The Grand Narrative
Creation – Fall – Redemption – Restoration

Eras of The New Testament

1. Gospel Era
2. Church Era
3. Missions Era

Gospel Era: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Jesus comes in fulfillment of OT prophecies of a savior and offers salvation and the true kingdom of God.

1. The early life of Jesus until His baptism
2. The early ministry of Jesus
3. The latter ministry of Jesus
4. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension

Church Era: Acts 1-12
Peter, shortly after the ascension of Jesus, is used by God along with the other Apostles to establish the Church.

1. Creation: Birth of the Church (Acts 1-5)
2. Growth: Organization of the Church (Acts 6)
3. Persecution: The first Christian martyr (Acts 7)
4. Transition: A missionary to the Gentiles (Acts 8-12)

Missions Era: Acts 13-28
Paul expands the church into the Roman Empire during the next two decades.

1. First missionary journey (Acts 13-14)
2. Second missionary journey (Acts 15-17)
3. Third missionary journey (Acts 18-21)
4. Trials and imprisonment (Acts 22-28)

Sections of The New Testament 

1. Gospels
2. History
3. Pauline Letters
4. General Letters
5. Revelation

Gospels 

• Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John 
• Biographical
• The first three are called the Synoptic Gospels

History

• Acts
• The events following the ascension of Jesus until the first imprisonment of Paul

Pauline Letters

• Letters written by Paul to churches
  – Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians
• Letters written by Paul to individuals
  – 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon

General Letters

• Letters written by various authors to the Christian public at large
• Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2 & 3 John, Jude

Revelation

• Heavily prophetical and apocalyptic
• Addresses the nature, events, and chronology of the end times

Recommended Resource:
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament,
Craig S. Keener, InterVarsity Press, 1993