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Stories, Genesis to Revelation
36 storiesLetters
Romans 16:1–16
Phoebe Carries the LetterPaul's great letter to the Romans ends with a long list of names. First comes Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, who is travelling to Rome, and then dozens of friends, women and men, whom Paul greets one by one.
Romans 8:28–39
Nothing Can Separate UsPaul writes to believers living in the capital of a powerful empire, some of whom had already been driven from their homes. He tells them that nothing in all creation can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Romans 12
A Living SacrificeIn a city full of temples and altars, Paul tells the believers in Rome to offer God their whole lives, and shows them what real love looks like: blessing enemies, sharing with those in need, and weeping with those who weep.
1 Corinthians 12:12–27
One Body, Many PartsThe church in Corinth is split into rival groups, and some members think they matter more than others. Paul writes to them about a body where the foot, the ear and even the weakest parts all belong and all matter.
1 Corinthians 13
The Greatest of These Is LoveThe church in Corinth had every spiritual gift but was short on love. Paul writes them the Bible's most famous words about love: patient, kind, never giving up, and greater even than faith and hope.
1 Corinthians 11:17–34
The Lord's Supper in CorinthWhen the Corinthian believers meet to share the Lord's Supper, the wealthy eat first and the poor go hungry. Paul reminds them of the night Jesus broke bread, and tells them to wait for one another.
1 Corinthians 15:1–28, 50–58
Death, Where Is Your Sting?Some in Corinth are saying the dead do not rise. Paul answers by listing the people who saw the risen Jesus, and tells of a trumpet, a twinkling of an eye, and the day death itself is swallowed up in victory.
2 Corinthians 4:1–18
Treasure in Clay JarsSome in Corinth think Paul looks too weak and battered to be a real apostle. Paul agrees he is like a cheap clay pot, but says the pot carries a priceless treasure, so that everyone can see the power belongs to God.
2 Corinthians 11:21–33; Acts 9:23–25
Let Down in a BasketRival teachers in Corinth boast about how impressive they are. So Paul 'boasts' too, but about shipwrecks, dangers, sleepless nights, and the undignified night he escaped Damascus in a basket over the wall.
2 Corinthians 12:1–10
My Grace Is EnoughPaul tells, almost shyly, of being caught up into paradise. Then he tells of a painful 'thorn in the flesh' he begged God three times to take away, and the answer he received: my grace is sufficient for you.
Galatians 2:11–21
Paul Confronts PeterIn Antioch, Peter happily eats with Gentile believers, until visitors arrive from Jerusalem and he quietly moves to another table. Paul challenges him face to face, because the good news is at stake.
Galatians 5:13–26
The Fruit of the SpiritThe churches in Galatia are quarrelling and biting at each other. Paul tells them that freedom in Christ is freedom to serve in love, and describes the fruit that grows in a life led by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:11–22
The Wall Torn DownWriting as a prisoner, Paul tells Gentile believers that they were once outsiders, far from God's people. But Christ has torn down the wall between Jew and Gentile and made them one new family, one holy temple.
Ephesians 6:10–20
The Armour of GodChained to a Roman soldier, Paul looks at his guard's equipment and describes the armour God gives his people: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, and prayer.
Philippians 1:12–26
Joy in ChainsFrom prison, not knowing whether he will live or die, Paul writes to his dear friends in Philippi. Instead of complaining, he rejoices: his chains are helping the good news spread, and whatever happens, Christ will be honoured.
Philippians 2:19–30
Epaphroditus, Who Nearly DiedA church in Philippi sends one of its own to carry a gift to Paul in prison. On the way he falls desperately ill, and God has mercy on him.
Philippians 4:1–9
Two Friends Who DisagreedTwo women who once worked side by side with Paul have fallen out. From prison, Paul asks them by name to agree in the Lord, and tells the whole church to rejoice, pray and not be anxious.
Colossians 4:7–18
Tychicus and Onesimus Set OutTwo travellers set out with Paul's letters for the towns of the Lycus valley. One is a trusted helper. The other is a runaway slave going home as a brother.
1 Thessalonians 3
Timothy Brings Good NewsPaul had to slip out of Thessalonica by night, leaving a brand-new church behind. He sends young Timothy back to check on them, and waits anxiously for news.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Comfort for the GrievingSome believers in Thessalonica have died, and their friends are heartbroken and confused. Paul writes to tell them that Jesus is coming, and that those who sleep in him will rise.
2 Thessalonians 3:6–15
Keep On WorkingSome believers in Thessalonica have stopped working and are living off others. Paul reminds them how he worked night and day for his own bread, and tells them never to grow tired of doing good.
1 Timothy 4:6–16
Don't Let Anyone Look Down on YouTimothy is leading the church in the great city of Ephesus, and some people think he is too young. Paul writes to encourage him: train for godliness, and be an example to everyone.
2 Timothy 1:1–7; 3:14–15
A Grandmother and a MotherWriting to Timothy, Paul remembers where Timothy's faith began: with his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, who taught him the scriptures from childhood.
2 Timothy 4:6–22
Bring My Cloak and the ScrollsFrom a cold Roman prison, Paul writes his last words to Timothy. He has finished the race and kept the faith. Now he wants his friend, his cloak and his scrolls, and he wants them before winter.
Titus 1:1–9; 2:1–8
Titus on CretePaul leaves his co-worker Titus on the island of Crete with a hard job: appoint good leaders in every town, and teach young and old alike how to live.
Hebrews 11
By FaithA letter to tired, tempted believers walks them through the great heroes of the Bible, from Abel to the prophets. Every one of them, it says, lived by faith.
Hebrews 12:1–13
Run the RaceAfter the great list of heroes of faith, the letter to the Hebrews pictures them filling the stands of a stadium. Now it is the readers' turn to run, with their eyes fixed on Jesus.
James 2:14–26
Faith That WorksJames, the brother of Jesus, asks a sharp question: what good is faith that wishes a hungry neighbour well, and leaves them hungry? Real faith, he says, shows itself in what we do.
James 3
Taming the TongueJames compares the tongue to a horse's bit, a ship's rudder and a tiny spark that sets a forest on fire. Words are small, he says, but they steer whole lives.
1 Peter 2:4–10
Living StonesPeter writes to believers scattered far from home who feel like outsiders. You are living stones, he tells them, being built together into God's own house.
1 Peter 5:1–11
Cast Your Cares on HimNear the end of his letter, the old fisherman Peter tells church leaders to shepherd God's flock gently, and tells everyone to clothe themselves with humility and throw all their worries onto God, because he cares for them.
2 Peter 1:12–21
We Saw His MajestyKnowing his life is nearly over, Peter writes to remind believers of what is true. He was not passing on clever stories, he says. He was there on the mountain when Jesus shone with God's glory.
1 John 1:5–2:2
Walking in the LightThe aged apostle John writes to the believers he calls his little children. God is light, he tells them. Walk in the light, be honest about your sins, and God will forgive.
2 John
To the Chosen LadyJohn, calling himself the elder, sends a short letter to a church he calls the chosen lady and her children. Keep loving one another, he says, and be careful whom you welcome.
3 John
Gaius and DiotrephesJohn writes a short, warm letter to his friend Gaius, who welcomed travelling teachers into his home. He also warns about Diotrephes, a church leader who loved to be first and shut the door on them.
Jude
Keep Yourselves in God's LoveJude, a brother of Jesus, sat down to write a happy letter about the salvation believers share. Instead he had to write urgently, warning the church to hold on to the faith and keep themselves in God's love.