I remember the day I chose to read the Bible. For instance, I had a big, lovely book on my nightstand that mostly just got dusty. I felt like I should read it. So, one Saturday, I got a cup of coffee and opened the book to the first page. I thought, “Here we go.” I read the story of how the world was made, and that part was cool. However, I then got to the long lists of names, and my eyes started to glaze over. Consequently, I closed the book. I felt like I had failed. I thought, “This is just too hard.” It left me with one big question: where should i start reading the bible?
If that story sounds like yours, know this: you are not alone, and you are not a failure. In fact, many people have this same feeling! The Bible is not like other books. For example, it is not one story by one person. Instead, it is a library of 66 books. These were written over thousands of years by many authors. Furthermore, it has history, poems, letters, and laws all in one. Therefore, starting at page one and reading straight through can be confusing. It is like seeing a city by driving down only one long road. You will see some things, but you will certainly miss the best parts.
This guide is a friendly chat. In other words, it is a simple map to help you read this amazing library. We will forget the pressure and the “shoulds.” Instead, we will look at the best books to start with. The best book for you depends on what you are looking for. So, let’s find a starting point that feels right for you.
Where Should I Start Reading the Bible? A Great Starting Point for Beginners
If you are new to the Bible, the best place to start is with Jesus. Unquestionably, he is the main character of the whole story. His life story is in the first four books of the New Testament. These are called the Gospels. They are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each one gives a different view of his life. Starting here is like starting a movie with the main character. It just makes sense.
Reading the Gospel of Mark as a First-Time Bible Reader
If you want a quick, simple intro to Jesus, Mark is the perfect place to start. Specifically, it is the shortest of the four Gospels. It reads like an action movie. For instance, Mark uses the word “right away” a lot. As a result, the story moves fast.
You will not find long speeches. Instead, you get a strong look at what Jesus did. For example, you will see him healing people, teaching with great power, and challenging the religious leaders. Reading Mark is like seeing the highlights of Jesus’s life. You can easily read it in one or two sittings. Furthermore, it will give you a great base for everything else. It is a strong answer to where should i start reading the bible.
Reading the Gospel of John to Understand Jesus’s Message
After you read the story in Mark, you should read the Gospel of John next. While Mark tells you what Jesus did, John tells you who Jesus is. John’s goal is to show you that Jesus is God. He starts his book, for instance, by calling Jesus “the Word.” He says Jesus was with God from the start.
John’s book is more like poetry. He writes down some of Jesus’s most famous words. For example, “I am the way and the truth and the life” and “I am the good shepherd.” Reading John after Mark is like watching a movie and then the director’s comments. First you get the story, and then you get the deep meaning. In the end, this gives you a full picture of Jesus.
Where Should I Start Reading the Bible for Life’s Challenges?
The Bible is not just for learning facts. Instead, it is for finding help and hope in real life. What you need today may be different from what you need tomorrow. Thankfully, this library has a book for every season of life. Answering where should i start reading the bible often depends on what you are facing today.
Best Bible Books to Read for Anxiety and Sadness
For days when you are sad or worried, the book of Psalms is a gift. It is the Bible’s songbook and prayer book. Also, it has every human feeling. You will find joy, anger, doubt, praise, and deep sadness. The writers are very honest with God. Consequently, this lets you be honest, too.
You do not need to read Bible Psalms in order. Just open it up and find a chapter that helps you.
- For worry, read Psalm 23 or Psalm 46. These remind you that God is our shepherd and a safe place.
- When you feel alone, read Psalm 139. It shows that God knows you and is always with you.
- When you want to praise but have no words, read Psalm 103. It lists many reasons to be thankful.
I often find that when I cannot pray, the Psalms give me the words I need.
Where Should I Start Reading the Bible for Practical Daily Wisdom?
If you want simple advice for daily life, then read the Bible of Proverbs. Proverbs is a list of wise sayings. Specifically, they cover money, friends, hard work, and how to talk to others.
Reading Proverbs is like getting advice from a wise grandparent. It is not about hard ideas. Instead, it is about living a good and smart life. For example, a great way to read it is to read one chapter a day for a month. Since there are 31 chapters, this plan lines up with most months. You will be surprised how much good advice you can use in your life.
What to Read in the Bible When You’re Searching for Purpose
Are you asking, “What is my purpose?” or “Why am I here?” If so, a great book to read is Ephesians in the New Testament. It is a short letter of only six chapters, but it is full of truth about who we are and why we are here.
Ephesians tells us that we are chosen, loved, and saved. For example, the book says we are God’s “work of art.” Furthermore, we learn that He made us to do good things that He planned for us long ago. This gives us a picture for a life with a goal. Ultimately, it is a very hopeful book to read when you need to know your worth and your purpose. So, if you’re asking where should i start reading the bible for purpose, Ephesians is a great choice.
A Simple Reading Plan to Answer “Where Should I Start Reading the Bible?”
After you read a few books, you may wonder how they all fit together. Knowing the big picture can make every part of the Bible mean more. This simple plan, therefore, walks you through the main parts of the Bible’s story.
- The Beginning (Genesis 1-3): Start here to see the story of a perfect world, the first sin, and God’s rescue promise. This sets the stage.
- The Rescue (Exodus 1-3, 12-14): This tells how God saved His people from slavery in Egypt. It is a strong picture of God’s power.
- The King (1 Samuel 16-17): This shows us King David. He is a key person in the Old Testament. The story of David and Goliath is a great lesson in faith.
- The Savior (Luke 1-2 & Mark): Read about the birth of Jesus in Luke. Then read all of Mark to get the story of his life, death, and return to life.
- The Church (Acts 1-4): This is the next part! It tells the fun story of how the first church began and grew.
- The Meaning (Romans 1-8): This part of a letter from Paul explains what the good news means. It also answers the “why” of Jesus’s life and death.
- The End (Revelation 21-22): Do not be afraid of Revelation! Just read the last two chapters. They give a lovely picture of the end of the story. It is a new heaven and a new earth with no more pain or tears.
Helpful Resources and Tools for Reading the Bible
You do not have to do this alone. In fact, there are many great tools today that can make reading easier and more fun as you discover where should i start reading the bible.
- Choose a Bible Version You Will Read: Bibles come in many versions. For easy reading, I suggest the New International Version (NIV) or the New Living Translation (NLT). They are both correct and use simple, modern words. The free You Version Bible App, for instance, lets you switch versions with ease.
- Use Free Online Help: Sometimes you will have questions. That is normal! Websites like Got Questions give clear, simple answers to many common questions about the Bible.
- Watch Videos That Explain the Bible: If you learn by seeing, The Bible Project is a great tool. Specifically, they have short, animated videos that explain the ideas of every single book of the Bible. Watching one of their videos before you start a new book is a big help.
Your Final Encouragement for Starting to Read the Bible
We have talked about many starting places. It might still seem like a lot. So, I will end with the most simple and key advice: just start.
Don’t be afraid to pick the “wrong” book, because there really isn’t one. Instead, pick one from this list that sounds good to you. Open it and read one chapter. That’s it. After that, try to do it again tomorrow. Reading the Bible is a life-long trip, not a race. Ultimately, the goal is not to master a book. It is to know the Author. Indeed, He is waiting to meet you, right where you are. The best answer to where should i start reading the bible is simply, “right here, right now.”
FAQ – Where Should I Start Reading the Bible
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1. I like to read certain kinds of books. Can I start with one I might like?
Yes! That is a great way to start. The Bible has many kinds of books.
If you like history, read 1 Samuel. It has lots of action and great people.
If you like poems, read Psalms. It is a book of songs and poems about all our feelings.
If you like letters, read Philippians. It is a short, happy letter from a man named Paul. -
2. I want to read about one person. Where should I look?
Reading about one person is a fun way to learn.
To learn about Jesus, read the book of Mark. It is a short and fast story about his life.
To learn about Moses, read the book of Exodus. It tells how he led his people out of Egypt.
To learn about David, read 1 and 2 Samuel. These books tell his life story. -
3. How can I read about one topic, like love?
Reading about one topic is a good idea. You can use the search tool in a Bible app or on a site. Search for a word like "love." For a key chapter on love, read 1 Corinthians 13. For a story on being forgiven, read Luke 15. Bible apps also have reading plans for many topics.
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4. Are the Bible books in time order?
No, the books are not in time order. They are grouped by the type of writing, like history or poems. So, reading from the start to the end can be hard. It is best for new readers to start with key books like Mark or John. After you learn a little more, reading the Bible in time order can be a good thing to do.
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5. I do not have much time. What can I read that is short?
The Bible has many short parts that are great to read. The book of Proverbs is a good choice. You can read just one or two wise sayings each day. Many of the Psalms are also short. You can read one in just a few minutes. Short letters like Philippians are also good. A short reading can give you good things to think about all day.
