Summarizing the Bible in six words per book
66 snapshots that bring the Bible into focus.
Charlie Schuler and I have been studying the Bible together for the last few years through Bible Study Fellowship.
At 91, Charlie is a wellspring of biblical insight and encouragement. He’s a memorable presence in our group, and there are three particular things that make him stand out to me.
First, we both came to faith in Christ during the same season in the late 1980s. But Charlie was 55 at the time, and I was about half his age.
Second, Charlie has a simple approach to evangelism. Whenever we talk about sharing our faith, he always says: “Just tell them what Jesus has done for you. They can’t argue with that.”
And third, his six-word summaries for each book of the Bible.
Charlie came up with the idea of boiling down the Bible into 396 words (66 books times six words for each book) when he was once asked to lead a group through the Bible in 35 weeks.
Here are Charlie’s six-word summaries — a fresh and memorable way to grasp God’s story.
Charlie Schuler’s Six-Word Summaries of Every Book of the Bible
Old Testament
Genesis: God’s beginning, humans fail, start over.
Exodus: Slave without God, rescued by God.
Leviticus: How to live with God spiritually.
Numbers: God’s law strict, God’s character gracious.
Deuteronomy: God uses Moses, liberate, guide, lawgiver.
Joshua: Joshua conquers, divides land, renews covenant.
Judges: Judges lead without God, anything goes.
Ruth: Matriarch of the King – Jesus Christ.
1 Samuel: Samuel anoints King Saul, King David.
2 Samuel: King David, a tool of God.
1 Kings: Story of kings by the prophets.
2 Kings: We all sin, God forgives us.
1 Chronicles: 1 Chronicles, who’s who in Israel.
2 Chronicles: People sin, God punishes, remnant remains.
Ezra: Ezra teaches God’s law in Jerusalem.
Nehemiah: Send me, wall built, God wins.
Esther: For such a time as this.
Job: Keep the faith, God is steadfast.
Psalm: Praise God in song or poetry.
Proverbs: Wise sayings to assist our living.
Ecclesiastes: There is a time for everything.
Song of Songs: Sweetest love between man and woman.
Isaiah: Isaiah could see Jesus in future.
Jeremiah: God says you will be punished.
Lamentations: Jerusalem is gone, pray to God.
Ezekiel: Show me Lord, I’ll show them.
Daniel: I bow to no other God.
Hosea: People destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Joel: All is lost, locusts are coming.
Amos: God will restore His people Israel.
Obadiah: Don’t gloat over misfortune of others.
Jonah: God cares about us, including Nineveh.
Micah: Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly.
Nahum: Even Nineveh had time to repent.
Habakkuk: The righteous live by the faith.
Zephaniah: God says evil will be punished.
Haggai: Build God’s temple, then build yours.
Zechariah: Victory comes from Spirit, not power.
Malachi: The best is yet to come.
New Testament
Matthew: Jesus used parables to teach us.
Mark: Jesus’ life, from beginning to end.
Luke: Parables and miracles of Jesus’ life.
John: Jesus the Messiah, son of God.
Acts: Record of acts of the Apostles.
Romans: Faith in Christ leads to righteousness.
1 Corinthians: Equal in Christ, different in gifts.
2 Corinthians: Paul justifies himself before the Corinthians.
Galatians: Saved by faith, punished by law.
Ephesians: Put on the armor of God.
Philippians: Rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians: Do not worship anything but Christ.
1 Thessalonians: Keep the faith, Jesus is coming.
2 Thessalonians: Avoid laziness, continue what is good.
1 Timothy: Christ saved me, why not you?
2 Timothy: Trust Holy Spirit to guide you.
Titus: How to be a Christian leader.
Philemon: Paul, in chains, pleads for love.
Hebrews: Sacrifices unnecessary, Jesus paid the price.
James: Christians should live like Christ lives.
1 Peter: We die, God’s word is forever.
2 Peter: Grow in knowledge, resist false teachers.
1 John: Jesus is the son of God.
2 John: Walk in love as Jesus said.
3 John: Imitate what is good, not evil.
Jude: False teachers lead to sinful lives.
Revelation: God wins, God is in control.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)