For years I have wanted to read the Bible chronologically. I’m not sure why I waited so long. Maybe it seemed a bit overwhelming or something I was afraid I would start and not finish. Either way, I am so thankful I decided to give it a try.
Have you ever been to Israel? I haven’t (yet!) but I hope to go one day. People say that visiting the places where Jesus walked & talked really makes the Bible come alive. Reading the Bible chronologically had a similar effect for me. It really made the pages of Scripture come to life as I read everything in order from start to finish!
It also made it easier to stay consistent in God’s Word each day. The Bible I read from was laid out in a one-year plan. Now, I didn’t complete it in one year. It actually took me closer to two years. But my goal in reading it wasn’t to rush through and mark it off my list. I really wanted to understand and learn from what I was reading! But I love that the plan was laid out for me and I knew which book and/or chapters to read each day. I remember in high school, sometimes I would randomly open the Bible and read whatever it landed on! Have you ever done that? 😂 I have also been selective in specific books of the Bible I like to read and avoiding some of the more difficult ones. Reading through this plan ensured that I read the Bible in its entirety and in order of events. It really helped me better understand the context and transition from one book to the next. And I loved reading some of the Psalms that David penned in accordance with his life events. How cool is that?
There were so many different things I learned from reading Scripture this way. Whether it was a better understanding of the Bible, a refresh on specific stories, or getting to know the characters more intimately, I really feel that my knowledge and understanding of Scripture increased. But not only that! The Lord is faithful to work in our hearts and His Word does not return void. In fact, Hebrews 4:10 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Reading Scripture is a powerful way that we can hear from the Lord as He speaks to us through His Word. It brings comfort, peace, direction, and conviction. His Word is truth. And it’s truth that we must know & stand on in a world that proclaims the opposite.
The overall theme in Scripture is Jesus. Everything from creation to the cross to eternity points to Him. Sure, there are many wonderful Bible characters and their stories are powerful examples for us today. But they still always point to a greater story… the story of Jesus! It really is all about Him and the plan of salvation. The sooner we grasp that, the sooner we will realize just how blessed we are to be a part of His story!
So how about it? Are you ready to read God’s Word in the order that the events took place? I purchased a Bible that was already laid out in chronological order but that isn’t necessary. You can read chronologically from whatever Bible you already have at home. I have attached a chronological plan below if you are looking for one to follow! The YouVersion app also has several different plans to choose from if you want to read from your phone or tablet. Whatever plan you choose, remember to go at your own pace. It’s better to take your time and really comprehend what you are reading rather than to just fly through it! I’ll be starting again on January 1st and I would love to have you join me! Just click here for a plan to follow and download it. Make sure to leave a comment to let me know you’ll be joining me, and get ready to read God’s Word in a new & refreshing way. I promise, you won’t regret it!
If you have already read through the Bible chronologically, I would love to hear your thoughts and/or what you learned through the process! And if you don’t mind, please share this post so others might be encouraged to dig deeper into God’s Word! Happy holiday season, friends!
That She May Know 