Old Testament Books

GENESIS
AUTHOR: Moses
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: To preserve the historical background of Israel and
the record of creation, sin, redemption, and God's first dealings
with man.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLES: God's plan from the beginning included all nations. God begins new things with people.

EXODUS
AUTHOR: Moses
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: To record the deliverance of Israel from slavery
and document their purpose for existence as a nation.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Salvation comes only through
the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus.

LEVITICUS
AUTHOR: Moses
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: To show Israel how to live as a holy nation in
fellowship with God and prepare them to extend the redemptive
plan of God to all nations.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God requires holiness of
His people.

NUMBERS
AUTHOR: Moses
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Records experiences of the wilderness journey which
are a type of the defeated Christian.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God is not pleased with
anything less than total commitment.

DEUTERONOMY

AUTHOR: Moses
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: To restate the law to the new generations of Israelites
 born since Mt. Sinai.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Obedience brings blessing. Disobedience brings judgment.

JOSHUA
AUTHOR: Joshua
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Record the history of the conquest of Canaan.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: No moral or spiritual
victories are won without battles.

JUDGES
AUTHOR: Samuel
TO WHOM: Israel.
PURPOSE: Historical record of the rule of the judges
which occurred after the close of the book of Joshua.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: There is a divine
pattern of chastisement designed to turn God's people from
sin to salvation.

RUTH
AUTHOR: Unknown
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Written as part of the historical record of Israel
to illustrate the concern of God for all people. It also illustrates
the kinsman-redeemer relationship of Jesus Christ.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God can turn bitterness
to blessing.

I SAMUEL
INTRODUCTION
AUTHOR: Samuel
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Continued record of God's dealing with His people.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Obedience to God is
more important than sacrifice.

II SAMUEL
AUTHOR: Samuel
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Continue the historical record of God's dealing with
His people.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God carries out His plan
through those obedient to Him in spite of their human frailties.

I KINGS
AUTHOR: Jeremiah.
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Continue the record of God's dealings with
His people, Israel.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Compromise may seem
easy but it is always costly later.

II KINGS
AUTHOR: Jeremiah.
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Continue the record of God's dealings with
His people, Israel.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Kingdoms of this
world are temporal: They rise and fall under God's control.

I CHRONICLES
AUTHOR: Ezra.
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Record of the religious history of Judah.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: When God is exalted His
people are blessed.

II CHRONICLES
AUTHOR: Ezra.
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Record of the religious history of Judah.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God's blessing comes
through humbling ourselves and seeking Him.

EZRA
AUTHOR: Ezra
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Records the return of Israel from exile and
rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Return and restoration
are basic principles of repentance.

NEHEMIAH
AUTHOR: Nehemiah
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: Continuation of the history of Israel. Record of
the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: There is no opportunity
without opposition. Faith without works is dead.

ESTHER
AUTHOR: Unknown
TO WHOM: The Jews scattered throughout Persia.
PURPOSE: Continuation of history of Israel. Also to recount
the providential care of God for His people.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God meets the crises of
life with human vessels which He has prepared.

JOB
AUTHOR: Unknown
TO WHOM: The book is not specifically addressed to anyone
but is applicable to all believers who experience suffering.
PURPOSE: This book wrestles with the question, "Why do
the righteous suffer?"
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: There is a spiritual reason
behind suffering of the righteous. Suffering is not necessarily
evidence of God’s displeasure.

PSALMS
AUTHOR: All the Psalms were written by King David
with the exception of the following:
-Asaph: 50; 73-83 -Heman: 88  -Ethan: 89 -Solomon: 127 -
Moses: 90 -Hezekiah: 120, 121,123,125, 126, 128-130,
132, 134 -Author Unknown: 1, 10, 33, 43, 66, 67, 71,
91-94, 96-100, 102, 104, 106, 107, 111- 119, 135, 136,
137, 146-150
TO WHOM: Israel, but the book has been used for devotion,
prayer, and praise by believers down through the centuries.
PURPOSE: The book of Psalms was known as the hymn
book of Israel. The word "Psalms" means "songs to the
accompaniment of a stringed instrument.” It is the prayer
and praise book of the Bible.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Prayer, praise,
intercession, and confession are all part of true worship.

PROVERBS
AUTHOR: Solomon, the son of King David, wrote
Proverbs 1-29, Agur wrote 30, 31.
TO WHOM: Israel, but the truths for practical living are
applicable to all believers.
PURPOSE: The purposes of this book are given in
Proverbs 1:1-6. Read them in your Bible. An introduction
to Proverbs is given in Ecclesiastes 12:8-14.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Vertical wisdom is
necessary for horizontal living. Proverbs is a collection
of wise principles given by God to man (vertical) to
govern living with others (horizontal).

ECCLESIASTES
AUTHOR: Solomon
TO WHOM: Israel and believers in general with a
special emphasis towards youth.
PURPOSE: A description of the quest for life apart
from God.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Life apart from God
is futile.

SONG OF SOLOMON
AUTHOR: Solomon
TO WHOM: Israel and all believers
PURPOSE: To show the relationship between Jesus and
the Church as demonstrated by the marriage relationship.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: The divine model of
love between a man and his wife is the pattern for relationship
between Christ and the Church.

ISAIAH
AUTHOR: Isaiah
TO WHOM: Judah
PURPOSE: Correction and reproof.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Rebellion leads
to retribution. Repentance leads to restoration.

JEREMIAH
AUTHOR: Jeremiah
TO WHOM: Judah
PURPOSE: To warn of the coming judgment of captivity
and call for repentance.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: National disasters
and deterioration are often due to disobedience to God.

LAMENTATIONS
AUTHOR: Jeremiah
TO WHOM: Jews who were captive in Babylon
PURPOSE: To produce repentance necessary for
spiritual restoration.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God is faithful in
both judgment and mercy.

EZEKIEL
AUTHOR: Ezekiel
TO WHOM: Judah
PURPOSE: Ezekiel warned of the coming captivity, then
prophesied to the captives after it occurred.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: The Lord orders
historical events so that the nations will know He is God.

DANIEL
AUTHOR: Daniel
TO WHOM: The Jewish captives
PURPOSE: To show how God rules the affairs of men.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God is sovereign
and He honors those who honor Him.

HOSEA
AUTHOR: Hosea
TO WHOM: Northern kingdom of Israel.
PURPOSE: To alert Israel to her sinful condition and
bring her back to God.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Experience fosters
understanding and compassion.

JOEL
AUTHOR: Joel
TO WHOM: Judah
PURPOSE: To warn Judah of their sin and need
for repentance and inform of God's future plans for
the nation. A first judgment (1:2-2:17) precedes a
greater judgment to follow (2:18-3:21).
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Even in the midst
of corrective judgment, God plans future blessings for
His people.

AMOS
AUTHOR: Amos
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: To call Israel back to God.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: The call to the nations
is still "Prepare to meet thy God."

OBADIAH
AUTHOR: Obadiah
TO WHOM: The nation of Edom.
PURPOSE: To warn of God's punishment for sin.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God brings down that
which has been sinfully exalted.

JONAH
AUTHOR: Jonah
TO WHOM: The nation of Ninevah to warn of the consequences
of disobedience to God.
PURPOSE: The purpose was not only to evangelize Ninevah,
but to document for Israel that salvation was not for the Jews
only.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Salvation is not restricted
by race, culture, or other barriers: "Whosoever shall call on
the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

MICAH
AUTHOR: Micah
TO WHOM: Israel and Judah
PURPOSE: A call to repentance to avoid judgment.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God judges the
oppressors of His people.

NAHUM
AUTHOR: Nahum
TO WHOM: The city of Ninevah.
PURPOSE: To warn of judgment on Ninevah, capitol of
the Assyrian empire which took God's people into captivity.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Beware, God avenges evil.

HABAKKUK
AUTHOR: Habakkuk
TO WHOM: Judah
PURPOSE: Awaken Judah to their spiritual needs and warn
of impending judgment from God.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: The just shall live by faith.

ZEPHANIAH
AUTHOR: Zephaniah
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: To warn Israel and all nations of the judgment of God.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God is mighty to save.

HAGGAI
AUTHOR: Haggai
TO WHOM: Israel, after the exile; particularly the Jews who
had returned to Jerusalem.
PURPOSE: To inspire Israel to new zeal for God and make the
leaders aware of their responsibility to rebuild the temple
of worship.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Building God's Kingdom
should be a priority of the true believer.

ZECHARIAH
AUTHOR: Zechariah
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: To inspire Israel to finish the temple.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: God controls the affairs
of men and nations.

MALACHI
AUTHOR: Malachi
TO WHOM: Israel
PURPOSE: To call the nation to repentance and
return to righteousness.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE:
Repentance (attitude) + Returning (action) = Restoration
Both attitude (repentance from sin) and action (returning to
God) are necessary for forgiveness (restoration to righteousness
before God).

New Testament Books 

MATTHEW
AUTHOR: Matthew
TO WHOM: To all believers, although the first intended audience
was the Jews to whom he presented Jesus as the Messiah, the Son
of David.
PURPOSE: To present the ministry of Jesus, stressing His role
as King of the Jews.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: The final command of Jesus
to His followers was to go to all nations with the Gospel.

MARK
AUTHOR: Mark
TO WHOM: To all believers, although the first intended audience
was the Romans to whom he presents Jesus as a servant.
PURPOSE: To present the ministry of Jesus, stressing His role as
a servant and the Son of man.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: We should seek to minister
rather than to be ministered to.

LUKE
AUTHOR: Luke
TO WHOM: All believers, although the first intended audience
was the Greeks to whom he presented Jesus as the perfect man.
He also addresses one specific believer, Theophilus.
PURPOSE: The purpose is to write an orderly account of the
ministry of Jesus (Luke 1:1-4).
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Our mission is identical to
that of Jesus: To reach the lost with the good news of the Gospel.

JOHN
AUTHOR: John
TO WHOM: All believers, to whom John portrays Jesus as the
Son of God.
PURPOSE: To convince that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of
God, and lead men to everlasting life.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of the living God, source of salvation and way to
everlasting life.

ACTS
AUTHOR: Luke
TO WHOM: All believers, although the book is specifically
addressed to Theophilus.
PURPOSE: The book concerns what Jesus continued to do
and teach after His ascension through His spiritual Body,
the Church (Acts 1:1-2).
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: The true evidence of the
Holy Spirit is directed power: Power to become witnesses
for the purpose of extending the Gospel throughout the world.

ROMANS
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: Believers in Rome.
PURPOSE: To present the meaning of the Gospel in relation to
law, prophecy, and the universal need of man for justification
by faith.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: The just shall live by faith.

I CORINTHIANS
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: Believers at Corinth
PURPOSE: Paul deals with problems which have been brought
to his attention and questions which the Corinthian believers
have asked.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Love is the greatest spiritual
key to effective Christian life and ministry.

II CORINTHIANS
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: Believers at Corinth.
PURPOSE: To reestablish his apostolic authority was the
major purpose, but it also deals with additional important
issues. (See 8:10.)
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Human weakness
provides opportunity for manifestation of the power of God.

GALATIANS
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: Believers at Galatia.
PURPOSE: To correct false teaching of Jewish legalism in
the Church.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Jesus delivered us from
law to liberty.

EPHESIANS
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: The church at Ephesus.
PURPOSE: To inform believers of their wealth in Christ and
instruct concerning their walk in Christ.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Believers are heirs to both
the blessings (the wealth) and the responsibilities (the walk) of
their calling in Christ.

PHILIPPIANS
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: The Church at Philippi
PURPOSE: To present an appeal for Christian unity.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Unity in Jesus brings joy.

COLOSSIANS
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: Believers at Colosse who were to share the letter
with the believers at Laodecea.
PURPOSE: To deal with doctrinal issues in the church.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLES: Christ is all and is in all.

I THESSALONIANS
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: Believers at Thessalonica
PURPOSE: To confirm that the Lord is coming back: To
commend and exhort for the faith and correct false doctrine.
Paul also answers false charges against his ministry.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Comfort should focus on
the glorious hope of the return of Jesus Christ.

II THESSALONIANS
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: Church at Thessalonica
PURPOSE: To instruct believers waiting for the return of
the Lord.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Since there will be a great
falling away before the day of the Lord, it is important to teach
and live by sound doctrine.

I TIMOTHY
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: Timothy
PURPOSE: Paul wrote this letter to a co-laborer named
Timothy who was ministering as an interim pastor in the
church at Ephesus. The book concerns some of the problems
and needs which existed in this church.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: We should live a life
exemplary of the ministry to which we have been called.

II TIMOTHY
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: Timothy
PURPOSE: Paul wrote this book from prison to challenge
Timothy to assume responsibility for the ministry which the
apostle was handing over due to his forthcoming death. Paul
knew he would soon be executed for his faith.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: The divine pattern
for multiplication of the Gospel message is "each one teach
one to reach one."

TITUS
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: Titus, a Greek convert and fellow worker with
Paul.
PURPOSE: To correct problems and establish proper order
in the churches located on the island of Crete.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Founding a good work
is not enough. That work must be established and organized
according to the principles of God's Word.

PHILEMON
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: Philemon, a Christian who lived at Colosse
PURPOSE: To appeal for Onesimus, the runaway slave of
Philemon who had become a believer. The book also serves
as a practical example of Christian principles applied to social relationships. It also illustrates the principle of forgiveness,
and the ministry of intercession.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Christian principles must
be applied to social relationships.

HEBREWS
AUTHOR: Paul
TO WHOM: Jewish (Hebrew) believers
PURPOSE: To present Jesus Christ as superior over all.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Jesus is the mediator
of a better covenant established on better promises.

JAMES
AUTHOR: James, an earthly brother of Jesus from Joseph and Mary
TO WHOM: Believers among the twelve tribes of Israel
PURPOSE: To comfort believers undergoing trials for
their faith.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Faith is the foundation
of works.

I PETER
AUTHOR: Peter
TO WHOM: Exiles being persecuted for their Christian faith
PURPOSE: To warn of the danger of persecution from those
outside of the Church.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Response to persecution
should be based on Scriptural principles.

II PETER
AUTHOR: Peter
TO WHOM: Christian exiles, probably the same group listed in
I Peter.
PURPOSE: To warn of danger from within: Apostasy and f
alse teaching.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: The greatest two dangers
from within the church are apostasy and false teachers.

I JOHN
AUTHOR: John
TO WHOM: Christians who were falling into Satanic deception
which was breaking their fellowship with God and
other believers.
PURPOSE: To explain the standards of true fellowship in
Jesus Christ.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: True fellowship with God
and fellow believers is based on the standards of God's Word and maintained by the principle of confession of sin.

II JOHN
AUTHOR: John
TO WHOM: The "elect lady and her children," which means
the Church and its members. (The Church is always addressed
in the feminine gender because she is called the bride of Christ.)
PURPOSE: To admonish believers to be faithful to sound doctrine
and to warn against false teachers.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: We must guard against
false teachers who cause us to lose the spiritual qualities we
have developed and who make us partakers of their evil.

III JOHN
AUTHOR: John
TO WHOM: The book is addressed to a man named Gaius. It is
written to both him and the church with which he was connected.
There is no way to identify who this man was, as the Bible
gives no further information on him. The truths of the letter
are applicable to all believers.
PURPOSE: To commend Gaius and Demetrius for their Christian testimony and to reprove the unchristian behavior of Diotrephes.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Our lives are examples of
either good or evil to others around us.

JUDE
AUTHOR: Jude, an earthly brother of Jesus from Joseph and Mary.
TO WHOM: All Christians, although the specific audience at
the time were members of churches in Palestine and/or Asia.
PURPOSE: To warn against false teachers
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: We must be alert for
false teachers who creep in unawares and divert believers
from the truth of God's Word.

REVELATION
AUTHOR: John
TO WHOM: Seven churches in Asia and believers in general.
PURPOSE: To reveal God's plan for the world.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: In the end, good is
always victorious over evil. God always accomplishes His
established plan and purpose.