Here are 15 reasons to love these unique chronological Bible studies. Ready?
1. All of the Word of God is Covered in the Bible studies
Other Chronological Bible Studies focus on Scriptures that advance the general theme of the Bible. These are unique in that they cover the whole Bible, not just selected passages. Get your free chronological Bible reading guide. The entire Bible is important to understand, even Scriptures like Leviticus, which might be considered hard to comprehend, or insignificant in the overall narrative.
2. These Unique Chronological Bible Studies respect the intent of each author’s message.
To be exact, many chronological Bible reading plans rearrange the Scriptures to an extreme. There is not much respect for each Bible message’s intent, the text becomes fragmented, and the theme is often lost. This is a criticism of chronological Bibles and reading plans.
Other chronological Bibles and reading plans are arranged according to themes and not actual chronology. They are removed from their original narrative and purpose. As an example, John 1 is paired with Genesis 1. The theme is similar, but the purpose of the original writings is not.
In contrast, these Unique Chronological Bible Studies try to keep the themes of each Scripture passage intact. Whenever possible, movement to a parallel Scripture occurs at a natural break in a narrative. This respects the intent of each author’s message and helps cohesiveness.
3. You can use your own Bible with this special reading plan!
You may have an emotional attachment to your favorite book and resist trying something new. Great news! You don’t have to purchase a chronological Bible to use. With these unique chronological Bible studies, each corresponding reading enables you to follow the passages in your Bible without excessive flipping back and forth through pieces of Scripture passages.
But, if you want to make it easier, you can follow the Go to today’s Bible reading links on each Bible study.They will take you to Bible Gateway, the free source that lets you choose whatever Bible version suits you.
Signup today for daily emails and receive your free chronological Bible reading guides.
4. A Chronological Study of the Bible is Illuminating
What do I mean by that? A chronological study of the Bible provides a context or background for poetry, prophecy, and other writings. When we understand that, suddenly a light turns on; we get it!
What we can learn about Poetry
The Psalms were not written in a vacuum. We can better discern their meaning by understanding the circumstances that prompted their writing. Each song was composed for a reason. Sometimes that reason is unknown, and the placement is arbitrary according to the theme. Still, most of the time, the chronology of each Psalm can be determined.
Perhaps the Psalmist cried out to God in a life-threatening situation. Was the Psalm written by David when he was being chased by King Saul or by his own son, Absalom?
If it is a conscience-stricken, remorseful song, what was the occasion for tears and heart-wrenching, soul-searching lyrics?
If it was a song of rejoicing, what was the occasion? The Israelites’ ascension to Jerusalem for one of their feasts or for another reason? When we understand the reason for the writing of each Psalm, we can sympathize with the composer and correctly interpret it.
What can we learn about the prophecies of the Bible?
How can we best understand what prompted their messages? Why not put the prophet’s message beside the events that motivated him to write (usually found in the books of Kings and Chronicles)? By doing this, our understanding is greatly enhanced. Sure, we can rely on commentaries, but why not put them together and let the Scriptures speak for themselves?
And, how are the future events which they prophesy to be interpreted? We must first examine them in their native context. Sometimes, two or more Biblical prophets lived in the same period of history (as in the cases of Jeremiah and Ezekiel or some of the minor prophets). They often wrote of the same events. Why not place them side by side to help us properly understand their meaning or interpretation? Then, we can coordinate them with other relevant Scriptures.
5. These Chronological Bible Studies are User-Friendly
They’re Flexible
The Bible studies are intended to be completed in one year but may be completed earlier or later. Because they’re arranged by day of the year instead of the calendar date, there’s flexibility.
They’re Easy
The text arrangement is easy on the eyes, with bold subheadings and white space, no long, seemingly unending paragraphs to read. Each lesson is informative, concise, and completed in five to eight minutes. You have that much time, don’t you?
6. The Bible studies are Simply Explained and Meaningful
In each lesson, the meaning of the text is simply explained, and theological words are simplified. It is easy to just pass over theological terms, confused about their meaning. Now readers can understand their significance, and explaining them in simple terminology gives a fresh perspective.
While each Bible study has been carefully researched, it is not primarily an academic study; it seeks to connect God’s truth to your life. Real-life applications are suggested throughout the lessons.
7. A chronological study of the Bible unwraps the mystery
The Jewish people to whom the Scriptures were written knew their history. For the most part, they also knew how the poetical and prophetical writings contributed to it. However, new or typical church attenders do not understand much of this or how it applies to them in today’s world.
These Unique Bible studies easily explain the texts and their relationships to one another and suggest legitimate applications of God’s Word.
8. These unique chronological Bible studies help prevent misinterpretation and application.
Since many are confused about the Old Testament, they prefer to read the New Testament. Occasionally, they may look for a verse in the Old Testament to prove their point; however, they do not know the context or to whom it is addressed. This can lead to harmful teaching or dangerous conclusions.
However, in principle, many Old Testament Scriptures apply to us because the Bible says all Scripture is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16). This demonstrates a need for a chronological understanding of Scripture texts.
These Unique Chronological Bible Studies help the reader understand each Scripture text’s meaning, to whom it directly applies, and what principles non-Jewish people may use.
9. Chronological Bibles help Christians understand and explain the entire gospel message
They begin with who God is and what he is like. This is where we must start in today’s society—many know little to nothing about God and the Bible. Then we see the struggles and inability of humanity to please God while becoming more and more corrupt. We see God’s judgment and his mercy in seemingly countless episodes from the flood to the Jews’ return from exile. Time after time, he delivers his people from oppressive enemies.
Next, God sends his Son, Jesus, into the world to save all of us from our greatest oppression, sin. Jesus heals many people, is betrayed, and dies by crucifixion for our sins. Three days later, he is raised from the dead and offers us forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life. He returns to heaven, but later, he will come back to correct every wrong and reign on his throne as king. The devil will finally be defeated, and genuine believers in Christ will live in eternal bliss.
10. You can learn more when you study a larger body of text in these chronological Bible studies
You have heard of the saying, “you can’t see the forest for the trees,” haven’t you? Many sermons or Bible studies will focus on just a few verses of Bible text, and you may have little idea of the context. Whenever you study a larger body of Scripture, you can see why something fits and how particular verses fit into the overall narrative. This is an eye-opening experience.
11. These chronological Bible studies provide useful tools: maps, timelines, chronological notes, charts, and pictures
This provides an understanding of each day’s Bible reading background and chronology. Many Bible passages make a point of mentioning dates, people, and circumstances. When these are compared with world history timelines, they help confirm the trustworthiness of God’s Word.
12. These Unique Chronological Bible studies are great for discipleship, small groups, and personal use.
- Be awestruck as you read about the world’s creation and God’s redemptive plan.
- Learn how the Psalms fit into the life of David and the history of Israel.
- See how the prophets influenced the kings and people of Israel and Judah.
- Witness the life of Christ as all four gospels are woven together into one unforgettable story.
- Travel along with the Apostle Paul as the early church struggles and expands worldwide.
- Draw encouragement from the early apostles’ writings as they were persecuted and learn how to win in the end!
- Get to know God from the very beginning. You will see how people interacted with God and each other and see how they struggled just like you. You will soon discern what applies to Israel and how God’s Word applies to your life. What you learn can change your life forever.
13. It makes sense to study the Bible chronologically, and it is important to God.
In the Old Testament, a chronological approach begins with God’s creation of everything in the heavens and earth. Afterward, there is a historical sequence of events from the earliest civilizations’ development through Israel’s destruction and deportation from their land. This 4,000 year period covers the books of Genesis–Esther (the Kings and Chronicles occurring in the same era). The poetic books— Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon are, for the most part, not sequential because of the genre.
The events and prophecies in the major and minor prophets, Isaiah–Malachi, are generally in order but have many exceptions because of their type of literature.
In the New Testament, Luke writes to Theophilus (a highly respected man), a chronological account of Jesus’ life. After this, Luke shares the history of Christ’s ministry through the apostles and church leaders (the book of Acts). He records the adventures as they happened. Still, because today’s church attenders do not know the culture or language recorded 2,000 years ago, they need help.
Jesus said to his disciples after his resurrection
These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me (Luke 24:44).
Therefore, Jesus was saying the Old Testament is essential to know and understand. That is best done chronologically.
The Apostle Paul states that the Law (meaning Genesis–Deuteronomy) is our tutor to faith (Galatians 3:24-25). We can know God’s essence and character, man’s nature, and why there was a need for Christ’s sacrifice if we read the first five books of a standard Bible.
Furthermore, we can know about our adversary, the devil, and his deceptive ways.
We can learn about God’s covenants and future plans for Israel and the rest of the world when studying the Old Testament.
The book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ has many Old Testament prophecies that will be fulfilled. The Old Testament gives us some understanding of coming events.
If the chronology of the Scriptures is important to God, it should be for Christ-followers. If that seems good to you, Join us!
These Unique Chronological Bible Studies help new and typical church attendees better understand the Scriptures and how it relates to them.
14. You will receive a comparable education to a first-year Bible college student.
In fact, it will probably be a better education; these unique chronological Bible studies cover the content themes of every Bible book. Supplemental material is also added for more insights.
15. The online version is totally free.
Don’t let that stop you. Free, in this case, doesn’t mean junk. Each Bible study has been thoroughly researched and is quality through and through.
The mission for these unique chronological Bible studies is to help us understand the Word of God. In this way, we can learn how to have a personal relationship with the God of heaven and enjoy him forever. The Lord wants to give each of us spiritual light and life, joy and peace, and forgiveness and victory over our sins. And though it cost him the life of his Son, Jesus, God offers salvation to us, personally and totally free.
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