Best Order to Read the Bible: 5 Approaches Compared

What order should you read the Bible? It's the question that stops many readers before they even start.

The Bible isn't a single book—it's a library of 66 books written across 1,500 years in multiple genres. Poetry sits next to history. Letters follow prophecy. Ancient laws precede apocalyptic visions.

Reading Genesis to Revelation in order works for some people. But for most, it leads to abandoning ship somewhere around Leviticus. The good news? There's no single "correct" order. The best order to read the Bible depends on your goals, experience, and available time.

Let's compare five popular approaches so you can choose the one that fits you.

5 Ways to Decide What Order to Read the Bible

1. Canonical Order (Genesis to Revelation)

The canonical order reads the Bible as it appears in most printed editions—starting with Genesis and ending with Revelation.

How it works:

• Begin with the Old Testament (Genesis through Malachi)
• Continue through the New Testament (Matthew through Revelation)
• Read books in their traditional arrangement

Pros:

• Simple to follow—just turn the page
• Builds understanding of how the canon was organized
• No planning required

Cons:

• You hit difficult sections early (Leviticus, Numbers)
• Takes months to reach Jesus in the Gospels
• High dropout rate—most readers quit within the first few books

Best for: Those who want to experience the Bible as traditionally arranged, and have strong reading discipline.

Reality check: This approach sounds logical but has the lowest completion rate. Reading straight through puts you in detailed ceremonial laws and genealogies before you've developed momentum or context.

2. Chronological Order (By Historical Timeline)

Chronological reading arranges the Bible's content by when events occurred, not when books were written or placed in the canon.

How it works:

• Start with Job (possibly the oldest events described)
• Move through Genesis, Exodus, and the historical books
• Weave in Psalms and Prophets where they fit historically
• Read New Testament books in the order they were written

Pros:

• See how events connect across time
• Understand the historical flow of God's story
• Experience Psalms and Prophets in their original context

Cons:

• Requires a specific chronological reading plan
• Some book placements are debated by scholars
• Still hits difficult Old Testament sections early

Best for: History lovers and those wanting to understand Biblical events in sequence.

Example: Instead of reading all of Psalms together, you'd read Psalm 23 while studying David's life in 1 Samuel, placing the poetry in its historical moment.

3. Thematic Order (By Topic or Theme)

Thematic reading organizes Scripture around specific topics rather than books or timeline.

How it works:

• Choose a theme: prayer, faith, Jesus, love, wisdom
• Read relevant passages from across the entire Bible
• Study how different authors address the same topic

Pros:

• Deep exploration of specific topics
• Great for answering particular questions
• Flexible—adapt to your current needs

Cons:

• Not ideal for understanding overall narrative
• Requires a topical guide or study Bible
• Can miss context by pulling verses from larger passages

Best for: Those studying specific topics, preparing to teach, or seeking answers to particular questions.

Example: A thematic study on "God's faithfulness" would pull together Genesis 9 (Noah's covenant), Lamentations 3 (great faithfulness), Romans 8 (nothing separates us from God's love), and Hebrews 10 (God keeps His promises).

4. New Testament-First Order

This approach starts with the New Testament, establishing the story of Jesus before exploring the Old Testament background.

How it works:

• Begin with the Gospels (start with John or Mark)
• Read Acts and the Epistles
• Finish Revelation
• Then go back and read the Old Testament

Pros:

• Meet Jesus immediately
• Understand Christianity's core message first
• Old Testament makes more sense with New Testament context
• More engaging for new readers

Cons:

• Old Testament references in the New won't have full context initially
• Misses the narrative buildup toward Christ
• Some find it harder to return to the Old Testament after finishing the New

Best for: New believers, those exploring Christianity, or readers who've struggled with Genesis-first approaches.

Why it works: The Gospels are accessible, compelling, and central to Christian faith. Starting with Jesus provides a framework that makes the Old Testament's prophecies and preparations meaningful.

5. Blended Order (Mixed Daily Reading)

A blended approach reads from multiple sections each day—typically Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.

How it works:

• Daily reading includes 2-3 Old Testament chapters
• Plus 1 New Testament chapter
• Plus 1 Psalm
• Plus 1 chapter of Proverbs

Pros:

• Variety prevents burnout—you're never stuck in one genre
• Covers the whole Bible in a year
• Balances narrative, teaching, poetry, and wisdom daily
• Most sustainable long-term approach

Cons:

• Requires following a structured plan
• Jumps between different time periods
• Less chronological understanding

Best for: Those wanting to read the entire Bible in a year with variety and balance.

This is the approach we use in our 365-day reading plan. You get the big story of the Old Testament, the life of Jesus, worship through the Psalms, and practical wisdom from Proverbs—all in 15-20 minutes daily.

Start the blended reading plan →

What Is the Best Order to Read the Bible?

There's no universal "best" order—but there is a best order for you. Here's how to choose:

Choose Canonical Order if you...

• Have strong reading discipline
• Want to experience the Bible as traditionally arranged
• Don't mind difficult sections

Choose Chronological Order if you...

• Love history
• Want to understand events in sequence
• Have a chronological reading guide

Choose Thematic Order if you...

• Have specific questions you're exploring
• Are preparing to teach or lead a study
• Prefer depth over coverage

Choose New Testament-First if you...

• Are new to the Bible or Christian faith
• Want to understand Jesus before the Old Testament
• Have struggled with starting in Genesis

Choose Blended Order if you...

• Want to read the entire Bible in a year
• Prefer daily variety
• Need structure and sustainability

For most people, we recommend the blended approach. It's the most sustainable way to read the entire Bible while staying engaged. You never get stuck in difficult sections for weeks because each day brings variety.

Quick Start: Which Order Should You Start Today?

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Bible Reading Order

Starting with Good Intentions but No Plan

"I'll just read a chapter a day" sounds simple. But without knowing which chapter, decision fatigue sets in. Three days of "I should read" with no direction leads to not reading at all.

Fix: Pick a specific plan and follow it. Our 365-day plan tells you exactly what to read each day.

Forcing Yourself Through Difficult Sections

Getting stuck in Leviticus for three weeks kills momentum. If a section feels impossible, it's okay to adjust.

Fix: Use a blended plan that intersperses difficult passages with engaging ones. Or skip ahead and return later—the Bible won't judge you.

Reading Without Any Engagement

Checking off boxes without absorbing anything isn't really reading.

Fix: Take one thought from each day's reading. Write it down, pray about it, or share it with someone. Quality matters as much as quantity.

Comparing Your Progress to Others

Some people read faster. Some have more time. Comparison steals the joy of Scripture.

Fix: Focus on consistency over speed. Reading for ten minutes daily beats sporadic hour-long sessions.

FAQ: What Order to Read the Bible

Does the Bible need to be read in order?

No. The Bible is a collection of books, not a single continuous narrative. Many books stand alone. Reading out of order is perfectly valid and often more sustainable.

What is the easiest order to read the Bible?

For most beginners, starting with the Gospel of John or Mark, then continuing through the New Testament, provides the most accessible entry point. After that, a blended reading plan helps you complete the entire Bible.

Should I read the Old Testament or New Testament first?

For new readers, we recommend the New Testament first. Meeting Jesus provides context that makes the Old Testament more meaningful. However, if you prefer chronological story flow, starting with Genesis works too.

How long does it take to read the Bible in order?

Reading 15-20 minutes daily, most people complete the Bible in one year. At average reading speed, the entire Bible takes about 70 hours total.

Can I skip books of the Bible?

You can, though we encourage reading everything eventually. Books like Leviticus or Numbers may feel dry, but they contain important context. A blended plan intersperses these with more engaging readings.

Start Reading Today

The best order to read the Bible is the one you'll actually follow. Endless planning without reading accomplishes nothing.

Here's your next step:

If you're new to the Bible: Start with the Gospel of John. Fourteen chapters. Two hours. You'll meet Jesus and understand why billions follow Him.

If you want to read the whole Bible: Start Day 1 of our blended plan. Genesis 1-3, Matthew 1, Psalm 1, Proverbs 1. Fifteen minutes. You'll be on your way.

Stop wondering what order to read the Bible. Start reading.

Begin Day 1 →

Track Your Reading with BibleMate

Whichever order you choose, BibleMate helps you stay consistent:

• Daily reminders to read
• Progress tracking across any reading plan
• Pick up where you left off
• Read offline anywhere

Download BibleMate →