Many of us who pride ourselves on our learning are illiterate in one particular way. We know very little about the Bible, perhaps the most important book of the western world. Does this sound familiar? You decide to read through the entire Bible. Genesis is a great place to start, but somewhere along about Leviticus, feeling frustrated and bored, you give up. For those who feel the entire Bible is overwhelming, what’s needed is a guide to Biblical highlights.

As a college English professor who has taught the Bible as literature, I have had to compile a list of key books and chapters for my students. What follows is such a list, a “best of the best” for you to read.

The first part of the Old Testament contains history in the form of stories. Genesis displays a fascinating collection of people (Genesis 1-4, 6-9, 13, 15-19, 21-22, 24-25, 27-30, 32-33, 37, 39-45). Exodus tells of a miraculous escape from slavery under the leadership of Moses (Exodus 1-17, 19-20).  The Jews, like so many of us, blew many opportunities (Numbers 11-14, 20). Finally, after a long delay, they entered the Promised Land under a fierce general (Joshua 2, 6-8, 24).

Even after gaining a foothold, the Jews had to fight local antagonistic tribes. They turned repeatedly to leaders for help (Judges 4-7, 13-16). In the middle of this fighting came a  love story of a foreigner in the land of the Jews (Ruth). The story of the first Jewish king, who was followed by David’s rise and rule, has fascinated people for centuries (1 Samuel 8-31 and all of 2 Samuel).

Solomon took the kingdom to new heights, but a tragic civil war split the nation. Elijah and Elisha challenged the spiritually bankrupt people who ignored the danger signs until fierce enemies overwhelmed them (1 Kings 1-3, 6, 10, 12, 17-22 and 2 Kings2, 4-6:23, 17-19, 25). However, many later returned to their land where they faced enemies and spiritual neglect (Ezra 3 and  Nehemiah 1-2, 4-6, 8-9, 13). The history books end with an amazing escape from sure annihilation (Esther).

The next section of the Old Testament is composed of various poems. We encounter the sufferings of a righteous man (Job 1-14, 38-42). The next book, the Psalms, contains prayers and praises directed to God (Psalms 1, 8, 19, 22, 23, 51, 68, 90, 103, 139). Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are examples of wisdom literature—thoughts on life by wise individuals (Proverbs 1, 4, 10, 31 and all Ecclesiastes). The Song of Solomon is a series of love poems exchanged between a man and a woman (Song of Solomon 2, 4).

The last section of the Old Testament is devoted to the writings of the prophets, who rebuked the Jews and other nations wandering far from God. The most famous and the longest is Isaiah, but others covered similar themes ( Isaiah 6, 25, 36-40, 52-53, 55, Ezekiel 1-4, 37-39, Daniel 7-12). Some of the Bible’s best-known stories are found in two of the prophets (Daniel 1-6 and Jonah).

The New Testament is split into three sections also. The first are the historical books, similar to the initial section in the Old Testament. Three different authors give  overlapping views of the life of Jesus. I suggest reading Luke because it has so much detail and shows Jesus interacting with outcasts—women, children, the poor, the oppressed (all of Matthew, Mark, or Luke). You should also read John for its meditation on the theological significance of Jesus and His divinity (all of John). To complete the history of Jesus and his church, read portions of Acts describing the missionary outreach of the early believers (Acts 1-4, 6-8:3, 9, 15-17, 26-28).

The second section of the New Testament is composed of letters sent by Christian leaders to their churches or to individuals they knew. Start with the longest one that clearly explains salvation and the Christian life (Romans).  Other letters discuss important specific issues—church worship, spiritual gifts and the coming resurrection (1 Corinthians 11-15), salvation by grace rather than works (Galatians), the church and personal relationships (Ephesians), Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4-5), faith (Hebrews 11-12), difficult areas in the Christian life (James), and the importance of obedience and love as characteristics of the Christian (1 John).

The last section of the New Testament is composed of only one book, but what a book it is. Revelation is a visionary roller-coaster ride that has puzzled people for centuries. The ending is comforting for its uplifting vision of God’s triumph and the creation of a new world (Revelation 1, 4-6, 11-13, 17, 19-22).

If you follow the above reading suggestions, you will have worked your way through  important Bible passages in less than 30 hours of total reading time. You may be intrigued enough to go back to see what other treasures await you within its pages.