How to Start Reading the Bible as a Beginner
Maybe you're new to faith. Maybe you grew up in church but never actually read the Bible yourself. Or maybe you've started a dozen times and gotten stuck somewhere around Leviticus. Wherever you're starting from, you're welcome here. The Bible isn't just for pastors and scholars. God wrote it for you.
Here's a simple, beginner-friendly guide to start reading the Bible, and actually keep going.
First, know what you're holding
The Bible is 66 books written over about 1,500 years by around 40 authors, all telling one big story: God creating the world, people turning away, and God's plan to rescue them through Jesus.
- The Old Testament (39 books): creation, God's covenant with Israel, history, poetry, wisdom, and prophecies pointing to Jesus.
- The New Testament (27 books): Jesus' life, death, and resurrection (the Gospels), the early church (Acts), letters to believers, and Revelation.
2 Timothy 3:16: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
Don't start at page one
Reading cover to cover is a great goal eventually, but it's not the easiest place to begin. Here's a beginner path:
1. The Gospel of John or Mark. Start with Jesus. John was written so that you "might believe" (John 20:31). Mark is the shortest Gospel and moves fast.
2. Psalms and Proverbs. Read a psalm a day for honest prayers and comfort, and a chapter of Proverbs for practical wisdom. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs, one for each day of the month.
3. Acts. See what happened after Jesus rose from the dead and how the church began.
4. Genesis. Go back to the beginning of the big story: creation, Abraham, Joseph.
5. A short letter. Philippians (joy), James (practical faith), or Ephesians (identity in Christ).
Choosing a translation
There are many good English translations. Some prioritize word-for-word accuracy, and others prioritize readability. The King James Version (KJV) is beautiful and historic, but its older English can be harder for beginners. Many people start with a modern translation like the NKJV, ESV, NIV, CSB, or NLT, then compare with others as they grow. The best translation is the one you'll actually read.
How to build the habit
Same time, same place. Tie reading to something you already do: morning coffee, lunch break, or right before bed.
Start small. One chapter, or even a few verses, read with attention beats ten chapters skimmed.
Ask three questions. What does this say about God? What does it say about people? What should I do with it?
Pray before and after. "Lord, open my eyes" (Psalm 119:18) before. "Help me live this" after.
Mark your place. A Christian bookmark makes it easy to pick up where you left off, and a Bible cover protects the Bible you'll carry for years.
Don't quit if you miss a day. Grace, not guilt. Just pick back up.
When you don't understand something
That's normal, even for longtime believers. Write down your question, keep reading, and ask a pastor or a mature Christian friend. Many passages make more sense once you know the bigger story around them.
A prayer before reading
Lord, I want to know You through Your Word. Open my eyes to see what You want to show me. When I don't understand, give me patience and wisdom. When I do, help me live it out. Let Your Word be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Amen.
Ready for the next step? Read our simple Bible study methods guide.
