How to Read the Bible

A Beginner's Guide

Start Here

Why It Feels Hard at First

If you've opened a Bible before and felt lost, you're not alone, and it's not a sign you're doing it wrong. The Bible is sixty-six books written over about 1,500 years, in three languages, by dozens of authors. Nobody reads it cover to cover successfully as their first attempt. The people who stick with it long-term almost always started the same way you're about to: with a plan, not just an open book and good intentions.

Where to Begin

Don't Start at Genesis 1

It's tempting to start at the beginning, but Genesis moves into genealogies and detailed law fairly quickly, and that's where most new readers stall out. Start with the Gospel of John instead. It's a firsthand account of Jesus, written specifically so the reader would come to believe in Him, and it reads more like a story than a history book.

Gospel of John

The clearest, most personal introduction to who Jesus is and why He came.

Genesis

The beginning of the story: creation, the first family, the first promises.

Psalms

Honest prayers and songs for every emotion, joy, fear, grief, praise.

Acts

What happened right after Jesus, and how the church began.

Romans

The clearest single explanation of the gospel in one letter.

Building the Habit

Before You Read: 3 Things That Help

1. Pray first, even just a sentence. Ask God to help you understand what you read. This isn't a formality, it's the difference between reading and studying.

2. Read slowly, one to two chapters at a time. Understanding one chapter well beats skimming five. There's no prize for finishing fast.

3. Keep something to write with nearby. A question, a verse that stands out, a word you don't recognize, jot it down instead of trying to hold it all in your head.

Reference

Words You'll Run Into

Old Testament: The first 39 books, written before Jesus was born, covering creation through the history and prophets of Israel.

New Testament: The last 27 books, written after Jesus, covering His life, the early church, and letters to believers.

Gospel: Means "good news." The four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) each tell the story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

Epistle: A letter. Most of the New Testament after Acts is epistles written to churches or individuals.

Covenant: A binding promise between God and His people, the backbone of the Bible's whole story.

Disciple: A follower and student, most often referring to the twelve men who followed Jesus closely.

Parable: A short story Jesus told to teach a spiritual truth using everyday, relatable images.

Psalm: A song or poem, usually a prayer, praise, or honest cry to God.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to read it in order?

No. Reading straight through from Genesis is actually the hardest way to start. Follow the path below instead.

What if I don't understand something?

Mark it and keep going. Most confusing passages make more sense once you know more of the story. You don't have to solve everything on the first pass.

Which translation should I use?

Any translation you'll actually read is the right one. The King James Version (used throughout this site and the FaithSpark app) is beautiful and accurate; the NIV or NLT can feel a little more like everyday English if you want an easier on-ramp.

How long until I've "read the Bible"?

There's no deadline. A chapter a day gets you through most individual books in weeks, not months. Slow and steady beats a rushed, abandoned attempt every time.

Ready for Your Next Step?

Try the Gospels in 40 Days reading plan, or Bible in a Year for a fuller, narrated journey through the whole Bible.

Browse Reading Plans →