You’ve probably heard it said: “I hope that bully gets what’s coming to him (or her)!” Read Nahum to find out what harsh words God’s prophet had for a powerful nation that “bullied” God’s people and many other nations as well. What makes Nahum special? Little is known about the… Read More

Soldiers are taught to be disciplined and to be prepared for almost anything, including suffering or death. Read this letter to find out why Timothy is told to be a good soldier of Christ Jesus. What makes 2 Timothy special? This second letter to Timothy is more personal than the first… Read More

Going home can be an exciting time. As you read Ezra, look for the different experiences God’s people had when they returned with Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. What makes Ezra special? Ezra and the next book in the Bible, Nehemiah, were originally one book. Together they make up the most… Read More

What can people do to find satisfaction and happiness? Read Ecclesiastes to find out what one wise author says about the meaning of life. What makes Ecclesiastes special? The book’s title comes from the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew word Qoheleth, which means “one who assembles.” The author is… Read More

Injustice! Betrayal! Tragedy! Even if you don’t cause it, should you still be blamed if you watch it happen and do nothing to prevent it? Read Obadiah’s prophecy about Edom to find out. What makes Obadiah special? Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament—so short that it has… Read More

A strong marriage is built on trust and commitment. But trust is broken when one partner is unfaithful. Keep this image in mind as you read the prophet Hosea’s message to Israel. What makes Hosea special? Hosea is a short version of the Hebrew name Hoshaiah, which means “the Lord… Read More

Life is filled with choices. As you read Haggai, think about the choices the people of Jerusalem were making and how this affected their relationship with God. What can you learn about the choices you make? What makes Haggai special? Haggai is the first prophet God sent to the Jewish… Read More

It’s a familiar phrase: “I have some good news and some bad news.” Read this book to discover what the prophet Isaiah has to say about the bad news of God’s judgment and the good news of God’s love. What makes Isaiah special? Isaiah contains some of the most beautiful… Read More

Important stories are worth repeating. Although the story of David is told in 1 and 2 Samuel, the author of 1 Chronicles offers another viewpoint on the life of Israel’s greatest king. What makes 1 Chronicles special? The long family lists that begin 1 Chronicles make this book special. For the writer… Read More

Christians often see Jesus in the figure of the merciful Samaritan in Luke’s gospel. Given the hostility between Jews and Samaritans in the first century, it would be ironic indeed if Luke’s Jesus, the ideal Jewish person — were at the same time the ideal, or good, Samaritan. Luke… Read More