How to Use Timeline Reviews to Boost Student Retention of Bible Lessons

Written by Dianna Wiebe on October 25, 2024.

Teaching the Bible timeline to your students is essential, but ensuring they remember it is just as important! Regular timeline reviews help make those dates, events, and stories stick. Here are some effective ways to do timeline reviews with your students:

1. Point and Identify

Start by asking students to point to a specific spot on the timeline.

Example: “Point to ______________ (character/event).” This helps reinforce their visual and spatial memory, making it easier to recall events during lessons.

2. Connect with Verses

Link characters or events to relevant Bible verses.

Example: “Which verse relates to ________________?” This reinforces key scriptures and ties together timelines and biblical text, giving students a well-rounded understanding.

3. Quick Fact Rounds

Encourage students to take turns sharing a fact about an event or character.

“Can you name a fact about ________________?” This quick exercise challenges students to recall details and helps reinforce learning as they hear others’ responses.

4. Sequence Practice: Before and After

Ask students what happened just before or after a chosen event.

“What happened before _______________?”
“What happened after _________________?” Understanding sequence is key for making sense of Bible history, and this keeps the storyline cohesive in their minds.

5. Memory Challenge

Encourage them to recall everything they know about a specific event.

“How many facts can you name about ___________?” Adding on to each other’s answers makes this activity interactive and lets students build on their classmates’ responses.

6. For Older Students: Focus on Dates

For older or more advanced students, quiz them on dates of significant events.

“When did _____________ take place?” Dates anchor events in history and provide context for other major historical and biblical happenings.

7. Match the Bible Book

Help students identify which book of the Bible covers specific events.

“Where in the Bible is ___________ mentioned?” This encourages familiarity with the Bible’s structure and themes, helping students quickly locate and connect stories.

Why Timeline Reviews Matter

Timelines are more than just dates on paper. They help students see the Bible as a narrative of real people and real events. Timeline reviews are a fantastic way to gauge what your students remember and show you where more reinforcement may be needed. Plus, it can be genuinely rewarding as you see their excitement grow with each review, knowing they’re absorbing these stories deeply.

By weaving in timeline reviews as regular activities, you create an engaging and effective way to reinforce Bible lessons. Watching your students confidently recall people, events, and scripture makes all the preparation worthwhile!