What Order Should I Read the Bible? Perfect Plan

I remember the first time I tried to really read the Bible what order should i read the bible?. I took the big book off the shelf and opened it to page one. My thought was, “I will read this from start to finish.” Unfortunately, I got about halfway through the first book, Genesis. I got stuck on names I could not say. Then I read Exodus, and the story was fun! But after that, I got to Leviticus. It felt like hitting a wall, as it was full of old laws. My goal soon ended, and consequently, I felt like I failed.

If this sounds like you, then listen to this. You are not a failure; you just had a bad plan. Reading the Bible straight through is hard. For example, it is like trying to build a puzzle with 5,000 pieces with no picture on the box. You have all the pieces, but you do not know how they fit together. Many people get stuck wondering what order should I read the bible and never even start.

The Bible is not one book. Instead, it is a library of 66 books. These were written over many years by many people. It has history, poems, letters, and laws. Therefore, reading them in the order they are in now may not be the best way to learn the big story.

So, the real question is how to read the Bible. A good reading plan can make all the difference. It can turn a hard time into a great journey. This guide is my own advice from what I have learned. We will look at some “perfect plans” for you. Let’s forget the guilt. Let’s find an order that makes sense and makes the story come alive for you.

More in Bible Category

Where Should a Woman Start Reading the Bible

What Book of the Bible Should I Read

Where Is a Good Place to Start Reading the Bible

What Order Should I Read the Bible for the Main Storyline, and What is the Best Plan?

For most people, the best way to start is to follow the main story. This approach helps you see the “big picture” of the Bible. It also helps you build a frame in your mind. Once you have the frame, you can then fit all the other pieces in. The other pieces are, for instance, the poems, the laws, and the letters. Then it is not just a bunch of stories. It becomes one big story of God’s love for people.

I call this the Narrative Plan. It is a trip through the key events that shape the whole Bible story. This plan directly answers what order should I read the bible to understand the main plot. You do not have to read every chapter. You just read the right chapters in the right order to get the main plot.

Starting Order: Reading Genesis and Exodus for the Bible’s Foundation

This is where the story starts. You need to know the problem to understand the answer. These first books, therefore, set the stage for all that comes next.

• Read: Genesis chapters 1-4. Here you see the lovely story of how the world was made. God makes a perfect world. Then you see how sin breaks that world. This is where the main problem of the Bible starts.
• Read: Genesis chapters 12:1-3; 15:1-6; 17:1-8. After the fall, God does not give up. Instead, He starts a rescue plan. It starts with one man, Abraham. God makes a big promise to him. This promise will one day bless the whole world. You need to understand this promise.
• Read: Exodus chapters 1-4. The story jumps ahead a few hundred years. Abraham’s family is now the nation of Israel. But they are slaves in Egypt. Here you meet Moses. God chooses him to lead His people to be free.
• Read: Exodus chapters 12-14. This is the main event. It is the Passover and the escape through the Red Sea. This event is very key. It is talked about in the rest of the Bible. It is a top example of God’s power to save.

Personal Reflection: I used to think the story of Abraham was just an old tale. Then I saw that God’s promise to him ties the whole Bible together. When you meet Jesus later, you see he is the fulfillment of that promise. It was amazing to me. Genesis was not just old history; it was the start of the main event.

The Right Order to Read About Israel’s Kings and Nation

Once God saves His people, He teaches them how to live. This part of the story sets up the nation of Israel. It gives them laws and brings them to the land God promised them.

• Read: Exodus chapters 19-20. At Mount Sinai, God gives the Ten Commandments. This is the heart of the law. It is the base of how God’s people should act with Him and each other.
• Read: Joshua chapters 1-6; 23-24. After 40 years in the desert, the people finally enter the Promised Land. Joshua is their leader. The story of the Battle of Jericho in chapter 6 is very famous. Joshua’s last speech in chapters 23-24 is a strong call to be true to God.
• Read: 1 Samuel chapters 8-10; 16-17. The people want a king like other nations. This is a big moment. The first king, Saul, is picked. Then, God picks a young shepherd boy named David. The story of David and Goliath (chapter 17) shows God using a small person to do great things.
• Read: 2 Samuel chapters 7, 11-12. David becomes king. God makes another big promise to him: one of his sons will rule forever. This is another clue that points to Jesus. We also see David’s big mistake with Bathsheba. This shows that even the best human leaders are not perfect and need a savior.

What Order Should I Read the Bible to Understand the Kingdom and Exile?

This part shows the best and worst times of Israel’s story. It is a strong lesson about following God. This is a key part of answering the question, what order should i read the bible?

• Read: 1 Kings chapters 8, 11. King Solomon, David’s son, builds a great temple for God. The kingdom is at its best. But then, Solomon’s heart turns from God. He leads the nation to worship false gods. This one act leads to the kingdom’s fall.
• Read: 2 Kings chapters 17, 24-25. The people keep turning from God. So, the kingdom splits in two and is later beaten. The people are taken to other lands, and the temple is torn down. This is the saddest point in the Old Testament. It seems like God’s promises have failed.
• Read: The Book of Daniel chapters 1-6. While in other lands, faithful people like Daniel show it is still possible to follow God. These stories give a little hope in a dark time.
• Read: The Book of Ezra chapters 1-3, and Nehemiah chapters 1-2, 8. After 70 years, God keeps His word. He lets some of His people go back to Jerusalem. They rebuild the temple and the city walls. This is a story of starting over.

What Order Should I Read the Bible’s Gospels and Acts?

For 400 years after the Old Testament, God is silent. The people wait, hoping for God’s promises to come true. And then…

• Read: The Gospel of Luke chapters 1-2, and The Gospel of John chapter 1. He arrives! These chapters tell of the amazing births of John the Baptist and Jesus. John’s Gospel gives a lovely picture of who Jesus is. He is the Word who became human.
• Read: The Gospel of Mark. Now it is time to see Jesus in action. Mark is the shortest Gospel. It moves very fast. Reading it gives you a strong, quick look at Jesus’s work, miracles, and lessons. You see his power and his love.

Seeing the Story Continue in the New Testament

• Read: The Gospel of John chapters 14-17, 19-21. After reading Mark, read these key chapters from John. Chapters 14-17 are Jesus’s last talk with his followers before he is taken. It is very deep. Chapters 19-21 give a clear story of his death on the cross and his return to life. His return is the high point of the whole Bible.
• Read: The Book of Acts chapters 1-4, 9. This is the next part of the story. What happens after Jesus goes to heaven? The Holy Spirit comes, and the church is born! These chapters show the fast growth of the new church. We also meet a key man named Saul, who becomes the Apostle Paul.

Personal Anecdote: I once tried to read all four Gospels in a row. By the third one, I thought, “I just read this!” It felt like I was reading the same thing over and over. Later I learned a better order. Starting with Mark (the short, action-packed one) and then John (the deep one) gives you two very different views. It makes the story feel new. This is a great answer to what order should I read the bible for the New Testament.

What Order to Read the Bible’s Letters and Revelation

So, Jesus came, lived, died, and came back to life. The church was born. Now what? The letters in the New Testament explain the meaning of what happened. They also tell us how to live now.

• Read: The Book of Romans chapters 1-8. This may be the best explanation of the good news in the whole Bible. Paul gives a clear reason why we need a savior. He tells how we are saved by faith and explains what it means to live a new life. If you want to know the “why” behind the story, this is the place to go.
• Read: The Book of Ephesians. This is a shorter letter. It celebrates our new life in Christ. Also, it talks about the church as a “new family.” It gives good advice on how to live as one. It is a lovely and hopeful book.
• Read: The Book of Revelation chapters 1-5, 19-22. Last, we look at the end of the story. Revelation can be a hard book, so do not get stuck on every symbol. Instead, just focus on these chapters. The letters to the churches in chapters 1-5 are very useful. And the last chapters (19-22) give a great view of Christ’s final win. They show the new heaven and new earth where God will live with His people forever. It is the “happy end” the story has pointed to since Genesis 3.

Different Answers to “What Order Should I Read the Bible?” for Specific Needs

The Narrative Plan is a great place to start. But it is not the only one. In fact, a different order might be better for you based on what you need.

What Order Should I Read the Bible for Daily Practical Wisdom

Maybe you are not looking for a big story right now. Perhaps you think, “I just need some wisdom for my life today.” If that’s you, the Wisdom Plan is perfect. This plan looks at the “wisdom books” of the Bible.

• Start with Proverbs: Try reading one chapter of Proverbs each day for a month. Since there are 31 chapters, it works well. It is full of short, smart sayings about being honest, working hard, and how to treat people. It is very useful.
• Move to James: This is like the “Proverbs of the New Testament.” It’s a short letter that is all about putting your faith into action. For instance, James says that faith with no action is dead. He is very direct.
• Then read Ecclesiastes: This book asks big, tough questions about life. “Is this all there is?” “What is the point?” The writer says that life without God is empty. It is a serious book that makes you think.
• Finally, read Psalms: As we said before, Psalms is the prayer book of the Bible. It gives you words for every feeling you have. Reading Psalms along with the other wisdom books will make your journey richer.

Tools to Help You Decide What Order to Read the Bible

You do not have to do this alone. And you do not have to start from scratch. There are great tools that can help you understand what you are reading.

• The Bible Project: I really suggest this site. Go to The Bible Project. Before you read any book of the Bible, watch their short video about it. They do a great job explaining in the Bible book plan and main ideas. Indeed, it is a real game-changer.
• A Good Bible App: An app like the YouVersion Bible App is a must. It has hundreds of reading plans. You can track what you read, and it makes the whole thing feel easier to handle.
• A Journal: This is a simple but strong tool. As you read, write down a few things. What does this part teach me about God? What does it teach me about people? Is there a rule to follow? Is there a promise to hold onto? This simple habit will help you get much more from your reading. I have filled many journals. Looking back at them shows me how good God has been.

Final Thoughts on What Order Should I Read the Bible

The goal of a reading plan is not just to check boxes. The goal is to meet the Author of the book. These plans are tools to help you do that. Some days you will be excited to read. Other days, however, it will feel like a job. That’s normal. Do not let a bad day stop you. Just pick it up again the next day. There is always grace.

So, look at these plans. Pray about it. Pick the one that seems best for you right now. Do not feel crushed by the size of the book. Ultimately, the best answer to what order should I read the bible is the one that you will stick with. Just start with the first reading on the list. Then do the next one. Step by step, you will begin to see the beautiful and life-changing story that God has written for you.

FAQ – What Order Should I Read the Bible