1. Chronological Reading Plan

, ,

1. Introduction

The Chronological Reading Plan arranges the 66 books of the Bible according to historical timeline, rather than traditional canonical order. For believers familiar with Scripture, this method:

  • Deepens understanding of historical context.
  • Clarifies when prophets ministered relative to kings and events.
  • Strengthens trust in God’s unfolding redemptive plan through real human history.

2. Purpose

  • To see God’s narrative from creation to Christ’s return in temporal sequence.
  • To integrate Old Testament prophecy within their historical settings.
  • To appreciate how each part contributes to the grand story of redemption.

3. Recommended Chronological Reading Order

Phase 1: Creation and Patriarchs

  1. Genesis
  2. Job (lived during patriarchal period)

Phase 2: Exodus and Nation Formation

  1. Exodus
  2. Leviticus
  3. Numbers
  4. Deuteronomy

Phase 3: Conquest and Judges

  1. Joshua
  2. Judges
  3. Ruth

Phase 4: United Monarchy (Saul, David, Solomon)

  1. 1 Samuel
  2. 2 Samuel
  3. 1 Chronicles 10–29 (parallels David’s reign)
  4. Psalms (read alongside David’s life, especially Psalms 3–41, 51–65, 108–110, etc.)
  5. Proverbs
  6. Ecclesiastes
  7. Song of Solomon

Phase 5: Divided Kingdom

  1. 1 Kings
  2. 2 Kings
  3. 2 Chronicles
  4. Prophets during this period:
  • Isaiah (Judah, 8th century BC)
  • Hosea (Israel)
  • Amos (Israel)
  • Micah (Judah)
  • Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah

Phase 6: Exile

  1. Jeremiah
  2. Lamentations
  3. Ezekiel
  4. Daniel

Phase 7: Return and Restoration

  1. Ezra
  2. Haggai
  3. Zechariah
  4. Esther
  5. Nehemiah
  6. Malachi

Phase 8: New Testament – Christ and the Church

  1. Matthew
  2. Mark
  3. Luke
  4. John
  5. Acts

Phase 9: Pauline Epistles (in likely writing order)

  1. James (earliest general epistle)
  2. Galatians
  3. 1 Thessalonians
  4. 2 Thessalonians
  5. 1 Corinthians
  6. 2 Corinthians
  7. Romans
  8. Ephesians
  9. Colossians
  10. Philemon
  11. Philippians
  12. 1 Timothy
  13. Titus
  14. 2 Timothy

Phase 10: General Epistles

  1. 1 Peter
  2. 2 Peter
  3. Hebrews
  4. Jude
  5. 1 John
  6. 2 John
  7. 3 John

Phase 11: Consummation

  1. Revelation

4. Reading Tips

✅ Read 3–4 chapters daily to complete in one year.
✅ Use a timeline chart or Bible atlas to visualise historical flow.
✅ Take note of fulfilled prophecies and how each era prepares for Christ.
✅ Journal reflections on God’s faithfulness across generations.

5. Practical Application

This plan builds confidence in Scripture’s reliability and shows the unity of God’s story despite diverse authors and centuries. It demonstrates that:

  • God is sovereign over history.
  • Promises unfold progressively, culminating in Christ.
  • Your life today fits into the same unbroken redemptive plan.

Home