A Fun & Easy Way to Learn the Bible Books by Heart

📚📖 Ever found yourself scrolling through the JW Library app or flipping through your Bible, trying to find the next scripture? Memorizing all 66 books might seem like a big task, but it’s well worth the effort! Knowing the order saves time in study and makes navigation easier—whether in personal study, Bible discussions, or the ministry. 🚀✨

💡 Quick Tip: Think of the Bible as two “libraries” in one: the Hebrew Scriptures (39 books) and the Christian Greek Scriptures (27 books).

1. The Hebrew Scriptures 🏺

The first five books were written by Moses and are often called the Pentateuch (“five books”):

• GENESIS : From creation to the death of Joseph.
• EXODUS , LEVITICUS , NUMBERS , and DEUTERONOMY : Israel’s journey from slavery in Egypt to Moses’ final days.

🎉 Fun Fact: In some translations (like Luther’s), these five books are simply 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Moses!

Next, the historical lineup continues:

• JOSHUA : Picks up right after Moses.
• JUDGES : Chronicles Israel’s leaders after Joshua.
• RUTH : A heartwarming story set in the time of the judges.
• 1 SAMUEL & 2 SAMUEL : From the last judge (Samuel) to the early kings.
• 1 KINGS & 2 KINGS : The monarchy’s unfolding story.
• 1 CHRONICLES & 2 CHRONICLES : Parallel history and key genealogies.
• EZRA , NEHEMIAH , ESTHER : Post-exile events and life under Medo-Persian rule.

Five books of wisdom and poetry follow:

• JOB
• PSALMS (about half attributed to David)
• PROVERBS
• ECCLESIASTES
• SONG OF SOLOMON

The final 17 books of the Hebrew Scriptures are primarily prophetic:

• (Major Prophets) ISAIAH , JEREMIAH , LAMENTATIONS , EZEKIEL , DANIEL
• (Minor Prophets in length, not in importance!) HOSEA , JOEL , AMOS , OBADIAH , JONAH , MICAH , NAHUM , HABAKKUK , ZEPHANIAH , HAGGAI , ZECHARIAH , MALACHI

🔑 Memory Hint: Group the 12 Minor Prophets into three sets of four. For instance, JONAH starts the second set, and ZEPHANIAH starts the third set!

2. The Christian Greek Scriptures 🏛

These 27 books begin with five that focus on historical accounts:

• MATTHEW , MARK , LUKE , JOHN (the four Gospels)
• ACTS OF APOSTLES (the early Christian congregation’s history)

Next come 21 letters. Fourteen were written by Paul, grouped like this:

• ROMANS , 1 CORINTHIANS , 2 CORINTHIANS – (Three letters to congregations, often considered Paul’s “long” letters.)
• GALATIANS , EPHESIANS , PHILIPPIANS , COLOSSIANS , 1 THESSALONIANS , 2 THESSALONIANS – (Six more letters to congregations.)
• 1 TIMOTHY , 2 TIMOTHY , TITUS , PHILEMON – (Four letters to individuals.)
• HEBREWS – (Addressed to Hebrew Christians.)

Then there are seven “general letters,” named after the writers:

• JAMES , 1 PETER , 2 PETER , 1 JOHN , 2 JOHN , 3 JOHN , JUDE

Finally, there is one more prophetic book: REVELATION . Though it appears last, it wasn’t the very last written. John likely penned some of his other writings around 98 C.E., after Revelation (written in 96 C.E.).

🚀 Encouragement: With just a little consistent review, you can tuck these 66 books into your memory. Whether you’re using your physical Bible or tapping through the JW Library app, knowing the order will help you navigate quickly at your Bible studies or when in the door-to-door ministry! 📖✨

Why Memorize the Order of the Bible Books?

Mastering the Bible’s book order helps you:

• Navigate quickly during personal study and group discussions.
• Retain a clearer mental timeline of key Biblical events.
• Build confidence as a teacher or speaker when citing references.

So take the challenge! A little focused effort will reward you with greater ease and fluency in your Bible reading.

📖 Read the Bible in a Year: Comprehensive Daily Reading Plans

If you’d like to expand your Bible knowledge further, consider our “Read the Bible in a Year” guides. They provide a structured approach to daily reading, helping you stay on track.

📔 My Bible Reading Diary: Track Your Progress

The “My Bible Reading Diary” provides a simple and easy-to-use place to note the many Bible treasures you discover. Keep a journal and track your progress as you read through the Bible each day.

Special features of this durable scripture journal:

• Questions to ponder as you read, reminding you that you’re reading with a purpose—to meditate on and learn from the scriptures.
• Note space to record insights and personal reflections. 
• Detachable cards for memorizing scriptures after reading the Bible.
  

Learn more about the My Bible Reading Diary and start journaling your spiritual discoveries today!

We’d Love to Hear from You! 🤗

What techniques have helped you memorize the Bible’s books? Share your tips, stories, or questions in the comments below!

---

Inspired by: 

• “Memorizing the Bible Canon” December 15, 1962 Watchtower

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko