This week’s presentation is an overview of the 66 books of the Bible and 8 major Covenants (Promises from God) therein. We will also spend some time in prayer and reviewing our class introduction. For the Bible study portion, we will read through Joshua chapters 1-4 and then discuss those chapters in our study groups. This website will post basic answers mid-week following the class for your review.

As Christians, it is more important than ever to know what we believe, and why we believe it, and then apply that to who we are on a consistent basis, and this can only be done effectively if we know what God’s Word teaches.

All class sessions include a time for prayer and reflection, an “apologetics” presentation, and a Bible study section. You will find the presentation notes and the Bible study survey format below, with basic answers to the survey format posted during the week. These things can be used as a leader’s guide, or to review your own study each week.

Watch this week’s presentation:

2025 A Case for the Bible Presentation Notes

Session 2: Overview of the 66 books of the Bible and Eight Major Covenants

Class Review and Prayer

Prayer Cards: Do you have anyone that you are hoping to share what you are learning with? Write that person(s) name down on your prayer card along with any other prayer request you might have (exchange with your table group at the end of the evening).

Discuss:

1. From the Ministry Statement last week, what are four important areas of Christian growth?
2. What did you learn about the importance of hermeneutics in Bible study?
3. Recite the apologetics’ theme from 1 Peter:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.  1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

Class Focus Questions and Overview

1. What are the four important areas of Christian Growththat we should be focusing on in our Christian Walk (from our Ministry Statement)?
2. What are the 66 books of the Christian Bible, their categories and description?
3. How should we study the Bible? Hermeneutics
4. What are the major Covenants in the Bible, and why are they important to know?
5. What are the 12 parts to the Bible’s “Big Picture” that help you tell the story?

APOLOGETICS

6. What is the history of the Bible? Authorship and Language
7. How did we get our Bible today? Transmission
8. How do we know the Bible has been transmitted correctly? Translation
9. How do we know we got the right books? Canonization
10. How can we trust that the Bible is the Word of God? Inspiration

(Note: The above will include evidence from archeology, prophecy fulfillment and science)

LET’S BEGIN!

1.  Four important areas of Christian growth (Review from last week)
(from the Ministry Statement)

• Prayer (emphasis on modeling Jesus)
• Hermeneutics (Bible study knowledge based on proper context)
• Apologetics (giving answers and defending our faith)
• Discipleship (sharing our Christian faith and doing life with other Christians)

Rate yourself for each area on a scale of 1-3:

Not confident: 1

Somewhat confident: 2

Very confident: 3

If you are a returning student, what areas, if any, have you improved on?

2.  Overview of the 66 books of the Christian Bible, their categories and importance

Jesus in every book of the Bible: Young boy recites all 66 books and where Jesus is in each one, watch on YouTube!

The Biblical Books and Their Categories (as it relates to the big picture of Biblical history)

OLD TESTAMENT (39 books)

The Books of Moses (Torah/Pentateuch)

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Importance:

• These books lay the foundation for human history including God’s Covenant Promises, the importance of the Nation of Israel, the and the blessing (Jesus):
• Creation (Adamic Covenant: Part one – Edenic Covenant) Gen. 1-2
• Fall – (Adamic Covenant: Part two – Covenant of Redemption – Gen. 3:15)
• Flood – (the Noachian Covenant) Gen. 6-9
• Tower of Babel (confusion of languages and the dispersion of the people) Gen. 11
• The Patriarchs: Abraham – Isaac – Jacob – 12 Tribes of Israel (the Abrahamic Covenant) Gen. 12-50
• The enslavement of Israel in Egypt begins in the book of Exodus
• Moses, the Exodus, and the giving of the Law to the Nation of Israel (the Mosaic/Sinai Covenant) Exodus through Deuteronomy
• These books also narrate the downfall of the people over and over through disobedience; but we also see God’s hesed (unconditional love, mercy and grace) as He reconciles them to Himself when they repent.
• These books leave off with the death of Moses in Deuteronomy, and the planning of the entrance into the Promised Land under the new leadership of Joshua.

The History Books

Joshua, Judges, Ruth

1^st and 2^nd Samuel, 1^st and 2^nd Kings, 1^st and 2^nd Chronicles

Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

Importance

• These books narrate the history of the Nation of Israel after Moses’ death and the end of the forty-year wilderness wandering:
• The entrance into, and (partial) conquest of, the Promised Land under Joshua
• The loss of unity in the Nation with a focus on individual tribes and everyone “doing what is right in their own eyes” under various Judges – Ruth
• The establishment of a ruling king to unite the Nation of Israel after the last Judge, Samuel

1 Samuel – 1 Kings

• Saul – David – Solomon
• (The Davidic Covenant)
• The Nation divides: 10 tribes of Israel to the North; 2 tribes under Judah to the South

1 Kings – 2 Chronicles and Esther

~20 evil kings rule the Northern Tribes

~20 kings (good and bad) rule from the line of David in the South (the lineage to Jesus)

• The conquest and dispersion of Israel in the North by Assyria (“the Samaritans” are formed from the Northern Tribe and other nations in this captivity)
• The conquest and exile of Judah in the South by Babylon (their Jewish purity is retained)

Ezra – Nehemiah

• The return to the Promised Land of the Southern Tribe (Jews) after the Babylonian captivity

The Wisdom Books

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

Importance

• These books include a collection of poetry, teachings and lamentations from a variety of authors throughout the history books (the majority are from David and Solomon)
• These books have a purpose of training in wisdom, discernment and growth in the knowledge of God
• These books create a desire to praise and seek God
• These books give practical advice and examples for Godly living, versus ungodly living and worldly endeavors
• (Note: These books are not promises but principles)

The Books of Prophecy

MAJOR PROPHETS

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel

MINOR PROPHETS

Hosea-Joel-Amos

Obadiah-Jonah-Micah

Nahum-Habakkuk-Zephaniah

Haggai-Zechariah-Malachi

Note:

Major = longer books (more content)

Minor = shorter books (less content)

Importance

• These books are not in chronological order and their narratives are dispersed throughout the history books under various kings and events, thus they can be studied within that context
• Prophecy books include the following:
  • Warnings, proclamations and exhortations on God’s behalf to the Nation of Israel
  • Prophecies that are given and then fulfilled within the Old Testament history itself
  • Messianic prophecies that are given and fulfilled in the person of Jesus
  • Apocalyptic prophecies that relate specifically to end times
• Many of these prophecies and warnings are two-fold, with a specific meaning for that particular time and a deeper meaning that would come into view later on
• Prophecies can include events or individuals that foreshadow, or picture, a future time in history including Jesus’ fulfillment as Messiah
• Messianic genealogy and prophetic foreshadowings are known as “The Scarlet Thread of Jesus” and are seen throughout the Old Testament

INTERTESTAMENTAL PERIOD

No inspired books are written for 400 years

Importance

400 years of silence – God prepares the world for the coming of His Son

• Israel is back in the Land
• The universal language is now Greek from the “Hellenistic period” before the Romans ruled
• The Romans designed a transportation system for quick, easy and safe communications and commerce
• Crucifixion is in use as a death penalty
• It is time for the world’s person of interest – Jesus, the Promised Messiah who fulfills all the Covenants, foreshadowings and prophecies of the Old Testament!

NEW TESTAMENT (27 books)

The Gospels

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

Importance

• These books give four different eyewitness views, written with different audiences in mind, concerning the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus
• These books record the Old Testament prophecy fulfillments by Jesus evidenced by multiple attestations of his ministry miracles, death and resurrection pointing not only to His Messiahship but to His Deity
• (This is the New Covenant in fulfillment of the Old)

The Acts of the Apostles and the Holy Spirit

The Book of Acts

Importance

• This book is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, written by Luke to the early Christians for historical accuracy
• This book records the beginning of Jesus’ Church and the early ministries, miracles, struggles and life changing events the first believers encountered
• There is a focus on the ministries and lives of the Apostle Peter and Paul
• This book serves as a framework for the Epistles of the Apostle Paul and his missionary journeys

The Epistles

Pauline Epistles

*Prison epistles

**Pastoral epistles

Romans, 1^st and 2^nd Corinthians

Galatians, *Ephesians, *Philippians, *Colossians

1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians, **1^st and 2^nd Timothy, **Titus, *Philemon

General Epistles

Hebrews, James, 1^st and 2^nd Peter, 1^st 2^nd 3^rd John, Jude

Importance

Pauline Epistles:

• The Pauline Epistles are letters that the Apostle Paul wrote to various Churches and individuals
• The Pauline Epistles can be cross-referenced with the book of Acts for insight into these early believers and Churches
• The Pauline Epistles include a few “prison epistles” that Paul wrote when he was imprisoned in Rome (at the end of the book of Acts)
• The Pauline Epistles also include a few “pastoral epistles” that Paul wrote specifically to individuals he was mentoring and who were leading some of these early Churches

General Epistles:

• The General Epistles were written by other Apostles to the early believers for direction, encouragement and warning against false teachers and their doctrines
• The General Epistle authors include two of Jesus’ half-brothers: James and Jude, along with the Apostles Peter and John

Hebrews is the only New Testament book with an unknown author, but Paul is a strong candidate along with Barnabas, Apollos, Silas and a few others

The Apocalypse

The Book of Revelation (of Jesus Christ)

Importance

• This book is a revelation from Jesus to the Apostle John concerning end times and signs for believers to look for
• This book contains symbols and references specific to this ancient culture and Old Testament teachings
• This book includes a blessing for the reader
• This book ends with Jesus’ final victory over the curse and with the elimination of all death, suffering and hopelessness; the perfect world as God intended from the beginning

3.  How Do We Study the Bible?
Hermeneutics

• Hermeneutics is simply studying the Bible in its proper context, like you would do with any other book.
• Hermeneutics provides some basic guidelines for studying the Bible so that we can be sure that what we are reading and sharing with others is correct:

Principle #1: Never read a Bible verse by itself (until you know it’s proper context within the big picture of the narrative)

Principle #2: Let the Bible interpret the Bible (use cross-referencing within the Bible itself)

Principle #3: Use the Hermeneutical format as you read and study…

Before beginning a Bible study, it is important to get a little background on the book (we will do this in class together, but a good study Bible will have this in the book’s introduction)

Bible Study Survey Format

Old Testament

Category:         History Books       

Book:              Joshua        

1. Author: Who wrote the book and when?(Include anything you can find about the author and when it was written)

2. Audience: Who was it written to?(Include anything you can find about the people, the culture or societal norms, of that time period)

3. Purpose: Why was it written?(Include anything you can find about their circumstances and what was, or had been, going on)

4. Content: What is in each chapter? (Choose to do one or more of the following levels) Basic:  Write out chapter by chapter titles. Going Deeper: Add a short summary under your titles, 3-5 sentences Advanced: Look for these things to put in your summary notes: a.Covenants: Is there anything in this chapter that relates to one of the Covenants, or do you notice a promise of God being fulfilled (Abrahamic or Mosaic)? b.Where’s Jesus? Is there anything in this chapter that foreshadows/pictures Jesus? c.Prophecy: Is there anything that is predicted and fulfilled later in the Old Testament; or predicted and fulfilled in Jesus (Messianic); or apocalyptic (end times) in nature? d.The Shelf: Note any questions or a’has you have about the chapter.

Note: Application will be done once the book is completed

4.  The major Covenants in the Bible, and why they are important to know

Watch on YouTube:

Introduction to the major Covenants, by Rhett Creative

Eight Major Covenants of the Bible

1. Edenic – Rule – Genesis 2:15
2. Adamic – Redemption – Genesis 3:15
3. Noahic – Restraint – Genesis 6:7
4. Abrahamic – Restore – Genesis 12:1-3
5. Mosaic – Reveal – Leviticus 26
6. Palastinian – Return – Deuteronomy 29-30
7. Davidic – Reign – 2 Samuel 7:12-16
8. New Covenant – Regenerate – Jeremiah 31:27-34

We will continue our discussion of the major Biblical Covenants next week…

OWN YOUR FAITH!

KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE AND WHY YOU BELIEVE IT

THEN SHARE IT WITH OTHERS!!!

Bible Study

Each week we will have Bible study following the presentation. There will be questions presented here on the weekend, and basic answers will be posted mid-week for your review. This can also be used to make a leader’s guide for your own small group and future studies!

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

LET’S PRACTICE…

This week we are working on the content of the book, from our hermeneutical format…

***BEFORE STARTING THE REVIEW, DISCUSS ANYTHING FROM THE PRESENTATION YOU’D LIKE TO COVER, THEN…

From your homework this week, discuss with your groups what is in each chapter

Joshua chapters 1-4:

Content of the book: What is in each chapter?

Note: There are several ways to study a book of the Bible, you can choose the level you’re most comfortable with:

1. Basic: Read the chapter, then write down a title for each chapter (you could include more than one depending on topics in that chapter or what your study Bible might have).
2. Going Deeper: Take notes to summarize the chapter (no more than three to five sentences). However, you can add to your summaries if you glean something important from your study partners each week (leave some room).
3. Advanced: Look for these things to put in your summary notes:

• Is there anything in the chapter that relates to God’s Covenant Promises:
  • Abrahamic: (Nation, Land, or Blessing)
  • Mosaic: (Following the Law – protection vs. loss of protection due to disobedience)?
• Where’s Jesus? Is there anything in this chapter that foreshadows/pictures Jesus?
• Prophecy? Is there anything that is predicted and fulfilled later in the Old Testament; or predicted and fulfilled in Jesus (Messianic); or is apocalyptic in nature?
• The Shelf: Note any questions or a-ha’s you have about the chapter.

HOMEWORK:

Continue reading the book of Joshua, chapter 5-8, then follow the format we used this week and be prepared to discuss what you learned next week!

Please join us next week as we continue our Case for the Bible and A Study in the Book of Joshua!

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15