New Testament Outline: Romans 9-12

Chapter 9

Paul writes about his sorrow and anguish over his fellow Israelites. He then defends God’s sovereignty in election to make the point that God’s word has not failed even though many Israelites are not believing. He makes the point that God will have mercy on those he chooses—it depends on God not man. Paul writes that God has elected those who were not his people to be his people. Israel pursued to the law as a way to righteousness but did not attain it.

Chapter 10

Paul writes that his desire and prayer is for the Israelites to be saved. He says that Jesus is the end of the law so that righteousness may be for all who believe. If someone declares with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that God raised him from the dead they will be saved. Paul says that the Israelites cannot call on him whom they do not know, which is why someone needs to preach and before someone can preach they need to be sent.

Chapter 11

Paul addresses whether or not God has rejected his people—Israel. He says that God has not rejected them. Some within Israel have believed but others have not. Paul rhetorically asks the question if Israel has stumbled beyond recovery. He says they have not; however, because of their transgression the Gentiles have been grafted in. Paul then addresses Gentiles specifically telling them that God is both kind and stern. He then says that all Israel will be saved.

Chapter 12

Paul urges his brothers and sisters in Jesus to be living sacrifices. He tells them that God has distributed faith to them; therefore, they’re not to think more highly of themselves than they ought. He tells them to be sincere in love and then shows them what a life like that looks like.

New Testament Outline: Romans 5-8

Chapter 5

Paul writes reminding his readers that they have been justified through faith and so have peace with God through their Lord Jesus the Messiah. He tells them that when they were powerless Jesus died for them—the ungodly. While they were God’s enemies God reconciled them to him through the death of Jesus. Paul writes that sin entered through one man and death through sin, and death has come to everyone because everyone has sinned. Along with that Paul tells them that even though death came through one man, God’s grace and his gift came through one man—Jesus Christ.

Chapter 6

Paul rhetorically asks a question about sinning so God’s grace may increase. He answers that question in the negative pointing to the fact that those who have died to sin cannot live in it any longer. He tells them that they have been united with Jesus in a death like his and so will be united with him in a resurrection like his. Paul writes that if they have died with Jesus then they will live with Jesus. Paul makes it clear that those who are alive with Jesus are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness.

Chapter 7

Paul writes that someone is only bound to the law for as long as the law remains. He tells them that they now live in the Spirit and not under the law. Paul clarifies his position that he does not think the law is sinful, but that sin was highlighted and aggravated by the law. Paul says that the law pointed out his sin and created a war within himself. In his mind he’s a slave to God’s law, but in his sinful nature he’s a slave to the law of sin.

Chapter 8

Paul writes that condemnation does not exist for those who are in Jesus because of the work Jesus has done and the life they have received through the Spirit. They may either live according to the flesh, which is death, or they may live according to the Spirit, which is life and peace. He tells them that those who believe in Jesus are obligated to live according to the Spirit. Paul says that their present sufferings do not compare with the later revealed glory in them. The entire creation is waiting for its redemption. He reminds them that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to his purpose. Paul tells them that God has foreknown, predestined, called, justified, and glorified his people. He then reminds them that since God is form them no one can be against them including death, life, angels, demons, the present, the future, powers, heights, depths, or any other created thing. Nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Jesus.

New Testament Outline: Romans 1-4

Chapter 1

Paul identifies himself and describes an aspect of the gospel in the opening of this letter to those in Rome. He describes his longing to have visited them, the way he’s been prevented, and his prayers for his readers. Paul makes clear his intention to bring the gospel to Greeks and non-Greeks (Gentiles and Jews). He writes that the gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to all who believe. Paul points out that God’s wrath is currently being revealed on the earth against sinful humanity.

Chapter 2

His readers have no excuse because they pass judgment on others and thus judge themselves. Paul writes that God’s judgment is righteous and he shows no favoritism neither to Jews or Gentiles. One group sins apart from the law and the other sins under the law. Both groups have God’s judgment on them. Paul then focuses on the Jews and their application of the law—specifically on circumcision.

Chapter 3

Paul reminds his readers that God is faithful and righteous. He teaches that the Jews do not have an advantage because both Jews and Gentiles alike are unrighteous in all they do. Paul writes that God’s righteousness has been made known apart from the law. This righteousness is found in the Messiah Jesus.

Chapter 4

Paul supports his teaching by pointing out that Abraham was justified—declared righteous—apart from the law. His righteousness was through believing God—faith. Against all hope Abraham—in hope—believed what God had told him he was going to do. Paul writes that this same belief, justification, and righteousness is found by those who believe in Jesus.

New Testament Outline: Acts 9-12

Chapter 9

Saul is breathing out threats and murder against the disciples and on his way to Damascus he is confronted by the risen Jesus. For three days Saul could not see and he did not eat or drink. Jesus reveals himself to a disciple, Ananias, and tells him that he is to go to Saul. He tells him that Saul will suffer for the sake of Jesus. Ananias finds Saul and then Saul regains his sight and is baptized. Saul meets with the disciples in Damascus and proclaims Jesus in the synagogues. The Jews plot to kill Saul but he escapes to Jerusalem and preaches about Jesus. Peter heals Aeneas. Dorcas (Tabitha) dies and his brought back to life.

Chapter 10

God reveals himself to Cornelius—a Gentile—and tells him that Peter will visit him. Peter receives a vision from God and Jesus tells him that what God has made clean, do not call common. Peter goes to Cornelius and tells him that God showed him that he must preach the gospel to Cornelius. Peter preaches the gospel saying that God shows no partiality. The Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles who heard the word preached to them.

Chapter 11

The circumcision party confronts Peter because many Gentiles were believing in Jesus. He explains why the gospel was preached to them. The persecuted believers travel to Antioch. In Antioch the church gathers together and there they are first called Christians.

Chapter 12

Herod the king kills James, the brother of Jesus, and he goes after Peter as well. Peter is arrested, but the believers pray earnestly for him. Peter is set free from prison and arrives at the house of some disciples. Herod is angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. The people of Tyre and Sidon begin to worship Herod and then an angel of the Lord strikes Herod down because he did not give God the glory.

New Testament Outline: Acts 5-8

Chapter 5

Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sell some property and give the money to the apostles, but they hold back some for themselves. Peter confronts Ananias and Sapphira about this and they both die. The apostles continue to do signs and wonders among the people. The apostles are arrested and then set free at night by an angel of the Lord. They continue to teach about Jesus. They’re beat and charged not to teach in the name of Jesus. They rejoice for being counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus.

Chapter 6

The number of disciples is increasing and some are going without food. The apostles decide to appoint deacons to focus on the distribution. Stephen, one of the deacons, is arrested.

Chapter 7

Stephen speaks before the high priest. He goes through the Old Testament story up to Jesus. His speech culminates in the condemnation of those who have rejected the message of God. Those listening to him could not deal with what he was telling them so they stoned him.

Chapter 8

Saul approves of the stoning of Stephen. Philip preaches about Jesus in Samaria. Simon, a magician, believes in Jesus. Simon sees that the Holy Spirit is given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands and he offers money to be able to give the Holy Spirit. Peter rebukes his faulty thinking. Philip runs into an Ethiopian Eunuch reading the prophet Isaiah. The eunuch believes and is baptized.

New Testament Outline: Acts 1-4

Chapter 1

Luke begins this book by addressing Theophilus, the person he’s writing to, and explaining the reason for this book. Jesus orders the apostles to stay in Jerusalem until they are given the promised Holy Spirit. Jesus leaves the apostles by ascending into heaven. The apostles choose Matthias to replace Judas who betrayed Jesus and killed himself.

Chapter 2

During the day of Pentecost the apostles and others are all together in one place and they are all filled with the Holy Spirit. They speak in different languages and each one hears the other speaking in his or her language. Some there think they’re drunk but Peter stands up and teaches that the prophet Joel talked about this. Peter then goes on to teach about God, Israel, and Jesus. The believers are all together in one place devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, and to the breaking of bread.

Chapter 3

Peter and John are on their way to the temple to pray when a man lame from birth is being carried. The man sees Peter and John and asks them for alms. Peter and John both look directly at the man and Peter commands him to stand up and walk. The man they healed clings to Peter and then Peter teaches those at Solomon’s Portico about God and Jesus. 

Chapter 4

The priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees arrest Peter and John. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, speaks to the council and teaches them about God and Jesus. After speaking the council decides they cannot keep them from talking. They threaten them and then let them go. Peter and John go back to the other believers and tell them what happened. They pray. All the believers were together in heart and soul. They testified to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and they took care of each other so that no one was in need.

New Testament Outline: John 17-21

John 17 — Jesus prays in thankfulness to the Father for his impending glory, for the disciples whom the Father has given him, and the rest of those in the world who will believe in Jesus through the disciples.

John 18 — Judas betrays Jesus as soldiers and officers come to arrest him. Peter cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant, but Jesus tells him to put the sword away. Jesus is taken to Annas and Caiaphas. Peter denies Jesus when questioned about his involvement with him. The high priest questions Jesus. Peter denies Jesus again and a rooster crows. Jesus is brought to Pilate and Pilate questions him about what he’s been doing. Pilate finds no guilt in Jesus but the crowd demands to have him release not Jesus, but Barabbas.

John 19 — Pilate has Jesus flogged and then crucified. Jesus is crucified at the Place of a Skull—Golgotha. The soldiers divide up his clothing and Jesus gives his mother to the Apostle John. Jesus dies on the cross and his side is pierced. Joseph of Arimathea asks to place Jesus in his tomb.

John 20 — On the first day of the week—Sunday—Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb and sees that the stone has been rolled away. She tells Peter and John and they run to the tomb and discover that Jesus was not there but they don’t understand. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and she then tells the disciples that she’s seen him. In the evening Jesus appears to his disciples. Thomas was not there and does not believe that Jesus is alive again. Jesus appears to Thomas and Thomas believes. The Apostle John gives the reason for writing his gospel.

John 21 — Jesus appears to seven disciples while on a beach. He eats with them on the shore. Jesus speaks directly to Peter about loving Jesus. Jesus talks about the Apostle John and how long he will live. The Apostle John finishes his gospel by saying that if he were to of written down everything Jesus said and did there wouldn’t be enough books in the world to contain all that would be written.

New Testament Outline: John 13-16

John 13 — During supper before the Feast of the Passover Jesus knows that his hour has come and he washes his disciples’ feet. Peter objects but Jesus corrects him. He then explains why he washed their feet and what it means for their teacher to have done this for them. Jesus says that one of them will betray him—Judas Iscariot. After Judas leaves Jesus gives the remaining disciples his new commandment—love one another. Peter objects at not being able to follow Jesus where he is going.

John 14 — Jesus reassures his disciples by reminding them to believe in God and to believe in him. He tells them that he is the way, and the truth, and the life, and that no one comes to the Father except through him. The disciples ask to see the Father and he tells them that they have seen him by being with Jesus. Jesus promises to give them the Holy Spirit after he’s gone. The Holy Spirit will teach them all things and bring to remembrance what he has said to them.

John 15 — Jesus says that he is the vine, his Father is the vinedresser, and his disciples are the branches. Those who do not produce fruit will be pruned. They must abide in him if they want to bear fruit. Jesus reminds them to love one another and he tells them that if they world hated him it will hate them as well.

John 16 — Jesus tells them that he taught them these things so they would not fall away. He teaches again on what the Holy Spirit will be doing—guiding them into all truth. Jesus says that in a little while they won’t see him and then in a little while they will. The disciples wonder at this and Jesus tells them that their sorrow will turn into joy. Jesus says that his hour is coming. He tells them that in the world they will have tribulation, but he has overcome the world, so they can take heart.

New Testament Outline: John 9-12

John 9 — After leaving the temple, Jesus walks by a man born blind. His disciples ask him if it was this man or his parent who sinned causing him to be born blind. Jesus heals the man. The Pharisees question the man who was healed and then they question Jesus.

John 10 — Jesus teaches the Pharisees explaining to them that he is the good shepherd. After hearing this from Jesus a division arises between the Jews and some say he has a demon. During the Feast of Dedication Jesus goes to the temple and teaches the he and the Father are one. Some follow Jesus and believe in him.

John 11 — Jesus’ friend Lazarus is sick. His sister, Mary, comes to Jesus to ask if he’d come and heal Lazarus. Jesus waited before going to see Lazarus. Lazarus dies and Martha asks tells Jesus if he’d been there earlier Lazarus would not have died. Jesus weeps over Lazarus. He then goes to his tomb and brings him back to life. Many Jews who saw what Jesus did, put together plans to arrest and kill Jesus.

John 12 — Six days before the Passover Jesus goes to Bethany and there Mary anoints him for his burial. The chief priests put together plans to kill Lazarus. A large crowd gathers in Jerusalem to welcome Jesus. As Jesus comes into Jerusalem the crowd cries out after him. Some Greeks come to Philip and tell him that they want to see Jesus. Jesus tells them that he must die. He also tells them that, after dying, he must be lifted up in glory so that others may be lifted up. Even though the people heard him speaking they did not believe what he was saying. Jesus says that he has come to save the world and he is doing this under the authority of the Father.

New Testament Outline: John 5-8

John 5 — Jesus goes to Jerusalem during the feast of the Jews. While there he heals a man by the Sheep Gate on the Sabbath. The Jews question the man who was healed and they understand Jesus to be saying that he’s equal with God. Jesus responds to them explaining that he does whatever his Father is doing. He also goes on to confront them about why they did not listen to those who had told them the truth in the Scriptures.

John 6 — Jesus feeds over five thousand people with five loaves and two fish. In the evening the disciples go out on the sea and there Jesus comes to them walking on the water. A crowd gets into a boat in order to search for Jesus. They find him and he teaches them that he’s the bread of life. The Jews get upset at hearing this and also his disciples struggle with this hard teaching. Jesus tells them that only those the Father has given him will come to him.

John 7 — Jesus goes around in Galilee but not Judea because they Jews are looking to kill him. In the middle of the Feast of Booths Jesus goes to the temple and teaches. Some of those who heard Jesus begin to wonder why the Jews aren’t doing anything to him if they intended to kill him. The Pharisees hear the conversation and send some officers to arrest Jesus. Jesus announces to the people that he is the source of living water. Some people are beginning to believe in him and others are not—a division is forming.
It does not appear that John 7:53-8:11 (“The Woman Caught in Adultery”) was original to the Gospel of John.

John 8 — Jesus again speaks to the Pharisees telling them that he is the light of the world. A number of the Jews believe in him and he tells them that the truth will set them free. In talking with them Jesus tells them that it doesn’t matter what their genealogy says; it matters how they live. They are either sons of Abraham or sons of the devil. The Jews say that Jesus has a demon. He responds in telling them that before Abraham existed he existed.