What Order Should You Read the Bible?

The Bible isn't a single book—it's a library of 66 books written over 1,500 years by dozens of authors. Poetry sits next to history. Prophecy follows narrative. Letters interrupt everything.

So what order should you read it in?

There's no single "correct" answer. The best order depends on your goals, your experience level, and what you're hoping to get from your reading.

This guide explores five popular approaches to help you choose.

Why Reading Order Matters

The Bible wasn't compiled in the order it was written. The arrangement we have today follows a different logic:

• Old Testament: Law → History → Poetry → Prophecy
• New Testament: Gospels → History → Letters → Prophecy

This organization makes sense for reference, but reading straight through can be jarring. You might go from an exciting narrative to dense genealogies to passionate poetry—all in the same week.

A thoughtful reading order can:

• Improve comprehension
• Maintain momentum
• Connect related themes
• Prevent burnout in difficult sections

The 5 Main Approaches to Bible Reading Order

1. Canonical Order (Beginning to End)

What it is: Reading from Genesis to Revelation, in the order books appear in most Bibles.

Pros:

• Simple—no special plan needed
• Covers everything systematically
• How the Bible has been read for centuries

Cons:

• Leviticus (book 3) stops many readers cold
• Old Testament laws and genealogies can feel tedious
• The "hardest" books come early

Best for: Disciplined readers who want a traditional experience and won't quit when it gets difficult.

Time commitment: About 15 minutes daily for one year.

2. Chronological Order (As Events Happened)

What it is: Reading books and passages in the order events occurred historically, not the order they appear in the Bible.

Example sequence:

1. Genesis (creation through Abraham)
2. Job (likely set in patriarchal era)
3. Genesis continued (Isaac, Jacob, Joseph)
4. Exodus through Deuteronomy (Moses and the Law)
5. Joshua, Judges (conquest and judges)
6. Ruth (during judges period)
7. 1 Samuel (Samuel, Saul, David's rise)
8. Psalms interwoven with David's life
9. And so on...

Pros:

• Helps you understand the historical flow
• Shows how prophecies connect to events
• Integrates Psalms and Proverbs with their historical context

Cons:

• Requires a specific reading plan
• Some dating is debated by scholars
• Jumps between books can be disorienting

Best for: History lovers, second-time readers, or those wanting to understand the Bible's timeline.

3. New Testament First

What it is: Starting with the New Testament, then reading the Old Testament.

Suggested New Testament order:

1. Gospel of John (introduces Jesus)
2. Gospel of Mark (Jesus in action)
3. Gospel of Luke (detailed narrative)
4. Acts (early church)
5. Romans (theology foundations)
6. Shorter letters (Philippians, Colossians, etc.)
7. Hebrews (connects Old and New)
8. Gospel of Matthew (Jewish context)
9. Revelation

Pros:

• Starts with Jesus—the center of Christian faith
• New Testament is more accessible for beginners
• Old Testament makes more sense after understanding New Testament context

Cons:

• Misses Old Testament backstory that enriches the Gospels
• Some New Testament references assume Old Testament knowledge

Best for: New believers, those curious about Jesus specifically, or readers who've struggled with Old Testament before.

Start with John on Day 1 →

4. Blended/Alternating Order

What it is: Reading from multiple sections simultaneously—typically mixing Old Testament narrative, Psalms/Proverbs, and New Testament.

Example daily structure:

• Old Testament narrative (Genesis, Exodus, etc.)
• Psalm or Proverbs chapter
• New Testament chapter

Pros:

• Variety prevents fatigue
• Poetry breaks up dense narrative
• You're always reading something accessible
• Most "read the Bible in a year" plans use this approach

Cons:

• Requires following a specific plan
• Jumping between contexts takes adjustment
• Harder to see individual book themes

Best for: Most readers, especially first-timers wanting to complete the whole Bible.

View our blended reading plan →

5. Thematic/Topical Order

What it is: Reading books grouped by theme, genre, or topic rather than sequence.

Example thematic groupings:

Pros:

• Groups similar content together
• Can focus on areas of interest
• Good for studying specific topics

Cons:

• Loses historical flow
• Can miss connections between diverse books
• Easier to skip sections you find difficult

Best for: Topical study, second or third readings, or readers with specific questions.

Which Order Is Best for Beginners?

If you're reading the Bible for the first time, here's our recommendation:

Start with a blended plan that begins in John

Why:

1. John introduces Jesus clearly and accessibly
2. Mixing Old and New Testament maintains variety
3. Poetry (Psalms) provides daily encouragement
4. You'll complete the entire Bible in manageable pieces

What this looks like:

• Day 1: John 1, Genesis 1-2, Psalm 1
• Day 2: John 2, Genesis 3-4, Psalm 2
• And so on...

This approach gives you:

• The core message (Jesus)
• The backstory (Old Testament)
• Daily encouragement (Psalms)

Common Questions About Reading Order

"Can I skip books?"

You can, but we don't recommend it for your first read-through. Even difficult books (Leviticus, Numbers) contain important context. That said, don't let a hard book stop your entire journey—push through or come back to it.

"What about the Apocrypha?"

Some Bibles include additional books called the Apocrypha (or Deuterocanonical books). These are accepted by Catholic and Orthodox traditions but not Protestant. Read them if they're part of your faith tradition or you're curious, but they're not included in standard Protestant reading plans.

"Should I read introductions and footnotes?"

Yes, but don't let them slow you down. Introductions provide helpful context. Footnotes explain unclear phrases. Use them as aids, not requirements.

"How fast should I read?"

Fast enough to maintain momentum, slow enough to understand. If you're racing through without absorbing anything, slow down. If you're stuck on one passage for days, speed up.

A good target: 3-4 chapters daily to finish in one year.

Sample One-Year Reading Schedule

Here's a simplified breakdown of what a blended reading order looks like:

Get the detailed daily plan →

The Best Order Is the One You'll Follow

Here's the truth: any reading order works if you stick with it.

The "perfect" plan you abandon is worse than an "imperfect" plan you complete.

Pick an approach that matches your goals and personality. Start today. Adjust if needed.

Begin Day 1 of your Bible reading journey →

Stay on Track with BibleMate

BibleMate provides structured daily readings so you never have to wonder "what's next?"

• Daily reading assignments
• Progress tracking
• Flexible plans

Download BibleMate →