Bible Stories in Order for Kids
A simple, chronological overview of the Bible's key stories — from Creation to the Resurrection — with child-friendly summaries and links to full story pages.
This guide covers 16 essential stories in the order they appear in the Bible. Each entry includes the Bible reference, a one-sentence summary, and the main themes — so families and Sunday school teachers can plan a reading sequence that builds context story by story.
Old Testament Stories
Genesis — MalachiCreation
Genesis 1–2God creates the world in six days — light, sky, land, creatures, and finally people made in His image. Everything is good.
Noah's Ark
Genesis 6–9God asks Noah to build a massive ark and fill it with animals before a great flood. A rainbow seals God's promise to care for His creation.
Abraham and the Promise
Genesis 12–22God calls Abraham to leave everything and follow Him, promising to make him the father of a great nation. Abraham trusts God even when it is hard.
Rachel and Leah
Genesis 29–35Jacob loves Rachel deeply and works seven years to marry her. Leah, her older sister, feels overlooked — but God sees both of them.
Baby Moses
Exodus 1–2A Hebrew mother places her baby in a basket on the river to protect him. God watches over Moses and begins preparing him for a larger purpose.
David and Goliath
1 Samuel 17A young shepherd boy faces a terrifying giant and wins — not through size or weapons, but through faith in God.
David and Jonathan
1 Samuel 18–20Jonathan, the king's son, gives up his own interests to protect his friend David. One of Scripture's greatest pictures of loyal friendship.
Daniel and the Lions' Den
Daniel 6Daniel refuses to stop praying even when a new law says it is forbidden. God protects him through a night in a lions' den.
Jonah and the Whale
Jonah 1–4God asks Jonah to go deliver a message. Jonah runs the other direction, ends up inside a great fish, and learns that God's patience leads to second chances.
New Testament Stories
Matthew — RevelationThe Birth of Jesus
Luke 2 / Matthew 1–2God becomes a baby in a manger in Bethlehem. Shepherds hear the news first. Wise men travel a great distance to find the child.
Jesus Feeds 5,000 People
John 6 / Matthew 14A boy shares his small lunch with Jesus — five loaves and two fish — and Jesus multiplies it to feed thousands with baskets left over.
The Lost Sheep
Luke 15:3–7A shepherd leaves 99 sheep to search for the one that went missing. He finds it and celebrates — a picture of how God pursues every person.
Martha and Mary
Luke 10:38–42Martha works hard to serve Jesus while Mary sits and listens. Jesus gently tells Martha that being present with Him is the most important thing.
Jesus Heals Ten Lepers
Luke 17:11–19Ten people are healed of a terrible skin disease. Only one comes back to thank Jesus — and Jesus notices.
Palm Sunday
Matthew 21 / Luke 19Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey. Crowds wave palm branches and shout 'Hosanna!' — welcoming their king in a way they do not yet fully understand.
Easter: Death and Resurrection
Matthew 27–28 / Luke 24Jesus is crucified and buried — and three days later He rises from the dead. The most important event in all of human history.
How to use this sequence with children
One story per week
Reading one story per week gives children time to absorb each account before moving on. At 16 stories, that is a full four-month family Bible reading plan.
Ask one question after each story
A single question — 'What did you notice?' or 'What does this tell us about God?' — is more memorable than a long discussion. Young children especially benefit from simplicity.
Revisit favorites
Bible stories are meant to be returned to. Many families find that children understand something new in a familiar story each time they revisit it at a different age.
Common questions
What order should I read Bible stories to my child?+
How many Bible stories are there for kids?+
Should I read the Old Testament or New Testament first with my child?+
What is the first Bible story for kids?+
What Bible stories should a kindergartener know?+
Ready to start reading?
Begin with Noah's Ark or David and Goliath, then work your way through the list at whatever pace fits your family.