Bible Study: “Understanding the books of the
Bible”
Lesson # 1
Our Scripture Reading: (Psalm 119:89, Matthew
5:18; 24:35, I Peter 1:25;1:21;2:2, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12.)
There are 39 books in the Old Testament,
generally separated into 4 divisions:
The Pentateuch, traditionally designed as the
5 books of Moses
Historical Books, 12 books from Joshua to
Esther
Poetical Books, 5 books from Job to Song of Solomon
Prophetical Books, including the writings of
the 5 Major Prophets from Isaiah to Daniel, and the 12 Minor Prophets from
Hosea to Malachi.
Main Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:3
This lesson will consist of “The
Pentateuch, traditionally designed as the 5 books of Moses:”
Books of the Bible: Genesis:” The book of
origins/beginning”
Author: (Moses) common accepted
Time: Genesis begins with the creation
story and ends with the death of Joseph, which probably occurred around the nineteenth
century B.C. (1883 BC)
Structure: The literary structure of Genesis is built around eleven distinct
units, each signaled by the presence of the word “genealogy.” The eleven sections include: Introduction to
the genealogies (1:1-2:3); (2) Heaven and Earth (2:4-4:26); (3) Adam (5:1-6:8);
(4) Noah (6:9-9:29); (5) Sons of Noah (10:1-11:9); (6) Shem (11:10-26); (7)
Terah (11:27-25:11); (8) Ishmael (25:12-18); (9) Isaac (25:19-35:29); (10) Esau
(36:1-37:1 (11) Jacob (37:2-50:26).
In this book, there were God, Adam, Noah,
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, etc.
Chapters: (50)
Memory verse in the book: Genesis 3:15 “First messianic promise”
Abbreviation of the book: (Gen.)
Life Principles in the book: (Our Intimacy with God-His highest priority for our lives determines
the impact of our lives, (Genesis 1:26).
Key Thought: God is the origin of all things-the universe, the earth, life,
humanity, the Jewish people, and the plan of redemption.
Key Verse: “Genesis 50:20-21 King James Version
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant
it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will
nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto
them.
Key Action: Remember that no matter what life brings or how evil intrudes, our
Creator has a plan, His sovereignty can not be thwarted, and His plans is right
on schedule.
Key Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that You are in control of my life, from
beginning to the end, AMEN.
Book of the
Bible: Exodus: “Exit, Departure, or Going Out”
Author: (Moses) common accepted
Time: The book of Exodus covers a period from the birth of Moses (1525 B.C.)
to the construction of the tabernacle (1446 B.C.) More scholars date the exodus
from Egypt (1447 B.C.).
Structure: The book of Exodus begins with an account of Egyptian oppression
(1:7-22), then moves to the early years of Moses’ life (2:1-21), followed by
Moses’ calling and his demand to Pharaoh to release his people from captivity
(3:1-12:30), then describes the exodus from Egypt and Israelites’ journey to
Mount Sinai (12:3-18:27). The remainder of the book covers the giving of the
Law and the establishment of Hebrew culture.
In this book, there were Leaders and
Prophets!
Chapters: (40)
Memory verse in the book: Exodus 12:13 “Life
Insurance”
Abbreviation of the book: (Ex.)
Life Principles in the book: Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him, (Exodus 19:5).
Key Thought: God provides the redemption, provision, and guidance of His people
need.
Key Verse: Exodus 14:13 King James Version
13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still,
and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today:
for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more
forever.
Key Action: We must be still in God’s presence, then go forward in God’s power (see
Exodus 14:13,15).
Key Prayer: Lord, help me to stand firm and see Your deliverance, for I know You
will fight for me; I only need to be still. AMEN.
Book of the
Bible: Leviticus:
“The book of Law”
Author: (Moses) common accepted
Time: God delivered the Book of Leviticus to Moses on Mount Sinai shortly
after the exodus from Egypt, (1447 B.C.)
Structure: Leviticus opens with the laws surrounding sacrifices and offerings
(1-7), followed but the lawful duties and requirements of the priests (8-10),
then by laws regarding personal and national cleanliness and holiness (11-22),
followed by laws regarding feasts (23). The laws of the final four chapters of
Leviticus include God’s promises for keeping the Law and His warnings for
violating it. The name derived from the
tribe of Levi.
In this book, there were Leaders and
Prophets!
Chapters: (27).
Memory verse in the book: Leviticus 24:10
“The year of Jubilee”
Abbreviation of the book: (Lev.)
Life Principles in the book: Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God (Lev. 26:12)
Key Thought: God expect His people to reflect His holiness not just in rituals, but
in reality.
Key Verse: Leviticus 11:44 King James Version
44 For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore
sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye
defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the
earth.
Key Action: Whenever sin occurs in life, we should confess it promptly, consecrate
ourselves anew, and remain committed to personal holiness.
Key Prayer: Dear Father may I be a reflection of Your holiness, not just in
thought, but in deeds. AMEN.
Book of the Bible: Numbers: “Book of Numbers”
Author: (Moses) common accepted
Time: The events recorded in the book of Numbers began about one year after
the exodus from Egypt (1446 B.C.)
Structure: The first ten chapters of Numbers contain legal instructions and record
a census (or “numbering”) of the people of Israel. The remainder of the book records the
Israelites’ wandering in the wilderness, as well as their complaints and
rebellion against God and their leader Moses.
In this book, there were Leaders and
Prophets!
Chapters (36)
Memory verse in the book: “The pilgrims guide” (Numbers 9:17)
Abbreviation of the book: (Num.)
Life Principles in the book: God’s Word is an immovable
anchor in times of storm (Numbers 23:19)
Key Thought: The is nothing worse than taking a wrong turn into the land of unbelief,
for God wants to lead us forward by faith.
Key Verse: Numbers 6:24-26 King James Version
“24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The Lord make his face shine upon
thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon
thee, and give thee peace.”
Key Action: Trust God’s Word even when challenges loom, for His promises are as
secure as His power.
Key Prayer: O Lord, keep me from fearing the way ahead and rebelling against You in
unbelief.
Book of the Bible: Deuteronomy: “Book of Remembrance”
Author: (Moses) common accepted
Time: Delivered shortly before Moses’ death, sometime around (1407 B.C.)
Structure: Deuteronomy breaks down into four sections, starting with Moses’ review
of the Israelite’ history (1:1-4:43); moving through a review of the Law (4:44-26:19)
and the covenant (27:1-30:20); and ending with Moses’ final words for the
Israelites as he prepares to leave them (31-34).
In this book, there were a Leader!
Chapters: (34)
Memory verse in the book: Deuteronomy 29:29
“The secret things”
Abbreviation of the book: (Deut.)
Life Principles in the book: The awareness of God’s presence energizes us for our work (Deuteronomy
20:1).
Key Thought: Every new generation need to learn the lessons of the Lord and develop
a heritage of faith and obedience.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 6:4-5 King James Version
“4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
Key Action: Share the truth of God with your children, with your grandchildren, and
with the generation to come (see Deuteronomy 6:7).
Key Prayer: Lord You are my eternal God and my refuge, and underneath me are the
everlasting arms, AMEN.
LESSON QUESTIONS: (1)
1). Read main scripture for lesson one.
2). Name the books in lesson one.
3). How many chapters are in each book?
4). Name the author of each book in lesson
one.
5). Give the abbreviation of each book?
6). In these books was there a leader, a
judge, a prophet, or a king?
7). Name and add each book as we go through
our study.
8). Name the division where these books can
be found in this lesson.
9).
Who was the main person in each book?
10). What year was each book written?
11). What is the memory verse in each book?
12). What is the key verse in each book?
