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Simple Bible Summary

A simple Bible summary can set the stage for understanding the Bible as a whole. To many, the Bible may seem confusing; it may seem hard to know where to begin.  Our Bible study guides with Bible charts and helps assist in directing us to the overall message and how the stories within it connect.

I love to read books, but usually before choosing or reading a book, I read the summary on the back or inside cover, or these days, the summary on Amazon!  This introduces me to the overall story and helps me understand where the author is taking the reader.

The Bible is God's love letter to us!  It's not just for studying if to obtain knowledge, but it is our guide to knowing Him!


The following is a very simple, one page Bible summary overview that sums up The Story…His Story and how it affects each and every one of us.


One Page Bible Summary
"The Story of The Promise"

In the beginning was God.  He had always existed, but now He spoke into being all that we know – the heavens, the earth & all they contain.  He then created man & woman in His own image.  He created each of us to know Him in a personal relationship.  And in creating us to be loved by Him, He gave us free will to choose to love Him back or not.  He placed the man & woman in the garden – a perfect place.  He gave permission to Satan to entice them.  There had to come the choice– trust God or not…love God or not.  Man chose “not”, and this gave birth to sin and our separation from God.

God did not give up on man though.  He gave man work and pain, but also The Promise.  He gave The Promise of a Savior.  God held back evil with a flood.  He held back evil by scattering.  He held back evil with His promise given to an old man named Abraham, who passed it to his son, Issac, who passed it to his son, Jacob, until a nation was born from his twelve sons. A nation called God’s people, a nation called to carry The Promise.

The Promise remained through 400 years of slavery, through 40 years of wanderings, through 500 years of conquering and falling away striving to be a kingdom, through 500 years of brokenness and banishment, through 400 years of silence, until….

Until one silent night in a small town called Bethlehem, a child was born of a virgin.  The Promise was given birth and breath filled His lungs as the only Son of God took on human flesh.  God stepped down to earth and became a man to open the Way for us to return to Him.

It would take blood.  It would take sacrifice.  It would take His very life, the life of Jesus, God’s Son.  Yet none of this was actually taken; He gave all as a free gift…as another chance…to choose God…to trust and love Him.  Another chance to restore relationship with Elohim, our Creator.  Another chance for redemption. 

Yet no choice is automatic; it is an act of our free will.  A choice has been given; a choice must be made.

The Word came. The Word spread.  Many have chosen.  And The Promise continues unto That Day…the Day Jesus returns for His Bride.  There is still time.  What will we choose?

Choose The Promise!

© Copyright 2015 Susan Smart. All rights reserved.

Printable Copy of of the Bible Summary - "The Promise"

     Permission to print is granted for personal or teaching use  if copyright information is included.


Bible Summary Videos

Every Story Casts His Shadow

The Gospel Project does a wonderful job providing Bible lessons and studies that take us through the Bible.  Following is a short video that gives a wonderful Bible summary and how every story points to Jesus!

The Gospel Project Chronological from The Gospel Project | LifeWay on Vimeo.

5 Minute Video Overview for Kids

The Gospel Coalition also put together a wonderful Bible overview video for kids or really it's great for any age!


Bible Summary Charts

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and I know seeing data on a chart really helps me! (I am such a visual learner!)

One of the most helpful tools that was presented to me when learning about the Bible was the organization of the books.  Knowing that there are groups and order helps me remember where to find a certain book. 

The Old Testament consists of 39 books arranged: the first 5 books are called the Books of the Law or The Pentateuch and written by Moses, the next 12 are books of history, then 5 books of poetry or writings, 5 major prophet books and finally 12 minor prophet books.

Anytime I hear a name of a book that doesn't sound too familiar like Zephaniah, I immediately know it is most likely in the minor prophets at the end of the Old Testament.  Just a note...calling them minor prophets is not to diminish their value; they are called minor because the books are shorter.

Printable copy of Books of the Bible Chart

Permission to print is granted for personal or teaching use  if copyright information is included.

Another helpful tool is a Chronological Bible Overview.  It helps us  see how the books fit together along the historical timeline.  Knowing that the Book of Ruth takes place during the period of the Judges helps me understand better the time period in which she was living.  The same goes for understanding when a certain prophet was prophesying...during captivity, before, or after.

Printable Old Testament Books Chart

Permission to print is granted for personal or teaching use  if copyright information is included.

The same goes for the New Testament.  A Bible overview of how the New Testament books fit together chronologically helps me to better understand the context from which the Bible writers were writing.

Printable New Testament Books Chart

Permission to print is granted for personal or teaching use  if copyright information is included.


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