I grew up in church and my mother gave me a copy of the Bible, but I never read it. It sat on a bookshelf in my bedroom for years. When I was 19 years old, I was searching for God and didn’t realize it. Unbeknownst to me, God was watching over my life and sent a Gideon to give me a copy of a Bible. I made it a goal while I was in the Navy that I would read through the whole Bible. One night, sitting on my bunk in boot camp, I found a plan of salvation in the back of the Bible. I remember it as if it was yesterday. As I read the Bible, I realized how much God loves me and had a plan for my life. I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and made it my life-long ambition to read and study His Word.

The Bible has been the most influential book in my life. It has shaped my values and priorities. It has changed the way I act and think and it’s eternal truths can change you as well. I try to read the Bible every day and ask God to show me how the Bible applies to my everyday life. I ask Him to show areas that I need to grow in, attitudes that I need to change, actions that I need to take. The Word of God is relevant today. No matter how many times I may read the Bible, God seems to speak to me every time. I believe He will do the same for you.

The purpose of this booklet is to explain to you how the 66 individual books of the Bible form a cohesive whole and convey a central message about the person of Jesus Christ.

I pray that as you read through this booklet, you will embrace a fresh understanding and appreciation of the most important book ever written. I also pray that you will open your heart just like I did as a 19 year old teenager to the teachings of Scripture and that you will allow God to give you a better life now that will last for all eternity.