Front cover of Dr. Dime Presents Genesis To Color, the first book in the Bible coloring series

Teaching the Books of the Bible in Order to Kids: From Genesis to the Kings of Israel

Many children hear familiar Bible accounts—Noah’s ark, the parting of the Red Sea, Ruth in the fields of Bethlehem, or David and Goliath—long before they realize those accounts belong to a single chronological history. When children learn the books of the Bible in order, isolated stories begin to connect: the promises made to Abraham in Genesis explain why Israel leaves Egypt in Exodus, enters Canaan in Joshua, and later asks for a king in 1 Samuel.

You do not need a seminary syllabus or an hour-long lecture to help children Ages 3–12 see how Scripture fits together. A short reading from your family Bible, one clear map or timeline question, and a matching page from a book-by-book Bible coloring series in order can turn fifteen quiet minutes into steady biblical literacy.

Why Biblical Order Matters for Young Readers

When Bible lessons jump randomly between Testaments every week, younger listeners often treat biblical figures like characters in unrelated fairy tales. Reading sequentially—even at a gentle overview pace—solves three common challenges for families and church classes:

  • Cause and effect become visible: Children see how the covenant at Sinai in Exodus shapes life in the wilderness in Numbers and Moses’ farewell counsel in Deuteronomy.
  • Geography and time make sense: Moving from the wandering tent camp of the Pentateuch to the settled towns of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth helps children picture where events occurred.
  • Reference skills grow naturally: Even pre-readers begin to recognize which books sit at the very front of the Old Testament and which books record Israel’s kings or songs of worship.

Stage 1: The Five Books of the Law (Genesis Through Deuteronomy)

The first five books of the Bible—often called the Torah or the Pentateuch—establish creation, God’s covenant with Abraham’s family, the deliverance from Egypt, and the instructions for worship and community life before Israel crosses the Jordan River.

1. Genesis: Creation, Patriarchs, and Promise

Begin where Scripture begins. Read selected passages from Genesis 1–3 (creation and the fall), Genesis 6–9 (Noah), Genesis 12 and 15 (God’s call and covenant with Abram), and Genesis 37–50 (Joseph and his brothers). While you read aloud, children can work through Dr. Dime Presents Genesis To Color. Ask one grounding question per sitting: “What promise did God make in this chapter, and who was listening?”

2. Exodus: Deliverance and Covenant

Open Exodus 1–15 to trace Moses’ birth, the plagues, the Passover, and the crossing of the Red Sea, followed by Exodus 19–20 for the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. Pairing the reading with Dr. Dime Presents Exodus To Color helps younger children visualize the transition from Egyptian slavery to the wilderness tabernacle.

3. Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy: Worship, Wilderness, and Remembrance

Parents sometimes skip Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy with younger children because those books contain laws, censuses, and speeches. Instead of reading every regulation straight through, select one representative passage from each book so children understand why all five books belong together:

  • Leviticus (Holiness and Care for Neighbor): Read Leviticus 19:9–18 (leaving gleanings for the poor, telling the truth, and loving your neighbor) alongside Dr. Dime Presents Leviticus to Color.
  • Numbers (Trusting God in the Wilderness): Read Numbers 13–14 (the twelve spies) or Numbers 20 alongside Dr. Dime Presents Numbers to Color to discuss patience and trust during a long journey.
  • Deuteronomy (Remembering God’s Word): Read Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (the call to love the Lord and teach His words diligently to children) alongside Dr. Dime Presents Deuteronomy to Color.

If your family or homeschool group wants to work through all five books of Moses together, the Bible Coloring Series in Order collection automatically applies a tiered cart discount when you select any five coloring books.

Stage 2: Entering the Land and the Era of the Judges (Joshua, Judges, and Ruth)

Once children understand how Israel arrived at the Jordan River, the next three historical books show what happened when the people settled in the land:

  • Joshua: Read Joshua 1 (be strong and courageous), Joshua 3–4 (crossing the Jordan and setting up twelve memorial stones), and Joshua 6 (Jericho) with Dr. Dime Presents Joshua to Color. Ask children why Joshua had the people stack twelve stones where they camped.
  • Judges: Select accounts such as Deborah and Barak (Judges 4) or Gideon (Judges 6–7) with Dr. Dime Presents Judges to Color, explaining how the people repeatedly forgot God’s commands and cried out for help.
  • Ruth: Point out Ruth 1:1—“In the days when the judges ruled…”—so children see that Dr. Dime Presents Ruth to Color happens during the same historical period as Judges, highlighting ordinary faithfulness and kindness in Bethlehem and preparing the family line of King David.

Stage 3: The United and Divided Kingdom (1 Samuel Through 2 Kings)

For elementary readers and mixed-age siblings, the four books of Samuel and Kings trace the rise of the monarchy and the voice of the prophets:

  • 1 Samuel & 2 Samuel: Follow Hannah’s prayer, Samuel’s calling, King Saul, and David’s shepherd years through his reign in Jerusalem using 1 Samuel to Color and 2 Samuel to Color.
  • 1 Kings & 2 Kings: Explore Solomon’s request for wisdom, the building of the temple, the division of the kingdom, and the ministries of Elijah, Elisha, Hezekiah, and Josiah using 1 Kings to Color and 2 Kings to Color.

If you have older children (ages 9–15) sitting at the same table who are ready for maps, timelines, word studies, and written comprehension questions rather than coloring alone, pair these historical books with Dr. Dime Presents Torah Adventures (covering Genesis through Deuteronomy) or Dr. Dime Presents Kings & Prophets.

Stage 4: Weaving in the Psalms and the Gospel Accounts

As you read through the life of David in 1 and 2 Samuel, introduce the Book of Psalms as the prayers and songs of Israel. Depending on what your household is walking through that week, you can pair a historical chapter with one of the four thematic Psalms coloring books:

During Advent and Holy Week, pause your Old Testament sequence to read the New Testament fulfillment in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John alongside The Story of Christmas to Color and Easter to Color.

How to Pace a Multi-Book Routine Without Burnout

  1. Pick a sustainable rhythm (2 to 3 times a week): Fifteen minutes after breakfast or before bedtime is easier to maintain than an ambitious daily hour that collapses by week two.
  2. Read directly from Scripture first: Let children hear the Bible text before they look at the illustration, and ask which details come straight from the verse versus the artist’s imagination.
  3. Use a simple wall ribbon or index-card timeline: Write the book title on an index card each time you start a new biblical book and tape the cards in order along a hallway or bookshelf so children can see their progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age range are the Bible coloring books designed for?

Each book in the Bible Coloring Books collection is printed in an 8.5 × 11 inch paperback format for children ages 3–12. Younger children (ages 3–6) typically enjoy listening while coloring larger shapes, while elementary readers (ages 7–12) can read the passage headings, locate verses in their own Bible, and compare scenes across books.

How does the Pick-5 or church bulk discount work?

Every coloring book in the Dr. Dime Presents series is an 8.5” × 11” paperback ($12.99 each). Use our Interactive Book Bundle Builder to pick any 5+ coloring books for $11.99 each, 10+ for $9.99 each, or 25+ for $8.99 each, browse the Bible Coloring Series in Order, or visit our Group Book Orders page if you are ordering for a church, homeschool co-op, or Christian school.

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