The Gospels

• Matthew

This is an account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, focusing on Jesus’ role as the true king of the Jews.

• Mark

This brief account of Jesus’ earthly ministry highlights Jesus’ authority and servanthood.

• Luke

Luke writes the most thorough account of Jesus’ life, pulling together eyewitness testimonies to tell the full story of Jesus.

• John

John lists stories of signs and miracles with the hope that readers will believe in Jesus.

The History of the Early Church

• Acts

Jesus returns to the Father, the Holy Spirit comes to the church, and the gospel of Jesus spreads throughout the world. 

The book of Acts is a sequel to the gospel of Luke (Acts 1:1–2; Luke 1:1–4). It’s the author’s account of how the followers of Jesus grew from a small group of witnesses to a movement that spread throughout the Roman empire. The central characters in this narrative are Peter and Paul: two prominent leaders in the early church.

The Pauline Epistles

• Romans

Paul summarizes how the gospel of Jesus works in a letter to the churches at Rome, where he plans to visit.

• First Corinthians

Paul writes a disciplinary letter to a fractured church in Corinth, and answers some questions that they’ve had about how Christians should behave.

• Second Corinthians

Paul writes a letter of reconciliation to the church at Corinth, and clears up some concerns that they have.

• Galatians

Paul hears that the Galatian churches have been lead to think that salvation comes from the law of Moses, and writes a (rather heated) letter telling them where the false teachers have it wrong.

• Ephesians

Paul writes to the church at Ephesus about how to walk in grace, peace, and love.

• Philippians

An encouraging letter to the church of Philippi from Paul, telling them how to have joy in Christ.

• Colossians

Paul writes the church at Colossae a letter about who they are in Christ, and how to walk in Christ.

• First Thessalonians

Paul has heard a good report on the church at Thessalonica, and encourages them to “excel still more” in faith, hope, and love.

• Second Thessalonians

Paul instructs the Thessalonians on how to stand firm until the coming of Jesus.

• First Timothy

Paul gives his protegé Timothy instruction on how to lead a church with sound teaching and a godly example.

• Second Timothy

Paul is nearing the end of his life, and encourages Timothy to continue preaching the word.

• Titus

Paul advises Titus on how to lead orderly, counter-cultural churches on the island of Crete.

• Philemon

Paul strongly recommends that Philemon accept his runaway slave as a brother, not a slave.

The General Epistles

• Hebrews

A letter encouraging Christians to cling to Christ despite persecution, because he is greater.

• James

A letter telling Christians to live in ways that demonstrate their faith in action.

• First Peter

Peter writes to Christians who are being persecuted, encouraging them to testify to the truth and live accordingly.

• Second Peter

Peter writes a letter reminding Christians about the truth of Jesus, and warning them that false teachers will come.

• First John

John writes a letter to Christians about keeping Jesus’ commands, loving one another, and important things they should know.

• Second John

A very brief letter about walking in truth, love, and obedience.

• Third John

An even shorter letter about Christian fellowship.

• Jude

A letter encouraging Christians to contend for the faith, even though ungodly persons have crept in unnoticed.

The Apocalypse

• Revelation

John sees visions of things that have been, things that are, and things that are yet to come.

Courtesy of overviewbible