Short answer: Start with the Gospel of Mark or the Gospel of John, then read on through the rest of the New Testament, and add a few Psalms each week alongside. Do not begin at Genesis 1 and push through to Revelation unless you already have a feel for the Bible's shape. The whole book points to Jesus, so meeting Him first makes the rest of it make sense.
In This Article
Most people who open a Bible for the first time make the same decision: they begin on page one. Genesis is full of stories, so the first few weeks feel good. Then comes Leviticus, then Numbers, and a sincere reader quietly stops. It is a pattern readers describe again and again, and it is the reason this article exists.
The Bible is a library of 66 books written by many human authors across more than a thousand years, in poetry, history, law, prophecy, letters and biography. It is not arranged like a novel. Knowing where to begin, and in what order to go, matters far more than sheer willpower.
Should You Read The Bible Front To Back?
You can, and plenty of Christians do it every year. But a beginner will do better to wait. The order of the books in your Bible is mostly by type of writing, not by date. Law comes first, then history, then poetry and wisdom, then the prophets, then the Gospels, then the letters. Reading it cover to cover means meeting some of the hardest material before you have any reason to care about it.
The Old Testament is the story of a people who needed rescuing, and Jesus is the Rescuer. Reading the Old Testament first, without knowing Him, is like reading the first four hundred pages of a mystery without knowing there is a detective. It is all in service of something you cannot yet see. So the question is not whether you will eventually read Leviticus, but when.
My advice is to read the Bible in a sequence that keeps you going, and come to a straight read from Genesis to Revelation later, with some background and a good guide in your lap. If you want to know how long that takes, I wrote about it in How Long Does It Take To Read The Bible? and about the practical side in How To Read The Bible.
Which Book Should A Beginner Start With?
Begin with a Gospel. The four accounts of Jesus' life, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, are the heart of the New Testament, and each gives the same Person from a slightly different angle.
Mark Is The Fastest Way In
Mark is the shortest Gospel and moves quickly. It opens with the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah and keeps going without much pause. If you are nervous about commitment, you can read it in a sitting or two.
John Is The Best Choice For Understanding Who Jesus Is
John says plainly why it was written, and that purpose is worth hearing in full.
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:31 (NIV)
After a Gospel, read Acts, which carries the story forward as the church begins. Luke wrote both books, which I explain in Who Wrote The Book Of Acts In The Bible? Then try a short letter such as Ephesians, Philippians or Colossians. Paul wrote these to young churches, and they spell out in plain terms how followers of Jesus are meant to live. Philippians is only four chapters and is a warm place to land.
Once you have walked through the New Testament, go back to Genesis and read the Old Testament with a real sense of where it is heading. Look again at Luke 24 if you want a reason: Jesus Himself taught His disciples how the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms spoke about Him.
Which Bible Translation Should A Beginner Use?
Use one you will actually read. That sounds like a dodge, but it is the honest answer. A translation that sits unopened because the language feels like a wall is no help to you.
For most beginners I would point to the New International Version (NIV), the New Living Translation (NLT) or the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). All three are readable in everyday English and carefully done. The English Standard Version (ESV) is a little more formal and many pastors love it. The King James Version is beautiful, but its 1611 English is a hurdle if you are just starting out.
You will meet the phrase "Bibles to stay away from" in searches. I am cautious here. Stay away from paraphrases that you treat as a main Bible, and from any edition that rewrites verses to fit a particular movement's teaching, such as the New World Translation used by the Jehovah's Witnesses, which changes key passages about Jesus. A paraphrase like The Message can be a pleasant second read, but it is not where I would send a first-time reader to learn what the text says. For a longer comparison, see Which Bible Should You Read? and How Many Bible Versions Are There?
A study Bible is worth considering too, because the notes explain customs and background that you would otherwise miss. See What Is A Study Bible? for how to choose one.
Psalms Or Proverbs First?
Either one is a good companion, and neither is a place to start your whole reading plan. They are best as a side dish while you read a Gospel.
Psalms is the prayer book of the Bible. It gives words to joy, grief, anger, fear and praise, and it often says out loud what people hesitate to say to God. If you are struggling or just want to pray and do not know how, start with Psalms.
Proverbs is concentrated wisdom for daily life: money, speech, work, friendship, temper. It is built from short sayings, which makes it easy to read in small bites. A common habit is to read the Proverb that matches the day of the month. There are 31 chapters, so it fits neatly.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
If you only pick one to begin with, I would say Psalms. It meets you where you are, and it sets your heart toward prayer. Proverbs is the one to add when you want direction for how to live.
How Do You Build A Daily Reading Habit?
The pattern that works is small and steady. Ten to fifteen minutes a day will carry you further than an ambitious hour on Sunday that you skip the next three weeks.
- Pick a time and a place. Morning works for many, but the best time is the one you will keep. Put the Bible where you will see it.
- Read a small portion. A chapter, or even half of one. Resist the urge to rush. If a Gospel chapter is long, break it at a natural pause.
- Ask three questions. What does this say? What does it tell me about God? What should I do with it today?
- Write something down. A line, a prayer, a question. A simple notebook is enough.
- Use a plan if you like structure. A plan that moves through the New Testament in a few months, with a Psalm each day, is a fine first plan. Some people prefer an app or an audio Bible for the commute. Both are good, as long as you still sit down with the text.
- Do not punish yourself for missing a day. Pick up where you left off. The point is time with God, not a perfect chart.
Pray before you open the book, asking God to help you understand it. It also helps to read with others. A friend or small group will notice things you miss, and you can ask each other the questions that come up. For help when a passage feels dense, see How To Understand The Bible.
A last word on difficulty. You will hit passages you do not understand. That is normal for everyone, including pastors. Mark the question, keep reading, and come back to it. Much of the Bible explains itself as you go.
Key Bible Verses About Reading Scripture
- Psalm 119:105: God's word gives light for the next step, not the whole road at once.
- John 20:31: the Gospel of John was written so that readers would believe in Jesus and have life.
- 2 Timothy 3:16: all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching and training.
- Acts 17:11: the Bereans examined the Scriptures daily to see whether what they heard was true.
- Psalm 1:2: the blessed person delights in God's law and thinks on it day and night.
- Romans 15:4: the Scriptures were written to teach us and to give us hope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proper order to read the Bible?
There is no single required order. Most beginners do well with a Gospel such as Mark or John, then Acts, a short letter like Philippians, and a Psalm each day. After that, go back to Genesis and read the Old Testament with Jesus in view.
What Bible should a beginner start with?
Choose a faithful translation in clear English that you will enjoy reading, such as the NIV, NLT or CSB. The ESV is a good step up in formality. See Which Bible Should You Read? for more detail.
Should I read Psalms or Proverbs first?
If you want to pray and need words, begin with Psalms. If you want practical wisdom for work, speech and relationships, begin with Proverbs. Either works well alongside a Gospel rather than as a full reading plan by itself.
What is the easiest way to read the Bible?
Read a short portion every day, ten to fifteen minutes, at the same time and place. Ask what the passage says, what it shows about God, and what you should do with it, then write one line down.
Which Bibles should a beginner stay away from?
Avoid translations produced to support one group's doctrine, such as the New World Translation, and avoid treating loose paraphrases as your only Bible. A reliable translation with good notes is the safest starting point.
