2 Timothy 2:15 states: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

This is your master study page. Return here when you need to remind yourself where to keep focus. 

How we do this study matters. See often as church members we often assume the starting point is the same for all. If that were true, then there would be no denominations. But because man has inserted their view over and over often what we walk away with is the same broken theology that got the church here. It was broken somewhere along the way. We went from early church hiding in the catacombs to almost overnight "Christian" meant placement. authority, accepted. This brought compromise to our door and unfortunately, we failed. 

We failed to stop the paganization of the church

We failed to prevent the culture from inserting festivals into Holy Days

We failed to stay a true bride.

Today is the day we go back and hunt for the truth that was lost. I have a concept God put in my heart, and we will walk it out here together. Below is a lot of information. It will have the reading plan in advance from Genesis to Revelation this is our "Word Map". This word map will take us on a panoramic search of all of scripture. We have some base rules that will guide our search. 

Ground Rules

1. Breaths follow historical + narrative flow

Psalms, Proverbs, prophetic laments, and songs are embedded where they belong

Example: 

• David’s psalms go inside David’s life narrative
• Exilic psalms go inside exile
• Temple liturgy psalms go inside Temple periods

2. Breaths respect literary purpose

• Law is read as covenant structure
• Prophets as covenant prosecutors
• Gospels as eyewitness proclamation
• Epistles as situational letters, not systematic theology

3. Breaths are macro, not micro

• Not single psalms unless they stand alone historically
• Not single verses
• Whole arguments, scenes, or movements

The current Bible layout:

• Separates songs from stories
• Separates prophets from consequences
• Separates letters from events
• Encourages proof texting
• Rewards doctrine building over understanding

Your Breath Series would:

• Restore cause and effect
• Remove artificial silence
• Make Scripture self-interpreting
• Expose where tradition filled gaps Scripture never left

This is exactly how the early church read Scripture.

Not as: "What doctrine can I extract?”

But as: "What story am I standing inside?”

What this would look like practically

Each Breath would include:

• Historical placement
• Literary function
• Who is speaking
• Who is listening
• What just happened
• What happens next
• No application forced.
• No altar call.
• No theology overlay.

Just: “Breathe this in. Let it stand.”

 Handling Extra-Biblical Text

Must be pre-4th century. I suspect once it went from hiding in the catacombs to standing on street corners we lost something. This is the time period where that took place. To consider any text past this time period would defeat the entire purpose of the early church focus. That said we will use text not in the "Christian" Bible. Some are in the Catholic Bible, others is early church commentary. The commentary will only be used for clarification when we need the extra help. Other than that, we will talk this out together. 

Wait Jen.... I don't read those books.... Well friend before you say that let me show you the why we will here. I am pasting the exact text when I went to chat to see if these should be included. The answer was clear and I don't want to present information as if I compiled something I didn't. So, below is that conversation. 

I know I am not catholic but would including those books here help

Short answer: yes, including them can help — if you’re clear about why and how you’re using them.

Let me ground this carefully and plainly.

1. What those books actually are

The books you’re referring to (often called Deuterocanonical or Second Temple Jewish literature) were:

• Written between Malachi and Matthew
• Widely read by Jews in the time of Jesus
• Quoted or alluded to by early Jewish teachers and early Christians
• Included in the Septuagint (the Greek Scriptures used by the apostles)

They are historical, cultural, and theological context books, not Gospel replacements and not doctrine setters.

2. Why including them helps a Breath reading

Your Breath project is not about denominational doctrine. You’ve been clear about that. It’s about:

• Natural reading order
• Panoramic Scripture flow
• Understanding how people thought, prayed, suffered, and waited
• Seeing how theology developed rather than assuming it dropped fully formed

These books:

• Explain why messianic expectations looked the way they did
• Show how concepts like resurrection, martyrdom, angels, judgment, and covenant faithfulness matured
• Fill the emotional and historical silence between Testaments

Without them, the jump from Malachi to Matthew feels abrupt.
With them, the silence has texture.

 3. What including them does not do

Including them does not mean:

• You’re becoming Catholic
• You’re placing them on the same authority level as Torah, Prophets, or Apostolic writings
• You’re obligated to teach from them devotionally or doctrinally

The early church itself did not treat all texts equally. They categorized:

• Scripture
• Useful writings
• Historical records
• Instructional material

That discernment existed long before Rome formalized anything.

4. A clean way to include them in the Breath plan

Here’s the key safeguard:

Label them clearly.

For example:

• “Historical Breath”
• “Intertestamental Context Breath”
• “Second Temple Era Reading”

No confusion. No blending altars.

They serve the same role as:

• Kings and Chronicles being read together
• Psalms being placed into David’s life moments
• Prophets being read during the kings they confronted

5. Early church precedent (this matters)

Early believers:

• Read widely
• Discerned carefully
• Tested everything against Torah and the teachings of Jesus
• Were not afraid of knowledge — they were afraid of deception

Avoiding these books entirely is actually a much later reaction, not an early church posture.

6. My straight counsel to you

Given your stated goals:

• factual analysis
• natural flow
• no imposed theology
• panoramic Scripture literacy

Including them strengthens the plan, not weakens it.

The danger isn’t in reading broadly.
The danger is reading blindly — and you’re doing the opposite of that.

CATEGORY 1: BELONG — STRONGLY

These earn their place because they provide historical continuity, Jewish worldview development, and direct background for the New Testament.

1 Maccabees

Why it belongs

• Straight historical record

Explains:

• Hanukkah
• Pharisees vs Sadducees
• Zealot mindset
• Why Rome mattered

No mysticism, no theology pushing

Status: Historical backbone
Include as: Intertestamental History Breath

 2 Maccabees

Why it belongs

Same events, different lens (theological reflection)

Shows:

• Martyrdom theology
• Resurrection hope
• Suffering faithfulness

Caution: Emotional and devotional tone
Status: Contextual theology
Include as: Supporting Breath (paired, not primary)

Wisdom of Solomon

Why it belongs

Explains: How Jews thought about wisdom, righteousness, immortality

Strong conceptual bridge to:

• Romans
• Hebrews
• John

Status: Philosophical bridge
Include as: Thought-world Breath

Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

Why it belongs

• Jewish wisdom teaching
• Reflects synagogue instruction
• Quoted or echoed by early Christians

Status: Cultural ethics
Include as: Wisdom Breath

CATEGORY 2: BELONG — WITH GUARDRAILS

These are useful but must be clearly labeled and never read as doctrine.

Baruch

Why it can belong

• Reflects exilic theology
• Explains repentance language used later

Limitation

• Heavily liturgical
• Later editorial shaping

Include as: Optional Context Breath

Letter of Jeremiah

Why it can belong

• Anti-idolatry polemic
• Reinforces prophetic themes

 Limitation

• Repetitive
• Adds no new historical data

Include as: Short Context Insert

CATEGORY 3: DO NOT BELONG

These either:

• Distort theology
• Introduce unverifiable mythology
• Or distract from the Breath flow

❌ Tobit

Why it doesn’t belong

• Folk-religion elements
• Magical angelology
• Prosperity mechanics

Conflict: Breath goal of factual analysis

❌ Judith

Why it doesn’t belong

• Historical contradictions
• Fictionalized narrative presented as history

Use: Literary interest only (outside plan)

Additions to Esther

Why it doesn’t belong

• Alters Hebrew textual intent
• Retrofits explicit theology into a book intentionally silent

Additions to Daniel (Susanna, Bel and the Dragon, Song of the Three)

Why they don’t belong

• Moral tales, not history
• Genre shift
• Confuses prophetic timeline

CATEGORY 4: ABSOLUTELY DO NOT INCLUDE

These break the Breath framework entirely.

⛔ 1 Enoch

• Influential but speculative
• Vision-heavy
• Apocalyptic symbolism overwhelms factual reading

⛔ Jubilees

• Rewrites Torah chronology
• Theological agenda
• Creates parallel authority

FINAL CLEAN LIST — FOR YOUR BREATH PLAN

INCLUDE

• 1 Maccabees
• 2 Maccabees (paired, secondary)
• Wisdom of Solomon
• Sirach

OPTIONAL / LABELED

• Baruch
• Letter of Jeremiah

EXCLUDE

• Tobit
• Judith
• Additions to Esther
• Additions to Daniel
• 1 Enoch
• Jubilees

WHY THIS MATTERS

This keeps:

• No blended altars

• No hidden doctrine

• No Roman retrofitting

• Maximum historical clarity

You end up with:

• A Second Temple worldview

• A clean bridge into the Gospels

• No compromise of conscience

Now I will be honest here I was taken back by Jubilees and even Enoch both books I have read several times. But the goal this year is to present the best panoramic view (Our Foundation) of the entire Bible. Not deep study, not breaking down the words, etc. just reading God's story He gave us to know him. I believe he will provide the rest. Maybe next year we dig deep but for now We read, we take in, we absorbed without preconceived notions, doctrine or knowledge. We go as babies learning to read not skilled editors. God is Author, Publisher, Editor, our job, our role, our place has always been consumer. 

How Will This Stick? 

Well, when you plan a road trip you get ready. That is exactly what this post is about. To get you ready. So, time to pack and roll out. Ready? 

We will use the acronym BREATHE to study each part. 

B.R.E.A.T.H.E. Bible Study Map

(Breath of God—narrative-focused, historical-literary guide through Scripture)

B: Background / Historical Context           

R: Role / Literary Function                  

E: Entities / Speakers & Listeners          

A: Action / Sequence                         

T: Themes / Motifs (literary only)          

H: Holistic Arc / Narrative Connection       

E: Examine / Notes for Memory                

B — Background / Historical Context

• Ask: Where and when is this Breath taking place?
• Map the historical placement (kingdom, exile, temple, post-exile, etc.)
• Identify political, social, and cultural context
• Key questions: What just happened? Who is involved? Why now?

R — Role / Literary Function

• Ask: What kind of Breath is this?
• Determine literary type (Law, Narrative, Psalm, Prophetic Lament, Wisdom, Gospel, Epistle)
• Note if it’s macro (whole narrative, covenant structure, prophecy arc) or micro (single psalm or event standalone)
• Key: Do not dissect into single verses unless historical/literary standalone

E — Entities / Speakers & Listeners

• Identify speakers and audiences
• Key figures, their relationships, and any divine interlocutors
• Capture tension: who is speaking truth, who is hearing, who may misunderstand

A — Action / Sequence

• Track the flow: What just happened? What happens next?
• Include narrative triggers, plot movement, covenant events, or prophetic warnings
• Note embedded Psalms, songs, or wisdom literature in historical place

T — Themes / Motifs (Literary, Not Theological)

• Observe recurring story elements, covenant motifs, or justice themes
• Avoid forced application; focus on structural and literary patterns
• Examples: kingship, exile, restoration, covenant breach, divine promise

H — Holistic Arc / Breath Integration

• Connect this Breath to the larger Bible narrative
• How does this scene or movement relate to previous Breaths?
• What narrative threads continue into future Breaths?
• Optional: note “macro transitions” like exile → return, temple rebuilding, gospel proclamation

E — Examine / Notes for Memory

• Capture anything unique: unusual speeches, rare psalms, cultural insight, extra-biblical context
• Use for cross-Breath reference and later deep dives
• Key: no altar calls, no theology overlays, just observation

How to Use the BREATHE Map Across All Breaths:

Create a master timeline of Breaths

• Organize by historical flow (Patriarchs → Judges → Kings → Exile → Return → Gospels → Epistles).
• Slot Psalms, Proverbs, and laments into historical placement.

Label each Breath with the BREATHE framework

Example: David’s Psalm 51:

B: King David, post-Bathsheba

R: Confessional Psalm

E: David speaking, God listening

A: Admits sin, asks for restoration

T: Themes of repentance, covenant breach

H: Part of David’s reign narrative

E: Notes cultural practices, temple liturgy reference

Cross-reference Breaths

• Make a visual “Breath Map” where threads (exile, kingship, covenant, prophecy) are lines connecting related Breaths.
• Could use color-coding for types (law, narrative, wisdom, prophecy, gospel, epistle).

Iterative expansion

• Start with macro Breaths (whole narratives)
• Later, add embedded Psalms, songs, and micro-scenes as mini-Breaths, still mapped in the main flow

BREATHE Map: Visual Layout Concept

Structure: Layers & Flow

Think of the map like a multi-layered timeline, with historical flow horizontally and Breath types vertically.

Horizontal Axis (Timeline):

Patriarchs → Exodus & Wilderness → Judges → United Monarchy → Divided Kingdom → Exile → Return → Intertestamental → Gospels → Early Church / Epistles

Vertical Axis (Breath Types / Layers):

Narrative / History (main storylines, kings, judges, patriarchs)

Law / Covenant (embedded where given or referenced)

Psalms / Songs (inserted in historical context)

Prophetic / Laments (judgment, exile, restoration, warnings)

Wisdom Literature / Proverbs (inserted where authors lived / events happened)

Gospels / Epistles (eyewitness proclamation / situational letters, in historical sequence)

Without Further Jabber.... Here is the next annual reading plan. Please keep in mind this in not a read the Bible in a year plan. I doubt we will get through this all this year. My goal is to post a main post weekly that provides my insight, what I learned and basically start the conversation. I hope you join me and allow me to grow with you. This is the early church in it's simplest form. You grow; I grow ..... I grow, You grow.... We all GROW! So, I can't do this without you and you without me. God designed our growth that way. He knew how we would learn and what we would learn. 

THE BREATH PLAN — PANORAMIC ORDER

(Genesis to Revelation)

BREATH 1 -Genesis 1–2

BREATH 2 -Genesis 3–5

BREATH 3 -Genesis 6–9

BREATH 4 -Genesis 10–11

BREATH 5 -Job 1–42
(Chronologically early wisdom, patriarchal era)

BREATH 6 -Genesis 12–14

BREATH 7 -Genesis 15–17

BREATH 8 -Genesis 18–21

BREATH 9 -Genesis 22–25

BREATH 10 -Genesis 26–28

BREATH 11 -Genesis 29–31

BREATH 12 - Genesis 32–36

BREATH 13 -Genesis 37–41

BREATH 14 -Genesis 42–45

BREATH 15 -Genesis 46–50

BREATH 16 -Exodus 1–6

BREATH 17 -Exodus 7–13

BREATH 18 -Exodus 14–18

BREATH 19 -Exodus 19–24

BREATH 20 -Exodus 25–31

BREATH 21 Exodus 32–34

BREATH 22 Exodus 35–40

BREATH 23 Leviticus 1–7

BREATH 24 Leviticus 8–16

BREATH 25 Leviticus 17–27

BREATH 26 Numbers 1–10

BREATH 27 Numbers 11–14

BREATH 28 Numbers 15–21

BREATH 29 Numbers 22–25

BREATH 30 Numbers 26–36

BREATH 31 Deuteronomy 1–11

BREATH 32 Deuteronomy 12–26

BREATH 33 Deuteronomy 27–34

BREATH 34 Joshua 1–12

BREATH 35 Joshua 13–24

BREATH 36 Judges 1–5

BREATH 37 Judges 6–12

BREATH 38 Judges 13–21

BREATH 39 Ruth 1–4

BREATH 40 1 Samuel 1–8

BREATH 41 1 Samuel 9–15

BREATH 42 1 Samuel 16–31

BREATH 43 2 Samuel 1–7

BREATH 44 2 Samuel 8–24

BREATH 45 1 Kings 1–11
(With Psalms 2, 72)

BREATH 46 1 Kings 12–16

BREATH 47 1 Kings 17–22

BREATH 48 2 Kings 1–8

BREATH 49 2 Kings 9–17

BREATH 50 2 Kings 18–25

BREATH 51 Isaiah 1–39

BREATH 52 Isaiah 40–55

BREATH 53 Isaiah 56–66

BREATH 54 Jeremiah 1–25

BREATH 55 Jeremiah 26–45

BREATH 56 Jeremiah 46–52

BREATH 57 Lamentations 1–5

BREATH 58 Ezekiel 1–24

BREATH 59 Ezekiel 25–39

BREATH 60 Ezekiel 40–48

BREATH 61 Daniel 1–6

BREATH 62 Daniel 7–12

BREATH 63 Hosea 1–14

BREATH 64 Joel 1–3

BREATH 65 Amos 1–9

BREATH 66 Obadiah

BREATH 67 Jonah 1–4

BREATH 68 Micah 1–7

BREATH 69 Nahum 1–3

BREATH 70 Habakkuk 1–3

BREATH 71 Zephaniah 1–3

BREATH 72 Haggai 1–2

BREATH 73 Zechariah 1–8

BREATH 74 Zechariah 9–14

BREATH 75 Malachi 1–4

INTERTESTAMENTAL BREATHS (LABELED, NON-CHRISTIAN)

BREATH 76 1 Maccabees 1–16

BREATH 77 2 Maccabees 1–15

BREATH 78 Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 1–51

BREATH 79 Wisdom of Solomon 1–19

(Optional insert if desired)
Baruch 1–5
Letter of Jeremiah

NEW TESTAMENT

BREATH 80 Luke 1–2

BREATH 81 Matthew 1–4

BREATH 82 Mark 1–8

BREATH 83 Mark 9–16

BREATH 84 Matthew 5–7

BREATH 85 Matthew 8–13

BREATH 86 Matthew 14–20

BREATH 87 Matthew 21–28

BREATH 88 Luke 3–9

BREATH 89 Luke 10–19

BREATH 90 Luke 20–24

BREATH 91 John 1–6

BREATH 92 John 7–12

BREATH 93 John 13–21

BREATH 94 Acts 1–7

BREATH 95 Acts 8–15

BREATH 96 Acts 16–28 

BREATH 97 James

BREATH 98 Galatians

BREATH 99 1 Thessalonians

BREATH 100 2 Thessalonians

BREATH 101 1 Corinthians

BREATH 102 2 Corinthians

BREATH 103 Romans

BREATH 104 Ephesians

BREATH 105 Philippians

BREATH 106 Colossians

BREATH 107 Philemon

BREATH 108 1 Timothy

BREATH 109 2 Timothy

BREATH 110 Titus

BREATH 111 Hebrews

BREATH 112 1 Peter

BREATH 113 2 Peter

BREATH 114 1 John

BREATH 115 2 John

BREATH 116 3 John

BREATH 117 Jude

BREATH 118 Revelation 1–5

BREATH 119 Revelation 6–18

BREATH 120 Revelation 19–22

As you can see we have 120 weeks of study ahead so we will complete this in 2 years 3 months. That is the plan and you are welcome to read ahead and do this on your own. It is why I am sharing the base of all this first. So those who wish to study solo you can. Although I beg not to deny me of my own growth in your knowledge gained.  We really do need each other in this. I hope to see you tomorrow at HopeScribed for the first edition of the new year with Jesus guiding us. 

Abba, 

Thank you for your word and for sending a Savior to secure us in eternity with you. I ask Abba that you illuminate your word as we read to understand your full story. Help us to grow together closer to you. Reveal the things lost and bring the courage to walk in the truth you reveal. Soften the hearts of the pride who says I don't need this. Abba we all need you. I pray that you keep us on the firm foundation and prevent the evil one from coming here to this little place. Abba keep us humble and not puffed up with pride in our wisdom of you. 

I ask for those who don't know you Abba, reveal yourself to them. Allow the songs, the study, the true worship the heart posture of me and those studying with me to be seed planters in the soil you prepared in advance. I thank you they are here. I thank you they came; I thank you they are trying again. Strengthen them and fill them with wisdom, courage and faith that can face the lions. Guide us to your truth and give us the courage to stand tall in that truth. 

Let conviction fall where it need, let healing surround each person, allow your peace to overcome all fear. In the mighty name of the one and only Savior of the world. Jesus. 

AMEN