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How To Read The Bible For The First Time: A Simple Plan
Never read the Bible before? Where to start (hint: not page one), how the Bible is organised, choosing a translation, a simple daily method, a 30-day starter plan, and what to do when it's confusing.
·3 min read·Jesus Festival Movement
The Bible can feel intimidating: hundreds of pages, unfamiliar names, ancient history. Many people start bravely at Genesis and stall somewhere in Leviticus. There's a better way to begin, and it's simpler than you think.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Don't start at page one
The Bible isn't one book; it's a library of 66, written over many centuries, all pointing to Jesus. You don't read a library front to back. Start with the Gospel of John — the story of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, written for exactly this purpose.
“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
How the Bible is organised
- The Old Testament — God's story with His people before Jesus: creation, the law, history, poetry like the Psalms, and the prophets
- The New Testament — Jesus and the early Church: four Gospels about Jesus' life, Acts (the first Christians), letters to churches, and Revelation
- References like John 3:16 mean the book of John, chapter 3, verse 16
Choose a translation you can read
The Bible was written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, so every English Bible is a translation. Readable modern ones like the NIV, NLT or CSB are great for beginners; the ESV is a little more literal. Most are free in Bible apps and websites. The best translation is the one you'll actually read.
A simple daily method
Pray first
"God, help me understand and live what I read." A ten-second prayer changes how you read.
Read one chapter
Slowly. Read it twice if it's short.
Ask three questions
What does this show me about God? What does it show me about people? What will I do or remember today?
Write one line
A verse, a question or a thought, in a notebook or your phone.
Talk to God about it
Turn what you read into a short prayer.
A 30-day starter plan
- Days 1–21: the Gospel of John, one chapter a day
- Days 22–30: the first nine chapters of Acts — what happened next
- Alongside: one Psalm whenever you need words to pray
- Then: the Gospel of Mark, the rest of Acts, and a short letter like Philippians
You can start John right now, free online: John 1.
When it's confusing
Some parts will be. That's normal for everyone, including people who've read it for decades. Don't let one hard passage stop you; note the question and keep reading. Ask a pastor or a Christian friend, and if you can, read with others. Many churches have small groups that read the Bible together.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
Make it a habit
Attach it to something you already do every day — your morning coffee, your commute, your lunch break. Short and daily beats long and occasional. If you miss a day, simply pick up where you left off. Bible reading is one of the main ways we grow as followers of Jesus — see what discipleship is and your first 30 days as a Christian.
Questions people ask
Where should I start reading the Bible?
With the Gospel of John. It tells the story of Jesus clearly and was written so that readers would believe in Him. Read a chapter a day. After John, read Mark, then Acts, then dip into the Psalms. Leave the harder books for later.
Which Bible translation should a beginner read?
One you can understand. Readable modern translations such as the NIV, NLT or CSB are good places to start; the ESV is a little more literal. You can compare several free online or in a Bible app. The best translation is the one you will actually read.
How long should I read the Bible each day?
Start small — one chapter, or ten to fifteen minutes. Consistency matters far more than length. A short daily habit you keep will shape you more than a long session you only manage once a month.
What if I don't understand what I'm reading?
That's normal, even for people who've read it for years. Keep reading, note your questions, and ask a pastor or a Christian friend. Reading with others — in a small group or with one person — helps enormously. Ask God to help you understand before you start.