Teaching the Bible chronologically sounds like a great idea—until you actually try to do it.
Suddenly you’re wondering:
- Where do I start?
- Do I need to know all the dates?
- What if my kids ask questions I can’t answer?
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many parents want their children to understand the whole story of the Bible, but feel overwhelmed by the details. Most parents never learned the timeline of the Bible themselves. The good news? Teaching the Bible chronologically doesn’t have to be complicated.
Here’s how to teach the Bible chronologically—without overwhelm. Any parent can teach it, and as a bonus, if you were never taught the timeline of the Bible, you can learn with your children.
When kids learn Bible stories out of order, they often miss how everything fits together. A chronological approach helps them see:
- How events connect over time
- Who comes before and after
- How God’s plan unfolds from Genesis onward
Instead of isolated stories, children begin to understand the big picture of Scripture.
One of the biggest mistakes parents make is trying to teach everything at once.
You don’t need to start with deep theology or long explanations.
Begin with:
- Major people
- Key events
- The overall timeline
Think of it like a map. Once kids know where they are in the story, the details make much more sense later.
Chronological teaching isn’t about memorizing years or exact ages.
It’s simply about understanding:
- What happened first
- What came next
- How people and events relate to one other
Using a simple Bible timeline helps kids visually place events in order—without pressure.
- Make lessons less intimidating
- Help kids remember what they’ve learned
- Keep everyone focused on the big picture
- Its fun
When children can see the story unfold, learning feels easier and more engaging.
Chronological Bible teaching doesn’t have to be a long daily lesson.
Short, consistent lessons work best:
- A few minutes reviewing the timeline
- One key event or story
- A quick discussion or drawing activity
Flexibility matters—especially for busy families.
Repetition builds confidence.
Reviewing the timeline regularly helps kids:
- Remember where they are in the Bible
- Connect new lessons to past ones
- Feel comfortable with Scripture
A quick review can be just as valuable as a new lesson. Reviews are great for days when you want to do Bible but life gets busy or unexpected events are added to your schedule.
You don’t have to plan everything yourself.
With a structured, chronological Bible resource can:
- Save time
- Reduce stress
- Give you confidence as a parent—even if you’re new to the Bible
Look for resources that are open-and-go, visual, and designed for multiple ages.
You don’t need to be a Bible expert to teach Scripture well.
By focusing on the big picture, using visuals, and keeping lessons flexible, you can help your children understand the Bible chronologically—without overwhelm.
Ready to Get Started?
Our Old Testament Overview walks families step-by-step through the Bible timeline using simple lessons, visual timelines, and built-in review.
👉 Explore the Old Testament Overviews and start teaching the Bible chronologically with confidence.
