Lesson 1.2 — How the Bible Is Organized: Old and New Testament

One Book, Two Testaments, 66 Books

The Bible is a library of 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament, 27 in the New Testament. Together they tell one unified story — God's plan to redeem mankind through Jesus Christ.

Luke 24:44 (KJV) — "All things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."

The Old Testament (39 books) — The Promise

• Law (5): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy — God creates, chooses a people, gives His law
• History (12): Joshua to Esther — the story of Israel
• Poetry & Wisdom (5): Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
• Major Prophets (5): Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel
• Minor Prophets (12): Hosea to Malachi — God promises a Redeemer

The New Testament (27 books) — The Fulfillment

• Gospels (4): Matthew, Mark, Luke, John — the life of Jesus
• History (1): Acts — the early Church
• Paul's Letters (13): Romans to Philemon
• General Letters (8): Hebrews to Jude
• Prophecy (1): Revelation — Christ returns in glory

How to find any verse

A reference like John 3:16 means: Book of John, chapter 3, verse 16. Every Bible has a table of contents at the front — use it!

Today's exercise (5 minutes)

Open your Bible and find these three passages. Read each one out loud:

1. Genesis 1:1 — How the Bible begins
2. John 3:16 — The gospel in one sentence
3. Revelation 22:20-21 — How the Bible ends

Memory verse

"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." — Psalm 119:89 (KJV)