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. Here's a gentler way in.

Don't Start at Page One

The Bible isn't one book read front to back — it's a library of 66 books written across centuries in different styles. Starting at Genesis and pushing straight through works for some people, but many get stranded somewhere in Leviticus and conclude the whole thing is beyond them.

A 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 everything else in Scripture makes more sense once you've met the person at the center of it.

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.
• A handful of Psalms — try Psalm 23, 27, 46, and 139. This is honest prayer, out loud, in every mood.
• The Gospel of John — slower and more reflective, with some of the most quoted verses in Scripture.
• Genesis 1–12 — once Jesus is familiar, go back to the beginning of the story.

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.

It also helps 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.

Expect to Be Confused Sometimes

Confusion isn't failure — it's normal, and it's often the beginning of real understanding. Keep a note on your phone for questions as they come up. 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.

Build the Smallest Rhythm That Sticks

Consistency beats intensity. Attach reading to something you already do every day — coffee, the commute, the few 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 well with this.

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?