Wasteland & Promised Land
At Canyon Hills, we believe that the Bible is a unified, uninterrupted story that leads to Jesus.
1406 BC
Moses dies, and Joshua leads Israel into Canaan
1376 BC
Judges begin to rule in Israel
1213 BC
This stele honoring Pharaoh Merneptah is the earliest evidence for the existence of the nation of Israel outside the Bible.
1209 BC
Deborah becomes Israel’s judge
1162 BC
Gideon becomes Israel’s judge
1105 BC
Samuel is born
1075 BC
Samuel becomes Israel’s final judge
1400 BC
Water clock invented in Egypt
1358 BC
King Tutankhamen is buried in Egypt amidst great treasure
1250 BC
Silk fabrics manufactured in China
1200 BC
First Chinese dictionary
1183 BC
Destruction of Troy during Trojan War
1000 BC
Native Americans in California build wood-reed houses
WILDERNESS
KADESH-BARNEA
KEY Modern Political Boundaries
Elevation
Prominent Regions
Prominent Locations
YEAR OF THE BIBLE
NAVIGATING SCRIPTURE BY STRUCTURE
The Torah is the name given to the first five books of the Bible om Genesis to Deuteronomy. This section is also known as the “Five Books of Moses” or the “Pentateuch,” which translates to “five scroll cases.” Traditionally, it’s believed that these books were written by Moses. The Torah covers the story of creation, God’s covenant with His people, and begins the journey towards Jesus.
The Hebrew Bible was divided into three parts: Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim. This loosely translates to Law, Prophets, and Writings. The Hebrew Bible is also referred to as the Tanakh (Ta + Na + Kh) in Hebrew. This second section, Nevi’im, tells the story of the rise of the Jewish monarchy. It’s marked by equent criticism of unethical or immoral behavior by the ruling elite.
The Ketuvim, or Writings, are the final section of the Tanakh (or the Traditional Hebrew Bible). It contains mostly poetry, but also serves as a sort of catch-all for books that don’t fit in either of the previous sections. The Ketuvim includes books like Psalms, Proverbs, and Job, but also includes books like Ruth, Chronicles, and Daniel.
The four books included in the New Testament of the Christian Bible that detail the life and deeds of Jesus as an episodic narrative are referred to as the “Gospels,” which is an Old-English adaptation of a Greek word meaning “Good News.” While they share a similar outline, each of the four writings contributes a unique perspective on the life and ministry of Jesus.
The word“epistle” comes directly om the Greek word for “letter.” The New Testament's epistles are primarily written by spiritual leaders in the first and second centuries to individuals or groups of Christians. While not every author is known, Paul contributed the majority of these writings; compiling 13 letters om Romans to Philemon.
The “Book of Revelation” or the “Apocalypse of John” or the “Revelation to John” is a unique but important writing in the Christian Bible. The title is derived om the Greek word apokalypsis, meaning “to unveil” or “to uncover.” A broad view of interpretations exist on the meaning of the fantastic symbols and imagery present in this text.
NAVIGATING SCRIPTURE
BY GENRE
Narrative passages present a re-telling of events. While narrative sections can include moral lessons, not everything you read in a narrative passage is prescriptive sometimes they are simply descriptive. Narrative books include Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ruth & Esther.
Legal text can be dry, but it is still important. While legal text doesn’t read like narrative, the information is vital in understanding God’s covenant with the people of Israel. Examples include the last half of Exodus, and all of Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
Biblical poetry can mark important events, appeal to reason, portray feelings, and urge action. While some devices, like metaphor, remain accessible to modern readers, others can be lost when translated to English. Poetic passages also exist inside of other genres. Examples: Psalms, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations.
Wisdom literature is similar to poetry in it’s scope, but doesn’t employ the same structure or devices. Wisdom literature raises important questions about values, morality, ethics, and the meaning of life. Examples include Job, portions of Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. Some books can feature multiple genres.
While all of the Bible’s predictions about the future are a part of the prophecy genre, not all of prophecy is predictions about the future. In fact, much of the writing in this genre served as a social critique of the political and religious ruling class of the day. Examples include Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.
Apocalypse translates to “uncover” and this genre deals with something being uncovered that was not previously known. These events are o en revealed by a heavenly messenger and feature surreal imagery. The main books in this genre are Daniel and Revelation, but “apocalypses” happen elsewhere in Scripture.
Compiled accounts are similar to narrative and are a sort of ancient biography. These writings came about many years a er the events themselves took place, and authors compiled both oral and written sources to assemble a cohesive story. The four Gospels are the primary examples of compiled accounts.
Unlike narrative, the epistles or “letters” genre in the New Testament is primarily meant as instruction for the reader. Epistles were written with different audiences in mind, and o en assume that the reader is already fami liar with the topic. Examples include Romans, Hebrews, and James.
Ancient Jews
NAVIGATING SCRIPTURE BY AUDIENCE
Understanding some of the first intended audiences of various passages can enrich and deepen your ability to navigate the story of the Bible. This can also help you piece together the timelines and understand why a particular event may be significant within the overall story. Think: Moses, Joshua, Ruth, etc.
A er the “Ancient Jews” we enter the period of the first temple, built by King Solomon. This temple would replace the Tabernacle in the Sinai desert, as well as other local sanctuaries and altars. This finally gave the Jewish people a new formal setting for sacrifice and assembly. Think: David, Solomon, etc.
At the direction of King Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the temple and exiled (or deported) many Jews om their native lands into Babylon. This period of exile is an important event in Jewish history and the topic of many scriptural passages. Think: Esther, Daniel, Lamentations.
Once the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians, King Cyrus allowed many Jews to return to Judah and begin reconstruction on the temple. The second temple started around 515-516 BC and lasted up to the time of Jesus and ended in 70 AD. Think: Ezra, Nehemiah.
Starting in the New Testament, passages written to individuals begin to appear. These writings were o en written to individuals, or individuals within a group, who may not have already believed that Jesus was the Messiah, as an attempt to convince the reader. Think: Romans, Hebrews, Luke.
Many of the epistles in the New Testament assume that the reader is familiar with the life and ministry of Jesus and function primarily as a form of instruction or correction for His followers. Think: Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians.
HOW TO NAVIGATE SCRIPTURE FOR YOURSELF
Ask yourself questions about the structure, genres, and audience(s) of the passage. Use any available tools and historical context to inform your reading.
Observe what the author is emphasizing or trying to get you to pay attention to. How do the language and imagery inform your understanding of the text?
How does this passage or story connect to the overall story of the Bible? How does it connect to other passages? How does is connect to Jesus?
Pray and ask God how your new understanding of this passage should inform your day-to-day living. You can also refer to commentary and seek wise counsel.
Creation & Covenant
Prologue Patriarchs
Creation
Adam & Eve Noah
The Nations
nd
Wilderness & Promised Land
United Kingdom Divided Kingdom
Exodous Joshua Conquest Judges David & Solomon
Abraham Isaac & Jacob Moses
Southern Kingdom: Judah Fall
Northern Kingdom: Israel
Jesus & T he Way
Assyrian Exile Babylonian Exile
Return Ezra & Nehemiah Jesus
The Church New Creation Judgment
Numbers 8-10
Numbers 11-13
Number 14-16
Numbers 17-18
Numbers 19-21
Numbers 22-24
Numbers 25-27
Numbers 28-30
Numbers 28-30
Numbers 31-32
Numbers 33-34
Numbers 35-36
Deut. 1-3
Deut. 4-6
Deut. 7-9
Deut. 10-12
Deut. 13-14
Deut.15-16
Deut. 17-20
Deut. 21-23
Deut. 24-27
Deut. 28-29
Deut. 30-31
Deut. 32-34
Joshua 1-4
Joshua 5-8
Joshua 9-12
Joshua 13-21
Joshua 22-24
Judges 1-3
Judges 4-5
Judges 6-8
Judges 9-12
Judges 13-15
Judges 16-18
Judges 19-21
Ruth 1-4
1 Samuel 1-3
1 Samuel 4-8
1 Samuel 9-12
1 Samuel 13-14
1 Samuel 15-17
1 Samuel 18-20
Psalm 42
Psalm 43
Psalm 44
Psalm 45
Psalm 46
Psalm 47
Psalm 48
Psalm 49
Psalm 49
Psalm 50
Psalm 51
Psalm 52
Psalm 53
Psalm 54
Psalm 55
Psalm 56
Psalm 57
Psalm 58
Psalm 59
Psalm 60
Psalm 61
Psalm 62
Psalm 63
Psalm 64
Psalm 65
Psalm 66
Psalm 67
Psalm 68
Psalm 69
Psalm 70
Psalm 71
Psalm 72
Psalm 73
Psalm 74
Psalm 75
Psalm 76
Psalm 77
Psalm 78
Psalm 79
Psalm 80
Psalm 81
Psalm 82
Psalm 83
1 Samuel 21-24
1 Samuel 25-27
1 Samuel 28-21
2 Samuel 1-3
2 Samuel 4-8
2 Samuel 9-12
2 Samuel 13-15
2 Samuel 16-18
2 Samuel 19-21
2 Samuel 22-24
1 Kings 1-3
1 Kings 4-7
1 Kings 8-10
1 Kings 11-13
1 Kings 14-16, Psalm 98
1 Kings 17-19, Psalm 99
1 Kings 20-22, Psalm 100
2 Kings 1-3, Psalm 101
2 Kings 4-7, Psalm 102
2 Kings 8-11, Psalm 103
2 Kings 12-14, Psalm 104
2 Kings 15-17, Psalm 105
2 Kings 18-19, Psalm 106
2 Kings 20-22, Psalm 107
2 Kings 23-25, Psalm 108
Isaiah 1-4, Psalm 109
Isaiah 5-8, Psalm 110
Isaiah 9-12, Psalm 111
Isaiah 13-17, Psalm 112
Isaiah 18-22, Psalm 113
Isaiah 23-27, Psalm 114
Isaiah 28-30, Psalm 115
Isaiah 31-35, Psalm 116
Isaiah 36-38, Psalm 117
Isaiah 39-41, Psalm 118
Isaiah 42-44, Psalm 119:1-32
Isaiah 45-48, Psalm 119:33-64
Isaiah 49-51, Psalm 119:65-96
Isaiah 52-54, Psalm 119:97-128
Isaiah 55-57, Psalm 119:129-152
Isaiah 58-60, Psalm 119:153-176
Isaiah 61-64, Psalm 120
Structure: Torah Genre: Narrative Full description and list of icons on Page 3.
Audience: Ancient Jews
Psalm 84
Psalm 85
Psalm 86
Psalm 87
Psalm 88
Psalm 89
Psalm 90
Psalm 91
Psalm 92
Psalm 93
Psalm 94
Psalm 95
Psalm 96
Psalm 97
Isaiah 65-66, Psalm 121
Hosea 1-5, Psalm 122
Hosea 6-10, Psalm 123
Hosea 11-14, Psalm 124
Joel 1-3, Psalm 125
Amos 1-5, Psalm 126
Amos 6-9, Psalm 127
Obadiah 1, Psalm 128
Jonah 1-4, Psalm 129
Micah 1-4, Psalm 130
Micah 5-7, Psalm 131
Nahum 1-3, Psalm 132
Habakkuk 1-3, Psalm 133
Zephaniah 1-3, Psalm 134
Job 1-3, Psalm 135
Job 4-7, Psalm 136
Job 8-11, Psalm 137
Job 12-15, Psalm 138
Job 16-19, Psalm 139
Job 20-23, Psalm 140
Job 24-28, Psalm 141
Job 29-31, Psalm 142
Job 32-34, Psalm 143
Job 35-37, Psalm 144
Job 38-39m Psalm 145
Job 40-42, Psalm 146
Psalm 1-2, Psalm 147
Proverbs 1-3, Psalm 148
Proverbs 4-6, Psalm 149
Proverbs 7-9, Psalm 150
Proverbs 10-12, Pslam 1
Proverbs 13-15, Psalm 2
Proverbs 16-18, Psalm 3
Proverbs 19-21, Psalm 4
Proverbs 22-24, Psalm 5
Proverbs 25-27, Psalm 6
Proverbs 28-31, Psalm 7
Ecclesiastes 1-4, Psalm 8
Ecclesiastes 5-8, Psalm 9
Ecclesiastes 9-12, Psalm 10
Song of Sol 1-4, Psalm 11
Song of Sol 5-8, Psalm 12
Jeremiah 1-3, Psalm 13
Jeremiah 4-6, Psalm 14
Jeremiah 7-9, Psalm 15
Jeremiah 10-13, Psalm 16
Jeremiah 14-17, Psalm 17
Jeremiah 18-22, Psalm 18
Jeremiah 23-25, Psalm 19
Jeremiah 26-29, Psalm 20
Jeremiah 30-32, Psalm 21
Jeremiah 33-36, Psalm 22
Jeremiah 37-39, Psalm 23
Jeremiah 40-44, Psalm 24
Jeremiah 45-48, Psalm 25
Jeremiah 49-50, Psalm 26
Jeremiah 51-52, Psalm 27
Lamentations 1-2, Psalm 28
Lamentations 3, Psalm 29
Lamentations 4-5, Psalm 30
Ezekiel 1-4, Psalm 31
Ezekiel 5-8, Psalm 32
Ezekiel 9-12, Pslam 33
Ezekiel 13-15, Psalm 34
Ezekiel 16-18, Psalm 35
Ezekiel 19-21, Psalm 36
Ezekiel 22-24, Psalm 37
Ezekiel 25-27, Psalm 38
Ezekiel 28-30, Psalm 39
Ezekiel 31-33, Psalm 40
Ezekiel 34-36, Psalm 41
Ezekiel 37-39, Psalm 42
Ezekiel 40-44, Psalm 43
Ezekiel 45-48, Psalm 44
Ezra 1-3, Psalm 45
Ezra 4-7, Psalm 46
Ezra 8-10, Pslam 47
Nehemiah 1-3, Psalm 48
Nehemiah 4-6, Psalm 49
Nehemiah 7-9, Psalm 50
Nehemiah 10-11, Psalm 51
Nehemiah 12-13, Psalm 52
Esther 1-5, Psalm 53
Esther 6-10, Psalm 54
Daniel 1-3, Psalm 55
Daniel 4-6, Psalm 56
Daniel 7-9, Psalm 57
Daniel 10-12, Psalm 58
Haggai 1-2, Psalm 59
Zechariah 1-4, Psalm 60
Zechariah 5-8, Psalm 61
Zechariah 9-14, Psalm 62
Malachi 1-2, Psalm 63
Malachi 3-4, Psalm 64
1 Chronicles 1-10, Psalm 65
1 Chronicles 11-14, Psalm 66
1 Chronicles 15-17, Psalm 67
1 Chronicles 18-21, Psalm 68
1 Chronicles 22-24, Psalm 69
1 Chronicles 25-29, Psalm 70
2 Chronicles 1-4, Psalm 71
2 Chronicles 5-8, Psalm 72
2 Chronicles 9-12, Psalm 73
2 Chronicles 13-17, Psalm 74
2 Chronicles 18-20, Psalm 75
2 Chronicles 21-24, Psalm 76
2 Chronicles 25-27, Psalm 77
2 Chronicles 28-31, Psalm 78
2 Chronicles 32-34, Psalm 79
2 Chronicles 35-36, Psalm 80
Matthew 1-2, Psalm 81
Matthew 3-4, Psalm 82
Matthew 5-6, Psalm 83
Matthew 7-8, Psalm 84
Matthew 9-10, Psalm 85
Matthew 11-12, Psalm 86
Matthew 13-14, Psalm 87
Matthew 15-16, Psalm 88
Matthew 17-18, Psalm 89
Matthew 19-20, Psalm 90
Matthew 21-22, Psalm 91
Matthew 23-24, Psalm 92
Matthew 25-26, Psalm 93
Matthew 27-28, Psalm 94
Mark 1-2, Psalm 95
Mark 3-4, Psalm 96
Mark 5-6, Psalm 97
Mark 7-8, Psalm 98
Mark 9-10, Psalm 99
Mark 11-12, Psalm 100
Mark 13-14, Psalm 101
Mark 15-16, Psalm 102
John 1-2, Psalm 103
John 3-4, Psalm 104
John 5-6, Psalm 105
John 7-8, Psalm 106
John 9-10, Psalm 107
John 11-12, Psalm 108
John 13-15, Psalm 109
John 16-18, Psalm 110
John 19-21, Psalm 111
Luke 1, Psalm 112
Luke 2-3, Psalm 113
Luke 4-5, Psalm 114
Luke 6-7, Psalm 115
Luke 8-9, Psalm 116
Luke 10-11, Psalm 117
Luke 12-13, Psalm 118
Luke 14-16, Psalm 119:1-32
Luke 17-18, Psalm 119:33-64
Luke 19-20, Psalm 119:65-96
Luke 21-22, Psalm 119:97-128
Luke 23-24, Psalm 119:129-152
Acts 1-2, Psalm 119:153-176
Acts 3-4, Psalm 120
Acts 5-6, Psalm 121
Acts 7-8, Psalm 122
Acts 9-10, Psalm 123
Acts 11-12, Psalm 124
Acts 13-14, Psalm 125
Acts 15-16, Psalm 126
Acts 17-18, Psalm 127
Acts 19-20, Psalm 128
Acts 21-22, Psalm 129
Acts 23-24, Psalm 130
Acts 25-26, Psalm 131
Acts 27-28, Psalm 132
Romans 1-2, Psalm 133
Romans 3-4, Psalm 134
Romans 5-6, Psalm 135
Romans 7-8, Psalm 136
Romans 9-10, Psalm 137
Romans 11-12, Psalm 138
Romans 13-14, Psalm 139
Romans 15-16, Psalm 140
1 Corinthians 1-2, Psalm 141
1 Corinthians 3-4, Psalm 142
1 Corinthians 5-6, Psalm 143
1 Corinthians 7-8, Psalm 144
1 Corinthians 9-10, Psalm 145
1 Corinthians 11-12, Psalm 146
1 Corinthians 13-14, Psalm 147
1 Corinthians 15-16, Psalm 148
2 Corinthians 1-2, Psalm 149
2 Corinthians 3-4, Psalm 150
2 Corinthians 5-6, Psalm 1
2 Corinthians 7-8, Psalm 2
2 Corinthians 9-10, Psalm 3
2 Corinthians 11-13, Psalm 4
Galatians 1-2, Psalm 5
Galatians 3-4, Psalm 6
Galatians 5-6, Psalm 7
Ephesians 1-2, Psalm 8
Ephesians 3-4, Psalm 9
Ephesians 5-6, Psalm 10
Philippians 1-2, Psalm 11
Philippians 3-4, Psalm 12
Colossians 1-2, Psalm 13
Colossians 3-4, Psalm 14
1 Thessalonians 1-2, Psalm 15
1 Thessalonians 3-4, Psalm 16
1 Thessalonians 5, Psalm 17
2 Thessalonians 1-3, Psalm 18
1 Timothy 1-2, Psalm 19
1 Timothy 3-4, Psalm 20
1 Timothy 5-6, Psalm 21
2 Timothy 1-4, Psalm 22
Titus 1-3, Psalm 23
Philemon 1, Psalm 24
Hebrews 1-2, Psalm 25
Hebrews 3-4, Psalm 26
Hebrews 5-6, Psalm 27
Hebrews 7-8, Psalm 28
Hebrews 9-10, Psalm 29
Hebrews 11-13, Psalm 30
James 1-3, Psalm 31
James 4-5, Psalm 32
1 Peter 1-2, Psalm 33
1 Peter 3-5, Psalm 34
2 Peter 1-3, Psalm 35
1 John 1-2, Psalm 36
1 John 3-5, Psalm 37
2, 3 John, Psalm 38
Jude 1, Psalm 39
Revelation 1-3, Psalm 40
Revelation 4-6, Psalm 41
Revelation 7-9, Psalm 42
Revelation 10-11, Psalm 43
Revelation 12-13, Psalm 44
Revelation 14-16, Psalm 45
Revelation 17-18, Psalm 46
Revelation 19-20, Psalm 47
Revelation 21-22, Psalm 48