Have you ever considered reading the Bible in chronological order? Some of you might be saying, ‘ I’ve never even considered reading the Bible in regular order. ’ Or you might say, ‘I thought the Bible was already in chronological order.’
In any event, I want to go on record as saying that reading the Bible chronologically is my absolute favorite way to read it. I will probably continue to use that method until God takes me to glory!
I know many people struggle with reading and understanding the Bible in general. So, in this post, I will explain why reading the Bible in chronological order is the best way to better understand the full story of Scripture and how to get started.
Canonical Order vs. Chronological Order
The Bible was written over a period of 1600 years by approximately 40 different authors (kings, prophets, leaders, apostles, and followers of God).
It is a collection of 66 books divided into two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The Bible, in its entirety, is one grand, interconnected historical narrative that outlines the creation of mankind, our struggle with sin, and God’s ultimate plan for redemption.
Only God, in His sovereignty, could divinely inspire the composition of His Word through so many different writers over so many years and still have all of its contents flow together as one historical masterpiece.
I marvel at the fact that Scripture has been preserved throughout history and that even today, in 2025, it is the most distributed book in the world!
Canonical Order
The church fathers of the 4th century were the first to use the term canon in reference to the Bible.
The word canon comes from the Greek word kanon, which means reed or measuring rod. In Christian usage, it means norm or rule of faith.
All standard Bibles are printed in what we call “canonical” order (from Genesis to Revelation), in which the sixty-six books are grouped by genre. The genre distinctions signal changes in content, writing style, and purpose.
Old Testament:
- Books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy)
- History (Joshua through Esther)
- Poetry and Wisdom (Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, and Lamentations)
- Prophecy (Isaiah through Malachi)
New Testament:
- The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)
- History (Acts)
- Letters of Paul/Pauline Epistles (Romans through Philemon)
- General Letters (Hebrews through Jude)
- Prophecy/Apocalyptic (Revelation)
Chronological Order
Because the Bible’s canonical order groups the sixty books by genre, it does not reflect the chronological sequence in which the various events occurred.
A chronological bible prints the contents of the books in a reading order that is in accordance with the actual sequence of events in which they occurred in history.
For instance, you can read a psalm written by David along with the event that was occurring in David’s life when he actually wrote the psalm. Or you can read a prophecy written in light of what was going on in Israel’s history at the time in which the prophets actually lived and wrote.
Why Should I Read the Bible in Chronological Order?
There are five key benefits to reading the bible in chronological order.
It Enhances Our General Understanding of Scripture
When we watch a movie or read a book, we want to start at the beginning and continue to the end. Reading the Bible chronologically places the biblical events in a way that causes the text to read like a story we can better understand.
Grasping a narrative or one specific biblical principle is good, but understanding how all the accounts of the Bible are tied together and what they mean as one cohesive record is even better, as it will paint a picture of God’s plan and purpose for mankind.
If reading the Bible, in general, has always been difficult for you, then reading chronologically is the absolute best way to help it all make a lot more sense.
It Helps Us Understand the Historical Context of Our Christian Faith
The Bible is NOT just a book of stories and rules. We often overlook the fact that our Christian faith is built upon the Bible, which is the divinely inspired Word of God. Without it, we wouldn’t know about our spiritual heritage or how God wants us to live.
Reading the Bible in chronological order will help us better understand the important details of the origin and history of our faith – something every true Christian should want to know.
It Helps Give Us an Even Clearer Picture of Who God Is
God’s character is progressively revealed throughout the Bible. We don’t fully get to know someone upon meeting them for the first time or after a few visits. Nor do we fully understand God by only reading pieces of Scripture. Reading and studying the Bible chronologically will help provide clarity and a fuller comprehension of who God really is.
Trust me, many of the things we think we know about God and some of the characteristics that we have created in our minds about Him will quickly dissolve once you read through the entirety of Scripture.
Whether you realize it or not, what you believe about God impacts how you view everything else in life – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
It Brings Scripture to Life in a New Way
Reading the Bible in the order of events that took place offers a fresh perspective and brings the scriptures to life in a new way.
I don’t know about you, but there were times when I found reading certain parts of the Bible to be boring (e.g., genealogies, instructions for building the Tabernacle, confusing prophecies, etc.).
Reading the Bible in chronological order helps bring even those boring parts to life, as it gives them more meaning in the story’s overarching narrative. When you better understand the purpose of the various texts at the time they were written, you will better appreciate all their contents.
Note: some parts may still be boring, LOL, but at least you will better understand why God had them record such meticulous details.
It Helps to Connect the Bible Together as a Whole
Reading the Bible chronologically helps you see the big picture of the story. It connects the individual stories within the individual books together as one comprehensive historical narrative.
Many Christians just think of the Bible as ancient texts. However, in reality, the bible documents actual history from the beginning of time – something no other history book does!
Yes, the flood actually happened. Yes, Noah built an ark. Yes, Moses parted the Red Sea. Yes, the walls of Jericho really did fall down. Yes, the Israelites really made animal sacrifices.
In the same way that we have museums for other aspects of history, we also have museums, artifacts, other archaeological evidence, and actual landmarks in Israel today that support and confirm the events of the Bible!
And the story is still ongoing because some prophecies are yet to be fulfilled! We are still living in history (His story – God’s story)!
How to Read the Bible in Chronological Order
If you have read through the bible before and are used to reading through Scripture cover to cover, reading chronologically may seem a bit strange at first. However, I promise you, as you read, the story will naturally begin to unfold in a new light.
In this section, I will cover the three main ways to read the bible chronologically and some tips for success.
Three Ways to Read the Bible Chronologically
You can read the bible in chronological order by using a chronological bible, a chronological reading plan, or a chronological app/podcast.
Please NOTE: all chronological Bibles and reading plans are NOT the same!
Theoretically, all chronological Bible reading plans would be the same. However, since we don’t have precise knowledge about the timing of every single element of the Bible, there will be some differences. Chronological Bibles are the best attempt by biblical scholars at arranging the books in chronological order based on when they were written.
For example there are Psalms, for example, that don’t list authors, so we have no way of knowing when they were written. For the New Testament books, we don’t know for sure who wrote Hebrews. It is also unknown as to when the book of Job was written. Although due to compelling evidence it is widely believed that he lived during the time of the patriarchs.
Despite the differences, all chronological Bibles and reading plans are very similar, and they all aim to present the texts in the order in which they occurred.
Use a Chronological Bible
A Chronological Bible is one that is already pre-arranged in chronological order (based on the scholars behind the production of the specific bible).
Note: It is important to note that a chronological Bible does NOT change any of the content of a standard Bible. It simply arranges the content in a different order.
What is the best chronological Bible?
Because I have personally utilized this method several times over the years, I will give you my top recommendations:
The One Year Chronological Bible (NIV)
The Daily Bible in Chronological Order (NLT)
Use a Chronological Bible Reading Plan
While having a chronological Bible is great, you don’t have to go out and purchase one in order to read through the Bible in chronological order. You can simply use a chronological reading plan or chart along with a standard bible. The difference is you will be flipping back and forth daily to get to the reading of the day.
You can find plans that fit your pace, whether you want to read through the entire Bible in a year or two years or spread it out over a more extended period.
Here are links to my top recommendations for chronological reading plans:
Note: if you want to spread it out over an extended period of time, simply pick a plan and just check off the list as you complete it, regardless of the timeframe.
Use a Chronological Bible Reading App/Podcast
Because I drive for Uber during the day, podcasts have been the main way in which I consume content for the last few years. I have been listening to the Daily Audio Bible Chronological Podcast, as well as a separate podcast that recaps the daily readings by highlighting all the key things.
If you are an auditory learner or prefer listening to the Bible being read, then this method is for you! The links are listed below for your convenience:
Note: for the apps and podcasts, you can download and listen wherever you currently get your apps/podcasts through (Google Play, iTunes, Spotify, Podbean)
Tips for Success
As you read, be prepared for some parts to be more interesting than others. Be prepared to still NOT fully understand it all. But also, be ready to continue reading no matter what. Here are four key tips to help you succeed:
- Choose an easy-to-read version: I recommend using any of these three versions of the Bible for your chronological reading – the English Standard Version (ESV), the New International Version (NIV), or the New Living Translation (NLT).
- Take your time: Reading the Bible in chronological order isn’t a race. Allow yourself time to reflect on what you’re reading and how it connects with other parts of Scripture. The point is to read consistently and become familiar with the overall story. The Bible is inexhaustible, which means you will never learn all there is to know. That’s why you can read through the bible over and over and still learn new things each time!
- Journal your journey: Keep a journal of insights, questions, and personal reflections as you go through the Bible. It can be a meaningful way to track your spiritual growth.
- Read in community/discuss with others: Consider reading with a group or sharing your insights with friends. Bible study groups can help you gain different perspectives and deepen your understanding. For the last two years my father, who is also my pastor, has been reading in chronological order as well, and we have discussions about our reading all the time. Also, the two podcasts I mentioned earlier each have welcoming Christian communities online (Facebook and/or Instagram) that you can join.
- Use study aids: I recommend that your first trip through Scripture be a simple reading to take in the content, whether you understand it or not. However, if you have read through the Bible before (in any order) and you want to further enhance your next trip through Scripture as you read chronologically, consider using study aids such as maps, timelines, and commentaries to better understand the historical and cultural context of each passage. The Chronological Life Application Study Bible is an excellent choice.
Start Reading the Bible in Chronological Order Today!
The Bible is the very Word of God. It is the book on which our Christian faith is built, how we get to know and grow closer to God, and the guide for our Christian journey:
- Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Matthew 4:4 NIV
- Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8
- Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
I don’t know about you, but if I put my faith in something to the point where I decide to live my entire life by its standards, then at some point, I will want to read the book on which it is all based—at least once.
Reading the Bible chronologically is the best way to get started. It can deepen your understanding of God’s plan and how His promises have unfolded across history. It’s an adventure through time that connects the dots and reveals the full scope of God’s story—from creation to redemption. And it even gives a glimpse into the eternal glory that is yet to come!
Get started today. It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is or what month it is. Just pick a method (get a Chronological bible, download a chronological reading plan that you can use with a standard bible, or start listening to a daily chronological bible reading podcast. Start reading and tracking your progress! And even if you miss a day here and there, don’t quit until you finish.
Let me know in the comments if you have ever read through the bible before, which chronological method you will try, and when you’re planning to start.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Demetra is a busy, self-employed, single mom who loves Jesus and is a fanatic about prioritizing her time with God! She created In the Mirror of God to help other Christian women learn how regularly looking into our spiritual mirror (the Bible) equips us to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, think biblically about everything, conquer the challenges of everyday life, and truly enjoy life to the fullest, the way God intended. Go here to learn more about her story, or visit her contact page to send a quick message.
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