Senior Living News

What Does Reading the Bible in Chronological Order Mean?

The information in most modern Bibles is not presented in chronological order — meaning in order of the date events took place. For example, the timelines in 1 and 2 Kings parallel those in 1 and 2 Chronicles, which means you read about a time period and then read about it again. The same thing happens in other parts of the Bible, including the four gospel books, which each give an account of the ministry of Jesus.

When you read the Bible in chronological order, you follow the events in historical sequence rather than how they're typically organized. You still start "In the beginning..." in Genesis 1:1. You still end with the book of Revelation. In between, you follow a path that's different from a traditional Bible read-through.

Benefits of Reading the Bible in Chronological Order

By reading the Bible in chronological order, you can enjoy benefits such as:

• A better understanding of biblical events. Studying the Bible as a historical text — and taking the events it recounts in the order they occurred — helps you better understand when various things happened and how they related to each other. For example, some of the books of prophecy are better understood when you read them just after reading about the historical events the prophets lived through.
• More context for teachings. The wisdom of Scripture is often conveyed via story. By reading the story in order, you have a better foundation for understanding the metaphors and references used to convey that wisdom.
• Improved connections with God's story. A chronological understanding of the biblical text lets you gain a better sense of the purpose God has within the story and how his plan underlies it all.
• Fresh motivation to read the entire Bible. For older adults of faith, reading the Bible may have become a tired habit — something checked off the to-do list daily but not really engaged with. Changing how you read the Bible could refresh your habit and help you engage more deeply with Scripture again.
  
  

Tips for Reading the Bible in Chronological Order

‍Want to give a chronological read-through of the Bible a try but not sure where to start? Consider incorporating some of the tips below.  

‍Choose a Plan That Works for You

‍You'll need a road map for this project, as sorting out a chronological read-through can get complex. For example, where do you incorporate each of the Psalms, and how do you break the four gospel accounts into a chronological time line? You can purchase chronological lists of the chapters of the Bible, buy a reading plan or follow along in an app. YouVersion's Bible app offers chronological plans to help you read through the Bible in a year.

Once you have a road map, decide how long your journey should take. Many lists and apps break the Bible into sections you should read each day so you can complete your read-through in 1 year. However, you don't have to follow that guidance exactly. Be realistic about how much you can read daily or if you'll keep up a daily reading habit. You might decide that you want to finish a chronological reading of the Bible in 3 years or that you'll just start today and read a little bit until you're done — however long it takes.

‍Opt for a Large-Print or Audio Bible

‍Make your Bible-reading time as enjoyable as possible. If the tiny writing in your old family Bible is no longer friendly on your eyes, consider investing in a large-print version. You can also download several versions of the Bible for free on digital devices or read on apps like YouVersion. Reading the Bible via an app gives you the option to enlarge the font as needed. Plus, you can switch versions of the Bible at any time to get a different reading experience.

Another option is to listen to the Bible. YouVersion offers audio for several versions of the Bible, making it easy to relax as the Scriptures are read to you.

‍Pair Reading With Devotional Time

‍Avoid making a chronological Bible reading habit something you simply check off your to-do list daily. Pair your Bible reading with prayer and devotional time to ensure you dig into the meaning of the Scripture and how it might apply to you in this season of life.

‍Take Notes as You Read

‍One way to slow down and savor the Scriptures is to journal or take notes as you read. Keep a notebook to record your thoughts, or invest in a new journaling Bible that has plenty of space in the margins.

‍Read With a Friend for Accountability

‍One of the great things about choosing a faith-based assisted living or independent living community like those in the Bethesda Senior Living Communities family is that you can meet like-minded residents. Wherever you live, though, consider finding a friend to read the Bible with. Discussing what you read can help you understand it better.