Lesson 2 of 28
Important People of the Bible
Meet key people in God’s story, learn what they did, and understand why their lives still matter.
Adam and Eve
Who: The first man and woman, created by God and placed in the Garden of Eden.
What they did: They lived in fellowship with God, but disobeyed His command by eating from the forbidden tree. Sin and death entered human life through their disobedience.
Why are they important: Their story explains humanity’s beginning, the entrance of sin, our need for salvation, and God’s first promise of victory over evil.
Where to read: Genesis 1–3.
Genesis 1:27“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
Noah
Who: A righteous man who trusted God during a deeply sinful time.
What he did: He obeyed God by building the ark. God preserved Noah, his family, and the animals through the flood.
Why is he important: Noah shows the importance of trusting and obeying God even when others do not. God’s covenant with Noah also displayed His mercy and faithfulness.
Where to read: Genesis 6–9.
Genesis 6:22“Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.”
Abraham
Who: A man God called to leave his homeland and follow Him by faith.
What he did: He trusted God’s promises, became the father of Isaac, and became the earthly father of the nation of Israel.
Why is he important: God promised that all nations would be blessed through Abraham’s family. His life is a major biblical example of faith, and Jesus came through his family line.
Where to read: Genesis 12–22.
Genesis 12:2“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:”
Moses
Who: An Israelite raised in Pharaoh’s household whom God called from the burning bush.
What he did: He confronted Pharaoh, led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, received God’s Law, and guided the people through the wilderness.
Why is he important: Moses was Israel’s great deliverer and lawgiver. His work helps us understand God’s holiness, the Passover, the covenant, and how Jesus brings a greater deliverance from sin.
Where to read: Exodus 1–20 and Deuteronomy 34.
Exodus 3:10“Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.”
Joshua
Who: Moses’ faithful assistant and the leader who followed him.
What he did: He led Israel across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land, including the victory at Jericho.
Why is he important: Joshua demonstrates courageous faith, obedience, and leadership. He helped fulfill God’s promise to give Israel a land.
Where to read: Joshua 1–6 and Joshua 24.
Joshua 1:9“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
David
Who: A shepherd, musician, warrior, psalm writer, and the second king of Israel.
What he did: He defeated Goliath, united Israel, established Jerusalem as the capital, wrote many psalms, and—despite serious failures—repented when confronted with his sin.
Why is he important: David was called a man after God’s own heart. God promised that a lasting King would come through his family line, a promise ultimately fulfilled in Jesus.
Where to read: 1 Samuel 16–31, 2 Samuel, and selected Psalms.
1 Samuel 16:7“For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Esther
Who: A Jewish woman who became queen of Persia while many Jewish people lived there.
What she did: She courageously approached the king without being invited and exposed a plot to destroy her people.
Why is she important: Esther shows how God can place someone in the right position at the right time. Her courage helped save the Jewish people from destruction.
Where to read: Esther 1–10.
Esther 4:14“And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Mary
Who: A young Jewish woman from Nazareth chosen by God to become the mother of Jesus.
What she did: She humbly accepted God’s calling, gave birth to Jesus, cared for Him, and remained present during His ministry and crucifixion.
Why is she important: Mary’s willing obedience placed her in the story of Christ’s coming into the world. She models humility, faith, and submission to God.
Where to read: Luke 1–2, John 2, and John 19:25–27.
Luke 1:38“And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”
Peter
Who: A fisherman whom Jesus called to become one of His twelve apostles.
What he did: He followed Jesus closely, confessed that Jesus is the Christ, denied Jesus during the trial, was restored, and became a leading preacher in the early church.
Why is he important: Peter’s life shows that failure does not have to be the end. Jesus restored him and used him to boldly proclaim the gospel.
Where to read: the four Gospels, Acts 1–12, and 1–2 Peter.
Matthew 16:16“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Paul
Who: A highly trained Jewish leader who first persecuted Christians and was also known as Saul.
What he did: After meeting the risen Jesus, he became an apostle, planted churches, traveled as a missionary, suffered for the gospel, and wrote many New Testament letters.
Why is he important: Paul helped carry the gospel beyond Israel to the Gentile world. His letters explain major Christian truths about grace, faith, salvation, the church, and Christian living.
Where to read: Acts 9–28 and Paul’s New Testament letters from Romans through Philemon.
Acts 9:15“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:”
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