While the Bible is one unified story, it cannot all be read in the same way. The Bible contains a variety of literary styles which each uniquely contributes to the overall storyline. Each literary style lives by its own rules and structure.

The Bible can be broken into several categories of writing. Approximately 43% of the Bible is made up of narrative, from historical narrative to parables. Roughly 33% of the Bible is poetry, including songs, reflective poetry, and the passionate, politically resistant poetry of the prophets. The remaining 24% of the Bible is prose discourse, including laws, sermons, letters, and even one essay.

The Bible is an ancient Jewish collection of sacred literature made up of many different literary styles. Each biblical book uses a combination of all the literary styles to make its unique contribution to the story of the Bible. First, let’s take a look at the narrative style of storytelling.

This series should help you understand what the Bible is and the story it tells. The articles in this section are in the Downloadable Guide or can be read on-line by clicking the links. 

• Watch: What is the Bible? (5 minutes) Explore the origins, content, and purpose of the Bible and learn how to approach this brilliantly designed book with greater insight and wisdom.

Go to: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/what-is-bible

• Read: What is the BiIble and The Bible is a Library. (*Note: these documents can also be found in your Downloadable Guide, pages 6 – 9) 

• Watch: The Story of the Bible (5 minutes) The story of the Bible is about humanity’s cycle of self-destruction and the Messiah who will restore the covenant partnership between God and humans.

Go to: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/the-story-of-the-bible

• Read: The Story of the Bible (*Note: this document can also be found in your Downloadable Guide pages 10 – 15)

• Watch: Literary Styles (5 minutes) To better understand the Bible, we have to first learn to recognize the different literary styles used by the biblical authors.

Go to: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/literary-styles-bible/

• Watch: Ancient Jewish Literature (4:30 minutes) The Bible is a book made for a lifetime of study. Explore how the style of the Bible invites readings into deeper thought and meditation on its words.

Go to: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/bible-jewish-meditation-literature-h2r/