Sanctified by the word of God and prayer (1 Tim 4:5)

Origin of daily Bible reading and prayer...and how to catch up

Bottom line: this is a labor of love by which I’m trying to inspire others to read and love the Word of God.

You can follow along with each Daily Reading and Prayer, which follows two Bible reading plans (one chronological and one that offers daily Old Testament and New Testament readings) and offers a prayer based on those readings. If you want more summaries or insight, I link, at minimum, to an outline for each book, often a “What I Learned” document for each book that we are reading, and sometimes additional reflections or summaries based on our reading. I started composing these extra documents in January 2023 and am editing them as we go through the year’s readings in 2024. They can all be found linked below in this document. The books are listed in chronological order, not the order they are found in the Bible.

For those who may have never read the Bible before or for those who want to go deeper, I have made available, by subscription, my Chronological Study of the Gospels, generated by my teaching of the women’s Bible study at Calvary Chapel South Maui, where my husband Kirk Milhoan is the senior pastor. Our daily study there began on October 1, 2023.

I was taught the exercise of praying over excerpts of the Bible years ago in a women’s Bible study at Wayside Chapel in San Antonio TX. We can read and study the Bible somewhat academically, to understand the story. This is not unimportant. We also read it to reflect on it as the Living Word of God to discern, through His Holy Spirit, how He would have us apply it to our lives. Writing out a prayer to the Lord over segments of studied scripture forces reflection for personal application. I encourage it as an incredibly impactful exercise.

At the beginning of the covid crisis, in March 2020, I launched a virtual 24-hour prayer tower, inspired by an actual prayer tower in Nepal that people in our church have visited and served, where someone is awake and praying 24 hours per day. Over 50 of us committed to a consistent hour of prayer each day, sufficiently covering the 24 hours, and I believe we were quite faithful during the months where we were all spending more than a usual amount of time at home. When schedules started normalizing, we continued the commitment to daily prayer, but not necessarily in specific time slots, hoping that we would, between all of us, send 24 hours of prayer incense into the throne room of God each day (Revelation 8:4).

As facilitator of this prayer tower, I sent out a daily email prayer. Those became immediately controversial. I was praying what was on my heart and mind, and the divisions in people’s viewpoint became quickly apparent. Desiring for unity and not division (see Romans 14), knowing we should be able to agree on the word of God, and already being in the long-standing habit of daily Bible reading, I decided to write my daily email prayer based on my Bible reading for the day. Thus, this daily habit that I post each day was born.

I thought it was worth editing this document and recounting this story immediately after fire destroyed the town of Lahaina on my beautiful island home of Maui. I confess my reading in Jeremiah on the day after this tragedy did not console. I do not dare to entertain the thoughts and ways of God in this circumstance (Isaiah 55:8-9). I can and must rely on what He has revealed to me in His Word. This is how He describes Himself:

The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.

Exodus 34:6b-7

Though my reading in Jeremiah did not console, my reading in Romans did:

• “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:9-10)

• “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED” (Romans 10:13)

• “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” (Romans 10:15b)

• “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

There is a remedy to our heartbreak and confusion. It is Jesus Christ and He can be found in His word. It is my own daily bread that I share, in hope, with others.

At the beginning of 2023, in this forum, I encouraged the resolution to read the Bible through in a year (I’ve since edited that encouragement). I also resolved to be helpful by trying to outline the books of the Bible as we read through them chronologically. My original resolve was to outline ahead, so the outline would be available for each new day’s reading. Two things happened to change that resolve. One, it was a monumental task. Two, I got increasingly convicted of the importance of each of us reading individually the entirety of the text of the word of God and I did not want to encourage first a summary instead of a whole reading.

However, knowing how easy it is to lose resolve and fall behind, I did not give up on summarizing. I have one book left to summarize, but all summaries can now be found below, in this document. This year, 2024, my resolution is to edit the summaries I created last year as we follow the annual reading plan.

Some comments about my method of summary. My objective has been to approach these like a book report, sharing personal insight and conviction as appropriate. I commented above that I’ve gotten increasingly convicted of the importance of reading the entirety of word of God and did not want to encourage first a summary instead of a whole reading. But summaries help with context. Context helps with comprehension. My heart’s desire is to do anything I can to assist in other’s inspiration to study the word of God. Because of my desire not to dispense with any of the words of God, the original readings are included in their entirety on the day they are introduced. In my summaries, you can usually find a detailed outline at the end (I’ve gotten better at this as I’ve gone along). I offer progressively less levels of detail from the end to the beginning of the document as I finally try to offer chapter highlights. I always want readers to be able to find as much as they can of the text to, as Bereans (Acts 17:11), verify the quality of my summaries.

I’ve learned that the progressive level of summarization I’ve employed, facilitated in our current era by the availability of electronic copies of the text, from most detailed to overall highlights, markedly increases comprehension. The daily exercise of repeated reading of the text in order to summarize it enhances the yearly schedule of repeated reading. Our comprehension grows and grows, with greater and greater insights, the more we read God’s word.

The book of Genesis tells the history of creation, the Fall (original sin), the Flood, and then of the Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (renamed Israel). Jacob had 12 sons, after whom the 12 tribes of Israel are named. Genesis ends with 70 sons of Israel in Egypt, escaping famine in the land God had promised to them. God promised Abraham and his descendants, “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Genesis is basically about God setting aside a people as an example for our blessing, to demonstrate faith, to demonstrate obedience, and to demonstrate His faithfulness. Its contents are foundational to rest of Scripture (Summary of Genesis, What I Learned, recap after 30 days of chronological reading)

The book of Job is placed within the time frame of the book of Genesis, sometime before or around the time of Abraham. Job teaches us about the ways of God and Satan, the sovereignty of God, and the futility of questioning God. (What I Learned)

The book of Exodus tells the story of God rescuing His people from slavery in Egypt after over 400 years there (as He promised Abraham), with Moses as their leader. God gives detail to His saying, “if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” by speaking the Ten Commandments and other ordinances (What I Learned about the Commandments and Ordinances of God), as well as the directions for the tabernacle, with Aaron and his sons as priest. The Israelites sin in their worship of the golden calf, Moses intercedes, God re-establishes a covenant with them, Moses’ face shines when he communicates the words of God, they erect the tabernacle according to God’s commands, and He fills it with His Holy Spirit. (What I Learned, Perspective after finishing Genesis and Exodus)

The book of Leviticus gives further explanation of God’s laws and ordinances, and the rituals of the tabernacle. I wrote a summary of it that focuses on what this book teaches us about a Holy God and our relationship with Him. (see also What I Learned and Wrestling with Hard Stuff)

The book of Numbers begins with a recounting of the enacting of all that God has instructed regarding the tabernacle and its rituals, and a celebration of the anniversary of the first Passover in Egypt. It then recounts the 40 years God’s people spend in the wilderness after the year they spent at Mount Sinai, learning God’s laws and ordinances. (What I Learned, The Number of the Names)

The book of Deuteronomy is Moses’ summary before his death. He recounts 40 years of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, answers many “why” questions regarding God’s handling of the nation of Israel, reviews God’s laws and ordinances, and prophesies about Israel’s future disobedience. It serves as a testimony against Israel that they had the opportunity to choose either the blessings of following God or the curses of disobedience. (What I Learned)

The book of Joshua recounts the era of Joshua, the servant of Moses, and his leadership over the nation of Israel after Moses’ death, from the crossing of the Jordan to the conquering of the Promised Land, with its allotment to all the tribes of Israel. (What I Learned)

The book of Judges chronicles what happens to the nation of Israel after Joshua and all the elders who survived him, who had known all the deeds of the Lord, die. The sons of Israel fail to drive out the Canaanite inhabitants of the Promised Land, as God had directed them. He warns them that these nations will be a snare to them and they will worship their gods. When they disobey in driving out the nations, God allows the nations to stay to test whether they will walk in His ways. They fail. Thus begins a recurring cycle of sin, consequence, cries for mercy, mercy in God giving them a judge to deliver them, and increasing sin after each judge dies. The book is summed up in the sentence, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (What I Learned)

The book of Ruth takes place in the time of the judges in Israel. It is the story of God incorporating into His family an honorable widow of Moab, who was married to a man of Judah, who is willing to have God be her God and His people be her people. She is redeemed by her husband’s kinsmen Boaz, marries him, and gives birth to Obed, the grandfather of King David. (What I Learned)

The book of 1 Samuel introduces us to Samuel the prophet. He succeeds Eli the priest, who had judged Israel 40 years (continuation of the line of judges introduced in the book of Judges). At the request of the nation of Israel for a king, God allows Samuel to anoint Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, as king over them. Saul transitions quickly from humility to pride and disobedience. Though he is told early in his reign that he will lose the kingdom (his sons will not succeed him) because of his disobedience, he rules for 42 years. David is anointed as his successor early in Saul’s reign, but endures Saul’s jealousy and attempts to kill him throughout the rest of Saul’s life, until he finally becomes king over Israel when Saul dies. Psalms are interspersed through this story, giving context to when and why they were written.

The reign of King David, the man after God’s own heart, which finally begins after King Saul dies after 42 years of reign, is recounted in 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Chronicles, 1 Kings, and more of the Psalms. Interestingly, the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah does not address family stories like the sin of David with Bathsheba and Uriah, or the rebellion of his sons Absalom and Adonijah, but 2 Samuel and 1 Kings do.

The reign of King Solomon, David’s son, begins before David dies, because David has such precise plans for the temple that Solomon will build and because David must put down the rebellion of another of his sons, Adonijah. After David dies and Solomon is firmly established as king, the rest of King Solomon’s reign, recounted in 1 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles, occurs during a time of peace and unity in Israel, allowing Solomon to add to the Psalms and write the poetic/wisdom books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. When Solomon was old, his many foreign wives turned his heart away after other gods, so the Lord promised to divide Israel, tearing ten tribes away, under the rule of Solomon’s son.

The era of the kings of Judah and the kings of Israel, recounted in 1 & 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles, begins after Israel is divided, as promised by God, under the rule of King Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. Judah, Benjamin, and the Levites (and all those faithful to the God of Jerusalem) form the kingdom of Judah, seated in Jerusalem. All the other tribes form the northern kingdom of Israel, initially under King Jeroboam, who establishes worship to golden calves in Bethel and Dan, so that the people of this kingdom are dissuaded from worship in Jerusalem and a return to the kingdom of Judah. Judah’s kings, influenced by the legacy of faithful David, vary between good and evil. Israel’s kings, influenced by the legacy of rebellious Jeroboam, go from bad to worse. The books of the Kings cover both kingdoms, while the Chronicles tend to focus on the kingdom of Judah.

Obadiah spoke during the reign of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, about the fate of Edom, descendants of Esau, to whom God had given special protection during the exodus from Egypt, who then revolted against Israel, His chosen people.

Jonah lived during the time of the kings of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, specifically during the reign of the second King Jeroboam of Israel, and effectively, though begrudgingly, called the people of Nineveh, the capital of the kingdom of Assyria, to repentance. With the benefit of history, we see how our gracious God likely prepared a remnant of people who feared Him to be found in this kingdom to which Israel was later exiled. We also know this move of repentance on the part of the kingdom was short-lived, as they returned to their former brutality and were ultimately conquered by the kingdom of Babylon.

Isaiah the son of Amoz prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (113 years of reign), kings of Judah, regarding the consequences of God’s people’s unfaithfulness to Him and the promises of His faithfulness to them. It’s a long book, encompassing 66 chapters (as many chapters as there are books of the Bible). It contains prophesies realized (e.g., exile of kingdom of Israel to Assyria and Judah to Babylon, return from exile, punishment of Israel’s enemies, coming of the Messiah) and yet to be realized (e.g., establishment of the new heaven and the new earth). I learned perseverance in mining its treasures is helped by noting themes and events that repeat throughout the book as God is gracious to teach and re-teach, warn and re-warn. He is just and will punish iniquity, but His promises are good for those who are faithful to Him.

Amos was a sheepherder, but shared visions the Lord gave him during the time of Uzziah, king of Judah, and Jeroboam (the second) son of Joash, king of Israel, about the impending exile of the kingdom of Israel to Assyria. He also pronounced judgment against the kingdom of Judah and judgment against Israel’s enemies (this linked summary to the book of Amos is helpful for understanding the enemies of Israel).

Micah spoke during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, about both the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. He prophesied about the kingdom of Israel’s exile to Assyria and the kingdom of Judah’s exile to Babylon as consequence for their idol worship. He also prophesied about the Messiah, and the ultimate establishment of Jerusalem at the end of days.

Hosea spoke during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the days of Jeroboam [the second] the son of Joash, king of Israel. He made explicit the consequence of the kingdom of Israel’s idol worship, meaning their exile to Assyria. God considers having other gods before Him as infidelity or adultery. He commanded Hosea to marry a harlot as an object lesson to drive His point home. The explanation of God’s righteous judgment always includes His invitation to repentance, reconciliation, and restoration of relationship with Him.

Nahum likely spoke his oracle against Nineveh during the reign of Manasseh, king of Judah. It predicts the eventual fall, to the kingdom of Babylon, of Nineveh and the kingdom of Assyria, to which the kingdom of Israel was exiled. It speaks of the nature of God, and God’s promise to His people that, though He may use kingdoms and people to punish, He will also justly punish those He uses. It also speaks of God’s faithfulness to the remnant of the faithful and the eventual restoration of Israel.

Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of Josiah, king of Judah. He warned to seek the Lord before the great day of the LORD when men will be cut off from the face of the earth, because of their sin against Him, except for a humble remnant of those who worship Him who He will gather to Jerusalem and be King in their midst.

Jeremiah prophesied starting in the thirteenth year of Josiah, king of Judah, through the reigns of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, sons of Josiah, until the exile of Judah to Babylon and the destruction of Jerusalem. He prophesied these events, as well as the subsequent punishment of Babylon and Israel’s other enemies.

Habakkuk spoke during the time of Jeremiah. He saw the terrifying vision of the punishing invasion of Judah by the mighty Chaldeans (of Babylon, who also conquered Assyria, as prophesied by Nahum), but also God’s subsequent punishment of them (and all enemies of God and His people for the sake of His anointed. He resolved to rejoice and trust in God, knowing he was secure in Him.

Jeremiah wrote his Lamentations after the kingdom of Judah was exiled to Babylon and Jerusalem was destroyed. His lamentations are helpful in the understanding of God’s purposes in these events, but also in the sovereignty of God over both good and evil, the holiness of God that must punish sin, and the mercy of God to punish us on earth so that we might repent and return to Him rather than be separated from Him for eternity.

The prophet Ezekiel wrote as an exile of Judah in Babylon. Jehoiachin was the grandson of King Josiah of Judah. He succeeded his father Jehoiakim (who had reigned in Jerusalem for 11 years), but only reigned 3 months before he was taken by King Nebuchadnezzar, with ten thousand other captives, to Babylon. He was replaced by his uncle Zedekiah, who reigned 11 years before he was exiled to Babylon. Ezekiel starting prophesying as early as the fifth year of Jehoiachin’s exile, before Jerusalem came under siege and was finally conquered. Ezekiel got the tough assignment of prophesying of these events, already as an exile. He also got the hopeful assignment of prophesying of the restoration of the temple and the land of Israel to God’s people.

Joel was a prophet in Israel who spoke the word of the Lord concerning events that did occur in Ezekiel’s time, namely the invasion of the kingdom of Judah in Israel. He called for repentance in anticipation of these events: “Who knows whether He will not turn and relent And leave a blessing behind Him.” He also prophesies the restoration of Israel and the punishment of her enemies, followed by the pouring out of God’s Spirit on all mankind, and finally the great and awesome day of the Lord, where the nations will be gathered for judgment and Jerusalem will be restored forever.

Daniel was exiled as a youth from Jerusalem, during the third year of the reign of King Josiah’s son Jehoiakim, to Babylon, by King Nebuchadnezzar, who conquered the Assyrians, serving him, his son King Belshazzar, King Darius the Mede, and King Cyrus of Persia. The book named for him contains both narrative of supernatural intervention, during his long years of faithful service in a foreign kingdom, and prophecy, revealed in dreams and visions and explained by angels, regarding the successive kingdoms of the earth and the latter days.

Ezra was a priest and scribe, descended via Zadok from Phinehas son of Eleazar son of Aaron, skilled in the law of Moses who “had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). God granted him favor before Artaxerxes king of Persia, who issued a decree that he, and any of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in his kingdom, could return to Jerusalem. He recounts the first return of exiles from Babylon to Israel, prophesied by Isaiah and Jeremiah, by previous decree of Cyrus king of Persia and the rebuilding of the temple, confounded by enemies, requiring the word of prophets, and finally miraculously supported by King Darius. Ezra arrived after these events and found the people in sin. His mourning and repentance moved the people of Israel to the same, resulting in dramatic action to correct their sin.

Haggai the prophet spoke to the sons of Israel when work on the temple had ceased, by decree from a successor of King Cyrus of Persia, Artaxerxes, and force of arms by his governor. He spoke this word of the LORD, during the reign of another successor Persian King Darius, for the LORD’s people to take courage and build, which they obeyed. In this short book, Haggai also gives insight into the Lord’s willingness to punish disobedience in order to get our attention, prophesies of the role of Zerubbabel in preserving the line of David through to the Messiah, and prophesies of events which will be fulfilled in the latter days of history.

Zechariah also wrote at the time of Ezra and Haggai, during the reign of Persian King Darius. The timing of his prophecy, around the fulfilled prophesy of the Jews’ return to Jerusalem and their rebuilding of the temple, is important. Within it, the LORD calls His people to take note of such prophesy fulfilled so that it would give confidence for prophesy yet to be fulfilled spoken by the LORD’s prophets, including Zechariah. Some of the prophecy in this book seems like it has already been fulfilled but is contained within future prophesy, demonstrating that prophesies can be fulfilled multiple times in history and that some cycles in the behavior of God’s people and His dealings with them will repeat, until He sends a Savior who will ultimately rule on the earth.

Esther tells the story of a Jewish orphan living in exile in Persia, under the care of her cousin Mordecai, who becomes Queen by marrying King Ahasuerus. Mordecai is unwilling to bow to Haman, the king’s second-in-command, so Haman devises a plot to annihilate the Jews. Mordecai asks Esther to risk her own life to appeal to the king. She and the Jews in Susa fast for three days, and she receives favor before the king, ultimately turning the plot around so that Haman is killed, Mordecai becomes the king’s second-in-command, and the Jews gain mastery over their enemies. The Jews celebrate these events, called Purim, annually.

Nehemiah, was cup bearer to Persian King Artaxerxes, with whom he found favor and was able to return to Jerusalem to lead the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in 52 miraculous days, under great threat from enemies. After this, the people gathered to hear Ezra read and teach from the word of the law of the LORD God, resulting in great repentance and action. Unfortunately, in keeping with the history of the sons of Israel, this conviction and obedience was short-lived.

Malachi was the last prophet to speak the word of the LORD before 400 years of silence broken when the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias to tell him about the impending birth of his son John the Baptist, who would fulfill the last prophecy of Malachi: “he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Its style is a series of conversations between the LORD and His people. We sin, we disobey Him, we fail to respect and fear Him, we question Him, we talk back to Him, and yet He fulfills His covenants, promising mercy and grace to those who do fear and esteem Him, and judgment to those who don’t.

The Gospel of Matthew was written to the early Jewish believers in Jesus Christ, by Matthew, one of the twelve disciples. He sought to highlight, particularly to his Jewish brethren, how Jesus Christ fulfilled Old Testament prophecy, proving He was the Messiah, so his Gospel contains many references to the Old Testament. (What I Learned as I Read, Sermon on the Mount)

The Gospel of Mark was written to the early Gentile believers in Jesus Christ, likely by John Mark, who accompanied the apostle Paul on his first missionary journey, and later accompanied Peter, who regarded him as his son in the faith (1 Peter 5:13). His Gospel account is the most succinct of the four, covering a lot of content with an efficient use of words (Comparison between Matthew and Mark, What I Learned as I Read)

The Gospel of Luke was written to Theophilus, after Luke investigated all that he had learned about the life of Jesus, so that he could know the truth about what he had been taught. Luke, the beloved physician (Colossians 4:14), was a traveling companion of the apostle Paul (see my summary of the book of Acts, below). Luke’s Gospel account is long and detailed. He not only shares the events of Jesus’ life, but focuses much effort on sharing the content of His teaching as well. “What I Learned,” an introduction to Luke, was informed by my simultaneous reading of Eugenia Constantinou’s highly recommended book, “The Crucifixion of the King of Glory.” I also wrote “What I Learned as I Read,” sharing personal insight and conviction.

The Gospel of John was written by John, the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” My perspective on this book was informed by another highly recommended book: “The Truth and Beauty” by Andrew Klavan. In a conversation with his son confessing a struggle understanding the Gospels, his son suggested that maybe his confusion was because he was trying to understand a philosophy and not trying to get to know a Person. John’s Gospel provides an intimate look at Jesus, the Word made flesh. My introductory “What I Learned” is a short reflection on why this book is so dearly loved and recommended. Again, I wrote “What I Learned as I Read,” sharing personal insight and conviction (I think this document worked the least well for this particular Gospel. Because all of the Gospel of John is so rich with teaching and meaning, I ended up just leaving most of its words in place, with still some scattered insights).

The book of Acts is the second installment written by Luke to Theophilus (the first being his Gospel account). The book of Luke is “about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles who He had chosen” (Acts 1:1b-2). The book of Acts overlaps this content, beginning after Jesus’ resurrection, before His ascension, and continues through the establishment of the early Christian church, ending with the apostle Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. Luke not only tells the story, but during Paul’s second missionary journey, he starts using the word “we,” signifying he was part of the story as well. Acts contains a helpful synopsis of the history of Israel as told by the martyr Stephen, as well as one told by the apostle Paul. It also contains Paul’s Sermon on Mars Hill, delivered in Athens; his goodbye to the elders of Ephesus; and his defense to the Jews in Jerusalem, who believed he preached against them, the Law, and the temple; and his defense to King Agrippa after he was arrested in Jerusalem and before he appealed to Caesar and was sent to Rome for a prolonged imprisonment and eventual execution. (The linked summary of the book of Acts is really a summary of the rest of the New Testament, including when all the letters of the apostles were written.)

James, written by the brother of Jesus and the leader of the church in Jerusalem, was the first New Testament letter, written “to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad” around the time of Paul’s first missionary journey and before the Council in Jerusalem. There is a sense that believers are undergoing trials and conflicts with one another. James speaks to why such circumstances are occurring and how they, and we, should live, both in relationship to each other and in submission to the Lord and His word, awaiting His return. After James’ letter, Paul writes the bulk of his letters. It is at the end of Paul’s life, that Peter, the writer of Hebrews, Jude, and finally John, the youngest and longest living apostle, write theirs.

Galatians was the first letter written by the apostle Paul, after his first missionary journey, when he established the church in that region, after he had returned to Antioch, from where he had been first sent out with Barnabas and John Mark. For each of Paul’s letters, it’s helpful to figure out the overall reason Paul wrote it. In fulfilling this purpose, he teaches theological truths his readers, including us, may not be aware of and how those truths impact how they (and we) should live in fellowship with one another and as followers of Christ. In this letter, Paul addresses the sufficiency of faith in Christ Jesus to save, in response to the false teaching that rituals of the Mosaic Law must still be adhered to.

1 Thessalonians was written by Paul during his second missionary journey. He and Timothy and Silas had only spent 3 weeks there, before they were moved on by a plot against them from the Jews. Paul went on to Athens, but sent Timothy back to be encouraged by their faith amidst persecution and affliction. It is a letter of affection, and longing, as Paul was so quickly taken away from them, and encouragement for how they are walking, admonishing them to “excel still more.” He reveals what will happen on the day of the Lord, admonishing those of us in Christ to comfort and encourage one another with the knowledge that, whether awake or asleep, we will always be with the Lord.

In 2 Thessalonians, Paul has to correct misleading teaching that the day of the Lord has already occurred. In doing so, he adds to details given in his first letter, including events that will occur before the day of the Lord comes. He once again encourages the Thessalonians for their faith and love and perseverance under persecution and affliction, and ends with admonishment for those who live an undisciplined life.

1 Corinthians & 2 Corinthians were letters written by the apostle Paul during his third missionary journey. In his first letter to the Corinthians, written during his prolonged time in Ephesus, he addresses sin that he is aware of in their church. His second letter was written while he made his way, via Macedonia, to visit them before going to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary journey. This letter addresses his previous rebuke, the collection they are contributing to for the saints in Jerusalem, and dangerous outsiders claiming inappropriate authority in their church.

The book of Romans was written by the apostle Paul at the end of his third missionary journey, when he was traveling to Jerusalem, taking a contribution to the saints there from the saints in Macedonia and Achaia. He hoped after that to go to Rome on his way to preach the gospel in Spain. He was, however, arrested in Jerusalem and after a prolonged imprisonment there, where his accusers could not prove their accusations, he appealed to Caesar and was delivered to Rome, fulfilling his desire to visit the believers and preach the gospel there, even though he was a prisoner in chains. His letter was one of encouragement, and deep teaching, to these believers, most of whom he had yet to meet.

Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians, who he had not met, during his period of imprisonment, after his third missionary journey, when Timothy, his child in the faith, was with him. The essentials Paul shares with these new believers creates a “BELIEVERS 101” course largely applicable to us as well. He calls us to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,” making the case why the Lord is worthy. He is concerned new believers will be deceived into following rules that are useless, but makes it clear our actions should be transformed by our faith, giving lots of helpful admonishment. Interesting to the storyline of the New Testament, Onesimus, Barnabas, John Mark, Luke, and the church of Laodicea are all mentioned in this letter.

Philemon was written at the same time as the letter to the Colossians. Paul had sent Onesimus, his “child,” who he had begotten in his imprisonment, with Tychicus to Colossae. Onesimus was the escaped slave of Philemon. Paul advocates for Onesimus’ release from slavery, even offering to pay for it, appealing to Philemon’s obedience and character in Lord. Paul demonstrates his faith in Philemon by sending Onesimus rather than keeping him with him: “without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will” (Philemon 1:14).

The letter to the Ephesians was also written by the apostle Paul while he was imprisoned. It is one of his few letters that does not mention Timothy. In Philippians 2:19, Paul wrote, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition,” so his absence might be explained by Paul sending him on an errand. Paul went to Ephesus the first time, briefly, at the end of his second missionary journey, leaving Aquila and Priscilla there. He returned and stayed for over two years during his third missionary journey. He left there after a plot was formed against him, traveled through Macedonia and Greece, and said his last goodbye to the elders there on his way to Jerusalem, where he was arrested. This letter is one of profound encouragement from the imprisoned Paul to those who are likely bewildered by his circumstances on why they shouldn’t be. He admonishes each of us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling, being subject to one another in the fear of Christ, and putting on the full armor of God to resist the schemes of the devil and stand firm in our faith.

Paul’s letter to the Philippians was also written during Paul’s imprisonment, and Timothy is mentioned as being with him. Philippi is the first place in Macedonia that Paul visited after seeing the Macedonian vision, during his second missionary journey. He was imprisoned there and led the jailer and his family to salvation when he did not escape, as he could have, after an earthquake freed him. Paul encourages the Philippians not to be dismayed about his imprisonment and to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. It has the sense of a goodbye letter, just in case Paul does not get to see them again.

1 Timothy was written by Paul to Timothy late in his life and ministry. In 1 Timothy 1:3, he says, “I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus.” This provides the clue that Paul wrote this letter during a time of travel after his time under house arrest in Rome, before his subsequent arrest, imprisonment, and condemnation of death. 1 Timothy is a letter of instruction from Paul to his “true child in the faith.” It is necessary instruction for those in church leadership, but also for all of us who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus.

Titus is placed chronologically after 1 Timothy, has similar language to 1 Timothy, and was also written during a time of travel for Paul, after his house arrest and before his final imprisonment, as he mentions leaving Titus in Crete (Titus 1:5). It is a letter of instruction to Titus, Paul’s “true child in a common faith,” teaching that, though Jesus “saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5a), people must “learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful” (Titus 3:14).

1 Peter was written by Jesus’ disciple who is so very familiar to us, to “those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” Interesting to the storyline of the New Testament, Peter mentions his “son Mark” in this letter. He makes an appeal to the wonder and promise of our salvation, which should enable us to endure trials and inspire us to live holy lives, in fear of God, and to fervently love one another. We should not be surprised by suffering. Our character, demeanor, and action in the face of it matters for our own souls, for the example it sets for others, and for the glory of God. We must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, resist the devil, stand firm in our faith, and cast all our anxiety on the God who cares for us and He will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish us.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews is unknown, but he teaches the new Jewish believers in Christ how to live under the New Covenant of grace, given by the shed blood of Jesus, in contrast to their old life under the Law. He makes many distinctions (e.g. Jesus versus angels, Moses, or high priests; earthly versus heavenly tabernacle) important to their understanding. He demonstrates that Old Testament accounts warn of the fate of the rebellious and unbelieving, but also teach about how faith pleases God. Though his audience is Hebrew believers, he teaches us all how we should live.

2 Timothy was the last letter the apostle Paul wrote before he was martyred, once again to Timothy, his “beloved son.” It is a very intimate letter of goodbye, imparting all Paul wants to tell Timothy in case he does not see him again. He not only teaches Timothy how to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” in bewildering times, but teaches us as well.

2 Peter is also a letter of goodbye, written to “those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Peter establishes himself as an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry and of God the Father’s declaration from heaven about him, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased.” He warns of the coming false prophets, false teachers, and mockers before the return of the Lord and of the importance of knowing that which is taught in Scripture, “so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Jude identifies himself as “a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,” which also means he was the brother of Jesus. He wrote his letter to “those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ.” His letter sounds very much like 2 Peter 2. Romans 1, 2 Peter 2, and Jude all seem to describe the times we are living in. Jude reminds that the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ warned that, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” They are “ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Old Testament accounts serve as examples of the fate of the rebellious and unbelieving. He appeals to us to “contend earnestly for the faith,” building ourselves up on our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping ourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

1 John was written by “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:20). Like Peter, he establishes himself as an eyewitness authority on Jesus’ life and ministry. He writes so that we “may not sin,” and against those who try to deceive. Jesus is faithful to cleanse us from sin, if we confess, but he also makes it clear that we are to practice righteousness, which includes loving one another.

John wrote 2 John to “the chosen lady and her children” reminding her that “this is love, that we walk according to His commandments.” He identifies “the deceiver and the antichrist” as “those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.” He warns against anyone “who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God,” saying they should not be brought into one’s house or even be given a greeting, thus participating in their evil deeds.

John wrote 3 John to a faithful Gauis, who is commended by John for supporting men who had gone out “for the sake of the name.” He warns him against the actions of Diotrephes, but gives him a good report about Demetrius. He instructs, “do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.”

Revelation was also written by John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:20). It demonstrates a reward to John for his role as a faithful eyewitness in that he was given this revelation of Jesus Christ, communicated by His angel, to share with His bond-servants. It tells us “the things which must soon take place.” It tells us we are blessed if we read and hear the words of its prophecy and “heed the things which are written in it.”