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DEUTERONOMY
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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 -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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: Isaiah
TO WHOM: Judah
PURPOSE: Correction and reproof.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: Rebellion
leads to retribution. Repentance leads to restoration.
JEREMIAH
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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: " - Romans 10:13
Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
MICAH
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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).
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About The Writers of The New
Testament
MATTHEW
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: Peter
TO WHOM: Christian exiles, probably
the same group listed in I Peter.
PURPOSE: To warn of danger from
within: Apostasy and false teaching.
LIFE AND MINISTRY PRINCIPLE: The
greatest two dangers from within the church are apostasy and false
teachers.
I JOHN
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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
WRITER: 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.
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