Where to Start Reading the Bible (Complete Beginner's Guide)
You've decided to read the Bible. That's the hard part. Now comes the question everyone asks: where do I actually start?
Figuring out where to start reading the Bible can feel overwhelming. The Bible is 66 books written over 1,500 years by dozens of authors. Starting at page one and reading straight through works for most books—but not this one. That approach lands you in Leviticus by week three, a book of ancient laws that stops most new readers cold.
There's a better way. Let's find your perfect starting point.
The 5 Best Starting Points
1. The Gospel of John (Best for Most People)
What it is: The story of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection—told by one of His closest friends.
Why start here: John wrote specifically so readers would believe in Jesus (John 20:31). It's theological but accessible, profound but readable.
Time to read: About 2 hours (21 chapters)
Perfect for: Anyone wanting to understand the heart of Christianity
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." — John 3:16
Start reading: Day 1 of our plan includes John 1 →
2. The Gospel of Mark (Fastest Overview)
What it is: The shortest, fastest-paced account of Jesus' life.
Why start here: Mark wastes no words. Jesus is constantly moving, healing, teaching. You'll finish the entire Gospel quickly and want more.
Time to read: About 1.5 hours (16 chapters)
Perfect for: Busy people who want the Jesus story quickly
3. Genesis (The Beginning)
What it is: The origin story—creation, the first humans, the flood, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph.
Why start here: It's where the story begins. The narrative is compelling, full of drama and memorable characters.
Time to read: About 4 hours (50 chapters)
Perfect for: Those who want context before meeting Jesus
Caution: After Genesis, Exodus is good, but Leviticus gets difficult. Consider jumping to a Gospel after Genesis.
4. Psalms (For Emotional Connection)
What it is: 150 songs and prayers covering every human emotion—joy, anger, despair, gratitude, confusion.
Why start here: Psalms meet you where you are. Struggling? There's a psalm. Celebrating? There's a psalm. Confused about life? Definitely a psalm.
Time to read: Variable (read one psalm daily)
Perfect for: Those seeking comfort, worship, or emotional expression
Try Psalm 23 (comfort), Psalm 1 (wisdom), or Psalm 139 (God's presence)
5. A Structured Reading Plan (Best for Completion)
What it is: A daily schedule that guides you through the entire Bible in a year.
Why start here: Someone else solved the "where to start" problem. You just follow the plan.
Time commitment: 15-20 minutes daily
Perfect for: Those who want to read the whole Bible without getting stuck
Our 365-day reading plan blends Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs daily—so you're never trapped in difficult sections for long.
How to Choose Where to Start Reading the Bible
Choose John if you...
- Have never read the Bible before
- Want to understand who Jesus is
- Have limited time
- Are exploring faith
Choose Mark if you...
- Want the fastest overview
- Prefer action over theology
- Have very limited time
- Learn best through story
Choose Genesis if you...
- Want the full story from the beginning
- Enjoy narrative and history
- Have more time available
- Plan to read the whole Bible eventually
Choose Psalms if you...
- Are going through a hard time
- Want to connect emotionally before intellectually
- Prefer poetry and prayer
- Only have 5 minutes daily
Choose a Reading Plan if you...
- Want to read the entire Bible
- Need structure and accountability
- Prefer someone else making decisions
- Want variety in daily reading
Starting Points to Avoid
Don't Start With:
Leviticus — Ancient ceremonial laws. Important for understanding the Bible, terrible for engaging new readers.
Numbers — Census data and wilderness wandering. Necessary context, not compelling reading.
1 Chronicles — Genealogies. Lists of names for chapters.
Revelation — Complex apocalyptic imagery. Without understanding the rest of the Bible, it's confusing and often misinterpreted.
These books matter. They're just not where you start.
The "Genesis to Revelation" Trap
Many well-meaning people advise starting at Genesis 1:1 and reading straight through. Here's what happens:
- Week 1-2: Genesis is great! Drama, stories, characters.
- Week 3: Exodus starts well—Moses, plagues, the Red Sea.
- Week 4-5: Exodus slows down with tabernacle construction details.
- Week 6: Leviticus begins. Laws about sacrifices, skin diseases, bodily discharges.
- Week 7: Most people quit.
The Bible wasn't designed to be read like a novel. It's a library of books in different genres. Jumping around isn't cheating—it's wisdom.
Starting Points by Goal
"I want to know who Jesus is"
→ Start with John, then read Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
"I want to understand the whole story"
→ Start with Genesis, read through Exodus 20, then jump to Matthew.
"I need encouragement right now"
→ Start with Psalms. Read Psalm 23, 91, 121, and 139.
"I want to read the whole Bible this year"
→ Start with our 365-day reading plan.
"I have questions about life and wisdom"
→ Start with Proverbs. One chapter daily for a month.
"I want to understand early Christianity"
→ Start with Acts, then read Romans and Galatians.
What to Do After Your Starting Point
Finished John? Here's what comes next:
- Read the other Gospels — Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell the same story with different emphases.
- Read Acts — The sequel to Luke, showing the early church's expansion.
- Read Genesis — Now that you know Jesus, the Old Testament setup makes more sense.
- Follow a reading plan — Let structure guide your next steps.
Our 365-day plan is designed for exactly this—taking you through the entire Bible without getting stuck. You can view the complete schedule on our reading calendar.
Quick-Start Options
The 10-Minute Start
Open to John 1. Read verses 1-14. That's it. You've started.
The 30-Minute Start
Read Mark 1-2. You'll see Jesus' baptism, calling disciples, healing people, and challenging religious leaders.
The Full Commitment Start
Begin our 365-day plan at Day 1. In 20 minutes, you'll read Genesis 1-3, Matthew 1, Psalm 1, and Proverbs 1.
FAQ: Where to Start Reading the Bible
What if I've tried before and failed?
Start with a shorter goal. Instead of "read the whole Bible," try "read the Gospel of Mark." Sixteen chapters is achievable. Success breeds success. Our guide on how to read the Bible offers practical tips for building a sustainable habit.
Should I use a study Bible?
For starting out, a regular Bible is fine. Study Bibles add helpful notes but can slow you down. Once reading is a habit, consider adding study resources.
Is it okay to skip around?
Yes. The Bible is a library, not a novel. Skipping to interesting sections then returning to difficult ones is a legitimate strategy.
What translation is easiest to understand?
NIV and NLT are both excellent for readability. Our online reading plan uses NHEB, which is clear and modern.
How do I know what I'm reading is accurate?
Use a reputable translation (NIV, ESV, NLT, NASB, CSB). Avoid paraphrases for primary reading. Compare translations if a verse confuses you.
What if I don't understand what I'm reading?
Keep going. Context often clarifies meaning. Use a study Bible or commentary for persistently confusing passages. Once you're comfortable reading, consider a Bible study plan to go deeper. Some mystery is normal—scholars have debated certain verses for centuries.
Start Today
You've spent more time reading this article than it takes to read John chapter 1.
Here's your action step: Open to John 1 right now and read the first 14 verses. It takes three minutes.
Or, if you want a structured path through the entire Bible, start Day 1 of our 365-day plan.
The best starting point is the one you actually start. Everything else is just planning.
Track Your Progress with BibleMate
Don't lose your place. BibleMate helps you:
- Pick up exactly where you left off
- Track completed readings
- Get daily reminders
- Read offline anywhere
Ready to start your Bible reading journey?
Read the entire Bible in one year with daily guidance.
