Ordination Bible Book Content

Front 1

Contents of Joshua

Back 1

Conquest: To record the fulfillment of God’s promise to give Israel the Land of Canaan through conquest, and through its distribution to the 12 Tribes.
(Ch1-11) conquest of the land
(ch12-24) division among the tribes

Front 2

Contents of Judges

Back 2

Cycles: Cycles of Israel’s apostasy; outcry & deliverance through judges.

Front 3

Contents of Ruth

Back 3

Kinsman-Redeemer: The account of the young gentle widow Ruth, who followed her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Bethlehem. There she gains the favor of Boaz, her kinsman redeemer, who takes her as his wife and she becomes and ancestor of David and of Christ.

Front 4

Contents of 1 Samuel

Back 4

Saul’s Kingdom: The account of the transition of leadership in Israel from judges to kings. Three characters play a prominent role in this book, which accounts the rise of the prophet Samuel, the reign and rejection of Saul, and the beginning of David’s rule.

Front 5

Contents of 2 Samuel

Back 5

David’s Kingdom: The account of David’s Kingship over Israel along with it’s troubles and the promise of it’s messianic role.

Front 6

Contents of 1 Kings

Back 6

Division: Monarchy under Solomon (united kingdom) and his successors (divided kingdom)

Front 7

Contents of 2 Kings

Back 7

Exile: Explains the fall and exile of the Northern Kingdom and of Judah ++ 722 B.C. Fall of Israel --------- 586 B.C. Fall of Jerusalem

Front 8

Contents of 1 Chronicles

Back 8

Positive Portrait of David: Genealogies and the Reign of David ++ Purpose is to encourage and direct the returnees in reestablishing Israel’s Kingdom after the exile. Special emphases placed on (1) rebuilding and reforming the Temple (2) re-establishing Davidic leadership (3) reunification of all Israel in Jerusalem.

Front 9

Contents of 2 Chronicles

Back 9

Positive Portrait of Judah: Solomon’s reign and the Kingdom of Judah

Front 10

Contents of Ezra

Back 10

Return: Continues the narrative of 2 Chronicles by showing how God fulfills his promise to return his people to the Land of Promise after seventy years of exile. Ezra relates the story of two returns from Babylon-the first under Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple and the second under Ezra to rebuild the spiritual condition of the people. ++ 538 B.C. Return --------- 515B.C. Re-built temple completed ++ 1-6 First return-Zerubbabel ++ 7-10 Second return-Ezra

Front 11

Contents of Nehemiah

Back 11

Walls: Nehemiah leads the final return to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. His concern for Jerusalem and her inhabitants prompts him to call on the people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in spite of opposition from her neighbors and resistance from within. ++ 1- 6 Rebuilding the walls ++ 7-10 Reading the Law and Covenant Renewal ++ 11-13 Dealing with the new community

Front 12

Contents of Esther

Back 12

Queen: This book shows the story of life for the Jews in Persia. Haman's plot to bring disaster to the Jews in countered by the courage of beautiful Esther and the counsel of her wise cousin Mordicai, resulting in a great deliverance which is celebrated by the Feast of Purim.

Front 13

Contents of Job

Back 13

Faith in Suffering: To explore the limits and proper use of human wisdom in the case of a righteous individual’s suffering. It helps us to respond wisely to God and to people who suffer.

Front 14

Contents of Psalms

Back 14

Songbook: Provides Israel with a collection of songs for worship appropriate for a variety of situations. Includes hymns of praise; lament; thanksgiving; penitential; royal; messianic; imprecatory; wisdom

Front 15

Contents of Proverbs

Back 15

Wisdom: Proverbs underscores the supreme value of wisdom for all aspects of living, often contrasting “wisdom” with “folly”, but also “the way of righteousness” over against “the way of the wicked”. The purpose was to provide a reliable resource for teaching wisdom to young members of the royal court, and within households of Israel.

Front 16

Contents of Ecclesiastes

Back 16

Vanity: Shows the importance of fearing God and the emptiness of life outside the Covenant

Front 17

Contents of Song of Songs

Back 17

Marriage celebration: Celebrates the beauty of covenant love between a husband and a wife

Front 18

Contents of Lamentations

Back 18

Weeping Prophet: Jeremiah weeps over his suffering and the disobedience, and impending judgment of the peoples’ of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians; affirms God’s faithfulness in spite of circumstances

Front 19

Contents of Hosea

Back 19

Adultery: Written to the N. Kingdom of Israel. Outwardly the nation was enjoying a time of prosperity and growth; but inwardly, moral corruption and spiritual adultery permeated their lives . Hosea was instructed to marry an unfaithful wife, and he found his own life a vivid illustration of the unfaithfulness of God’s people and the faithfulness of God. Hosea repeatedly echoes the threefold message: God abhors the sins of his people; judgment is certain; but God’s love stands firm.

Front 20

Contents of Joel

Back 20

Locust: Disaster struck the s. kingdom of Judah in the form of a cloud of locusts. In a matter of hours, the fields were stripped bare, and the Prophet Joel seized the opportunity to proclaim God’s message. The Locusts were seen as a foreshadowing of the coming day of the Lord. In light of this, the book warns of approaching judgment, calls for repentance and gives god’s people hope of the coming day of salvation that will follow judgment. (1) Day of Judgment (2-3) Day of the Lord

Front 21

Contents of Amos

Back 21

Judgment: Addresses the excessive pursuit of luxury, self-indulgence, and oppression of the poor, which characterized the period of prosperity and success in the Northern Kingdom of Israel under Jereboam II. Israel cannot be content to be complacent about her standing before God. As she embraces the judgment coming against the nations so she must acknowledge that she is under the same (if not higher) obligation to honor the LORD. Vision of plumb line, basket of ripe fruit- Prepare to meet your God. 1-2 announcement of judgment 3-6 reasons for judgment 7-8 visions of judgment 9 restoration of Davidic kingdom

Front 22

Contents of Obadiah

Back 22

Doom of Edom: Shortest book in the OT. Edom is condemned for cruelty towards Judah. Obadiah, pronounced condemnation against Edom and prophesied their total destruction because of their persistent opposition to God’s people.
1-16 Edom’s destruction
17-21 restoration

Front 23

Contents of Jonah

Back 23

Grace and Mercy in Nineveh:
God loves the world and its people, even the godless (Nineveh) and the hardhearted (Jonah). God accomplishes his purposes despite the defects of his servants. Jonah learns that “salvation is of the Lord” (2:9), and God’s grace extends to all who respond to his message with repentance. Jewish nationalism blinds God’s covenant people to his compassion for Gentiles. God fishes for men: both the Gentile people of Nineveh and his reluctant servant Jonah. [Sources: Meek’s packet, Talk Thru the Bible, Wilkinson and Boa]. (1-2) First Commission of Jonah (3-4) Second Commission of Jonah

Front 24

Contents of Micah

Back 24

Lawsuit: Burdened by the abuse of the poor, the book of Micah rebukes anyone who would use social status or political power for personal gain. Micah divides into three section which 1) expose the sin of his countrymen, 2) pictures the punishment God is about to send, and 3) holds out the hope of restoration once that discipline has ended. Micah points to a restoration of God's work in Judah. Has similarities to Isaiah. 1-2 Sin and judgment 3-5 Hope and comfort 6-7 Controversy and pardon

Front 25

Contents of Nahum

Back 25

Nineveh Falls: In contrast to Jonah, whose ministry resulted in Nineveh's repentance, the prophet Nahum proclaims the downfall of the great Assyrian city of Nineveh. The Ninevites have forgotten their revival and have returned to their habits of violence, idolatry, and arrogance. As a result, Babylon will so destroy the city that no trace of it will remain-a prophecy fulfilled in painful detail.
1 Justice- -Psalm of the Lord's Majesty
2 Judgment--Dirge of Nineveh's Destruction

Front 26

Contents of Habakkuk

Back 26

Faith: Habakkuk prophesied during the decline of Judah. Although repeatedly called to repentance, the nation stubbornly refused to change her sinful ways. Asking how long this intolerable situation would continue, Habakkuk is told by God that the Babylonians will be his chastening rod on the nation-an announcement that sends the prophet to his knees. Though perplexed, Habakkuk acknowledges that the just in any generation shall live by faith, not by sight, and he concludes by praising God's wisdom even though he doesn't fully understand God's ways. Why no justice? How can God use Babylon?
1 Complaint 2 Listening 3 Prayer

Front 27

Contents of Zephaniah

Back 27

The Day of the Lord: Zephaniah is a minor prophet with a major interest in the appointed day of the Lord for the judgement of all humans. The book centers around the initial warning that the day of the Lord is coming and applies the coming judgement to Judah, Assyria, and several other surrounding nations. The book closes with a vision of the future of Jerusalem and the hope of blessing and solace in the Messiah.
1 Day of wrath
2 Desolation
3 Day of deliverance

Front 28

Contents of Haggai

Back 28

HAGGAI: Build the House of the Lord!! : Haggai confronts those who prefer to build their own “paneled houses” while the temple of God remains in a ruin state. The result of these circumstances is that the Lord has withheld blessings from the land until the priority of the Lord’s house is restored. Once work begins, God freely restores his blessings upon the people and the land.
1 Charge to rebuild and work begun
2 Exhortation to finish

Front 29

Contents of Zechariah

Back 29

The Messiah is Coming: Zechariah is sent by the Lord to encourage the people of God to remain diligent in their rebuilding of the temple because it will one day be the habitation of the Messiah. The majority of the book is visionary and imagistic.
1-8 Visions related to the rebuilding of the temple and spiritual renewal
9-14 Two oracles concerning the Messiah’s rejection and eventual reign.

Front 30

Contents of Malachi

Back 30

The Messenger of the Lord: Malachi is God’s messenger to his rebellious people. His message is one of judgement and confrontation for the corruption of the priests, the self-righteousness of the people, and the generally accepted wickedness of the culture. Some of the topics addressed in Malachi include, divorce, tithing, worship, and hypocrisy. Malachi ends with a promise of a redeemer after the fashion of the great prophet Elijah.
1 Unfit worship exposed 2 Corruption of priesthood and unfaithfulness of Judah 3 The day of Judgment promised and Improper stewardship exposed 4The Day of the Lord and the promise of a redeemer.

Front 31

Contents of 1 Thessalonians

Back 31

Hold On -- Christ Is Coming : Paul writes with gratitude and affection to a church that he had visited only briefly. He offers words of encouragement to a faithful but struggling church, and focuses particularly on the encouragement offered by the return of Christ.
1-3 Faithfulness to the Lord
4-5 Watchfulness for the Lord

Front 32

Contents of 2 Thessalonians

Back 32

Keep On—Christ Is Coming:
Paul writes with gratitude and affection to a church that he had visited only briefly. He offers words of encouragement to a faithful but struggling church, and focuses particularly on clarifying misunderstanding concerning the return of Christ.

1 Encouragement in persecution
2-3 Correction concerning Christ's coming

Front 33

Contents of 1 Timothy

Back 33

Order In The Church : Now aged, and experienced, Paul writes his young protege in the faith, Timothy, a young pastor facing heavy responsibility. Paul's letter provides Timothy with encouragement in ministry.

1 Instruction in right belief
2-3 Instructions for the church [3 church officers]
4-6 Instructions for leaders

Front 34

Contents of 2 Timothy

Back 34

Lead The Church:
Paul's second letter provides Timothy with if encouragement towards continued faithfulness in ministry and Paul' s last words to Timothy.

1-2 Foundations of Christian service
3-4 Difficult times for Christian service

Front 35

Contents of Titus

Back 35

Teach The Church:
Written to an associate of Paul who worked as Paul's apostolic representative. This brief letter focuses on Titus's role and responsibility in the organization and supervision of the churches on the island of Crete

1 Who should lead
2-3 What to teach

Front 36

Contents of Philemon

Back 36

Reconciliation :
The briefest of Paul's letters, it is a model of courtesy, discretion and loving concern for the forgiveness of one who would otherwise face sever consequences.
1-7 Paul appreciation of Philemon
8-25 Paul's appeal for Onesimus

Front 37

Contents of James

Back 37

Faith Expresses Itself Through Works:
To expose hypocritical practices and to teach right Christian behavior. James exhorts the believer to exercise faith through good works. Faith without works cannot be called faith. Faith without works is dead, and a dead faith is worse than no faith at all. Faith must work; is must produce; mere mental assent is insufficient. Throughout his epistle to Jewish believers, James integrates true faith and everyday practical experience by stressing that true faith must manifest itself in works of faith.
1 Genuine religion
2-3 Genuine faith
3-5 Genuine wisdom

Front 38

Contents of 1 Peter

Back 38

Faith Withstanding Suffering :
To offer encouragement to suffering Christians. Addresses Christians facing persecution for their faith. As a comfort, Peter reminds them of their heavenly inheritance and he encourages them to live lives of submission to God.
1-2 Salvation
2-3 Submission
3-5 Suffering

Front 39

Contents of 2 Peter

Back 39

Faith Upholds The Truth:
To warn Christians about false teachers (who denied Christ's return) and to exhort them to grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ. The best antidote for error is a mature understanding of the truth.
1 Truth about the gospel
2 Truth about false teachers
3 Truth about Christ's return

Front 40

Contents of 1 John

Back 40

Fellowship With God: Reassures Christians in their faith and counters false teaching. John wrote this fatherly epistle out of loving concern for his "children" whose steadfastness in the truth was being threatened by the lure of worldliness and the guile of false teachers.
1-2 God is light
2-4 God is love
5 God is life

Front 41

Contents of 2 John

Back 41

Living in the Love of God: Not only in extending God's love to other people, but also in discerning in not going beyond biblical revelation or aiding enemies of the Gospel. Rather, it is to wall according to His commandments.

Front 42

Contents of 3 John

Back 42

Building Unity in Christ: Paul exhorts them to show hospitality to missionaries, enforce church discipline and work with integrity.

Front 43

Contents of Jude

Back 43

Preserve the Faith: Reminds the church of the need for constant vigilance--to keep strong in the faith and to
defend in against heresy. Many New Testament epistles defend against the problem of
false teachers, but Jude is relentless and passionate in his denunciation of apostate teachers
who have invaded the church.

1-16 Danger of false teachers.
17-25 Duty to fight for God's truth.