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How to Use the Biblical Calendar with Kids

Written by Dianna Wiebe on .

Did you know the calendar we use today isn’t the one used in Bible times? Helping your kids understand this fact can be a fun way to introduce the biblical calendar. It is important for us to learn about the biblical calendar because it helps make the Bible more understandable. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using the biblical calendar with kids, starting with a little history.

Step 1: Understanding the Current Calendar

Begin by explaining how we got our modern calendar. Known as the Gregorian calendar, it was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII to correct inaccuracies of the previous Julian calendar. It’s based on the sun’s cycle and divides the year into 12 months. While this calendar helps us track seasons and holidays, it’s not the one used in the Bible.

Step 2: Discovering the Biblical Calendar

The biblical calendar, also called the Hebrew or Jewish calendar, is primarily based on the moon’s cycles. Each month begins with the new moon, and there are 12 or 13 months in a year. Unlike our modern calendar, the biblical calendar is tied to God’s appointed times (festivals) and significant events recorded in the Bible. It’s a mix of lunar and solar cycles, with periodic months added to the year to keep the seasons aligned with the same months.

Step 3: Comparing the Two Calendars

Use visuals or charts to compare the Gregorian calendar with the biblical calendar. For example:

  • January in our calendar might align with the biblical month of Tevet or Shevat.
  • Show how biblical holidays like Passover fall in the spring but don’t have a fixed date on our calendar.

This helps kids see how the two systems work differently and why we might use one over the other today. The Grapevine 2025 Calendar shows both the Gregorian and Hebrew Calendar dates.

Step 4: Exploring Key Dates and Events

Introduce key dates and events from the Bible that align with the biblical calendar.

For example:

  • Passover (Nisan 14)
  • Feast of Tabernacles (Tishrei 15-22)
  • Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Feast of First Fruits, Nissan 16
  • Christian Calendar is celebrated 50 days after Easter on the Gregorian Calendar

Showing how these dates align on our calendars can help us frequently remember God’s work in the past and His promises to be with us in our day.

Step 5: Using the Biblical Calendar at Home or in Class

Make the biblical calendar come alive for kids by incorporating it into their daily routines or lessons. Here are a few ideas:

  1. Create a Calendar Together: Use a printable biblical calendar (like our 2025 Printable Biblical Calendar) and add key biblical events or family milestones.
  2. Track the New Moon: Go outside to observe the moon and discuss how it marks the beginning of a new month.
  3. Celebrate Biblical Feasts: Plan simple celebrations for Passover, Pentecost, or Tabernacles.
  4. Connect Modern Dates to Biblical Ones: Use stickers or notes to show where biblical dates align with today’s calendar.
  5. Learn Memory Verses by Month: Assign a verse related to an event that occurs on the calendar and try to memorize it over the month.

Step 6: Reflecting on Why It Matters

Wrap up your activities by helping kids understand why the biblical calendar is important. It connects us to God’s measurement of time to the biblical stories. The calendar helps to teach us about His timing, and shows how His plan unfolds through history.

By using the biblical calendar, you’re giving kids a hands-on way to see the Bible come to life. They’ll not only learn history but also develop a deeper appreciation for God’s design and timing. Ready to get started? Download a biblical calendar, grab your kids, and start exploring!

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