(Click here on the Bookshelf diagram  to visualize it.) 

Each Bookcase has three shelves.

Old Testament and New Testament both have
    History -- Writings -- Prophecy
  in that order.

Click here to see the complete list of books.  For your reference, here are the names of the last book in each shelf.  You could write them at the right edge of each bookshelf in the diagram, or draw a line below each one in a printed table of contents, so you can visualize the eight sections:)  Esther, Song of Solomon, Malachi; Acts, Jude; Revelation.

The first five books of bookshelf one are called the Books of Moses.  Other names for these five are "The Torah," (that is a Hebrew term meaning "teachings);  "The Law", and the Pentateuch (that is a Greek word meaning "five scrolls.") 

The first four books of the New Testament are called the "gospels." (Gospel is an "Old English" way of saying "good news."  The particular good news in these books is the life of Jesus and his death on the cross as a substitute for us, taking the punishment we deserve due to disobeying God.

Shelf-by-shelf Descriptions:

Old Testament, first shelf (History)
tells the events in the History of the Jewish people starting from their ancestor, Abraham, about 2000 BC, up to about 400 BC.  Before Abraham are recorded the events of creation, the fall of mankind into sin, and the Great Flood.  Click here to see the entire story on one sheet.

Old Testament, second shelf (writings)
includes poetry of the Jewish people written during the time period of the first shelf.  The largest of the five books is the Psalms, 150 poems meant to be sung.  The subheadings indicate King David as author of many.

Old Testament, third shelf (prophecy)
are books written by prophets, during the time period from about 700 BC to 400 BC.

New Testament, first shelf (history)
The first four books tell events in the life of Jesus, and the fifth book, called Acts, includes events right after the life of Jesus.  The second half of Acts is concerned with the missionary travels of a man named Paul.

New Testament, second shelf (writings)
Letters written by early Christians.  The first 13 are written by Paul to churches in various locations and to people.

New Testament, third shelf (prophecy)
Visions seen by John, the disciple of Jesus.

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