Unlock the secrets of Scripture and discover Jesus in every book of the Bible! What the Bible Is All About Bible Handbook for Kids , based on Dr. Henrietta Mears’ classic Bible handbook, is your ultimate guide to God’s Word. Inside you’ll find maps, charts, timelines, and illustrations that will help you track down the richest treasure of all: God’s plan to save the world! As you discover and decode each book of the Bible, God’s Story will take shape and you’ll begin to see Jesus on every page. Inside you’ll find: Background on the writer of each book - Jesus Connection for every book in the Bible - Word definitions to help you understand the Bible’s meaning - Lists of important people so you know who to watch for as you read. - Illustrations, timelines, and maps that show when and where key events took place - Summaries for each book that reveal how each part fits with the “big picture” - Info on archeological discoveries and life in Bible times that gives insights on the world of the Bible What the Bible Is All About Bible Handbook for Kids By Frances Blankenbaker Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Copyright © 2011 Gospel Light All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4964-1611-7 Contents Foreword, 4, God's Big Story!, 9, The Bible — A Library of Smaller Books, 16, How You Can be a Part of God's Big Story, 18, Let's Look at the Books of Law, 24, Let's Look at the Books of History, 54, Let's Look at the Books of Poetry, 120, Let's Look at the Books of Prophecy, 136, Let's Look at the Time Between the Old Testament and the New Testament, 200, Let's Look at the Gospels, 204, History, Let's Look at the Letters of Paul and Others, 245, Prophecy, A Dictionary of Bible Words, 293, Bible Times Information, CHAPTER 1 Part One: Old Testament Think promise — the word "testament" means a promise. The entire Old Testament is the story of the parts of a wonderful promise God made! There are five sections in the Old Testament and that promise is found in every section! SECTION 1: The first five books are called the books of Law or the books of Moses. These books tell about the creation of the world and how God chose a family that grew into a nation — Israel — to help fulfill His promise . It tells how God freed Israel from slavery, cared for them through 40 years in a desert and gave them His laws. (That didn't mean they always obeyed!) Right from the start, people disobeyed Him, causing one problem after another. But also right from the start, God promised a way to make things right again. SECTION 2: The next 12 books are called the books of History. They tell the story of God's nation, Israel, and start at the time the Israelites entered the land God had promised. When the Israelites obeyed Him, God defeated their enemies. But more often, God's people disobeyed and got in serious trouble! There were a few kings and queens who did right — but many who didn't! The disobedience led to fighting; the fighting led to Israel splitting in two, and both halves ended up captured by enemies who sent many away to foreign lands. The books of History end at the time some of those people returned to the land of Israel. SECTION 3: In the very middle of the Bible there are five books called Poetry . These poems and songs were written by many different people — including David, king of Israel, and his son Solomon. This poetry describes the greatness of God and the beauty of His creation, gives wise advice and answers many hard questions. The books of Poetry also give more promises of the great leader God would send His people! SECTIONS 4 & 5: During the years we read about in the books of History, God sent many messengers, called prophets , to His people. These prophets spoke or wrote what God wanted His people to know. They gave many warnings to obey God and many more promises about the great King and Savior who was coming ! The first five books of prophecy are called the "Major Prophets" because these books are longer than the "Minor Prophets," 12 smaller books that complete the Old Testament. CHAPTER 2 Part Two: The New Testament The New Testament tells how God's promise came true and how God's keeping of His promise changes everything ! The word "gospel" means "good news." The four Gospels tell the good news — about the King and Savior God promised who really did come! They tell about Jesus' birth, life and teachings — and how many of God's promises came true when Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. More of God's promises came true when Jesus came back to life! The Acts of the Apostles tells what God's Holy Spirit did through people who took the good news about Jesus to the rest of the world! It tells how Peter, Philip and then Paul spread the good news , sharing God's promise with everyone — and causing such a stir that people said they were turning the world upside down ! The Bible
