The Narrated Bible in Chronological Order

We recommend using The Narrated Bible in the Heart of Wisdom Unit Study lessons for several reasons. Mainly because I personally have had such success reading this aloud with this bible my children. It reads like a storybook. Before you know it we have read several chapters or even a whole book in one setting! The narrated text give background information that clarifies the passages. I also use it for narration. You need an modern-day English Bible if you plan using the Bible for narration and copy work (language mechanics, spelling, etc.) And...

1. The central text is composed entirely of Scripture.

2. The narrative commentary is written in such a way as to be part of an unfolding story.

3. This chronological arrangement will help readers see how various Scriptures fit with each other and with their historical settings.

4. Modern English is familiar and easy to understand. Many have remarked how easy it is to read through several books of the Bible in one sitting with this story format.

5. The text in the Narrated Bible can be used for dictation and copying lessons, (teaching handwriting, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation) because it is written in everyday English.

6. The layout of the book is ideal for teaching students how to outline. Each section includes excellent titles and subtitles that give a concise overview of the theme.

7. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon are divided thematically. Topic examples: Discipline, Temper, Patience, Greed, Flattery, Controlled Speech, Wealth, Poverty, etc. We have created a Cause and Effect worksheet to use with these readings.

8. Helpful background information is included--narrative commentary -- in a separate and distinct typeface and color.

The Narrated Bible rearranges the Scripture chronologically in the order in which the biblical events occurred, and the text is tied together with narrative commentary. It is neither a re-translation nor a paraphrase. The central text is composed entirely of Scripture using the New International Version. Narrative commentary has been set out in a distinctive type but is written to integrate with most Scriptures in such a way that it is part of an unfolding story. For the most part, the narration is written in the present tense in order to heighten the reader’s sense of involvement in the lives of those who sought to know God.

Consistent with the events recorded in Genesis and the first part of Exodus, the text flows rather naturally through the period of early mankind and the patriarchs and on down to the establishment of Israel as a nation in the wilderness. At that point, the events recorded in Ecclesiastes, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy are consistently rearranged. The historical text is given first, without the inclusion of the Law of Moses. The laws are then presented in the form of a unified legal code by subject matter. Thereafter, the text once again flows naturally through the conquest of Canaan in the period of the Judges.

The historical record leads on to King David, at which point 112 Psalms are presented in five dramatic groupings within the historical record of King Solomon. The Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon are set forth in the appropriate context. The Proverbs are rearranged by topic, and Ecclesiastes is presented in an order suggested by logical thought progression.

The events of the divided Kingdom are presented chronologically with alternating references to events in both Israel and Judea. To prevent confusion, the repetitive verses in Samuel, the Kings, and the Chronicles are consolidated. Throughout the rearranged text, various Prophets are inserted where they come on the scene. The writings of the Prophets who ministered over long periods of time, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, are broken up according to textual or other compelling indications.

When the Scriptures record the events and prophecies of the period of exile, the Book of Job is set forth as a study in the problem of suffering, as are ten Psalms expressing the despair of this period. During the restoration period of Ezra and Nehemiah, the final eleven Psalms are included along with the remaining Prophets. The section concludes with some of the official records of Israel.

The next section covers the intertestamental period. Here a brief summary of events in the Old Testament is given, followed by a summary of the writings of the Apocrypha. Also included are historical sketches of the dispersion and the influence of Hellenism and Roman rule on the Jews and their evolving religious practices.

In the New Testament, the four gospels are integrated into one chronologically arranged presentation; repetitive passages have been harmonized in such a way to preserve the overall readability of the material. The book of Acts is then set forth, with Paul’s epistles inserted at such places as judged to be the appropriate context. The remaining epistles and the Book of Revelation follow in logical order.

Throughout the presentation of scripture, chapter and verse designations are placed in the margin for easy reference. Boldface references indicate passages that are actually shown in the text. Lightface references indicate parallel passages that were duplications of the text presented. Where repetitive text is mixed together, every scriptural thought is preserved in at least one of the practices actually shown. In addition, by the use of the elevated book abbreviations, the text itself will indicate which book is being presented at the time. Where the verses are rearranged in chronological order, the punctuation format of the New International Version has been left unaltered.

Order of the OT Books in Various Cannons

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