How to Start Reading the Bible (When You Never Have)

If you've ever opened the Bible, landed in the middle of a genealogy or a list of building measurements, and quietly closed it again — you're not doing it wrong. You just started in a hard place. The Bible can feel intimidating from the outside, but getting into it is far simpler than most people fear. Here's a gentler way in.

First, Understand What the Bible Is

The single most helpful thing to know before you start: the Bible isn't one book read front to back. It's a library — 66 books written across roughly 1,500 years by many authors, in wildly different styles. There's history, poetry, letters, law, biography, and prophecy, all bound together. Expecting it to read like a single novel is exactly why so many people stall out in Leviticus and give up.

Once you know it's a library, you stop feeling obligated to read it like a textbook cover to cover. You can start where the story actually opens up.

Don't Start at Page One

Starting at Genesis and pushing straight through works for some people, but many get stranded a few books in and conclude the whole thing is beyond them. A far better first stop for most people is the Gospel of John or the Gospel of Mark. They tell the story of Jesus directly and plainly — and since Jesus is the person the entire Bible points toward, everything else makes more sense once you've met him.

A Simple First-Month Path

You don't need a complicated plan. Try this order over your first few weeks:

• The Gospel of Mark. The shortest, fastest-moving account of Jesus' life — you can read it in a few sittings.
• A handful of Psalms. Try Psalm 23, 27, 46, and 139. This is honest prayer, out loud, in every mood — comfort, fear, wonder, and doubt.
• The Gospel of John. Slower and more reflective, with some of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture.
• Genesis 1–12. Once Jesus is familiar, go back to the beginning of the story and watch it start.

That's a month of reading that will give you the shape of the whole thing — who God is, who Jesus is, and how the story begins.

Read Less, But Actually Read

Ten honest verses you actually think about beat three chapters you skim to check a box. When something stops you — a line that's comforting, confusing, or convicting — pause there. Underline it. Sit with the question it raises instead of rushing past it. The goal isn't to finish; it's to meet God in what you read.

It also helps enormously to read a translation written in plain modern English. Widely used, readable options include the NIV, the CSB, and the NLT. The goal at this stage is understanding, not tradition — you can explore more formal translations down the road.

Expect to Be Confused Sometimes

Confusion isn't failure — it's normal, and it's often the beginning of real understanding. Even people who've read the Bible for decades still hit passages that puzzle them. Keep a note on your phone for questions as they come up, and bring them to a pastor, a trusted friend, or a good study Bible. You don't have to resolve everything to keep going.

If anxiety is part of what's driving you toward Scripture in the first place, you're in good company — see our companion piece on what the Bible says about anxiety, and if the whole message of the Bible still feels unclear, start with what is the gospel.

Build the Smallest Rhythm That Sticks

Consistency beats intensity. Attach reading to something you already do every day — your morning coffee, the commute, the few quiet minutes before bed. Five minutes most days will form a habit that a heroic hour once a month never will. If you want a structure for the prayer side of that rhythm, our 10-minute morning prayer guide pairs naturally with a short daily reading.

A reading plan or a one-year Bible can help if you're the kind of person who likes a track to follow — just don't let "falling behind" become a reason to quit. The plan serves you, not the other way around.

Family Discussion Questions

• What's one question about God or the Bible you've always wanted to ask but never did?
• When in your day could you realistically read for five quiet minutes?
• What would it look like to read to know God, not just to finish a plan?

The Bottom Line

You don't need a theology degree or a perfect plan to start reading the Bible. You need a Gospel, a readable translation, and five honest minutes most days. Start with Mark, keep it small, bring your questions, and read to meet God rather than to finish. That's a beginning anyone can make — today.

Frequently Asked Questions