Old Testament
People and Themes
Genesis
Key People:
Adam and Eve – original human beings
Noah – builder of the ark
Abraham and Sarah – the parents of a nation called God’s chosen people
Isaac and Rebekah – the original members of a new nation
Jacob – father of the twelve tribes of Israel
Joseph – the preserver of his people and the nation of Egypt
Key Themes:
Origins of the universe, the beginning of humans, the Fall into sin, redemption, judgment
and nations. Most of the central teachings of Christianity have their roots in Genesis:
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, Sin, redemption,
Covenant, Promise, Satan, Angels, Natural revelation, Special revelation.
Exodus
Key People:
Moses – Deliverer of Israel from Egypt and author of the Pentateuch
Miriam – Older sister of Moses and prophetess
Pharoah’s daughter – rescued the baby Moses from the water and adopted him.
Jethro – father-in-law to Moses
Aaron – brother of Moses and first High Priest
Pharoah – unnamed Egyptian leader at the time of the Exodus
Joshua – assistant to Moses and leader who led the Israel into the Promise Land
Key Themes:
Beginning of the covenant promises to Abraham, rapid growth of Jacob’s descendants,
the giving of the Law. The characteristics and nature of God are revealed in His
sovereignty, majesty, holiness, goodness, grace and mercy. The Passover is a picture of
redemption through Christ.
Leviticus
Key People:
Moses – leader of Israel and God’s chosen one to explain His law to Israel
Aaron – Moses’ brother
Nadab – son of Aaron who died because of disobedience to the Lord’s commands
Abihu – son of Aaron who suffered the same fate as his brother
Eleazar – son of Aaron who succeeded him as High Priest of Israel
Ithamar – son of Aaron who also became a priest
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Key Themes:
The holy character of God and the will of God for Israel. God urges Israel to walk in
holiness. His presence in the tabernacle is another major theme. Sacrifices and offerings
were introduced: Burnt offering, Grain offering, peace offering, Sin offering, and
Trespass offering.
Numbers
Key People:
Moses – leader of Israel
Aaron – Moses’ brother
Miriam – sister to Moses and Aaron; stricken with leprosy because of jealousy
Joshua – Moses’ successor as leader of Israel
Caleb – one of the men sent to scout Canaan
Eleazar – son of Aaron, High Priest
Korah – Levite who assisted in the tabernacle; killed because of rebellion to the Lord
Balaam – prophet and sorcerer who half-heartedly obeyed God. Attempted to lead Israel
Into idol worship
Key Themes:
God would speak to Israel through Moses and Israel’s response was one of obedience or
disobedience. The response is divided into three parts, obedience, disobedience and
renewed obedience. The judgment of God and the faithfulness of God are key themes as
well.
Deuteronomy
Key People:
Moses – leader of Israel. Not allowed to enter Promised Land
Joshua – Moses’ successor; guided Israel into Promised Land
Key Themes:
Moses called the second generation of Israel to trust the Lord and be obedient. Most
important, He called Israel to take the land God had promised to their forefathers. This
book is quoted more than any other in the New Testament. Obedience and the pursuit of
holiness is always based on the character of God.
Joshua
Key People:
Joshua – led Israel into the Promised Land
Rahab – Prostitute from Jericho; saved from death because of her obedience to God.
Ancestor of David and Jesus
Achan – disobeyed God by stealing plunder of Jericho
Phinehas – priest and son of Eleazar; acted as intermediary to prevent civil war
Eleazar – son of Aaron, helped Joshua lead Israel.
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Key Themes:
God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promise of giving the land to Abraham’s descendants is a
key theme. Israel failed to press their conquest to every part of the land. God wanted His
people to possess the land so as to keep His promise and to set the stage for later
developments in His kingdom plan.
Judges
Key People:
Othniel – first judge in Israel; brought forty years of peace to Israel
Ehud – second judge of Israel. Eighty years of peace during his reign
Deborah – prophet and Israel’s only female judge
Gideon – Israel’s fifth judge; destroyed the Midianite army
Abimelech – Gideon’s evil son who declared himself king over Israel
Jephthah – judge of Israel and warrior who conquered the Ammonites
Samson – dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth; sent to deliver judgment to the
Philistines
Delilah – Samson’s lover who betrayed him to the Philistines for money
Key Themes:
Major theme is God’s power and covenant mercy in graciously delivering the Israelites
from the consequences of their failures as a result of compromise and sin.
Ruth
Key People:
Ruth – Naomi’s daughter-in-law; later married to Boaz; direct ancestor to Jesus
Naomi – widow of Elimelech and mother-in-law Orpah and Ruth
Boaz – prosperous farmer who married Ruth, the Moabite; direct ancestor of Jesus
Key Themes:
Seven major themes appear in Ruth: God has a redemptive plan beyond the Jews, women
also share in the salvation provided by God, a picture of the virtuous women appears
through Ruth, God’s sovereign and providential care is extended to the least of people,
Ruth is listed in the genealogy of Christ, Boaz, as a type of Christ, becomes a kinsmanredeemer, and King David’s lineage flows from the line of Boaz back to the time of
Judah.
First and Second Samuel
Key People:
Eli – High priest and Israel’s judge for forty years
Hannah – mother of Samuel
Samuel – priest, prophet and greatest judge of Israel
Saul – first king of Israel appointed by God
Jonathan – son of Saul; befriended David and protected him against Saul
David – greatest king of Israel; direct ancestor to Jesus Christ
Joab – military commander of David’s army
Bathsheba – committed adultery with David; mother of Solomon
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Nathan – prophet and advisor to King David
Absalom – son of David; attempted to overthrow the throne of Israel
Key Themes:
Four major themes: Introduction of the Davidic Covenant which is a reference to the
Messiah, the sovereignty of God over people, the work of the Holy Spirit in empowering
men for specific tasks, and the personal and national effects of sin.
First Kings
Key People:
David – King of Israel appoints son Solomon to be the next King
Solomon – son of Bathsheba and David. Builder of the temple, wisest man ever born.
Rehoboam – son of Solomon. His evil actions led to the division of Israel into 2
kingdoms.
Jeroboam – evil king of the northern 10 tribes of Israel.
Elijah – prophet of Israel, fought against prophets of Baal.
Ahab – 8th and most evil king of Israel, committed more evil than any other kings.
Jezebel – married Ahab and became Queen of Israel Eaten by dogs.
Key Themes:
God’s judgment of apostate nations, fulfilled prophecies of God and God’s faithfulness
to keep his covenant with David.
Second Kings
Key People:
Elijah – prophet of Israel; carried into heaven by chariot of fire.
Elisha – prophet appointed to be Elijah’s successor.
The woman from Shunam – woman who hosted Elijah in her home; Elijah brought her
son back to life.
Naaman – mighty Syrian warrior who suffered from leprosy; healed by Elijah.
Jezebel – evil Queen of Israel.
Jehu – anointed King of Israel, used by God to punish Ahab’s family.
Joash – King of Judah; saved from death as a child; ultimately assassinated by his own
officials.
Hezekiah – 13th king of Judah who remained faithful to God.
Sennacherib – king of Syria who threatened Judah.
Isaiah – prophet who ministered to the ranks of 5 kings of Judah.
Manasseh – son of Hezekiah, 14th king of Judah.
Josiah – 16th king of Judah. Great grandson of Hezekiah; faithful to God.
Jehoiakim – 18th king of Judah.
Zedekiah – 20th king of Judah. Captured by the Babylonians as punishment for evil
ways.
Nebuchadnezzar – king of Babylon; allowed by God to conquer Jerusalem.
Key Themes:
(same as in First Kings)
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First and Second Chronicles
Key People:
David - king of Israel; man after God’s own heart.
David’s mighty men – special group of warriors pledged to fight for King David.
Nathan – prophet and advisor to David. Relayed God’s will for Solomon to build the
temple.
Solomon – King of Israel and builder of the temple.
Queen of Sheba – visited Jerusalem to test Solomon about his success.
Rehoboam – evil son of Solomon who became king.
Asa – King of Judah; tried to accomplish God’s purposes through corrupt means.
Jehoshaphat – succeeded his father, Asa, as king of Judah.
Jehoram – wicked son of Jehoshaphat; became king of Judah; promoted idol worship.
Uzziah – succeeded his father, Amaziah, as king of Judah.
Ahaz – succeeded his father, Jotham, as king of Judah. Led the people in Baal worship
and idolatry.
Hezekiah – succeeded his father, Ahaz, as king of Judah; obeyed God and restored the
temple.
Manasseh – succeeded his father, Hezekiah, as king of Judah; did evil but repented at the
end of his reign.
Josiah – succeeded his father, Amon, as king of Judah; followed the Lord and discovered
the Book of the Law while restoring the temple.
Key Themes:
These 2 books assured returning Jews that in spite of their problem past and present
plight, God will be true to His covenant promises. Another major theme is that
obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings judgment.
Ezra
Key People:
Ezra – scribe and teacher of God’s word who began religious reform among the people;
Led the second group of exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem..
Cyrus – Persian King who conquered Babylon; allowed Jews to return to their homeland.
Zerubbabel – led the first group of Israelites from Babylon to Jerusalem; completed the
building of the temple.
Haggai – prophet who encouraged Zerubbabel to continue the rebuilding of the temple.
Zechariah – (same as Haggai)
Darius I – Persian King who supported the rebuilding of the temple.
Artaxerxes – Persian King who allowed Ezra to return to Jerusalem.
Key Themes:
Primary message of the book is that God orchestrated the captivity and would continue to
work in a pagan king and his successors to give Judah hope for the future.
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Nehemiah
Key People:
Nehemiah - Influential cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. Led the third group of exiles to
Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls.
Ezra – worked with Nehemiah as Israel’s priest and scribe.
Sanballat – Governor of Samaria who tried to discourage the people from rebuilding the
wall.
Tobiah – Ammonite official who mocked the rebuilding of the wall.
Key Themes:
Careful attention to the reading of God’s word in order to perform God’s will.
Obedience of individuals in spite of discouraging words. God’s people will always have
enemies that try to discourage them from doing God’s will.
Esther
Key People:
Esther – Queen of Persia who saved the Jews from Haman’s evil plot.
Mordecai – Adopted and raised Esther. Later replaced Haman as second in command
under King Xerxes.
King Xerxes I – King of Persia; married Esther and made her queen.
Haman – second in command under King Xerxes; plotted to kill the Jews.
Key Theme:
Although God’s enemies, inspired by Satan, tried to thwart His will, God’s covenant
promises are never thwarted.
Job
Key People:
Job – servant of God; tested by God but did not sin by blaming God.
Eliphaz the Temanite - a friend of Job; believed Job was suffering because of his sin.
Bildad the Shuhite - another friend of Job; believed Job had not repented of his sin and
therefore suffered.
Zophar the Naamathite - third friend of Job; believed Job deserved to suffer for his sin.
Elihu the Buzite – stood up against Job’s 3 friends; believed God was using suffering to
mold Job’s character.
Key Theme:
Even though a saint suffers, God proves that saving faith cannot be destroyed no matter
how much trouble a saint suffers. Also, a major theme concerns proving the character of
God to man.
Psalms
Key People:
David – King of Israel.
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Key Theme:
The basic theme of Psalms is living real life in the real world where two dimensions
operate simultaneously: temporal reality and transcendent reality.
Proverbs
Key People:
Solomon – King of Israel, granted wisdom from God.
Agur – son of Jakeh , an unknown sage.
Lemuel – king whose mother’s teachings are included (Proverbs 31)
Key Theme:
Man’s relationship to God, man’s relationship to himself, man’s relationship to others,
wisdom and folly.
Ecclesiastes
Key People:
Solomon – King of Israel
Key Theme:
A balance must be given to enjoyment of life with that of divine judgment. This book
shows that if one perceives a day of existence as a gift from God and accepts whatever
God gives, that person will have an abundant life.
Song of Solomon
Key People:
Solomon – the bridegroom called “beloved by his wife”.
The Shulamite Woman – the new bride of King Solomon.
The daughters of Jerusalem – unidentified virgins who encouraged the Shulamite
Woman.
Key Theme:
Solomon’s ancient love song exalts the purity of marital affection and romance. It
portrays God’s plan for marriage including the beauty and sanctity of sexual intimacy
between husband and wife.
Isaiah
Key People:
Isaiah – prophet who ministered through the reigns of 4 kings of Judah.
Shear-Jashub – Isaiah’s son; name means “a remnant shall return”.
Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz – Isaiah’s son; name means “hasting to the spoil, hurrying to the
prey”.
Key Theme:
The condemning of empty ritualism and idolatry. Another major theme was the prophetic
announcement of the Messiah.
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Jeremiah
Key People:
Jeremiah – priest and prophet in the southern kingdom of Judah.
King Josiah – 16th king of the southern kingdom of Judah.
King Jehoahaz – evil son of Josiah and 17th king of the southern kingdom of Judah.
King Jehoiakim – evil son of Josiah and 18th king of the southern kingdom of Judah.
King Jehoiachin – evil son of Jehoiakim and 19th king
King Zedekiah – evil uncle of Jehoiachin and 20th king
Baruch – served as Jeremiah’s scribe
Ebed-Melech – Ethiopian palace official who helped Jeremiah
King Nebuchadnezzar – greatest king of Babylon; led the people of Judah to captivity.
Rechabites – obedient descendants of Jonadab; contrasted to the disobedient people of
Israel.
Key Themes:
Judgment upon Judah with restoration in the future Messianic kingdom. A secondary
theme is God’s willingness to spare and bless the nation only if the people repent. Other
themes include God’s longing for Israel to be tender to Him, suffering as in Jeremiah’s
trials, the vital role that God’s word can play in life, the place of faith, and prayer for the
coordination of God’s will with God’s action.
Lamentations
Key People:
Jeremiah – prophet of Judah
People of Jerusalem – people judged by God because of their great sins.
Key Theme:
The key theme is on God’s judgment in response to Judah’s sin.
Ezekial
Key People:
Ezekial– prophet to the people of Israel in Babylonian captivity.
Israel’s leaders – led the people of Israel into idolatry.
Ezekial’s wife – unnamed woman whose death symbolized the future destruction of
Israel’s beloved temple.
Nebuchadezzar – King of Babylon used by God to conquer Judah.
Key Theme:
God’s holiness and sovereignty that is closely related to His purpose of glorious triumph
so that all may “know that I am the Lord”. Another theme is God’s angel carrying out
His program behind the scenes. A third theme is the necessity of God’s wrath to deal
with sin.
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Daniel
Key People:
Daniel – Israelite captive who became a royal advisor.
Nebuchadnezzar – King of Babylon; went temporarily insane for not acknowledging
God’s sovereignty.
Shadrach – exiled Jew placed in charge of the province of Babylon; saved from the fiery
furnace.
Meshach - (same as above)
Abed-Nego – (same as above)
Belshazzar – successor of Nebuchadnezzar as King of Babylon; used Daniel as an
interpreter.
Darius – Persian successor of Belshazzar; his advisor tricked him into sending Daniel
into the lion’s den.
Key Theme:
The prominent theme of Daniel is God’s sovereign control over the affairs of all rulers
and nations and their final replacement with the True King. A second theme is the
display of God’s power through miracles.
Hosea
Key People:
Hosea – prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel; his marriage reflected God’s
relationship to Israel.
Gomer – prostitute who became Hosea’s wife.
Their children – Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, and Lo-Ammi; the name of each child illustrated
God’s relationship with Israel.
Key Theme:
God’s loyal love for his covenant people, Israel, in spite of their idolatry. Special
emphasis on forgiving love.
Joel
Key People:
Joel – prophet to Judah during the reign of Joash
People of Judah – the southern kingdom punished for their sin by a locust plague
Key Theme:
“The Day of the Lord”. The phrase emphasizes a general period of wrath and judgment
uniquely belonging to the Lord. It unveils His character of might, power, and holiness
thus terrifying His enemies. It also depicts a time after “The Day of the Lord” in terms of
promise and hope.
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Amos
Key People:
Amos – Judean prophet who warned Israel of God’s judgment
Amaziah – king of the southern kingdom of Judah
Jereboam II – wicked King of Israel after his father, Jehoash
Key Themes:
An absence of true worship and a lack of justice. However, God will not abandon Israel
altogether but will bring future restoration.
Obadiah
Key People:
The Edomites – the nation originating from Esau, despised and judged by God.
Key Themes:
The judgment of God on the nation of Edom and other nations.
Jonah
Key People:
Jonah – reluctant preacher to the Ninevites; A fish tale!
The captain and crew of Jonah’s getaway ship – threw Jonah overboard to stop the storm
Key Themes:
God’s sovereign rule over all nations and God’s mercy towards all nations.
Micah
Key People:
The people of Israel –the northern kingdom was about to fall into Assyrian captivity.
Key Themes:
The inevitability of divine judgment for sin coupled with God’s immutable commitment
to His covenant promises.
Nahum
Key People:
The people of Nineveh – Assyrians who returned to evil and were destined for
destruction
Key Themes:
The Sovereign God would bring judgment upon those who violated His law. This is a
sequel to the book of Jonah
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Habakkuk
Key People:
Habakkuk – the last prophet sent to Judah before the its fall into Babylonian captivity
The Chaldeans – Babylonians raised up by god to punish Judah
Key Themes:
The nature of God’s judgment, proper worship of God and justification by faith.
Zephaniah
Key People:
Zephaniah – prophet who warned Judah of coming judgment and also future hope
The people of Judah – led by King Josiah to repent but eventually fell into Babylonian
captivity
Key Themes:
The judgment of God, God’s grace in the midst of judgment and salvation for the
believing remnant
Haggai
Key People:
Haggai – prophet of Judah after the return from the Babylonian exile; urged people to
rebuild the temple.
Zerubbabel – led the Jews out of the Babylonian exile
Jeshua – High priest of Judah
The people of Judah – encouraged by Haggai to rebuild the temple
Key Themes:
Rebuilding of the temple which represented the presence of the Lord
Zechariah
Key People:
Zechariah – prophet of Judah after the exile; encouraged the people to rebuild the temple
Zerubbabel – carried out the work of the temple
Joshua – Israel’s high priest after the return of the exiles
The Jews rebuilding the temple – returned to Jerusalem to obey God
Key Themes:
Encouragement to rebuild in view of the promised Messiah. This book is the most
Messianic
Malachi
Key People:
Malachi – prophet of Judah; last of the Old Testament prophets
The priests – revealed their unfaithfulness by marrying foreign wives and giving false
interpretation of the Law
The people of Judah – married foreign wives and fell into idolatry
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Key Themes:
God’s love and faithfulness through His covenant, the peoples unfaithfulness and the
coming of the Lord.
New Testament
People and Themes
Matthew
Key People:
Jesus – The promised Messiah and King of the Jews
Mary – mother of Jesus
Joseph – husband of Mary and descendant of David
The twelve disciples – twelve men chosen by Jesus to aid His ministry on earth
Religious leaders – comprised of Pharisees and Sadducees
Caiaphas – high priest and leader of the Sadducees; held illegal trial that led to jesus’
death
Pilate – Roman governor who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus in place of Barabbas
Mary Magdalene – devoted follower of Jesus; first person to see Jesus after His
resurrection
Key Themes:
Documentation of Christ’s credentials as Israel’s king, the conflict between Jesus and the
religious leaders, and the rejection of Israel’s Messiah.
Mark
Key People:
Jesus – the Messiah, the Servant
The twelve disciples – twelve men chosen by Jesus to aid His ministry
Pilate – Roman governor who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus
The Jewish religious leaders – comprised of Pharisees and Sadducees
Key Themes:
Focus on the suffering Servant and the deeds of Jesus particularly on service and
sacrifice.
Luke
Key People:
Jesus – the Messiah, the Son of Man
Elizabeth – godly wife of Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist
Zechariah – Jewish priest and father of John the Baptist
Mary – the virgin mother of Jesus
The twelve disciples – (same as in Matthew and Mark)
Herod the tetrarch – son of Herod the Great; had John the Baptist decapitated
Pilate – Roman governor
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Mary Magdalene – devoted follower of Jesus
Key Themes:
Common theme is compassion for Gentiles, Samaritans, women, children, tax collectors,
sinners, and others who were maligned by society.
John
Key People:
Jesus – The Word of God who came into the world
John the Baptist – prophet and forerunner of Jesus
The disciples – Twelve men chosen by Jesus
Mary – sister of Lazarus; believed and anointed Jesus before his death
Martha – sister of Lazarus; known for her hospitality
Lazarus – friend of Jesus, raised from the dead
Mary - Jesus’ mother, demonstrated her servanthood to Jesus
Pilate – roman governor
Mary Magdalene – devoted follower of Jesus
Key Themes:
Central theme is on the person and work of Jesus Christ, salvation and the whether to
accept of reject the gospel
Acts
Peter – one of the twelve disciples
John – one of the twelve disciples
James – one of the twelve disciples, first to die for his faith
Stephen – appointed as a manager of food distribution in the early church; martyred for
his faith
Philip – one of the first missionaries to Samaria
Paul – New Testament writer and missionary
Barnabas – traveled as a missionary with Paul and then with John Mark
Cornelius – Roman officer; one of the first Gentile Christians
Timothy – Paul’s assistant; later became the pastor at Ephesus
Lydia – believer and hostess to Paul and Silas; seller of purple cloth
Silas – served as a missionary and traveling companion with Paul
Apollos – Alexandrian preacher who ministered in Achaia; instructed Aquila and
Priscilla
Felix – Roman governor of Judea; kept Paul in prison for two years
Festus – succeeded Felix as governor
Herod Agrippa II – reviewed Paul’s case with Festus; responded to the gospel with
sarcasm
Luke – medical physician who traveled with Paul; author of the book of Acts
Key Themes:
The initial response to the Great Commission, the work of the Holy Spirit and the
establishment of the church
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Romans
Key people:
Paul – apostle and author of the Book of Romans
Phoebe – deaconess of the church at Cenchrea; trusted by Paul to deliver his letter to the
Roman believers
Key Themes:
The righteousness that comes from God, the glorious truth that God justifies guilty,
condemned sinners by grace alone through faith in Christ alone.
First Corinthians
Key People:
Paul – author of the letters to the Corinthian church
Timothy – fellow missionary sent by Paul to assist the Corinthian church
Members of Chloe’s household – informed Paul of the divisions among the Corinthian
Christians
Key Themes:
Correcting behavior, proper worship is determined by recognition of God’s holy
character, the spiritual identity of the church and the pure partaking of the Lord’s Supper.
Paul also includes God’s judgment of believers which if rightly understood will produce
godly living.
Second Corinthians
Key People:
Paul – author of the letters to Corinthians
Timothy – fellow missionary sent by Paul to assist the Corinthian Church
Titus – Gentile man who helped collect money for the church in Jerusalem
False apostles – false teachers in the church who disguised themselves as believers
Key Themes:
Portrays God as merciful comforter, the Creator, Jesus as the One who suffered, who
fulfilled promises. It also portrays the holy Spirit as God and the guarantee of believer’s
salvation. Second Corinthians gives the clearest summary of how sinners are reconciled
to God through the substitutionary atonement of Christ.
Galatians
Key People:
Paul – apostle of Jesus Christ; urged Galatians to remember their freedom in Christ
Peter – leader of the church in Jerusalem; confronted by Paul for looking to the law for
salvation
Barnabas – traveled with Paul as a missionary; allowed Paul to correct his misguided
beliefs
Titus – Gentile believer and close friend to Paul
Abraham – Paul used Abraham’s life to exemplify God’s salvation through faith alone
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False teachers – persuasive teachers who attempted to lure the people away from Paul’s
teaching
Key Themes:
Central theme is justification by faith. Other themes are inability of the law to justify, the
believer’s deadness tot he law, the believer’s crucifixion with Christ, the law brings
God’s wrath, the importance of walking in the spirit and the importance of believers
bearing one another’s burdens.
Ephesians
Key People:
Paul – instructed the church at Ephesus about their position as the body of Christ and
their relationship with God
Tychicus- sent by Paul to encourage the believers at Ephesus
Key Themes:
The mystery of the church, the church as Christ’s present spiritual, earthly body. Other
themes include the riches and fullness of blessing to believers.
Philippians
Key People:
Paul – wrote to the Philippians about the joy and strength found in Christ
Timothy – prepared by Paul to carry on his ministry in Philippi
Epaphroditus – faithful worker from Philippi; sent to Paul with supportive money
Euodia – faithful worker rebuked by Paul for her unreconciled relationship with Syntyche
Syntyche – faithful worker rebuked by Paul for unreconciled relationship with Euodia
Key Themes:
Major theme is pursuing Christlikeness. Contains the most magnificent passage
describing Christ’s humiliation and exaltation
Colossians
Key People:
Paul – Urged the church of Colosse to flee from false doctrine which denied Christ’s deity.
Timothy - fellow missionary who traveled with Paul
Tychius - sent to the church at Colosse to bring letters and news from Paul
Onesimus - faithfully served with Paul before returning to Colosse to reconcile with
Philemon, his former Master
Aristarchus - Thessalonian who traveled with Paul on his third missionary journey
Mark - cousin of Barnabas who accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey
Epaphras - founder of the Colossian church
Key Themes:
The deity of Christ, reconciliation, redemption, forgiveness, and the nature of the church.
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First Thessalonians
Key People:
Paul - wrote to the church at Thessalonica to confirm the second coming of Christ and
commend them for their faithfulness
Timothy - attested to the faithfulness of the church at Thessalonica
Silas - traveled with Paul as a missionary
Key Themes:
The believer's hope in Christ, particularly in His second coming. Also, a pastoral theme with the
example of shepherding activities and attitudes, and a missionary theme with the emphasis on
gospel proclamation and church planting.
Second Thessalonians
Key People: Paul - (same as
above) Silas - (same as above)
Timothy - (same as above)
Key Themes:
Future and end times with an emphasis on how to maintain a healthy church with an
effective testimony improper response to sound eschatology and obedience to the truth.
First Timothy
Key People:
Paul - encouraged Timothy in his ministry at Ephesus
Timothy - served s pastor of the church at Ephesus
Key Themes:
Pastoral instruction with theological emphasis on the proper function of the law,
salvation, the attributes of God, the Fall, the person of Christ and the second coming.
Second Timothy
Key People:
Paul - (same as above)
Timothy - (same as above)
Luke - Paul's travelling companion; only person to stay with Paul through his
imprisonment
Mark - traveled with Paul on his first missionary journey
Key Themes:
Encouragement to stay strong, stir up the gift within Timothy, not to weaken under
pressure and preach the word.
Titus
Key People:
Paul - wrote to give Titus encouragement and counsel regarding his leadership position
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in the church.
Titus - Greek believer sent by Paul to pastor the church on the island of Crete.
Key Themes:
Major thrust is that of equipping the churches in Crete for effective evangelism. This
required godly leaders who would shepherd and lead in the evangelization of their pagan
neighbors.
Philemon
Key People:
Paul - wrote to urge Philemon to forgive and accept Onesimus as his brother
Philemon - prominent member of the church at Colosse
Onesimus - runaway slave of Philemon; became a Christian after meeting Paul in Rome.
Key Themes: Forgiveness and
equality
Hebrews
Key People:
Old Testament people of faith - accomplished great deeds for god and also suffered great
persecution.
Key Themes:
The contrast between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant and how all believers now
have direct access to God under the New Covenant. Practical living is also a major
theme.
James
Key People:
The believers - persecuted Jewish believers dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
Key Themes:
Wise living with an emphasis on godly behavior rather than theoretical knowledge. Also,
calls for believers to be obedient to the Word.
First Peter
Key People:
Peter - one of Jesus' twelve disciples; wrote to encourage persecuted believers
Silas - assisted Peter in writing his letters
Mark - leader in the church; used Peter's testimony to write the gospel of Mark
Key Themes:
To teach believers how to live victoriously in the midst of hostility without losing hope,
without becoming bitter while trusting the Lord and looking for His second coming.
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Second Peter
Key People:
Peter - wrote his second letter to warn against false teachers
Paul - great missionary whose writings were twisted by false teachers
Key Themes:
Exposing, thwarting, and defeating the invasion of false teachers in the church. Also, the
development of Christian character and knowledge of true doctrine.
First John
Key People:
John - wrote to reassure believers about the fundamental truth of the Christian faith
Jesus - Christ is the Word of Life who gives eternal life to all who believe.
Key themes:
Back to the basics with emphasis on sound faith, obedience and love. As a result of
these, the believer will experience happiness, holiness and security.
Second John
Key People:
John - writing to emphasize Christian fellowship and hospitality
The elect lady - personal acquaintance of John and a believer
The lady's children - reference to the sons and daughters of the chosen lady
Key Themes:
The basics of Christianity are again a major theme but an additional theme is Christian
hospitality and guidelines for hospitality
Third John
Key People:
John - wrote to commend Gaius for his hospitality
Gaius - sole recipient of John's letter
Diotrephes - self-centered and domineering member of the church
Demetrius - faithful servant and role-model in the church
Key Themes:
Commendation of the proper standards of Christian hospitality and the condemnation for
failure to follow those standards.
Jude
Key People:
Jude – half-brother of Christ
James – brother of Jude, author of the Book of James
Key Themes:
Confronting apostasy and to continue to defend the faith
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Revelation
Key People:
John - apostle of Jesus who received the revelation of Jesus Christ from an angel
Jesus - the revealed Son of God who will come again and claim his people:
Key themes:
The revelation of Jesus, the church being warned about sin and encouragement towards
holiness, pictures of worship, angels and the doctrine of end times.
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