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Look at the Book: Zephaniah [Infographic]

Chris Fann
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Look at the Book: Zephaniah [Infographic]

“Look at the Book” is Bible Gateway’s series of short blog posts and infographics introducing you to the books of the Bible. “The Day of the Lord is near!” Zephaniah proclaims, listing the nations who will be subject to God’s wrath — but the remnant of Israel who will ultimately be restored. 

Scroll to the bottom if you’d prefer to see (and save) this article as an infographic. You’ll also find a handy 30-day reading guide. Or, for a challenge, you can do it in one week using the 7-day reading guide below. 

Summary 

Zephaniah’s theme focuses on the coming “Day of the Lord” — a time when God will punish the nations for their sin, including Judah. He ends his pronouncement of doom on the positive note that Judah will one day be restored. 

  • Category: Prophets 
  • Theme: Remnant 
  • Timeline: Written between 640-627 BC 
  • Written: Attributed to Zephaniah 

Key Verse 

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) 

The Mighty Warrior Who Saves 

Zephaniah’s encouraging conclusion expressed hope based not on the moral uprightness of the people but on the power of God. He is “the Mighty Warrior” who would save a remnant of his people. 

Within oracles of divine wrath, Zephaniah exhorted the people to seek the Lord, offering a shelter in the midst of judgment, and proclaiming the promise of eventual salvation for His believing remnant. 

7 Day Reading Guide 

Here is a seven-day guide to the prophets Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Haggai. 

(See 30-day guide with all Minor Prophets below.) 

The Might of Love 

In the person and work of Jesus, God’s mighty power and tender affections meet. Jesus proves that God is mighty to save his people through the sacrifice of his Son. 

Access the rest of the series. Browse Bible studies for each book of the Bible. Or right-click on the infographic below to download and save the image for your reference.   

Infographic depicting major themes and content from Zephaniah

The God Who Speaks

Thaddeus J. Williams
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The God Who Speaks

What do you think is the most repeated phrase in the entire Bible?  

If you said, “Thus says the Lord,” you would be correct. It appears more than four hundred times.  

The God of the Bible is not the stone-cold silent god of the ancient Greeks. He is not the Stoic or Epicurean Zeus, too busy enjoying the amenities of divine bliss to bother with humanity, shaving a few strokes off his short game on some distant galactic golf course. No. The God who exists is the God who speaks.  

My Personal Favorite Atheist

It is all too easy to take the fact that God speaks for granted. We need help from one of the most famous atheists of the twentieth century, the French existentialist Albert Camus (pronounced Ka-me-you).  

Camus did not believe in a speaking God. Yet he is one of my personal favorite atheists. He did what so few atheists have been willing or able to do. He reckoned honestly with the implications for the human race if no speaking God exists. “When it comes to man’s most basic questions of meaning and purpose,” Camus said, “the universe is silent.”1 We shout, “Why are we here?” to the night sky, and the answer is crickets.  

The Absurdity of Modern Life

The implication is that “all human attempts to answer the questions of meaning are futile. . . . In a word, our very existence is absurd.” That absurdity of life in a silent cosmos was precisely the tough pill Camus offered us in his best novels.  

The Plague showed us the nobility yet utter futility of fighting death and despair in a godless universe as a pandemic strikes a French colony in 1940s Algeria. The Stranger chronicles a post-Christian drifter killing an Arab on a beach, yet seeking no redemption because the categories of good, evil, guilt, and grace are nonsense in the absence of God. In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus rebooted the Greek tragedy of a man condemned to roll a boulder up a hill only to watch it roll back down again and again and again forever.  

Camus offers a helpful, albeit depressing metaphor for modern man, the kind of ennui and unbearable absurdity that sets the protagonists of Mike Judge’s Office Space, David Fincher’s Fight Club, and Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad on their respective antihero paths to cyber fraud, corporate terrorism, and meth cooking.  

‘A Disillusioned and Exhausted Man’

Something astounding happened to Camus, something that has everything to do with a God who speaks.  

In the 1950s a New York Methodist pastor named Howard Mumma was guest preaching at a church in Paris. Mumma noticed a mysterious figure in a dark trench coat circled by admirers. It was none other than Albert Camus, mid-twentieth- century international atheist celebrity, and a self-described “disillusioned and exhausted man.” He confessed that he had never read the Bible himself, and Mumma agreed to be his tour guide through the text. What followed was a friendship that lasted five years, Mumma visiting Paris and Camus visiting New York City to explore the possibility that God has spoken.  

Camus confided in Mumma,  

“[When] I wrote the Myth of Sisyphus . . . [and] my first novel, The Stranger, I tried to show that all human attempts to answer the questions of meaning are futile. . . . In a word, our very existence is absurd. . . . So, what do you do? For me, the only response was . . . to commit suicide, intellectual suicide or physical suicide. . . . To lose one’s life is only a little thing. But, to lose the meaning of life, to see our reasoning disappear, is unbearable. It’s impossible to live a life without meaning.” 

Striving for the Faith

Then came a moment no one saw coming. Camus, famed atheist, asked Mumma if he could be baptized. Given his celebrity status, Camus had only one condition. The baptism must be private, behind closed doors. That way no paparazzi, no protesting atheists, no opportunist Christians could exploit Camus’s sacred sprinkling.  

Mumma kindly explained that the very concept of a private baptism was a contradiction in terms, an oxymoron like “jumbo shrimp,” “crash landing,” or “soft rock.” Baptism is a public sacrament, a visible declaration of one’s new identity in the death and resurrection of Jesus.  

Camus said he would consider it. They parted ways. Camus died a couple of weeks later in a car crash. His final words to Mumma were, “I am going to keep striving for the Faith.” 

The man who wrestled so desperately with the silence of the universe saw a ray of hope that the God who made the universe is not silent.  

“Thus says the Lord.”  

Dear friends, do not take those four words lightly. Don’t miss their life-or-death profundity. Run the depressing thought experiment. If there is no speaking God, then what have you got? How would you begin to answer the existential questions that seize us in our most sober (and often in our least sober) moments?  

Science can answer questions about how the universe works. But science cannot answer a single why question. Thank God for science, but no amount of science, much less entertainment, alcohol, orgasms, income, or obsessive self-analysis can extinguish the burning why questions.  

Don’t Sell Your Soul

We might be tempted to delegate the answers to why questions to the politicians. Yet the twentieth century’s hundred-million-plus casualties of totalitarian megalomaniacs unite like a chorus of ghosts to shout, “Resist! Don’t sell your soul!”  

We might then be tempted to take the inward turn. The universe may be silent and the ideologues may lie, but our hearts can show us the way. “The answers are within” is the kind of advice offered either by those selling something by stroking your ego or those who have never plunged deep enough within to behold the contradictions and corruptions that lurk in our depths. The human heart is “deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9 NIV).  

Thankfully, “God is not man, that he should lie” (Num. 23:19 ESV). “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations” (Ps. 119:89–90 NIV).  

Because God exists and God speaks our quest to answer why questions does not leave us cosmically alienated and pondering a noose in Camus’s silent universe. Deep trust becomes possible, a trust in something or rather Someone infinitely more trustworthy than scientists, politicians, and everyone else, including ourselves.  

Camus was right that “human attempts to answer the questions of meaning are futile.” Yet, your existence is not absurd. Your quest is not doomed. You have purpose because you were created on purpose by a purpose-driven God. “All things,” which would include you, “were created through him and for him” (Col. 1:16 ESV).  

God’s purpose-illuminating words can be accessed whenever you want and with greater ease than anytime in human history. Bibles are no longer under lock and key in the Latin Vulgate that average folks couldn’t understand. Today at least some Scripture can be found in 3,589 languages (and counting). A ten-second app download can put hundreds of translations at our fingertips.  

Revere God

We revere God when we take his word seriously. Such reverence has a proven positive impact.  

When researchers Arnold Cole and Pamela Caudill Ovwigho polled forty thousand people ranging from eight to eighty years old, they made some unexpected discoveries. People who read their Bibles once or twice a week experienced no benefit over those who never read their Bibles. At three times a week, some minor gains were detected. But with at least four times of reading Scripture per week, everything seemed to spike.  

  • Sharing their faith skyrocketed 200 percent.  
  • Discipling others jumped a whopping 230 percent.  
  • Feelings of loneliness dropped 30 percent.  
  • Anger issues dropped 32 percent.  
  • Relationship bitterness dropped 40 percent.  
  • Alcoholism plummeted by 57 percent.  
  • Feelings of spiritual stagnancy fell 60 percent.  
  • Viewing pornography decreased 61 percent. 

Do you battle a sense of purposelessness as Camus did in his silent universe? Do you feel lonely, lost, or stuck? Thankfully, God is not silent. Open a Bible and hear your Maker speak.

Cover of "Revering God" by Thaddeus J. Williams

Adapted from Revering God: How to Marvel at Your Maker by Thaddeus J. Williams.

The chief reason we exist is to glorify and enjoy God. But for many, God remains a vague cloud of cosmic kindness, a super-sized projection of ourselves into the sky, or an impossible-to-please killjoy. Who is God, really? Who is this being we should thank for our next breath?

Written in the great tradition of classic discipleship works like A. W. Tozer’s The Pursuit of God, J.I. Packer’s Knowing God, and R.C. Sproul’s The Holiness of God, this discipleship guide stands out as our generation’s invitation to good theology that yields profound, reverent, God-centered living.

  1. All quotes are taken from Howard Mumma, Albert Camus and the Minister (Brewster, MA: Paraclete, 2000).  ↩︎

Living Under the Tensions of Modern Life: A Sermon by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.
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Living Under the Tensions of Modern Life: A Sermon by Martin Luther King, Jr.

[This sermon on Matthew 11:28 (excerpted below from Dr. Martin Luther King on Love) was delivered in September 1956 at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Like many of Dr. King’s writings — especially on faith — though the details might have changed over the past 70-plus years, the overall message is no less relevant than on the day it was delivered. In this case, perhaps even more so. —Ed.]

There can be no gainsaying of the fact that modern life is characterized by endless tensions. On all levels of life, men are experiencing disruption and conflict, self‐destruction and meaninglessness. And if we turn our eyes around our nation, we discover that the psychopathic wards of our hospitals are filled today. Fear and anxiety have risen to the throne of modern life, and very few persons escape the influence of their powerful domination. It is probably true to say that we live today in one of the most, if not the most, frustrated generations of all human history.

Now, what accounts for this tension, this anxiety, this confusion so characteristic of modern life? What is the causal basis for all of the tensions of our modern world? I will say that if we are to find the cause, we must look for more than one cause, and it’s a plurality of causes that have all conjoined to make for the tensions of our generation.

The Tensions of Modernity

First, there is a tension that comes as a result of the competitive struggle to make a living. It is true to say that our whole capitalistic economy is based on the profit motive under more or less competitive conditions. And whether we want to or not, we all find ourselves engaged in the competitive struggle to make a living. Sometimes we come to the point of feeling that life is a sort of endless struggle to pay bills and to pay taxes and to buy food to eat. We go to work to make the money to buy the food to gain the strength to go back to work, and life sometimes seems to be an endless chain of monotony, an endless round of sameness. . . . 

Then again, we find that that tension grows out of the whole of modern urbanization and the industrial structure of our modern life. We live in an age in which men live in big cities and mass populations. It is a machine age in which we have vast industrial [orders]. And there is a danger that men will feel in such a system that they are lost in the crowd. . . . 

And then, there is a tension that results from the fears accompanying a war-torn world. We find ourselves today standing amid the threat of war at every hand, and we often wonder what will happen. We feel at times that the future is uncertain, and we look out and feel that the future is shrouded with impenetrable obscurities, that we don’t know how things will turn out. . . . 

Then, there is the tension that comes as a result of man’s general finite situation. Man has to face the fact that he’s finite, that he is inevitably limited, that he’s caught up within the categories of time and space. And he faces this thing that he may not be. . . . And he knows that there will come a moment that he will have to go into his room and pull down the shades and turn out the lights and take off his shoes and walk down to the chilly waters of death. And he confronts this threat of nonbeing that drives through the whole structure of modern life. And because of that he lives in tension and dismay and despair because he knows that hanging over him is the cloud of nonbeing, the threat of nothingness. He wonders, “Where does it go from here?”  

This is the tension of modern life, and these things account for the tension. These things all come together and leave all of us standing amid the tension of modern life.  

The Answer to the Tensions of Life

But then in the midst of all of that, a voice rings out through all of the generations saying, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I’ll give you rest” [Matt. 11:28 (KJV)]. That voice cries out to us, saying, “Come unto me, all ye that are laboring everyday trying to make a living. You’re caught in this round of life, in this chain of life. All of those who are laboring trying to explain life, all of those who are laboring under all of the problems of life, those who are heavy-laden with burdens of despair, those who are laden with fear, those who are laden with anxieties and disappointment, come unto me and I will give you rest.”  

That’s the voice that comes crying out to modern life, which gives us a little solace to carry us on. And if we didn’t hear that voice, we couldn’t make it. That voice simply says to us that the answer to the tension of modern life is to sufficiently commit ourselves to Christ and to be sure that we have a truly religious bit of life. For until a man discovers a religious attitude of life, he lives life in eternal frustration, and he finds himself crying out unconsciously with Shakespeare’s Macbeth that life “is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Until he gets some religion, he cannot stand up amid the tensions of modern life. . . . It is religion, it is a proper religious faith, that is the answer to the tensions of life. 

The Gifts of Faith

Now what does religion give us? What does genuine religion give us? What is it that Christ gives us to help us face the tensions of life and to stand up amid the tensions of life? What is it that he gives us to keep us going? What is it that genuine religion has to offer for us to live the difficult [reign] of life?  

I think the first thing is that religion gives us a capacity to accept ourselves. And I think that is one of the first lessons that all of us should learn, the principle of self-acceptance. . . . 

But not only that, high religion, genuine religion, gives you the capacity to accept the realities of life, not only yourself but the external circumstances that beat up against you in life. That is one of the things that makes, also, for a lot of the problems of modern life: that so many people have not mastered this art of accepting life in a balanced perspective. We must come to see that life is a pendulum swinging between two opposites — a pendulum swinging between disappointment and fulfillment, between success and failure, between joy and sorrow. And that’s life. . . . 

And then, finally, there is something else that religion does. There is something else that Jesus does. It reminds us that at the center of the universe is a God who is concerned about the welfare of His children. Religion gives us that.  

High religion gives it in terms of a great personality. Religion at its best does not look upon God as a process, not as some impersonal force that is a mere moral order that guides the destiny of the universe. High religion looks upon God as a personality. Oh, it’s not limited like our personalities. God is much higher than we are. But there is something in God that makes it so that we are made in His image. God can think; God is a self-determined being. God has a purpose. God can reason. God can love.  

Our Other-Loving God

Aristotle used to talk about God as “Unmoved Mover,” but that’s not the Christian God. Aristotle’s God is merely a self-knowing God, but the Christian God is an other-loving God. He reaches out with His long arm of compassion and love and embraces all of His children. It gives life a meaning and a purpose that it could never have without Him.  

I say that if there is not a God, there ought to be one; and since there ought to be a God, there is a God; and if man doesn’t find the God of the universe, he’ll make him a god. He’s got to find something that he would worship and give his ultimate allegiance to. And I say this morning that the Christian religion talks about a God, a personal God, who’s concerned about us, who is our Father, who is our Redeemer.  

And this sense of religion and of this divine companionship says to us, on the one hand, that we are not lost in a universe fighting for goodness and for justice and love all by ourselves. It says somehow that although we live amid the tensions of life, although we live amid injustice, no matter what we live amid, it’s not going to be like that always. . . . 

Cover of "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Love"

And I say to you this morning, I’m not going to put my ultimate faith in these little gods that are here today and gone tomorrow. I’m not going to put my ultimate faith in a few dollars and cents and a few Cadillac cars and Buick convertibles. I’m going to put my ultimate faith in the God of the universe who is the same yesterday, today, and forever [Heb. 13:8]. When all of these gods have passed away, He’s still standing. And He is the eternal companion.

Exclusively excerpted, adapted, and abridged from Dr. Martin Luther King on Love, a new compilation of Dr. King’s reflections on love and its transformative power.

34+ of the Best Study Bibles for Every Type of Reader [2025]

Jacob Edson
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34+ of the Best Study Bibles for Every Type of Reader [2025]

[Note: This post has been updated for 2025 with several additional suggestions including some of the latest, most unique Study Bible options. Out-of-print and outdated options were removed, and the language has been clarified throughout.]

Study Bibles are a great way to focus your Bible reading while providing tons of additional informational, devotional, and practical context. But with so many options to choose from, how do you pick the best Study Bible for you? There isn’t just a vast number of Study Bibles available on the market — there’s a vast number of kinds of Study Bibles available.

Like my recent post comparing Bible versions, this article will help you sort through the many Study Bible options out there to narrow down your decision-making process.

Also like choosing Bible versions, there isn’t a one-and-done, best-of-them-all option for Study Bibles. There are tons of great options out there for every type of Bible reader. But what we can do is identify some of our favorites in each of those types — whether you’re a first-time Study Bible (or Bible) reader or an experienced academic, a history or theology scholar or a devotional prayer warrior, or someone just looking for daily guidance in Christian living.

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To help you sort through the options, I’ve separated some of the top Study Bibles into twelve different categories. But you should note that there is a lot of overlap between them. Demographic, devotional, or practical application Study Bibles can make great Beginner Study Bibles; historical and theological Study Bibles are often academic in nature. I have sorted them each into the category that I think fits them best.

Note: This article contains affiliate links, meaning Bible Gateway could earn a small commission if you make a purchase by clicking on one of the links below, at no extra cost to you.

But first … what exactly is a Study Bible?

What Is a Study Bible?

A Study Bible is a type of Bible designed to help readers understand and explore the scriptures in greater depth. It includes additional materials beyond the standard biblical text. Depending on the type and purpose of the Study Bible, it might include some or all of the following:

  • Introductions: Overviews of each book of the Bible that discuss authorship, historical context, key themes, and major events.
  • Articles: Expert explanations and interpretations of passages that provide historical context, theological insights, and practical considerations.
  • Footnotes: Notes at the bottom of pages that offer definitions, references to other parts of the Bible, and additional comments on specific verses.
  • Maps and Charts: Visual aids that illustrate biblical geography, timelines, genealogies, and more to easily digest complex information.
  • Cross-References: References to other verses within the Bible that relate to the current passage, helping to connect themes and ideas across different books.
  • Concordance: An alphabetical list of words and phrases found in the Bible, making it easier to locate specific passages.

All this additional material can feel overwhelming. But like dictionaries or encyclopedias, Study Bibles aren’t usually intended to be read cover-to-cover. 

Instead they’re meant to guide your reading and answer your questions about the Bible — whether they’re historical, literary, spiritual, practical, or theological. You can pick and choose what to focus on: either skip around and read the parts that interest you, or pick a book and do a thorough deep-dive to learn everything you can about, say, the world of 1 and 2 Kings.

As a final note before we get started, Bible Gateway Plus features dozens of Study Bibles — including many mentioned here — plus commentaries, dictionaries, and much more that you can explore for a fraction of the cost (and size) of a single hard-copy. It’s a great way to experiment with a variety of options, then pin your favorites for easy access as you read.

Beginner/All-in-One Study Bibles

If you’re new to Study Bibles — and especially if you’re new to personal Bible reading — you may want to start with a basic Study Bible that will help orient you to the text without getting too far into the weeds.

Even if you’re already deeply engaged with the Bible, these are some of your best options for presenting a well-rounded picture of the past, present, and timeliness meaning of Scripture. These Bibles cover everything from historical context to theological interpretation to everyday application and more.

Whether you’re a new believer or a lifelong Christian looking to deepen your experience of God’s Word, here are a few great places to start:

  • Starting Place Study Bible (NIV): It’s right there in the name. The NIV Starting Place Study Bible is designed for those new to Bible reading, offering simple explanations, comprehensive introductions, and easy-to-understand notes that guide readers through the text. It’s perfect for those beginning their journey with Scripture.
  • Quest Study Bible (NIV): The Quest Study Bible is uniquely structured around questions that readers might have about scripture passages. It’s designed to engage curious minds and deepen understanding through exploration. (Also available in Teen and Youth versions.)
  • NIV Study Bible: The NIV Study Bible features extensive study notes, maps, charts, and articles, written directly by the NIV’s translators. Its scholarly insights help readers grasp the historical context, language, and theology of the biblical text, and understand why and how they’re still relevant today. (Note that most other translations — including the KJV, NKJV, ESV, CSB, CEB, and more — have their own dedicated Study Bibles, any of which can be a great introductory Bible — just pick your favorite translation.)
  • NIV Application Bible (NIV): Featuring study notes drawn from the extensive, bestselling NIV Application Commentary series published over the past three decades, the NIV Application Bible bridges the world of the Bible and contemporary times by distilling and applying the timeless truths found in God’s Word, helping you bring what you’ve learned directly into your everyday life.

Demographic Study Bibles 

These Study Bibles are typically targeted at a particular audience and contain content specifically tailored to assist that group in their walk with the Lord.

  • Breathe Life Bible (NKJV): The Breathe Life Bible brings together articles, reflections, Q&As, and challenges from over two dozen Black scholars, pastors, bishops, and activists. It provides biblical encouragement and guidance designed to help you to embody your faith in action in your community.
  • Woman’s Study Bible (NIV, KJV, NKJV): The award-winning Woman’s Study Bible includes articles, essays, and notes written by women for women, addressing issues and themes relevant to modern Christian women. It combines scholarly insight with practical application.
  • Celebrate Recovery Study Bible (NIV): The Celebrate Recovery Study Bible is an indispensable resource for anyone on the journey to recovery from addiction and other struggles, integrating biblical principles with recovery resources and tools.
  • Africa Study Bible (NLT): The Africa Study Bible offers a different perspective on scripture than your average Study Bible, with thousands of features from hundreds of scholars from 50 countries across the continent with the world’s largest Christian population.

Devotional Study Bibles

Most Study Bibles are devotional to some extent (I mean, they are the Bible). But the devotional content is often wrapped up in a lot of additional information. These Study Bibles do the opposite: they try to create space around the Word to help you sink deeper into it, whether by providing guided readings, questions to contemplate, or simply extra room to doodle and write personal notes and reflections.

  • Lectio Bible (NIV): Developed in partnership with John Mark Comer — bestselling author of Practicing the Way — and an excellent companion resource for the Practicing the Way Scripture practice, the Lectio Bible strips away paratexts like chapter and verse numbers, section headings, and more, and presents the Biblical text in an unbroken single column for a more traditional, immersive reading experience. It’s not exactly a Study Bible, but it is a powerful tool for Bible study.
  • Lectio Divina Prayer Bible (CEB): Taking a different approach to the traditional practice of lectio divina — immersing yourself in God’s Word through slow, prayerful reading — the Lectio Divina Prayer Bible breaks the text into short passages, each accompanied by a brief reflection, prayer, and suggestion for how to put the passage into practice.
  • Journal the Word Bible (NIV, KJV, NKJV, NASB, AMP): The Journal the Word Bible offers wide margins for note-taking, reflection, and journaling, making it a great choice for those who want more personalized opportunities to engage with and express their faith.
  • Jesus Bible (NIV, ESV): The Jesus Bible focuses on how every story, prophecy, and teaching in the Bible points to Jesus, with helpful notes from leading Christian voices. It has more commentary than the other options here, but still leaves ample room for your own notes and reflections, and is ideal for readers wanting to see Christ throughout the entirety of Scripture.

Practical Application Study Bibles

Like devotional Bibles, most (or at least most non-academic) Study Bibles are invested to some extent in the practical application of the Bible’s teachings. (That’s part of what it means to be engaged with the Bible, after all.) But these Study Bibles are designed to bring the ancient wisdom of the Bible home to everyday life for modern Christians through prompts, examples, and direct reference to current ethical, social, political issues.

  • Life Application Study Bible (NLT, NIV, NKJV): As its name implies, the Life Application Study Bible emphasizes practical application, offering insights on how to live out biblical principles in everyday life. It includes character studies, notes, and a topical index to connect Scripture with real-life issues.
  • Upside-Down Kingdom Bible (NIV): Edited and curated by bestselling author Preston Sprinkle, the Upside-Down Kingdom Bible invites you out of the tumultuous cultural opposition of the modern world and into God’s topsy-turvy vision for his people. It doesn’t shy away from controversial topics, but approaches them thoughtfully, sensitively, and above all, Biblically.

Study Bibles for History Buffs

Historically oriented Study Bibles provide critical historical background and context to the cultures, languages, and events surrounding the people who wrote the Bible. They attempt to bring us closer to the world of the Bible by situating readers within its contemporary settings and concerns.

  • Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (NIV, NKJV, NRSV): The Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible places you directly into the mindsets and customs of the ancient world, helping readers understand the broader cultural contexts of biblical events and teachings. It incorporates archaeological findings and historical research extending from the earliest recorded history up through the New Testament era.
  • Chronological Study Bible (NIV, NKJV): The Chronological Study Bible meticulously arranges the text in the order events actually occurred, giving readers a sequential understanding of the Bible’s history. It includes chronological references and thematic articles.
  • Holy Land Illustrated Bible (CSB): The Holy Land Illustrated Bible brings the Scriptures to life with tons of full-color photographs, maps, and illustrations related to biblical sites and artifacts. It’s a beautiful edition that creates an immersive visual experience for the reader.

Theology Study Bibles 

These Study Bibles guide readers through the theological context of Bible passages as they have been interpreted by church authorities throughout the years. They help explain what we can learn about God’s character and eternal plan for creation through the specific stories, events, places, and characters in Scripture. 

Note that these Bibles are often tied to particular traditions, denominations, or theologies (though some try to present a broader view) — so it’s a good idea to consult your pastor or another trusted authority for advice on connecting them with your own church’s theological background.

  • Biblical Theology Study Bible (NIV): The Biblical Theology Study Bible focuses on the connections between different parts of Scripture, exploring key theological themes across the biblical canon. It includes detailed study notes and essays by many leading evangelical scholars.
  • Church History Study Bible (ESV) and Ancient-Modern Study Bible (NKJV): With more than 20,000 notes stretching across nearly 2,000 years, the Church History Study Bible integrates commentary from church fathers and historical Christian theologians from many confessional backgrounds, offering a rich perspective on how the Scriptures have been understood throughout church history. The Ancient-Modern Study Bible includes fewer — but longer — notes from a similar breadth of commentators.
  • Reformation Study Bible (ESV), Lutheran Study Bible (ESV, NRSV), and Wesley Study Bible (CEB, NRSV): These resources are designed to guide you in the theologies of the Reformed, Lutheran, and Methodist traditions (respectively) that emerged from the Protestant Reformation and redefined the religious landscape of the West (and the whole world). There’s even a new Anabaptist Community Bible (CEB) to celebrate that tradition’s 500th anniversary this year.

Academic Study Bibles 

Academic Study Bibles bring together the latest research from the world’s best scholars on the background, composition, history, and legacy of the books of the Bible. They are typically used in institutions of higher learning, are very technical, and employ methods like source and literary criticism. Though many (but not all) of the scholars are confessed Christians, these Bibles are not well-suited for devotional or life-application purposes.

  • SBL Study Bible (NRSVue): A comprehensive update on the HarperCollins Study Bible, the SBL Study Bible is a favorite of academic institutions and Bible scholars. Developed by the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), it provides extensive annotations and insights from dozens of experts from a wide variety of confessional and academic backgrounds, all focusing on the latest critical analysis and academic perspectives on the biblical text.
  • New Oxford Annotated Bible (NRSV): The New Oxford Annotated Bible is another highly respected academic resource with annotations and essays from top scholars. Like the SBL, it includes scholarly introductions, notes, and maps that reflect diverse theological and critical perspectives. Both are solid options, but the SBL is slightly more up-to-date, and many find it somewhat easier to use.

Personality Study Bibles 

These are Study Bibles featuring notes and commentary from a specific personality or authority figure — often a popular author, pastor, or theologian. These can be a great way to engage with a favorite trusted Bible teacher, but they aren’t recommended for first-time Bible readers, since by nature they provide only a single person’s interpretive viewpoint.

There are a great variety of these available, but here are a few with the broadest appeal:

  • Lucado Encouraging Word Bible (NIV, NKJV) and Grace for the Moment Daily Bible (NKJV): The Lucado Encouraging Word Bible features insights and encouragements from the enormously popular bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado. True to his style, it’s aimed at offering hope and practical applications designed to uplift and inspire readers. Lucado also recently released the Grace for the Moment Daily Bible, which offers Bible portions and accompanying reflections in 365 daily readings for easy, year-round Bible study.
  • C.S. Lewis Bible (NRSV): The C.S. Lewis Bible includes writings and reflections from beloved novelist and apologist C.S. Lewis, integrating his profound, pithy insights with the biblical text.
  • See also the Lutheran and Wesleyan Study Bibles in the Theology section above for more traditional options.

Kids’ and Youth Study Bibles

Study Bibles aren’t just for boring, stuffy grown-ups (or fun, interesting grown-ups for that matter!). Children’s and young adult Study Bibles provide the same essential features as adult Study Bibles, tailored to a younger audience.

  • Adventure Bible (NIV, NKJV, NIrV): The Adventure Bible features engaging informational and devotional content like fun facts, memory verses, and colorful illustrations aiming to make Bible reading exciting and accessible for young readers.
  • Deep Blue Kids Bible (CEB): Similar to the Adventure Bible but tailored more for a mainline Protestant audience, the Deep Blue Kids Bible guides kids into God’s Word with tons of informational and practical notes to bring the text alive and help children live into God’s vision for them. (There is also the CEB Student Bible for teens and young adults.)
  • Teen Study Bible (NIV, NKJV, KJV): For a slightly older audience, the Teen Study Bible addresses real issues relevant to teenagers, from friends, family, and school to bullying and depression. It provides study notes, tips, and Q&A sections that help teens navigate their lives while encouraging them to deepen and understand their faith.

Catholic Study Bibles

Though most Study Bibles are not denominationally exclusive and target a broad audience, the fact is that the vast majority of them are predominantly written and edited by Protestants, for Protestants. While Catholics can still get plenty of use from them, those who want study materials directly tailored to their own theological and ecclesial concerns do have several great options available to them. 

All of these have been granted the Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat by the Church to affirm official approval for study and use.

  • Catholic Study Bible (NABRE): Published by Oxford University Press, the Catholic Study Bible unsurprisingly takes a solidly academic viewpoint — but from an exclusively Catholic perspective (approved by the USCCB). It includes lectionary readings and a whopping 574-page introductory Reading Guide.
  • Didache Bible (RSV2CE): The Didache Bible offers commentary based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, linking Scripture with official Catholic teachings. It provides doctrinal explanations and reflections aligned with Catholic tradition, and makes a great teaching tool for new or (with assistance) young Catholics.
  • Great Adventure Catholic Bible (RSV2CE): Not to be confused with the children’s Adventure Bible above, the Great Adventure Catholic Bible presents a narrative approach to reading the Bible, with color-coded sections to help readers follow the timeline of salvation history. It’s a fun, engaging experience for Bible readers of all levels — so it’s no surprise it’s (according to their website at least) the most popular Catholic Bible in the U.S.

Orthodox Study Bibles 

Even more than Catholics, Orthodox Christians are very limited in their options for Study Bibles made specifically with their ecclesial and theological concerns in mind. In fact, there’s only one (in English) — but there are a few others that might prove appealing, as well.

  • Orthodox Study Bible (Orig. [OT] & NKJV [NT]): The Orthodox Study Bible features commentary from and uniquely tailored to an Eastern Orthodox perspective, including notes drawn from the early Church Fathers. It also contains a new translation of the Old Testament (with Deuterocanon) based on the NKJV but adjusted to more closely adhere to the Septuagint.
  • Ancient Faith Study Bible (CSB): The Ancient Faith Study Bible is not an Orthodox publication, and indeed differs at time from official church teaching on certain matters (such as liturgy, orthopraxy, and eucharist). But it does include extensive notes and commentary from early Church Fathers that provide powerful context for Orthodox western converts.

Jewish Study Bibles

Jews and Christians alike can benefit from a historical understanding of how the authors of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) viewed themselves, their culture, and their Scriptures.

  • Jewish Study Bible (JPS): The Jewish Study Bible provides commentary and essays from Jewish scholars on the Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh (note that it does not contain the New Testament). It includes historical, cultural, and literary insights from a Jewish academic perspective — including an original translation of the entire Hebrew Bible by the Jewish Publication Society.
  • Complete Jewish Study Bible (Orig.): The Complete Jewish Study Bible connects the Jewish roots of the Christian faith, highlighting the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. It’s a unique and fascinating approach that integrates traditional Jewish, Messianic Jewish, and Christian viewpoints — including a proprietary translation of both Testaments retaining Hebrew names for people and places — into a singular, holistic vision.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best Study Bible for You

With so many great options available, choosing the Study Bible that’s best for you mostly comes down to asking yourself what you most want to get out of it. 

Do you want to learn more about the historical and cultural origins of the Bible? Then you might want to try the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible or the SBL Study Bible. 

More interested in exploring church history and theology? Pick the Church History or Ancient-Modern Study Bible — or one of the many denomination-specific options.

Or is it more important to you to have something that guides you in your personal devotion and relationship with Jesus? Maybe one of the Demographic, Devotional, or Practical Application Study Bibles would be best for you.

And if you just can’t decide, you can never go wrong with a Beginner/All-in-One Bible such as your favorite translation’s dedicated Study Bible or the new NIV Application Bible.

If you’re still not sure, one of the best ways to explore your options is with a Bible Gateway Plus membership. Bible Gateway Plus lets you read notes and articles from dozens of Study Bibles and other resources — all for less than a pack of highlighters. Sign up for a free trial today!

Disclaimer: Some (but not all) of the above Study Bibles are published by HarperCollins Christian Publishing, which is also the parent company of Bible Gateway. However, we have made every effort to be fair and unbiased in our recommendations.

Look at the Book: Habakkuk [Infographic]

Chris Fann
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Look at the Book: Habakkuk [Infographic]

“Look at the Book” is Bible Gateway’s series of short blog posts and infographics introducing you to the books of the Bible. Like Job, Habakkuk gets to engage God in a direct dialogue, beginning with doubt and frustration and ending with rejoicing. 

Scroll to the bottom if you’d prefer to see (and save) this article as an infographic. You’ll also find a handy 30-day reading guide. Or, for a challenge, you can do it in one week using the 7-day reading guide below. 

Summary 

Habakkuk’s message is a dialogue between himself and God — a sort of wrestling match with the Creator over his unfathomable ways. 

  • Category: Prophets 
  • Theme: Trust 
  • Timeline: Written around 605 BC 
  • Written: Attributed to Habakkuk 

Key Verse 

“…The sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of the deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” — Habakkuk 3:18-19 (NIV) 

From Doubt to a Deeper Understanding 

The tone of Habakkuk’s questions reveal two frustrations. First, he did not understand why evil ran unchecked among the people of God. Second, how could God bless the pagan Babylonians who stood in opposition to God’s commands? 

Like Job, Habakkuk argued with God, and achieved a deeper understanding of God’s sovereign character and a firmer faith. God was not to be worshiped merely because of temporal blessings, but for His own sake. 

7 Day Reading Guide 

Here is a seven-day guide to the prophets Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Haggai. 

(See 30-day guide with all Minor Prophets below.) 

The Answer to Evil 

Joyful hope similar to what Habakkuk ends with is only possible because of the work of Jesus Christ. He is God’s perfect answer to the evil that pervades our fallen world. 

Access the rest of the series. Browse Bible studies for each book of the Bible. Or right-click on the infographic below to download and save the image for your reference.   

Infographic depicting major themes and content from Habakkuk

Three Views of Hell in Christian Tradition

Steve Gregg
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Three Views of Hell in Christian Tradition

From the earliest centuries of the Church, three different views of the fate of the lost in hell have been held among mainstream Church fathers: 

  • Annihilationism: This view argues that our souls are not naturally immortal, and will not last forever unless God wills it. Therefore, some will be destroyed at the Second Coming. 
  • Eternal Conscious Torment: This is the most common view of hell, at least in the west. It holds that the souls of the damned will suffer for eternity commensurate to their sins. 
  • Restorationism: In this view, God ultimately reconciles all souls to Himself after a period of purgation. 

Although the second view became the dominant one in Christianity, all three views of hell have a long history of orthodox Christian defenders, and many Bible verses to support their arguments. Here are the Biblical and theological arguments for each possibility. 

Annihilationism, or Conditional Immortality

The doctrine of Conditional Immortality (or Annihilationism) argues that only God is innately immortal (1 Tim. 6:16), and humans, though made in His image, do not possess immortality by default. This view seems to have been held by Barnabas (AD 70-130), Mathetes (AD 125-200), Hermas, and Irenaeus (AD 130-200).  

The idea of each person having an “immortal soul” is not found in scripture, and was a feature of Greek philosophy, later adopted by some of the church fathers. On this view, all humans will naturally cease to exist if they fail to obtain immortality, which must be sought in order to be obtained (Rom. 2:7).  

The Lake of Fire and the Tree of Life

Eternal life resides, and is found, only in Christ (1 John 5:11-12) and without faith in Christ, all will “perish” (John 3:16), ceasing to exist. This is why the wages of sin is said to be death (Rom. 6:23), and the lake of fire is called the “second death” (Rev. 20:14). The common language for the fate of the lost, in scripture, includes words like to “die,” to “perish,” and to be “destroyed” or “consumed”  (Gen. 3:17; Ezek. 18:20; John 3:16; Luke 13:3,5; Rom. 2:12, 6:23; Matt. 10:28; 1 Thes. 5:3; 2 Thes. 1:9, 2:8; etc.). 

On this view, man was created naturally mortal, but conditionally immortal. To live forever would require access to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. Because of sin, man was denied access to the tree of life, so that every person, like Adam, now lives out his or her mortal life and then dies. Christ has come as a sort of second “tree of life” so that He said, “I am the living bread… If anyone eats this bread, he will live forever” (John 6:51 ESV). The Bible says that eternal life is the gift of God to those who believe and who “have” the Son (John 3:16, 20:31; 1 John 5:11-12). 

When Jesus returns, all will rise to the judgment (John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15). Physical immortality will be conferred upon the glorified believers (1 Cor. 15:42,53), while unbelievers will be consigned to the lake of fire to experience “the second death” (Rev. 20:15). There, they will experience the destruction of both soul and body (Matt. 10:28).  

It is believed, by most who hold this view, that those who are lost will experience a just punishment proportionate to their culpability before passing into non-existence (Luke 12:47-48; Matt. 11:22,24). 

The ‘Traditional’ View: Eternal Conscious Torment

On this view, the lost, as well as the saved, will remain conscious throughout eternity. Some believe that immortality and indestructibility of the soul are features of human nature, due to man’s being made in the image of God. Others believe that immortality is a condition that God will confer at the judgment, and will maintain eternally, so that He will keep even the lost alive to suffer for eternity. 

Tatian (ca. AD 170), Athenagoras (ca. AD 175), Tertullian (AD 160-240), and Augustine (AD 354-430) defended the view of the Eternal Conscious Torment of the damned. While other views of hell co-existed alongside this view for the first four or five hundred years of Church history, it was Augustine’s advocacy of it that caused it to become the “traditional” view of later Church history, especially in the Latin (Western) Church. 

The idea that the punishment is eternal is drawn from scriptures that speak of eternal fires (Matt. 25:41), eternal punishment (Matt. 25:46), eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord (2 Thes. 1:9), and the smoke of their torment ascending forever (Rev. 14:11). While none of these passages speak of the endless consciousness of those thus punished, there are other passages that speak of their experiencing “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 8:12, 22:13, 24:51, 25:30) and enduring “shame and everlasting contempt” (Dan. 12:2). 

Justification for Eternal Punishment by a Loving God

Eternal conscious punishment is said to be justified because of the infinite culpability incurred by sinning. The objection that endless punishment is a disproportionate and unjust penalty for a man who has sinned only for a finite lifetime is answered by two observations: 1) The magnitude of a crime is unrelated to the amount of time that was spent in committing it, since the most heinous act can be committed in a few seconds; and 2) All sin is committed against an infinite Person (God), and is thus infinite in magnitude. 

It is sometimes also argued that the infinite worth of Christ’s sacrifice was necessary to counter an infinite penalty that was deserved by mankind, and that to make hell less than an eternal penalty would degrade the value of Christ’s atonement. 

Those who hold this view believe that the saved will not, throughout eternity, be experiencing grief over lost loved ones in hell. Two possible scenarios have been suggested: 1) God may wipe the memory of loved ones in hell from our memories entirely; or 2) Our mind will be so conformed to that of God’s that we will see them as He does, and so will rejoice in their suffering (so Tertullian and others suggest). 

Even though suffering in hell is seen as eternal, not all sinners bear the same degree of culpability, so, since God is just and will judge each one according to his individual works,  there may be degrees of suffering experienced by those with varying degrees of sinfulness (Luke 12:47-48; Matt. 11:22,24). 

Restorationism, or Universal Reconciliation

This view holds that God desires all to be saved (Ezek. 33:11; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9), that Christ died for all (John 1:29; 1 Tim. 2:6; Heb. 2:9, 1 John 2:2), and that God has the sovereign right and power to continue seeking to save the lost, even in hell (Eccl. 8:4; Dan. 4:35; Eph. 1:11).  

On this view, there is no reason that God, who wants to restore all the creation to Himself, would arbitrarily cut off the opportunities for repentance at the point of the sinner’s death. The sinner in hell is the same sinner whom God loved during his lifetime, and for whom Christ died. If God would welcome repentance of a sinner on his deathbed (Luke 23:42-43), why would He not do so after death? Does God’s love have an expiration date? 

Restorationists believe that the scriptures used to support the traditional view are taken out of context and are found only in contexts that are non-literal (especially in Revelation). They also believe that most of the texts about death and destruction of sinners refer to consequences experienced in this life. The scripture says that “it is appointed to man once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27) — but nothing explicit is said about what happens after the judgment. All stand before God and receive a verdict and a sentence. Many are consigned to the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15), but what becomes of them after that is the question at issue, which is answered differently by each of the three views. 

It is further added that the restoration of all the creation to God through Christ is actually predicted many times in scripture (Eph. 1:10; Col. 1:16,20) and that all men will be saved (John 12:32; Rom. 5:18; Phil. 2:10-11; 1 Tim. 4:10; Rev. 5:13). If Jesus died for all, and somehow receives less than all in the end, then Jesus gets less than He paid for, and would seem to be the cosmic loser. Yet, Christ is everywhere said to be victorious over Satan (Col. 1:15; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8), which would not seem true if Satan ultimately wins most (or any) of the souls in his tug-of-war with Christ over the souls of men.  

The question, “O death, where is your victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55) is not supposed to be answerable. 

Why Restorationism Fell Out of Favor

The Restorationist view has come to be regarded as non-orthodox in the Western Church, due to then following historical developments. 

The Alexandrian theological school, from the late second century onward, was known for teaching the view that hell is a place for the restoration of recalcitrant sinners who failed to repent in their lifetimes. The leaders of this school, in sequence, were Pantaenus (AD 180-190), Clement (AD 150-215), and Origen (AD 185-254). The latter is widely regarded (along with Augustine) as one of the two greatest theologians of the first five centuries of Christianity, though his view of hell differed completely from that of the later Augustine. 

Origen is the most famous early advocate of Restorationism in the post-apostolic Church. His views influenced Christian theology, not only in his native Alexandria, but through much of the Middle-Eastern and Eastern Church. The great fathers, Gregory of Nazianzus (AD 329-390), Gregory of Nyssa (AD 372-394), and Theodore of Mopsuestia (AD 392-428) were also of this persuasion. While not sharing in all of his theological positions, Eusebius (AD 260-340), Athanasius (AD 328-373), and Ambrose (AD 340-397) held Origen in great admiration. 

Origen’s view on hell was later opposed by Augustine, in The City of God. Largely due to Augustine’s influence, especially in the Latin church, Origen and his views came to be marginalized. Three centuries after Origen’s death, many of his views were condemned as heresies at the Second Council of Constantinople (553). 

Conclusion: Why Hell?

Notwithstanding the prevalence of one view in the theology of the Church for many centuries, the question of hell’s nature and purpose has been disputed from the earliest centuries among believers — and still is today.

What is your own view of the purpose of hell: Closure, Retribution, or Recovery of the lost? 

Cover of "Why Hell?" by Steve Gregg

Go deeper into all three major views of hell in Christian history and theology in Why Hell? Three Christian Views Critically Examined by Steve Gregg.  

You’ll find: 

  • Biblical vocabulary of hell and positions held throughout early Christian history 
  • Positive cases presented on each of the three perspectives 
  • Critiques of each view 
  • Helpful charts at the back of the book that summarize and cross-examine the arguments 

Steve Gregg provides food for thought for both trained theologians and serious Christian readers who want all the data to then consider for themselves the consequences of these three Christian perspectives on hell. 

50 Major Events in the Bible Storyline [Infographic]

Jacob Edson
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50 Major Events in the Bible Storyline [Infographic]

So, you read our post on “How to Read the Bible (for the First Time),” maybe dabbled in a few different translations, maybe even made a reading plan and got a little way in… and then decided it was all a little too ambitious to read through the entire Bible in a year.

Not to worry — we have the Cliff’s Notes (or SparkNotes, depending on your generation). We went through a boiled down the Bible’s narrative arc to fifty major, unmissable events.

The Bible Is More Than ‘Major Events’

In all fairness (to us), this is by nature an impossible task.

For one thing, many events are told in multiple ways (e.g., Kings/Chronicles, the four Gospels, and Acts/Epistles), and it can be difficult to construct a single, unified narrative of them. That’s not to say that people don’t try — they’ve been trying for hundreds of years — but clearly, it’s important that we have multiple viewpoints on such things. God didn’t give us four Gospels by accident.

Second, the Bible isn’t arranged chronologically. Some of it is, at least in its major arcs — especially the first 17 books. But the Prophets and Epistles are all jumbled. They’re arranged thematically, roughly in order of length. And Proverbs and Psalms cover decades, maybe centuries, worth of content.

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Most importantly, the Bible isn’t simply a series of events. Some of the most critical, beautiful, meaningful, and powerful parts of the Bible aren’t narratives at all, even if they are based in one particular event or another. The narrative of Job isn’t at all tied to the Bible’s larger storyline, nor is the timeless reflection of Ecclesiastes. Psalms and Epistles frequently reference historical events, but their content is mostly ethical, devotional, or ideological in character. Indeed, even the Gospel of John features long theological reflections not directly tied to any particular chronology.

In other words, depending on what type of reader you are, you may be more interested in poetry or theological reflection than in storyline. If that’s the case, you may want to start with the Wisdom books or the Prophets rather than the Histories.

Think of all that as a disclaimer.

…But It Does Tell a Story

So, with that all out of the way: the Bible does tell a story, broadly, across its pages: the story of the people of God. And from that story it’s possible to draw out some of the most influential, important, or just plain interesting events.

While the list is somewhat subjective (and I apologize if I left out some of your favorites; I personally regretted having to cut Balaam and his donkey), it will help you to see the overall arc of the narrative.

How to Use This Guide

There are two (or maybe three) ways to use this list: as an abridgment or a roadmap (or a curiosity).

If reading through the Bible cover-to-cover is too much for you right now, we won’t blame you! (We offer daily verses for a reason.) This can be a good in-between to whet your appetite. Perhaps, in using it, you’ll find parts that you want to go deeper into, and others where you don’t. Follow where the spirit leads you.

Or, if you’re committed, you can use it to mark waypoints as you read through the Bible this year. Perhaps there’s a really dense passage you’re struggling through, and you want to skip ahead to the next waypoint. This guide will help you do that.

Then again, maybe you want to give it a quick look for curiosity’s sake and then continue your own way through the Bible. Good for you!

Now, without further ado, here is our list of the top 50 events in the Bible.

Timeline of major events in the Bible

Major Events in the Old Testament

Part I: Creation

  1. Creation — Genesis 1-2
  2. The Fall — Genesis 3
  3. Noah and the Flood — Genesis 6-9
  4. The Tower of Babel — Genesis 11:1-9

Part II: The First Covenant

  1. The Call of Abram — Genesis 12:1-9
  2. God’s Promises to Abraham — Genesis 17:1–18:15
  3. The Birth of Isaac — Genesis 21:1-21
  4. Abraham Tested — Genesis 22:1-19
  5. Isaac and Rebekah — Genesis 24
  6. Jacob and Esau — Genesis 25:19-34; 27–28
  7. Jacob’s Wives — Genesis 29:1-30
  8. Jacob Returns to Esau — Genesis 32-33
  9. Joseph’s Story — Genesis 37-50 (a long but riveting section)

Part III: The Exodus

  1. Israel in Slavery in Egypt — Exodus 1
  2. Moses’s Birth and Background — Exodus 2
  3. Moses and the Burning Bush — Exodus 3
  4. The Ten Plagues — Exodus 6:28–12:42
  5. The Ten Commandments — Exodus 19-20 (cf. Deuteronomy 5; learn more about the Ten Commandments)
  6. The Golden Calf — Exodus 32

Part IV: Resettlement

  1. Israel Enters the Promised Land — Joshua 1-2
  2. Israel Ruled by Judges — Judges 2, 21:25
  3. Ruth and Boaz — Ruth 1-4 (an often overlooked but critical commentary on Joshua/Judges; you’ll know why when you read the Genealogies of Jesus — or you can look at this cheat sheet)

Part V: The Age of Kings

  1. Israel Gets Its First King (Saul) — 1 Samuel 9-10
  2. David Is Anointed — 1 Samuel 16
  3. David and Goliath — 1 Samuel 17
  4. David Becomes King — 2 Samuel 5
  5. Solomon Becomes King — 1 Kings 2
  6. Solomon Builds the Temple — 1 Kings 6
  7. The Kingdom Divided: Israel and Judah — 1 Kings 11:41–12:24 (learn more about the kings and prophets of this era)

Part VI: Exile and Return

  1. The Fall of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) to Assyria — 2 Kings 17
  2. Josiah Rediscovers the Law — 2 Kings 22-23
  3. The Fall of Judah (the Southern Kingdom) to Babylon — 2 Kings 25
  4. Return from Exile — Ezra 1
  5. Construction of the New Temple — Ezra 6

Major Events in the New Testament

Part VII: Jesus

  1. Jesus Is Born — Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 (cf. John 1:1-18)
  2. Baptism of Jesus — Matthew 3; Mark 1:11; Luke 3; and John 1:19-34
  3. Temptation of Jesus — Matthew 4:1-10; Mark 1:12-13; and Luke 4:1-13
  4. Sermon on the Mount — Matthew 5-7 (cf. Luke 6:20-49)
  5. Jesus Feeds the 5,000 — Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; and John 6:1-15
  6. The Transfiguration — Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; and Luke 9:28-36
  7. The Raising of Lazarus — John 11:1-46
  8. The Triumphal Entry — Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; and John 12:12-19
  9. The Last Supper — Matthew 26:17-35; Mark 14:1-31; Luke 22:1-38; and John 13
  10. Jesus’s Betrayal, Trial, and Crucifixion — Matthew 26:36–27:66; Mark 14:32–15:47; Luke 22:39–23:56; and John 18-19
  11. Jesus’s Resurrection — Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; and John 20
  12. The Ascension — Acts 1:1-11

Part VIII: The Church

  1. Pentecost — Acts 2
  2. The Church’s First Martyr — Acts 6:8–8:1
  3. Saul’s Conversion — Acts 9:1-31
  4. John’s Revelation on Patmos — Revelation 1, 21-22

Want to learn more about any (or all) of these amazing events — their background, effects, and greater meaning? Bible Gateway Plus gives you dozens of resources to deepen your study of the Bible alongside whatever passages you select to read. Try it free today!

Note: This list builds on work by Jonathan Petersen, and from A Doubter’s Guide to the Bible: Inside History’s Bestseller for Believers and Skeptics by John Dickson.

Anticipating Heaven Will Lessen Death’s Sting

Pamela Pyle
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Anticipating Heaven Will Lessen Death’s Sting

Her hand was frail in mine, yet her grip was tight as I began to share with her the painful truth: she was dying. She asked:

“So, how much time do I have left?”  

“When I am short of breath like this, I feel terrible. Will my suffering worsen?” 

“You’ve witnessed the final moments of many others. What will it be like?”  

“My family understands what is coming, but what exactly will they see?” 

In my thirty-three years of medical practice — in state-of-the-art hospitals in the United States and in more nascent clinics in Rwanda — I have had countless end-of-life conversations. Yet this was the first time a patient, friend, or family member asked such direct questions. 

I answered her questions as clearly, honestly, and gently as possible. But something about this moment — perhaps her quiet strength in the face of death, or maybe the fact that she would be missed terribly by her family, as well as by myself — moved me unexpectedly. 

When I finally said, “I’m so sorry to have to tell you these things,” I began to weep.  

To my surprise, my patient grabbed my other hand and squeezed even tighter. “It’s okay,” she said as she comforted me. “I am going to have a good death. Please prepare my family. I am ready.” 

As I left her room, the statement “I am going to have a good death” lodged in my mind. In the days and weeks that followed, I could not shake it. What does it mean to have a good death?  

Is There a Way to Lessen Death’s Sting?

I thought about how so many people struggle mightily against our common destiny, seeing nothing about it as good. Meanwhile, others face death willingly, almost eagerly, as though they are arriving at a long-sought destination.  

Though we are always sad, we are never really shocked when death takes an elderly loved one or when we attend the funeral of a friend or neighbor who had suffered from chronic illness or long-term disability. 

But then there are those other deaths. The out-of-order deaths that rip our hearts. They cause us to look to our Creator and cry out, “Why?” We sob when a child dies. “This isn’t how life is supposed to work!” 

Likewise, we struggle to accept the sudden passing of a young parent who has small children. And how are we to make sense of death when it comes via a senseless act of violence, up to and including the horrors of genocide? Perhaps you think — with good reason — that trying to find good in the wake of such bad is a fool’s errand. 

Most people have heard the old quip, “The only certainties in life are death and taxes.” But until that heart-stopping moment when Death raps loudly on the door, barges into one’s hospital room, or whispers softly from the other end of a dreaded phone call, taxes seem like the surer reality. We indulge in fallacies: “If I don’t think about death, maybe it’ll forget about me.” Or we entertain fantasies like, “I don’t have to worry about that now. I’ve at least thirty, maybe even forty years left.” 

Then reality hits. Maybe Death has pulled up a chair at your dinner table or has parked in a loved one’s driveway. Maybe the grim specter of “the end” is the ignored elephant in the room. For those facing the ultimate loss (either their own life or the life of a loved one), this giant, uninvited, and unwelcome visitor has a way of hovering in the imagination, haunting one’s every step and invading one’s nightly dreams. 

Realizing that we cannot escape it forever, we wonder, “Is there any way to lessen death’s sting?” 

A good death? What possible good can be found in death? And yet my breathless patient who inspired my search for an answer was genuinely peaceful as she prepared to depart this life. She seemed to possess a great secret that might benefit those she was leaving behind. 

Because of God’s mercy in my own life, I knew her secret — and it was glorious. This was a woman who was confident of her destination. This was a woman who lived a life anticipating heaven. The hope found in Christ can move us not only toward a good death, but to live with a hopeful end in mind. Hope comes through the practice of anticipating heaven. 

What Heaven Will Be Like

What do we know about our heavenly destination? 

As believers, we can praise our Father for our eternal home. And as we make choices for ourselves and others, let us remember the grace we are extended and the choice for heaven made possible by Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, King of kings, Immanuel (“God with us”).  

What is heaven? Let’s look to Scripture for the best descriptions of what we can anticipate.  

Heaven Is a Place and a Promise

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” — John 14:1–2 (NKJV)

Because this is true, I anticipate dwelling with the one who conquered my death with his life. 

Heaven Is in God’s Presence and Brings Eternal Pleasures

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. — Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

Because this is true, I anticipate the presence of the one who makes my heart sing. 

Heaven Is the Home of Perfect Knowledge

Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. — 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NKJV)

Because this is true, I anticipate a time when I will have no unanswered questions. 

Heaven Is Prepared for Us by God

As it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ — 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV)

Because this is true, I anticipate the place where God walks, and the garden humanity was created to inhabit.  

What Do You Anticipate?

I encourage you to read each of these verses and write how you would finish this sentence: Because this is true, I anticipate . . .

This is one of the ways you will begin to tackle your fears about the end of life on earth. Heaven is the ultimate destination beyond everything we plan for so carefully on earth. I hope to see you there. 

Cover of "Anticipating Heaven" by Dr. Pamela Pyle

Adapted from Anticipating Heaven by Dr. Pamela Pyle.

Is there a way to walk into the final chapters of life with peace and confidence, and with support and wisdom? 

We all are living an earthly story with a beginning, middle, and end. While aspects of our story’s closing hold mystery, we do not have to feel lost as we move toward it. We instead can lean on the support and wisdom of others who know the path ahead. In Anticipating Heaven, Dr. Pyle offers that same practical advice and spiritual comfort to you and your loved ones as you navigate a serious illness. 

Look at the Book: Nahum [Infographic]

Chris Fann
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Look at the Book: Nahum [Infographic]

“Look at the Book” is Bible Gateway’s series of short blog posts and infographics introducing you to the books of the Bible. Nahum, reading almost as a sort of sequel to Jonah, predicts the final execution of God’s judgment against Ninevah. 

Scroll to the bottom if you’d prefer to see (and save) this article as an infographic. You’ll also find a handy 30-day reading guide. Or, for a challenge, you can do it in one week using the 7-day reading guide below. 

Summary 

The focus of Nahum is on the Lord’s judgment of Nineveh for the people’s oppression, idolatry, and wickedness. Nahum points out God’s sovereignty as the Lord of history and all the nations. 

  • Category: Prophets 
  • Theme: Consolation 
  • Timeline: Written shortly before 612 BC 
  • Written: Attributed to Nahum 

Key Verse 

“The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished…” — Nahum 1:3 (NIV) 

AKA Jonah 2 

The people of Judah, and subsequent believers, can find hope in the fact that while this life is filled with evil and pain, God will ultimately right all wrongs. 

Nahum forms a sequel to Jonah. Jonah recounts the remission of God’s promised judgment toward Nineveh, while Nahum depicts the later execution of God’s judgment. 

7 Day Reading Guide 

Here is a seven-day guide to the prophets Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Haggai. 

(See 30-day guide with all Minor Prophets below.) 

Lost and Found 

After Nineveh’s destruction in 612 BC, the site was not rediscovered until 1842 AD. 

Access the rest of the series. Browse Bible studies for each book of the Bible. Or right-click on the infographic below to download and save the image for your reference.  

Infographic depicting major themes and content from Nahum
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