The best way to start reading the Bible is to choose an easy-to-read translation, begin with the Gospel of John, and read one short passage each day. Pray before you read and write one thought after. Then move on to Luke, Acts, Genesis, Psalms and Proverbs. You do not need to start on page one.
If you have opened the Bible and thought, “I want to understand this, but I don’t know where to begin,” you are in the right place. You are not behind, and you are not late. You are simply starting.
Key takeaways
- You do not have to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in order. Start with the story of Jesus.
- The Gospel of John is a clear first book. Luke and Acts are good next steps.
- Pick a translation in clear, modern English, such as the NLT, NIV or CSB.
- A short daily routine beats a long reading you cannot keep up.
- Pray, read, reflect and apply. Missing a day is normal – just start again.
Where Should a Beginner Start Reading the Bible?
Start with the Gospel of John. John says he wrote his book so that readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31). It gives you the heart of the Christian faith in a clear, simple way. After John, follow this beginner reading path.
|
Order |
Book |
Why read it now |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
John |
A clear picture of who Jesus is and why he came. |
|
2 |
Luke |
A careful, detailed account of Jesus’ life (Luke 1:3–4). |
|
3 |
Acts |
Shows how the early church grew after Jesus rose again. |
|
4 |
Genesis |
The beginning of God’s story with people. |
|
5 |
Psalms |
Prayers and songs for every feeling and season. |
|
6 |
Proverbs |
Short, practical wisdom for daily life. |
Want to understand the Gospels before you begin? Read our simple guide to the four Gospels.
What Should You Read in Your First Week?
If you want a clear place to begin today, read one chapter of John each day for your first week. Each chapter is short enough for a quiet morning or evening, and each one shows you something new about who Jesus is.
|
Day |
Read |
What to look for |
|---|---|---|
|
Day 1 |
John 1 |
Jesus is called “the Word,” and he calls his first followers. |
|
Day 2 |
John 2 |
Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana. |
|
Day 3 |
John 3 |
Jesus talks with Nicodemus about new life. John 3:16 is in this chapter. |
|
Day 4 |
John 4 |
Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well. |
|
Day 5 |
John 5 |
Jesus heals a man at the pool and speaks about his authority. |
|
Day 6 |
John 6 |
Jesus feeds a large crowd and calls himself the bread of life. |
|
Day 7 |
John 7 |
Jesus teaches at a festival in Jerusalem and speaks of living water. |
After your first week, keep going through John at the same pace. When you finish, move on to Luke and Acts. Do not worry if a chapter feels unclear. Write down your question, keep reading, and come back to it later, because the rest of the book often answers it.
Should You Read the Bible From Beginning to End?
Not as a beginner. The Bible is not arranged in the order that events happened. Many people start in Genesis, then lose energy in the laws of Leviticus or the lists in Numbers. Starting with the Gospels gives you the center of the story first. Later, the Old Testament will make much more sense.
Curious how the two parts fit together? Read Old Testament vs New Testament. When you are ready to read everything, try a plan for reading the Bible in a year.
How to Start Reading the Bible in 5 Simple Steps
Step 1: Choose a Bible translation you can understand
Pick a translation that uses clear, modern English. You do not need the “perfect” Bible to begin. You only need one that helps you understand God’s Word. You can explore others later.
|
Translation |
Reading style |
Good for |
|---|---|---|
|
NLT (New Living Translation) |
Warm, conversational language |
First-time readers who want easy flow |
|
NIV (New International Version) |
Simple and familiar to many readers |
Everyday reading and church use |
|
CSB (Christian Standard Bible) |
Clear, while staying close to the original languages |
Readers who want clarity and accuracy |
|
ESV (English Standard Version) |
More word-for-word and formal |
Readers ready for closer study |
|
KJV (King James Version) |
Traditional, older English |
Readers who love classic wording |
Step 2: Start with the story of Jesus
Begin in John, then read Luke and Acts. These three books give you a strong foundation. They show who Jesus is, what he did, and how his followers carried the message to the world.
Step 3: Build a short, simple daily routine
You do not need an hour a day. You need a few quiet minutes you can keep. Try this five-minute routine:
- Pray briefly.
- Read a short passage.
- Notice one truth that stands out.
- Write one sentence about how it speaks to your life.
- Close with a short prayer.
Pick the same time and the same quiet place each day, such as a chair by the window or your bedside. For more ideas, see our daily devotion tips.
Step 4: Pray for understanding before you read
Prayer turns reading into a conversation with God. Psalm 119:18 is a simple prayer many readers use: ask God to open your eyes to see wonderful things in his law. You can also use this short prayer:
“Lord, open my heart to your Word. Help me understand what you are teaching me today. Give me wisdom as I read. Amen.”
Step 5: Reflect and apply with the SOAP method
The SOAP method is an easy way to think about what you read. Here is how it works with Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd.”
|
Letter |
What you do |
Example with Psalm 23:1 |
|---|---|---|
|
S – Scripture |
Read and write down a short verse. |
“The Lord is my shepherd.” |
|
O – Observation |
Notice what the verse says. |
God is pictured as a shepherd who leads and cares. |
|
A – Application |
Ask how it relates to your life today. |
I can trust God with the worry I have about the future. |
|
P – Prayer |
Pray about what you learned. |
“Lord, guide me today like a shepherd guides his sheep.” |
A journal makes this even easier. Here is how to use a Bible study journal.
What If You Don’t Understand What You Read?
That is normal, and it does not mean you are failing. Some passages make sense quickly, and others take time. Read the full passage again, ask who it was written to and why, and look for the main idea first. Our guide on how to understand the Bible walks you through seven simple steps.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
|
Mistake |
Try this instead |
|---|---|
|
Starting in hard books like Leviticus, Ezekiel or Revelation |
Start with John, Luke and Acts. Come back to these later. |
|
Treating Bible reading like a race |
Read slowly. One passage you understand is better than many you rush. |
|
Expecting to understand everything at once |
Pause, pray, and come back to hard parts later. |
|
Reading without reflection |
Write one truth and one short prayer after you read. |
|
Quitting after missing a day |
Missing a day is normal. Simply start again tomorrow. |
How Do You Stay Consistent When Bible Reading Feels Hard?
Some days the Bible will feel alive, and some days it will feel dry. That is part of every reader’s journey. These simple habits help you keep going:
- Celebrate small wins. One verse, one chapter or one honest prayer still counts.
- Talk to God honestly. It is fine to pray, “Lord, I find this hard today.”
- Return to familiar passages in Psalms or the Gospels when you feel stuck. Our list of Bible verses for new believers is a good place to start.
- Read with someone. A friend or small group reminds you that you are not alone.
- Use a plan that fits your life. Here is how to choose a Bible study plan that sticks.
If you keep stopping and starting, read why the Bible is hard to read and how to stay consistent.
A Simple Tool to Help You Start
Many beginners feel more confident when they can see the big picture of a book before they read it. The Elvasma 66-Page Bible Study Guide gives you a simple, one-page overview of every book of the Bible, with key themes, context and real-life application.
It also includes a free 365-Day Bible Study Plan e-book, a step-by-step reading path that shows you what to read each day, so you never have to wonder where to start. See the 66-Page Bible Study Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I start reading the Bible for the first time?
Start with the Gospel of John. It clearly explains who Jesus is. Then read Luke and Acts, followed by Genesis, Psalms and Proverbs.
What order should a beginner read the Bible in?
A simple beginner order is John, Luke, Acts, Genesis, Psalms and Proverbs. Save books like Leviticus, Ezekiel and Revelation until you have more background.
Should I read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation?
Not at first. The Bible is not in the order events happened, and some early books are hard for beginners. Start with the story of Jesus, then read the whole Bible later with a plan.
Which Bible translation is best for beginners?
Choose a translation in clear, modern English. The NLT, NIV and CSB are popular choices for beginners because they are easy to read. If you are deciding between the ESV and the CSB, the CSB is built to balance readability with precision, while the ESV takes an "essentially literal" approach. Readers who want to stay close to the original wording often lean ESV. Readers who want smoother sentences often lean CSB.
How much of the Bible should I read each day?
Read an amount you can keep up with. A short passage each day, with a moment to pray and reflect, is a strong start.
What should I do before reading the Bible?
Find a quiet place, put away distractions, and say a short prayer asking God to help you understand what you read.
Want a complete step-by-step plan for the first weeks? Read how to read the Bible for beginners and our Bible study for beginners starter guide.
Start Small and Keep Going
Your Bible journey does not need to feel heavy. Begin with one quiet moment, one short passage and one honest prayer. Start with John, keep your routine simple, and trust that God will guide you one page at a time.