The Pentateuch/ The Torah (5 books)
Genesis - Genesis, which means "beginnings," begins with the creation of the world and man. The first half of the book also covers the early history of man, the story of Noah and the Flood, and the Tower of Babel. The second half of the book is about the Patriarchs of God's chosen people ... from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob. It ends with the story of Joseph and the Israelites moving to Egypt.
Exodus - Enslaved in Egypt for about 400 years, the Israelites call out to God for help. God brings up Moses, who delivers the people out of bondage. The travel to Mt. Sinai, where Moses receives the laws from God. The people make a covenant with Him ... so that He will protect and bless them, if they keep the laws and obey Him.
Leviticus - This priestly book lists most of the laws that God gave to the people at Mt. Sinai.
Numbers - Named for the two censuses found in the book, Numbers also gives the narrative of what happened to the Israelites from Mt. Sinai until they arrive at the border of the Promised Land.
Deuteronomy - Poised at the edge of the Promised Land, Moses speaks to the people ... telling of the story of their Exodus, the laws they were given, and encouraging them to keep the covenant with God. Moses dies at the end of the book and passes the mantle of leadership on to Joshua.
The History Books (12 books)
Joshua - Under the leadership of Joshua, the Israelites enter the Promised Land. After years of battles, they take control of the land and divide it into 12 parts ... for the 12 tribes.
Judges - After Joshua had died, Israel had no single leader. For the next few hundred years, the nation went through a number of cycles. The people would sin, an oppressor would take control, they would cry to God for help, He'd bring up a leader/judge to deliver the people, there would be a time of peace, and then the judge would die and the people would revert back to sin. The