OUTLINE OF THE BIBLE

OLD TESTAMENT

• Old Testament law
• Genesis to Deuteronomy
• Old Testament history
• Joshua to Esther
• Old Testament poetry
• Job to Song of Songs
• Old Testament major prophets
• Isaiah to Daniel
• Old Testament minor prophets
• Hosea to Malachi

NEW TESTAMENT

• New Testament gospels
• Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
• New Testament history of the church
• Acts (which is part 2 of the writing known as Luke-Acts)
• New Testament letters definitely by Paul: To explore more about Paul and his letters, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/topics/paul.htm.
• Romans, 1Corinthians, 2Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1Thessalonians, Philemon
• New Testament letters attributed to Paul but believed by many scholars to have been written by other authors in Paul's name 20 to 60 or more years after Paul's martydom
• Ephesians, Colossians, 2Thessalonians, 1Timothy, 2Timothy, Titus, Hebrews (Even the NT does not identify the author of Hebrews. Virtually no reputable scholar today would attribute the Letter to the Hebrews to Paul.)
• New Testament letters attributed to others: James (the brother of Jesus), Peter (the apostle), John (the apostle John, John Mark, or some other John), and Jude (the brother or cousin of Jesus). Though attributed to these very early Christian authorities, there is great uncertainty as to who actually wrote each of these letters. To explore the history of James, Peter, and John, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/glossary/thetwelve.htm.
• James, 1Peter, 2Peter, 1John, 2John, 3John, Jude
• Apocalyptic writing
• Revelation

¹ This Sunday School preparation aid is consistent with the following Sunday School requirements in the Church Manual, by Mary Baker Eddy:

Teaching the Children. SECT. 2. The Sabbath School children shall be taught the Scriptures, and they shall be instructed according to their understanding or ability to grasp the simpler meanings of the divine Principle that they are taught. (Man 62:18)

Subject for Lessons. SECT. 3. The first lessons of the children should be the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17), the Lord's Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13), and its Spiritual Interpretation by Mary Baker Eddy, Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:3-12). The next lessons consist of such questions and answers as are adapted to a juvenile class, and may be found in the the Christian Science Quarterly Lessons, read in Church services. The instruction given by the children's teachers must not deviate from the absolute Christian Science contained in their textbook. (Man 62:24)

² Excerpts from "The Lesson Sermon," by the Editors of The Christian Science Journal (TCSJ, 1899, May, Vol 17, page 144-152). The following excerpt is from page 150:

In the case of the Bible texts, then the Reader should study the context, and if an historical incident be referred to he should learn the whole history of the event named. In this study he may be helped by Smith's Bible Dictionary, the Revised Version of the Bible, Rotherham, or other equally high authorities. Having a clear understanding of the outward facts concerning the Bible passages, he should study them in connection with their correlative passages from Science and Health to learn their scientific meaning. Then with prayer and meditation he will behold their deep inward meaning, and grasp their profound spiritual import."

³ Excerpts from "The Christian Science Bible Lessons," by Irving Tomlinson (The Christian Science Journal, Volume 40, March, 1923, pages 483-487). To read the entire article, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/j040p483.htm. The following excerpt is from pages 485 and 486:

The Lesson-Sermon is not a human, material structure. Like "the tree of life," it has its main trunk, or subject, which subdivides into six branches, upon which ripens "the fruit of the Spirit," and where grow the leaves of the tree "for the healing of the nations." Each of these six branches, or subtopics, has its own individuality; but they are all vitally connected with the trunk or main subject, as well as vitally connected one with the other. There is, of course, no established order for the make-up of a Lesson-Sermon. Its six sections, consequently, have endless variety. Different people, also, view the Lesson differently; and the footsteps, or leading thoughts, of the sections are unfolded to them in different ways. While it is a mistake to suppose that one word is always sufficient to describe the predominating thought in each section of the Lesson, yet sometimes this may be very nearly the case. The intelligent student will thus see no set outline on which the Lesson-Sermons are constructed, but he will find variety in unity, and unity in variety.

"The Golden Text may be said to contain the fundamental thought with which the sermon deals.... The responsive reading, while entirely separate from the sermon, deals with the same subject. While not part of the temple (sermon), it may be called the stairway which leads to the temple, warning the worshiper that he is drawing nigh unto the holy place" (Journal, May, 1899). The Sentinel of May 31, 1900, said of the Lesson-Sermon: "The Bible does its part and the Science and Health quotations do their part in unfolding and enforcing the subject. Let it be remembered, then, that the Bible selections are not put down in one column and the Science and Health passages placed opposite them to explain their every detail. Taken together they form a complete discourse and fully expound the subject of the Sermon."

...There is no one method whereby to study and imbibe the truth contained in the Bible Lessons. The way of approach through them to God is an individual demonstration. The procedure which may seem best for one may not be so for another; but experience shows that there are some things helpful to do and others not helpful to do. When spiritual darkness once enveloped Israel, it is related "there was no open vision." Blessings come to those who study the Lesson with open spiritual vision. To those who have not this vision the conscientious study of the Lesson-Sermon helps to impart it.

Blessings come to those who perceive and understand the truth; so those who discern and grasp a leading thought in each section of the Lesson receive a blessing. Usually, the first Science and Health reference in each section hints the leading thought in that section, which the Bible selections and the other Science and Health selections in the section develop. Although, naturally, the first section introduces, the last concludes, and the intermediate sections amplify the subject of the Lesson-Sermon, let it be repeated that there is no formula, no rigidly fixed order for these footsteps. They who only skim the Lesson over miss many blessings that await them. They who prayerfully study the Lesson, and imbibe its spirit, rejoice in blessings manifold.