Want to make Bible study easier? Use my Bible color coding system to highlight genres and follow a simple chronological timeline that makes Scripture click.

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My Bible Color Coding System (Genre + Chronological Order Made Simple)

I used to feel totally lost trying to study the Bible on my own. There were too many names, timelines, and cross-references—and I had no clue how it all fit together. It wasn’t until I created a simple Bible color coding system that things finally started to make sense.

Once I realized the Bible isn’t one continuous story—and that it’s made up of different genres and not arranged chronologically—everything changed. Suddenly, I could follow along without constantly flipping back or giving up in frustration.

To help myself (and now thousands of other women!) study with more confidence, I created two resources I use all the time: Books of the Bible by Genre and my Chronological Bible Summary.

And yes, I use my favorite Sharpie highlighters to color-code everything. Here’s how it all comes together.

What is a Bible Color Coding System?

A Bible color coding system is exactly what it sounds like—using specific colors to highlight parts of Scripture in a way that helps you understand it better. Some people use colors for themes like promises, commands, or attributes of God. I use mine for something even more foundational:

  • Genre (what kind of writing it is)
  • Chronological order (when it happened in Bible history)

This method helps me understand what I’m reading before I dive in—so I can approach it with the right mindset. It’s like getting the map before the road trip.

How I Use Colors to Mark Bible Genres

The Bible includes several different genres—and when you don’t know that, it’s easy to treat poetry like history or read prophecy like a letter. Trust me—I’ve done it.

In my Books of the Bible by Genre printable, I list out each genre and assign it a specific color. Here’s my color key (but feel free to make it your own!):

Old Testament

  • 🟡 Pentateuch (Law) – Genesis to Deuteronomy
  • 🔴 History – Joshua through Esther
  • 🟣 Poetry/Wisdom – Job through Song of Songs
  • 🔵 Major Prophets – Isaiah through Daniel
  • 🔵 Minor Prophets – Hosea through Malachi

New Testament

  • 🟢 Gospels – Matthew through John
  • 🔴 Church History – Acts
  • 🟠 Paul’s Letters – Romans through Philemon
  • 🟠 Other Letters – Hebrews through Jude
  • 🔵 Prophecy (again) – Revelation

Using a simple pack of Sharpie highlighters, I highlight the Table of Contents in my Bible. These highlighters are perfect—they’re bright, don’t bleed, and come in a variety of colors that line up well with this genre system.

As a result, this one simple change completely transformed how I view Scripture.

Why I Pair It with a Chronological Bible Order

Once I understood genres, the next puzzle piece was the timeline. The Bible isn’t arranged chronologically, so even if you’re following the genre structure, the story still jumps around.

That’s why I created my Chronological Bible Summary—a one-page overview for each Testament that lists every book of the Bible in the order that events actually happened.

Here’s why it matters:

  • The prophets don’t come after the kings—they were talking to the kings.
  • David’s story isn’t just in 1 Samuel—it’s also in Psalms.
  • Paul’s letters happened during the events in Acts—not after.

Once I saw this flow laid out, it connected so many dots for me. Suddenly, it wasn’t a confusing mix of stories—it was one big, unified storyline.

My Step-by-Step Bible Color Coding System (and Why It’s Flexible)

Let me just say this up front: my Bible color coding system is fluid. It’s not about sticking to a strict set of rules—it’s about creating visual clarity that helps me understand what I’m reading. And honestly, it changes as I go.

For example, when I highlight the Table of Contents, I use a specific set of colors to mark the different genres—like yellow for Law, orange for the Letters, etc.

But inside the books themselves? I might use a totally different key to help me keep the story straight. Throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles, I use:

  • 🟢 Green = Northern Kingdom (Israel)
  • 🟠 Orange = Southern Kingdom (Judah)

Still, those colors don’t match the genre colors in my Table of Contents—and that’s totally fine. The point isn’t to have one color code that works everywhere, it’s to create a visual system that helps you follow what’s happening.

So if you’re just starting out, give yourself permission to experiment. Your key might look different than mine. It might evolve over time. That’s the beauty of it.

Here’s how I suggest getting started:

  1. Print the Genre and Chronological pages from my shop
  2. Choose your color palette—I recommend a Sharpie highlighter set
  3. Highlight your Bible’s Table of Contents using your genre colors
  4. Keep the Chronological Summary inside your Bible for quick reference
  5. Use different color systems inside the books to help you stay organized

How I Use This in My SIMPLE Method (Every Single Week)

If you follow my SIMPLE Method, you’ve probably seen me use this color coding system in action! I use these tools every single week in:

This method is one of the ways I simplify Bible study—not by skipping depth, but by giving you tools that make it click. If you’re not familiar with the SIMPLE Method, you can read about it here and grab the free starter guide.

Why This System Helps (Especially for Visual Learners)

I’m a visual learner. I need to see structure and patterns to feel like something clicks. If that’s you too—this system is going to be your new best friend.

Here’s what I’ve noticed since I started using it:

  • I don’t feel overwhelmed flipping around anymore
  • I know what to expect when I read a new book of the Bible
  • I can remember where books fall in the big picture
  • It makes my Bible feel more like a personal tool than an intimidating textbook

Instead of fancy apps or hours of prep, you just need some color and a fresh way to look at Scripture.

You Can Start Today

If your Bible study has felt confusing or disconnected, try this method. It’s quick, easy, and gives you instant clarity. Here’s everything you need:

I’d love to see how you use your color system, so tag me or share your setup using #thesimplemethod on Instagram!

You’ve got this!

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