The Heart of the Bible: Explore the Power of Key Bible Passages for 52-Weeks

by John F. MacArthur Jr.

John Macarthur’s collection of the Bible verses that every Christian needs to know.

All of Scripture is important and meaningful, but there are certain passages that are most helpful for becoming grounded in God’s truth. In The Heart of the Bible, Pastor John MacArthur shares a selection of verses that he believes are most significant—the ones he considers the heart of the Bible.

Written in a devotional style, each verse is followed by John MacArthur’s thoughts and comments, giving you a deeper understanding of the passages and their importance to Christians. The verses focus on the nature of the Bible, God, salvation, and discipleship, and are categorized topically. 

Some of the topics covered  

Knowing and trusting our great GodWhat happened at the crossAccepting God’s salvationLiving worthy of our callingWhat it means to follow JesusThese treasured pieces of Scripture are not just meant to be read—they’re meant to be savored, repeated, and meditated on. Open your heart to God’s Word and you will be transformed.

John MacArthur- "Unleashing God's Truth One Verse At a Time"™

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Theology, Christian Non Fiction, Christianity, Nonfiction, Faith

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2005

About the author

John F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Heart of the Book

MacArthur gives a brief explanation after each Scripture in this book. He repeatedly points to the Bible, not himself as the source of truth. Each Scripture he gives can be meditated on its own, and they can be read in any order.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

MacArthur has some books which go through Biblical Narratives and other books which review a key doctrine. This one is different. It is 52 impactful verses, ones that he says are good for memorization. The verse explanations are just a couple of pages so nothing is in real depth here. The idea is to be brilliant on the basics. Scripture and its reliance is key. Who God is and who we are is central. Yet it is one purely our heavenly hopes. In true MacArthur fashion, there is an emphasis on the here and now, the obedience required for all who claim the name of Jesus. Though he usually places a bigger emphasis on the Rapture and eschatology, that is gazed for to make room for present sanctification.

[Paul Schlehlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: a list and explanation of fifty-two key passages every Christian should memorize

John MacArthur wanted to encourage his congregation to memorize more Scripture. He chose 52 passages that reflected ten main themes–the heart of the Bible. The 2-3 page explanations on each passage are theologically rich and easy to understand.

Pros: (1) This is a great book to give new Christians at their baptism. As they begin their Christian walk, these pages will encourage them to memorize and understand the Bible’s foundational passages.

(2) The book fits well into a one-year course. Our little African church is memorizing one passage for each week of the year.

[Kevin Dingess · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Heart of the Bible" by John MacArthur is a compelling book that explores the core message and essence of the Bible.
In this insightful work, MacArthur explores the central themes, teachings, and narratives of Scripture, providing readers with a deep understanding of God's Word.
By examining key passages and stories, MacArthur presents a comprehensive overview of the Bible's overarching message of:
- Redemption
- Grace
- Divine love
With clarity and profound biblical insight, "The Heart of the Bible" serves as a valuable resource for both new believers and seasoned Christians seeking to deepen their understanding of Scripture and grow in their faith.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this book I anticipated it to be something else than what it is: a summary of Biblical truth that explains the entire Christian life and belief system. And that is what it is. It is John MacArthur's favorite verses but each one teaches a different aspect of faith. It is a slow-paced read that brings you to each of the high mountains of Scripture and will not leave you disappointed at the time you spent gazing at their beauty.

[Helen Scarfo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential passages to study and memorize.

I've read many books written by John MacArthur, and I've always found them very helpful. He has a deep understanding of the Word of God, which he explains clearly. Memorizing God’s Word is absolutely essential to our spiritual growth, and understanding the meaning of each passage is helpful for memory and recall. Dr. Macarthur clearly explains in detail the meaning of each verse.

[Byron Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

A la fecha no he encontrado un libro del autor sin profundidad bíblica y este es súper útil para los devocionales diarios pero sobre todo para guiar nuestra vista a pasajes que marcan los fundamentales de la doctrina.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Little Weak

Having read most of MacArthur's books, I found this one somewhat simplistic and short of real substance. I have enjoyed reading his other works, which have been a real blessing. This was not a can't put down book.

[Greg Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book

This is a great little devotional style book loaded with theology in short, easy to understand sections. Highly recommend for anyone that wants a better understanding of what the Bible teaches our just a quick refresher.

[Danny Kile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth be told

Every word in the Bible is God Breadthd. Jesus is the answer. He came to bring truth to the whole world. He who was sinless died for us. Believe in him and make him Lord, and you will have eternal life with him.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended it and I'm glad she did. Solid, interesting teaching of Bible verses.

[Lisa Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening

I love the lessons taught in John MacArthur’s books. Biblically sound and thought provoking. I find them inspiring and motivating.

[Debora Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una hermosa guía de lo que debe ser importante para todo Cristiano 🙌 ❤️

[KC McCauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great blessing as John MacArthur explains 52 key Bible passages in ten categories: The Bible in Your Heart, Knowing and Trusting Our Great God, Understanding God's Reign, What Happened on the Cross, Accepting God's Salvation, More than We Deserve, Living Worthy of Our Calling, What It Means to Follow Jesus, Bringing Light to the World, Our Eternal Destiny.

As recorded on the back of the book, "No other book is quite like this one. John MacArthur takes a handful of Bible verses and invites you to sit across the table from him and let the Bible come alive for you."

I highly recommend this book, especially for new believers.

[Jaison Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not very revolutionary, but I think its simplicity is the reason why I found it so impactful. The book is just an exposition of the truths 52 of John Macarthur's favorite Bible passages. Very straightforward and very encouraging. If you're looking for something flashy, keep moving, though I think you should reconsider!

[Hector Emilio Gonzalez Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

52 versículos seleccionados y explicados por John MacArthur. Un bonito libro para comprender la esencia o el corazón mismo de la palabra. Ideal para nuevos cristianos o para quienes desean compartir con otros el Evangelio y sus verdades básicas.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for understanding important verses in the Scriptures.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a must-read for every Christian.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Key passages that MacArthur thinks we should know, with his succinct expositions of each.