That’s a big ask but a good one! Here’s a concise summary of each book of the Protestant Bible (39 Old Testament + 27 New Testament), highlighting main themes and purposes. If you prefer the Catholic, Orthodox or Jewish ordering/canon, I can do those too.

Old Testament

  1. Genesis – Origins: creation of the world; early human failure (sin, flood); beginnings of God’s covenant people through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob; Joseph’s story showing God’s providence. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  2. Exodus – Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery; Moses as leader; giving of the Law at Sinai; establishment of the covenant; instructions for tabernacle worship. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  3. Leviticus – Laws about worship, holiness, priesthood, purity; how Israel is to live as a holy people. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  4. Numbers – Census and organization of Israel; the 40?year wilderness wanderings; stories of disobedience, testing, God’s faithfulness in spite of failure. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  5. Deuteronomy – Moses’ speeches reviewing the Law; reminders of history; urging obedience; covenant renewed before entering the Promised Land; Moses’ death. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  6. Joshua – Conquest and settlement of Canaan under Joshua; division of land among tribes; fulfillment of promises; challenges of obedience. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  7. Judges – Cycle of Israel’s sin, oppression, cry to God, deliverance through judges; repeating failure; moral and spiritual decline. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  8. Ruth – Personal story of loyalty, faith, kindness; Naomi, Ruth, Boaz; shows God’s providence and roots of David’s lineage. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  9. 1 Samuel – Transition from judges to monarchy; Samuel; rise and fall of King Saul; beginnings of David. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  10. 2 Samuel – David’s reign; his successes and failures; consolidation of the kingdom; God’s covenant with David. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  11. 1 Kings – Solomon’s reign and wisdom; building of the temple; division of kingdom into Israel (north) and Judah (south); early history of both. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  12. 2 Kings – Continued history of both kingdoms; prophets; decline; exile of northern kingdom; later fall of Judah; destruction. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  13. 1 Chronicles – Retells history particularly focusing on David; heritage; temple plans; spiritual aspects; often priestly perspective. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  14. 2 Chronicles – Solomon’s reign, temple, subsequent kings of Judah; emphasis on worship, covenant; ends with exile and hope. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  15. Ezra – Return from Babylonian exile; rebuilding of Jerusalem’s temple; reforms; restoration of proper worship and law. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  16. Nehemiah – Rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls; spiritual reform; reestablishing community under law. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  17. Esther – Story of Jewish deliverance in Persia through Esther’s courage; God’s providence though God is not explicitly named. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  18. Job – Deep questions of suffering, justice, God’s sovereignty; dialogues; restoration; faith in trials. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  19. Psalms – Collection of prayers, hymns, laments, praises; worship, trust, confession; expressions of the human relationship with God. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  20. Proverbs – Wisdom sayings for living well; fear of the Lord as foundation; practical moral guidance. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  21. Ecclesiastes – Reflections on meaning of life, human effort, vanity, mortality; concluding that fearing God and obedience bring purpose. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  22. Song of Solomon (Song of Songs) – Poetic dialogue of love; celebrates human love, oft interpreted allegorically in religious traditions. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  23. Isaiah – Major prophet; messages of judgment and hope; the coming Messiah; promise of salvation; restoration. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  24. Jeremiah – Warnings of coming destruction because of Israel’s unfaithfulness; calls to repentance; promises of new covenant; suffering prophet. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  25. Lamentations – Poetic laments over the fall of Jerusalem; grief, loss, yet hope and faith in God’s mercy. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  26. Ezekiel – Prophet in exile; visions of judgment on Israel and other nations; promise of restoration; visions of new temple. (Wikipedia)
  27. Daniel – Stories of faith under pressure (e.g. furnace, lions); apocalyptic visions of future kingdoms; hope in God’s ultimate victory. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  28. Hosea – Hosea’s marriage as metaphor for Israel’s unfaithfulness; God’s love, judgment, reconciliation. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  29. Joel – Locust plague, call to repentance; “Day of the Lord” themes; hope of restoration and outpouring of God’s Spirit. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  30. Amos – Social justice; judgment on Israel and neighboring nations for neglecting the poor, corruption, empty ritual. (Wikipedia)
  31. Obadiah – Prophecy against Edom for pride; day of the Lord; restoration for Israel. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  32. Jonah – God’s concern for all people; Jonah’s resistance; mercy for Nineveh; themes of repentance and compassion. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  33. Micah – Judgment and hope; critique of injustice; prophecy of a ruler from Bethlehem; future peace. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  34. Nahum – Fall of Nineveh; God’s justice; comfort to those who suffer under oppression. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  35. Habakkuk – Dialogue between prophet and God about injustice; faith in God even when He works in unexpected ways. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  36. Zephaniah – Day of the Lord coming; judgment on Judah and surrounding nations; call to humility; promise of renewal. (Wikipedia)
  37. Haggai – Encouragement to rebuild the temple after the exile; priority of worship; God’s presence. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  38. Zechariah – Visions; encouragement; messianic prophecy; future restoration of Jerusalem. (manna-publications.org.uk)
  39. Malachi – Final prophetic word of Old Testament; call to faithfulness; addressing corruption in worship; promises of messenger to prepare the Lord. (manna-publications.org.uk)

New Testament

  1. Matthew – Presents Jesus as Jewish Messiah; fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies; teachings (Sermon on the Mount, parables); kingdom of heaven. (byzcath.org)
  2. Mark – Fast?paced; emphasizes Jesus’ actions, servanthood, suffering; the Messiah who must suffer. (byzcath.org)
  3. Luke – Detailed account; focus on compassion, inclusion (women, poor); historical context; prayer; Holy Spirit. (byzcath.org)
  4. John – More theological; emphasizes Jesus’ divinity; “I am” sayings; belief, eternal life, love. (byzcath.org)
  5. Acts – History of early Church; spread of the Gospel through apostles, especially Peter and Paul; role of the Holy Spirit; mission to Gentiles. (altervita.net)
  6. Romans – Theological depth; sin, grace, justification by faith; God’s plan for Israel and Gentiles; ethics for Christian living. (altervita.net)
  7. 1 Corinthians – Problems in early church: divisions, immorality, spiritual gifts; resurrection; instructions for living. (altervita.net)
  8. 2 Corinthians – Paul’s defense of his ministry; comfort in suffering; generosity; reconciliation. (altervita.net)
  9. Galatians – Freedom in Christ; law vs. faith; living by Spirit; justification by faith alone. (altervita.net)
  10. Ephesians – The Church’s identity; unity in Christ; spiritual blessings; how to live as Christians. (altervita.net)
  11. Philippians – Joy, unity, humility; Christ’s example; perseverance in faith. (altervita.net)
  12. Colossians – Supremacy of Christ; warnings against false teachings; fullness in Christ. (altervita.net)
  13. 1 Thessalonians – Encouragement, moral exhortation; teachings about Christ’s return, how to live in the meantime. (altervita.net)
  14. 2 Thessalonians – Clarification on end times; perseverance under persecution; correction of misunderstandings. (altervita.net)
  15. 1 Timothy – Guidance for church leadership; sound teaching; pastoral counsel. (altervita.net)
  16. 2 Timothy – Paul’s final letter; perseverance, suffering for the Gospel; faithfulness; legacy. (altervita.net)
  17. Titus – Instructions for church order, appointing elders; good works; sound doctrine. (altervita.net)
  18. Philemon – Personal letter asking Philemon to forgive his slave Onesimus; Christian love, reconciliation. (altervita.net)
  19. Hebrews – Christ as superior high priest; better covenant; fulfillment of Old Testament; faith’s examples. (altervita.net)
  20. James – Practical Christian faith; works and faith; perseverance; behavior in trials. (altervita.net)
  21. 1 Peter – Hope amidst suffering; living holy lives; submission; Christ’s example. (altervita.net)
  22. 2 Peter – Warnings against false teachers; reminders of Christian truth; growth in faith; Day of the Lord. (altervita.net)
  23. 1 John – Assurance of faith; love; truth vs error; Christ’s incarnation, atonement. (altervita.net)
  24. 2 John – Brief reminder about truth, love, walking in the commandments; warning against deceivers. (altervita.net)
  25. 3 John – Commendation of hospitality; dealing with leaders; faithful living. (altervita.net)
  26. Jude – Contend for the faith; warnings about false teachers; God preserving the faithful. (altervita.net)
  27. Revelation – Apocalyptic visions; ultimate victory of God; judgement; hope; new heaven/new earth. (altervita.net)