Bibles & Bible Plans
Use this page to get information about Bibles and Bible plans.
Bible Versions / Translations
New International Version (NIV)
English Standard Version (ESV)
New Living Translation (NLT)
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
King James Version (KJV)
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Bible:
Its Origins, Structure, and Assembly
The Bible is the most widely read, distributed, and influential book in history, serving as the foundational text of Christianity.
It is a collection of 66 books (for Protestants) or 73 books
(for Catholics) written over a span of approximately
1,500 years by roughly 40 different authors.
These texts include history, law, poetry, prophecy, and theology.
1. Structure of the Bible
The Bible is divided into two main sections:
Old Testament: God's covenant with Israel, history, laws, prophecies, poetry
New Testament: The life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with letters to early churches from Jesus's apostles and disciples.
Old Testament (39 books)
These books can be categorized as follows:
The Torah (Pentateuch) – 5 books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. These 5 books are also called the "Law" or "Torah." These books describe the creation of the world, God's covenant with Israel, and the laws given to Moses.
Historical Books – 12 books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. These recount the history of Israel, from entering the Promised Land to the Babylonian exile and return.
Poetry & Wisdom – 5 books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. These books contain prayers, wisdom sayings, and reflections on life.
Major Prophets – 5 books: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. These books contain prophecies about Israel, warnings, and messages of hope.
Minor Prophets – 12 books: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. These shorter prophetic books address Israel’s sins, judgment, and restoration.
New Testament (27 Books)
The New Testament, written in Greek, details the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the early Christian church.
The Gospels – 4 books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books recount the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Acts of the Apostles – 1 book: Written by Luke, Acts records the history of the early church after Jesus' ascension.
Pauline Epistles – 13 books: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon These letters are from the Apostle Paul to churches and individuals.
General Epistles – 8 books: Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2 & 3 John, and Jude. These books are written by various apostles addressing theological issues and encouragement.
Apocalyptic – 1 book: Revelation. This book written by John, describing visions of the end times.
2. How the Bible Was Assembled
Old Testament Formation
The Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) was developed over time, and by 400 BC, the books of the Law, Prophets, and Writings were widely recognized. The Septuagint (LXX), a Greek translation of the Old Testament (around 250 BC), was widely used by early Christians and included additional books (the Deuterocanonical books).
New Testament Formation
The early church used oral tradition and circulated letters (epistles) from apostles. By the late 1st century, most Christian communities accepted the four Gospels and Paul’s letters as authoritative. Early church councils, including Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage (397 AD), affirmed the 27-book New Testament.
The Role of Church Councils
The councils didn’t "create" the Bible but recognized which books were already considered inspired. The criteria for a book’s inclusion: Apostolic Authorship – Written by an apostle or close associate. Orthodoxy – Aligns with core Christian teachings. Universal Acceptance – Used widely by early Christian communities.
3. Translations and Distribution
The Latin Vulgate (405 AD) – St. Jerome translated the Bible into Latin, which became the standard Bible for over 1,000 years. The Gutenberg Bible (1455) – The first Bible printed with a movable-type printing press.
The Protestant Reformation (16th century) – Martin Luther translated the Bible into German, and William Tyndale produced the first printed English New Testament.
King James Version (1611) – One of the most influential English translations.
Modern Translations – Today, the Bible exists in over 3,700 languages.
Bible Reading Plans:
1. Five Day Bible Reading Plan
Overview: This plan guides you through the entire Bible in a year by reading five times a week, allowing flexibility for catch-up days.
Readings: Approximately 3-4 chapters per day.
Time Commitment: 15-20 minutes per day.
2. Chronological Bible Reading Plan
Overview: This plan arranges the Bible's content in the order events occurred, offering a historical perspective of Scripture.
Readings: 3-4 chapters per day, following the chronological sequence.
Time Commitment: 15-20 minutes per day.
3. M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan
Overview: Developed by Scottish minister Robert Murray M'Cheyne, this plan leads you through the New Testament and Psalms twice, and the Old Testament once over the course of a year.
Readings: Four chapters per day from different parts of the Bible.
Time Commitment: 20-25 minutes per day.
4. Book Order Bible Reading Plan
Overview: This plan takes you through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in the traditional book order over 365 days.
Readings: Approximately 3 chapters per day.
Time Commitment: 15-20 minutes per day.
5. Bible Project Reading Plans
Overview: These plans offer various thematic and book-based reading schedules, accompanied by animated videos to enhance understanding.
Readings: Varies based on the selected plan; typically 1-3 chapters per day.
Time Commitment: 10-20 minutes per day, plus optional video content.
6. 52-Week Bible Reading Plan
Overview: Each week focuses on a different genre of Scripture, providing a balanced reading experience throughout the year.
Readings: Approximately 2 chapters per day.
Time Commitment: 10-15 minutes per day.
7. Two-Year Bible Reading Plan
Overview: A slower-paced plan that allows for deeper reflection, covering the entire Bible over two years.Readings: Approximately 1-2 chapters per day.
Time Commitment: 10-15 minutes per day.
8. Three-Year Bible Reading Plan
Overview: This plan involves reading one chapter a day, making it manageable and allowing for in-depth contemplation over three years.
Readings: One chapter per day.
Time Commitment: 5-10 minutes per day.
9. Old Testament in a Year
Overview: Focus solely on the Old Testament, providing a comprehensive understanding of its teachings over a year.
Readings: 3-4 chapters per day from the Old Testament.
Time Commitment: 15-20 minutes per day.
10. New Testament in a Year
Overview: Concentrate on the New Testament, reading one chapter a day to complete it within a year.
Readings: One chapter per day from the New Testament.
Time Commitment: 5-10 minutes per day.
