The Story of the Bible
From Genesis to Revelation
The Story of the Bible
The Bible is more than a collection of ancient writings. It’s one grand narrative revealing God’s heart, His purpose for humanity, and His plan to redeem and restore the world. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible invites readers into a story that has shaped cultures, families, and lives for thousands of years. Yet for many people, the Bible can feel overwhelming or confusing. Where do you begin? How do the books fit together? And what does it all mean?
When you understand the story of the Bible, it helps you see the big picture: how the events, people, and promises all connect, and gives you confidence to read scripture with clarity and joy. Whether you’re brand-new to the Bible or returning with fresh curiosity, the story of the Bible will help you understand the story God is telling and your place within it.
The Story of the Bible Guide was created to give you a simple, approachable framework for understanding the Bible as a whole. Download the guide to begin exploring the greatest story ever told.
The Bible Is One Unified Story
Although the Bible was written by many authors over many centuries, it tells one connected, unified story. Scripture begins with God’s good creation, moves through humanity’s fall and ongoing struggle with sin, and points forward to God’s redemptive plan fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Every book—whether narrative, poetry, prophecy, or letter—plays a role in this overarching storyline.
The Old Testament looks forward—through creation, covenant, law, and prophecy—to a coming Messiah. The New Testament reveals that this Messiah is Jesus, who fulfills every promise and establishes a new way for humanity to be restored to God. Together, the 66 books of the Bible weave a cohesive message about God’s love, God’s faithfulness, and God’s desire to redeem all people.
Understanding this big-picture story helps readers make sense of individual passages and see how the entire Bible points to Jesus.
Want a quick one-page summary of the Story of the Bible? Download The Story of the Bible at a Glance.
The Layout of the Bible
The Bible contains 66 books divided into two major parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Although many people assume the Bible is arranged chronologically, it’s actually grouped by type of writing. Understanding this structure helps readers navigate scripture with confidence.
The Old Testament (39 books) includes the Law, History, Wisdom writings, and the Prophets. It tells the story of creation, God’s covenant with Israel, and His promise to send a Messiah.
The New Testament (27 books) includes the Gospels, the history of the early church, letters to early believers, and the prophetic book of Revelation. It centers on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and the spread of the gospel.
Knowing how these sections work together helps you see where each book fits in the larger story.
Download the full guide to explore charts, chronological timelines, and an easy-to-understand overview of the Bible’s structure.
The 8 Eras of the Bible
To make the Bible’s storyline easy to grasp, the Bible can be broken into eight key eras. Each era highlights major events, key people, and the movement of God’s story across history:
CREATION
God creates humanity and promises to restore their relationship with Him.
Patriarchs
God forms a covenant family through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Exodus
God rescues Israel from slavery and gives them His law.
Kingdoms
Israel enters the Promised Land, is ruled by kings, and eventually divides.
Exile
God’s people are taken captive due to their rebellion.
Savior
Jesus enters as the promised Messiah that will restore the relationship with God.
Early Church
The gospel spreads throughout the world.
Letters
The apostles teach believers how to live out their faith.
This structure gives you a clear chronological path through scripture—from God’s creation of the world, to His covenant promises, to Israel’s history, to the arrival of Jesus, and finally to the growth of the early church. Each era builds on the one before it, revealing God’s ongoing work to redeem humanity and restore relationships with His people.
Whether you’re brand-new to the Bible or looking to deepen your understanding, seeing the story in these eras brings clarity and confidence to your reading.
Download the guide to explore each era with summaries, timelines, and context.
New To Chara?
See examples of how to use the CHARA Bible Study Guide
The Chara Project Podcast
Tune in as our team helps equip you to understand how to study the Bible
Do you struggle doing Bible study alone?
Find tips and information on how to start, host, or lead a group bible study.