Creation & Beginnings
The Beginning
Creation of the World
God creates the heavens, the earth, light, sky, seas, vegetation, celestial bodies, sea creatures, animals, and mankind in six days.
The Garden of Eden
God places Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, giving them dominion over creation but forbidding them from eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge.
The Fall of Man
The serpent tempts Eve, and both she and Adam eat the forbidden fruit. They are expelled from the Garden of Eden, introducing sin and death into the world.
Cain and Abel
Adam and Eve's sons bring offerings to God. God favors Abel's offering, and Cain murders his brother in jealousy — the first murder in Scripture.
The Great Flood
God sends a catastrophic flood to cleanse the earth of wickedness, instructing Noah to build an ark to preserve his family and pairs of every animal.
Tower of Babel
Humanity attempts to build a tower reaching heaven. God confuses their language and scatters them across the earth, creating the world's diverse languages.
The Patriarchs
~2100–1800 BC
The Call of Abraham
God calls Abram to leave his homeland and go to Canaan, promising to make him a great nation and to bless all peoples through him.
God's Covenant with Abraham
God makes a formal covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants as numerous as the stars and granting his offspring the land of Canaan.
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
God destroys the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone due to their extreme wickedness. Lot and his daughters escape, but his wife looks back and becomes a pillar of salt.
Birth of Isaac
Sarah gives birth to Isaac in her old age, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham. Isaac becomes the child of the covenant.
The Binding of Isaac
God tests Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. Abraham obeys, but God provides a ram as a substitute at the last moment.
Jacob and Esau
Isaac's twin sons struggle from birth. Jacob deceives his father to steal Esau's blessing, then flees to Haran where he wrestles with God and is renamed Israel.
Joseph Sold into Slavery
Jacob's favorite son Joseph is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. He is taken to Egypt where he rises from prison to become second-in-command to Pharaoh.
Israel Settles in Egypt
A severe famine drives Jacob's family to Egypt, where Joseph provides for them. Pharaoh grants them the land of Goshen, beginning Israel's 400-year sojourn in Egypt.
Exodus & Conquest
~1446–1400 BC
Birth of Moses
Born during Pharaoh's decree to kill Hebrew male infants, Moses is hidden in a basket on the Nile and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, growing up in the Egyptian royal court.
The Burning Bush
God appears to Moses in a burning bush on Mount Horeb, revealing His name as 'I AM WHO I AM' and commissioning Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
The Ten Plagues of Egypt
God sends ten devastating plagues upon Egypt — water to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn — to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
The Passover & Exodus
The Israelites mark their doorposts with lamb's blood, and the angel of death passes over them. Pharaoh finally releases the Israelites, and they leave Egypt after 430 years.
Parting of the Red Sea
Pursued by Pharaoh's army, Moses stretches out his hand and God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. The waters close on the pursuing Egyptians.
The Ten Commandments at Sinai
God descends upon Mount Sinai in thunder and fire, giving Moses the Ten Commandments inscribed on stone tablets — the foundation of the Mosaic Law and covenant with Israel.
The Golden Calf
While Moses is on Mount Sinai, the Israelites grow impatient and persuade Aaron to make a golden calf idol. God's anger burns against them, and Moses shatters the stone tablets.
Twelve Spies Sent to Canaan
Moses sends twelve spies into Canaan. Ten return with a fearful report, but Joshua and Caleb urge faith. The people's unbelief condemns the generation to 40 years of wilderness wandering.
Death of Moses
After 40 years leading Israel through the wilderness, Moses views the Promised Land from Mount Nebo but is not permitted to enter. He dies at 120 years old.
Judges & Ruth
~1380–1050 BC
The Period of the Judges
A cyclical era of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. God raises up judges — including Deborah, Gideon, and Samson — to deliver Israel from its enemies.
Samson and Delilah
Samson, empowered by God with supernatural strength, is betrayed by Delilah who discovers his secret. Captured and blinded, he destroys the Philistine temple in a final act of strength.
Ruth and Boaz
The Moabite widow Ruth pledges loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi and the God of Israel. She marries Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer, and becomes the great-grandmother of King David.
United Kingdom
~1050–930 BCSamuel: Last Judge, First Prophet
Hannah dedicates her son Samuel to God's service. He becomes the last judge and first major prophet, anointing both Saul and David as kings over Israel.
Saul Becomes First King
Israel demands a king like the other nations. God directs Samuel to anoint Saul, a Benjamite, as Israel's first king. Saul's reign begins well but ends in disobedience and rejection by God.
David and Goliath
The young shepherd David defeats the Philistine giant Goliath with a sling and a stone, trusting in God rather than conventional armor. This victory launches David's rise to prominence.
David Becomes King
After Saul's death, David is anointed king — first over Judah, then over all Israel. He conquers Jerusalem and makes it his capital, establishing it as the political and spiritual center of Israel.
The Davidic Covenant
God promises David that his throne will be established forever. This covenant becomes the theological foundation for messianic expectation throughout the rest of Scripture.
Solomon Builds the Temple
David's son Solomon constructs the First Temple in Jerusalem over seven years, fulfilling David's desire to build a permanent house for God. The glory of the Lord fills the temple at its dedication.
Solomon's Wisdom & Writings
God grants Solomon extraordinary wisdom. He composes Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. His fame spreads throughout the ancient world, and the Queen of Sheba visits to test his wisdom.
Divided Kingdom
~930–586 BC
The Kingdom Divides
After Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam's harshness splits the kingdom. The ten northern tribes form Israel under Jeroboam, while Judah and Benjamin remain under the Davidic line in the south.
Elijah on Mount Carmel
The prophet Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel. God sends fire from heaven to consume Elijah's sacrifice, demonstrating His power over false gods.
Elijah Taken to Heaven
Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind with a chariot of fire. His prophetic mantle passes to his disciple Elisha, who receives a double portion of Elijah's spirit.
Jonah and the Great Fish
God commands Jonah to preach repentance to Nineveh. Jonah flees by ship, is swallowed by a great fish for three days, then obeys. The entire city of Nineveh repents.
Isaiah's Messianic Prophecies
The prophet Isaiah delivers sweeping prophecies of a coming Messiah — born of a virgin, a suffering servant who bears the sins of many, and a prince of peace whose kingdom will have no end.
Fall of Northern Israel (Assyria)
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, deporting its people. The ten northern tribes are scattered and largely lost to history — the origin of the 'Lost Tribes of Israel.'
Josiah's Reforms
Young King Josiah discovers the Book of the Law in the temple and institutes sweeping religious reforms, destroying idols and renewing the covenant. He is the last righteous king of Judah.
Fall of Jerusalem & Babylonian Exile
Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army destroys Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple, carrying the people of Judah into exile. The prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel minister during this devastating period.
Exile & Return
586–400 BCDaniel in Babylon
The young Judean exile Daniel rises to prominence in the Babylonian court. He interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, survives the lion's den, and receives apocalyptic visions of future kingdoms.
Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
Three Jewish youths refuse to worship Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue and are thrown into a fiery furnace. They emerge unharmed, with a fourth figure seen walking among them.
Cyrus Decree: Return from Exile
Persian King Cyrus conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple — fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy made 150 years earlier.
Second Temple Completed
Under Zerubbabel's leadership and the encouragement of prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the Second Temple is completed — though many who remembered Solomon's Temple weep at its lesser glory.
Esther Saves Her People
Queen Esther risks her life to expose Haman's plot to annihilate the Jewish people throughout the Persian Empire. Her courage leads to the institution of the feast of Purim.
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, receives permission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. Despite opposition, the walls are completed in just 52 days.
Life of Jesus
~5 BC – AD 30Birth of Jesus
Jesus is born in Bethlehem to the virgin Mary, fulfilling messianic prophecy. Angels announce his birth to shepherds, and magi from the east follow a star to honor him.
Baptism of Jesus
John the Baptist baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River. The heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and God's voice declares, 'This is my Son, whom I love.'
Temptation in the Wilderness
Jesus fasts for 40 days in the desert and is tempted three times by Satan. He resists each temptation by quoting Scripture, then begins his public ministry.
Sermon on the Mount
Jesus delivers his most famous sermon, including the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and teachings on love, forgiveness, and the law. It redefines righteousness as a matter of the heart.
Miracles of Jesus
Jesus performs numerous miracles: turning water to wine, walking on water, calming storms, healing the sick and blind, casting out demons, feeding 5,000 from five loaves and two fish, and raising the dead.
The Transfiguration
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain where his appearance is transformed — his face shines like the sun and his clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear beside him.
Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey as crowds wave palm branches and shout 'Hosanna!' fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy. This event begins the final week of his earthly life.
The Last Supper
Jesus shares a final Passover meal with his disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper with bread and wine representing his body and blood. He washes the disciples' feet and predicts his betrayal.
Crucifixion of Jesus
Betrayed by Judas, tried before the Sanhedrin and Pilate, Jesus is crucified at Golgotha. Darkness covers the land, the temple veil tears in two, and Jesus declares, 'It is finished.'
Resurrection of Jesus
Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus rises from the dead. Women discover the empty tomb, and Jesus appears to his disciples over 40 days, confirming his victory over death.
Ascension of Jesus
Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascends to heaven from the Mount of Olives, commissioning his disciples to be his witnesses 'to the ends of the earth.'
The Early Church
AD 30–95
Pentecost: Birth of the Church
The Holy Spirit descends on the disciples in Jerusalem with rushing wind and tongues of fire. Peter preaches and 3,000 people are baptized — the birth of the Christian church.
Conversion of Saul (Paul)
Saul, a zealous persecutor of Christians, encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. Blinded and then healed, he becomes Paul — the apostle to the Gentiles and author of much of the New Testament.
Paul's Missionary Journeys
Paul undertakes three major missionary journeys across the Roman Empire, establishing churches throughout Asia Minor, Greece, and beyond. He writes letters to these churches that form the core of the New Testament epistles.
Council of Jerusalem
The apostles and elders gather to resolve whether Gentile converts must follow the Jewish law. They decide that faith in Christ is sufficient, opening the door for the global spread of Christianity.
Paul Imprisoned in Rome
After his arrest in Jerusalem and appeal to Caesar, Paul is taken to Rome. During his imprisonment he writes the 'prison epistles' — Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
Revelation: The Apocalypse
The apostle John, exiled on the island of Patmos, receives a series of visions about the end of the age — the return of Christ, the final judgment, the defeat of evil, and the creation of a new heaven and new earth.