Song of Songs
The central theme: Poem for mature people
The Master: Solomon
Watch Word: Love relationship
Things to read :
- Love between God and people
- God's values on love
- Joys and trials of married love
- Caution and dignity for love
A sum up
Read
Job for why trials for innocent people
Psalms for human emotions
Proverbs for obedient will
Ecclesiastes for the enquiring mind
Song of Solomon for loving heart
THE BIBLE LIBRARY - HISTORY BOOKS - PART II
I Samuel
Central theme: Saul's foolish works
The master: God
The audience: Israelites
The watch word: We want King!
Tagline: Samuel, the Miracle Boy!
The cast:
Samuel, Hannah, Jonathan, David, Eli, Saul
Things to read
Samuel, the last judge
Saul, the first king
Hannah's prayer
Goliath, the Giant
Reign of David
Look at
The mess up of Saul
God uses the weak things of the world
David's strengths and weaknesses
II Samuel
Central theme: David, the king
The master: God
The audience: Israelites
The watch word: Battles
Tagline: David, the big fan of God!
The cast:
David, Joab, Abner, Uriah, Bathsheba, Nathan, Solomon, Absalom, Tamer, Amnon
Things to read
Wiping of Israel's enemies
Rise and fall of David
David's sin and repentance
Consequences of sins
Look at
The national victories!
Personal defeats!
Sin of adultery?
This book is an exposition of Proverbs
I Kings
Central theme: Solomon's wisdom, Wealth and Weakness
The master: God
The audience: Israelites
The watch word: Disgrace and Defeat!
Tagline: The Big temple and the Giant Palace!
The cast:
Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Elijah, Elisha
Things to read
Solomon's wise ruling
Tax hike split the country
Divided kingdom
The good guys Elijah and Elisha
Look at
David passes the torch to Solomon
Solomon builds the temple
Solomon's great and stupid things!
II Kings
II Chronicles
Central theme: Collapse and Captivity
The master: God
The audience: Israelites
The watch word: Goofy gods!
Tagline: God's nations bite the dust!
The cast:
Kings of Israel and Judah, Elijah and Elisha, woman from Shunem, Naaman and Gehazi
Things to read
Chariot of fire
Elisha's promotion
Spiritual decay of people
Warnings to individual and nations
Look at
Elijah, the prophet never died
Naaman, the great warrior but a leper
The greedy Gehazi and his fall
I Chronicles
II Chronicles
II Chronicles
Central theme: Parallels of Samuel and Kings
The master: God
The audience: Israelites
The watch word: War time!
Tagline: David, the Star!
The cast: Saul, David, Solomon
Things to read
Big fights
The senseless Census
David delivers the Ark
David's mighty army
Look at
The ark of God
Awful sins of Jews and the big trouble
Remember the Good things!
II Chronicles
II Chronicles
II Chronicles
Central theme: Fall of the nations
The master: God
The audience: Israelites
The watch word: The second chance!
Tagline: A bunch of bad kings!
The cast: Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam,
Kings of Judah
Things to read
Reign of Solomon
Solomon's splendor
Cyrus, the saviour of Jews
Look at
The announcement of rebuilding the temple!
God has mercy for His children!
The bible library - history books - part I
Joshua
Joshua
Joshua
Central theme: God's training for leadership
The master: God
The audience: Israelites
The watch word: Conquer!
Tagline: Josh and his buddy Caleb rock!
The cast:
Joshua, Caleb, Rahab and the 12 tribes
Things to read
Dedication of nation
Defeat of the enemy
Division of the Land
Look at
The challenge!
Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve!
Have you chosen wisely?
Judges
Joshua
Joshua
Central theme: No King. God is the King
The master: God
The audience: Israelites
The watch word: Did evil
Tagline: Roller Coaster ride!
The cast:
Othniel, Gideon, Ehud, Samson, Shamgar, Deborah and Jephthah
Things to read
The Disobedience
The Discipline
The Decay
Look at
Be a servant of God and accomplish great things for His glory
Ruth
Joshua
Ruth
Central theme: The Love story
The master: God
The watch word: God is at work
Tagline: Love, Faith and Family!
The cast:
Ruth, Naomi, Boaz and Obed
Things to read
The four acts - Tears, toil, trust and triumph
Look at
Naomi's life - bitterness to blessedness
Ruth's life - loneliness to love
The grace of God!
Ezra
Nehemiah
Ruth
Central theme: Rebuilding the temple
The master: God
The audience: Jews
The watch word: A new beginning
Tagline: Return and Rebuild
The cast:
Ezra, Zerubbabel, Cyrus, Darius, Artaxerxes
Things to read
The temple ministry
Leadership of Zerubbabel
Trusting God for a new beginning
Look at
The days may be dark, But God is there to guide us, protect us and guide us
Nehemiah
Nehemiah
Nehemiah
Central theme: Rebuilding the walls
The master: God
The audience: Jews
The watch word: A new beginning
Tagline: You can make a difference
The cast:
Nehemiah, Artaxerxes, Ezra, Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem
Things to read
Nehemiah's prayer, preparations, opposition to the rebuilding, completion of the wall and dedication
Look at
The worthy role model of Nehemiah, his devotion, dedication and dependence on God
Esther
Nehemiah
Nehemiah
Central theme: The mass murder plot
The master: God
The audience: Jews
The watch word: Plot to slaughter
Tagline: Beauty Queen
The cast:
Esther, Xerxes, Vashti, Mordecai and Haman
Things to read
An inaccessible king
From defeat to victory
Providence of God
Look at
Missing : Name of God
Seen : Hand of God
THE BIBLE LIBRARY- pentateuch, the first five books
Genesis
The central theme: God's Creation
The Master: God
Watch Word: God said, "That's Good"
Things to read :
- The new beginning
- The first family
- The first sin
- The mess by Satan and Humans
Look at:
Eloquent speeches
Adventure stuff - Noah's journey
Big stuff - Babel tower
Exodus
The central theme: Pharaoh - the Cruella De Vil
The Casting Crew: God, Moses, Aaron, Pharaoh...
Watch Word: Exit from Egypt & Saved from Slavery
Things to read and look at:
- Plague menu
- The golden calf show
- The big portable tent
- Red sea marvel
- Pharaoh, the stubborn guy
- Burning Bush - the Bonfire Blaze
FEAR GOD - HEAR GOD
Leviticus
The central theme: Importance of obedience
The Casting Crew: Levites, Moses and Aaron
Watch Word: Feasts and Parties line-up
Things to read and look at:
- Do's and Don'ts
- How to get fired - Ch 10
- How God is hurt
- Importance of sacrifice
- Life of separation
- Principle of holy living
- Watch what you eat
GOD IS STRICT YET A LOVING PARENT
Numbers
The central theme: The census
Casting crew: Moses, Caleb, Aaron, Balaam & Donkey
Watch word: The report on the promised land
Things to read and look at:
- Roll call
- March to Kadesh Barnea
- Spy guys
- The wanderings
- Talking donkey
- Preparation for conquering the promised land
Final figure - 6,03,550 (excluding women, children and levite men)
Deuteronomy
The central theme: Moses's final message
Casting crew: Moses & Joshua
Watch word: The history lesson
Things to read and look at:
- Review of the past
- The law - God's do's and don'ts
- Joshua's promotion
- Good bye to Moses
Moses finishes his to-do list
PSALMS - A to Z LINE UP
The renowned Biblical scholar and Anglican Bishop N.T. Wright wrote in one of his books, “The Psalms are inexhaustible, and deserve to be read, said, sung, chanted, whispered, learned by heart, and even shouted from the rooftops.” The book has 150 psalms, the maximum among the books in the Bible. For most of us, one of our favorite books would be Psalms and we know many verses by heart. Take some time to read the A – Z line up that are core for our spiritual life.
Always God blesses the righteous. – 5:12
Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord. - 128:1
Create in me a clean heart, O God… - 51:10
Delight yourself in the Lord… 37:4
Encouragement comes from God. 10:17
Flee to the throne of Grace when feel like quitting. 11:1
Goodness of God endures forever. 100:5
Help comes from the Lord. 121:1
Into your hands, I commit my spirit. 31:5
Just trust the Lord in your failures and future. 25:2
Keep in mind that the Lord is near to those who have broken heart. 34:18
Listen to word of God that is lamp to my feet and light to my path. 119:105
My God is a keeper who neither slumber nor sleep. 121:3
Nothing will lift up one’s head like realizing the God is in control. 3:3
O Lord, our God, how majestic is your Name in all the earth. 8:9
Praising God has no time boundaries. 145:21
Quicken me according to your word. 119:107
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him. 37:7
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all days of life. 23:6
Take refuge in the Lord, He will enable you with renewed strength. 46:1
Under His wings, you’ll find refuge. 91:4
Voice of the Lord is powerful. 29:4
Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart. 27:14
eXalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool, He is Holy. 99:5
You will trample upon lions and cobras... lions and serpents under your feet. 91:13
Zion is the place where all believers in Christ are citizens. 87:1,2
Is God's word a how-to-do-it-manual for you?
Yes. Of course.
Bible teaches how to use our body and mind, how to handle our time and money and how to make right decisions. The Bible is God's how-to-do-it-manual for making life work successfully. So don't wait until "all else fails". Obeying the word of God keeps us from getting into trouble and hurting ourselves & others as well.
Read Psalm 119:73-82.
From the teachings of Warren W. Wiersbe
Bible: Hi, can I be your friend?
Yes🙋♀️. But sometimes I feel you are hard-going, difficult, confusing and boring.
Yeah. I am not really a single book, rather a library with 66 books in all: 39 books in the Old Testament section and 27 in the New Testament section written by nearly 40 authors.
But why worry?
We are pounded everyday by media with conflicting views. I am directly inspired by God Himself. So accept me. I will be your guide for your life. Believe me and I mean it. Let me help you to use me!
- Do pray first
- Choose a quiet time. It's better if it's the morning time
- Avoid the living room
- Find me and choose your convenient translation
- Read slowly, don't rush
- Don't use me as a lucky draw
- Read me regularly
- Don't feel bad if you miss a day reading me
- Don't worry if you are unable to understand a passage, use a commentary bible or search from authenticated sources
- Note down all questions that come into your mind
- Do not procrastinate, be disciplined
- I would be happy to hang out with you rather than staying in the dusty shelf