Have you ever opened your Bible with real determination, started in Genesis, made it happily through the Flood and Abraham, and then run aground somewhere in Leviticus? You’re not alone. Many South African Christians own several Bibles, but few have ever been shown how the whole thing fits together.

That is what this series is for. Over the coming months we’ll walk through all 66 books of the Bible, one post at a time. The goal isn’t to make you a scholar. The goal is that when you open any page of your Bible, you know roughly where you are in the story – and, most of all, that you see the Lord Jesus Christ there.

The Bible is one book

The Bible is a library: law, history, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, gospels, letters and apocalyptic vision, written by around forty human authors across many centuries, in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. And yet it is one book, because behind every human author stands one divine Author.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16, NASB 1995).

Because God is its Author, the Bible doesn’t contradict itself, it doesn’t wander off topic, and it doesn’t leave its story unfinished.

The Bible is one story

The simplest way to hold the whole Bible in your head is in four movements.

1. Creation

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1, NASB 1995). God made everything, and He made it good. He made man and woman in His image, gave them a garden to work and keep, and walked with them. This is the world as it was meant to be: God’s people, in God’s place, under God’s rule and blessing.

2. Fall

Adam and Eve listened to the serpent rather than to God. Sin entered the world, and death came through sin (Romans 5:12). Relationships broke – with God, with each other, and with creation itself. Every headline, every hospital ward and every funeral we attend is a reminder that we live east of Eden.

3. Redemption

But God didn’t abandon His world. Right there in the garden He promised that one born of the woman would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). The rest of the Old Testament is the story of that promise moving forward – through Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and the prophets – with God’s people failing again and again, and God remaining faithful again and again.

Then, “when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law” (Galatians 4:4–5, NASB 1995). Jesus lived the obedient life we have not lived, died the death we deserve as a substitute for sinners, and rose bodily from the grave. Everyone who turns from sin and trusts in Him is forgiven, declared righteous and brought home to God – by grace alone, through faith alone.

4. New creation

The story ends where it began, only better. In Revelation 21–22 we see a new heaven and a new earth, the dwelling place of God with man, no more tears, no more death, and the tree of life once more. “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5, NASB 1995).

The Bible has one hero

After His resurrection, Jesus walked with two confused disciples on the road to Emmaus. “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27, NASB 1995).

That is the key to this whole series. The Bible is not mainly a book of moral heroes for us to copy (most of them are rather a mess!). It is the story of God saving sinners through His Son. So in every post we’ll ask: How does this book point us to Christ?

How the series works

• One book per post, roughly in Bible order. A few short books may be grouped together, and a few big ones (like Isaiah or Psalms) may get more room.
• Each post follows the same shape:
• At a glance – author, date and setting, held as the church has traditionally and conservatively understood them.
• Structure – a simple outline so you can find your way around.
• Key themes – what the book is about.
• Christ in the book – how it points to Jesus.
• Key verses – worth underlining, maybe worth memorising.
• Going deeper – one or two trustworthy resources, often a sermon from a faithful church.
• Every other week. Bible Overview posts alternate with posts on the gospel, doctrine and Christian living, so we’ll aim for one new post each week.
• Scripture first. I’ll quote the NASB (1995) unless I say otherwise. Please keep your Bible open as you read, and check what I say against it (Acts 17:11).

How to get the most out of it

1. Read the book itself. A post is a map, not the territory. Try to read (or listen to) the Bible book in the week its post appears.
2. Read with your church. Talk about it with your small group, your family, or a friend. The Bible was given to God’s people together.
3. Pray as you read. Ask God to show you Himself, your sin, and your Saviour.
4. Expect to change. God’s Word is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). We don’t just want to learn more facts; we want to grow in grace and be changed.

Where to start if you’re new

If you’re not yet a Christian, or not sure, you are very welcome here. You might like to read the Gospel of Mark alongside this series – it’s short and fast-moving, and it will introduce you to Jesus Himself. And if you have questions, use the Contact page. I’d love to hear from you.

Next in the series: Genesis – the book of beginnings.