Daily Christian Journey

How to Start Reading the Bible

By Michael Smith

The Bible can feel like a locked room. It is long, it was written over many centuries in different settings, and if you open it at the first page and plan to read straight through, you may find yourself lost somewhere in the middle of Leviticus. The good news is that you do not have to read it the way you would read a novel. There are better ways in.

A simple place to begin is the Gospel of John or the Gospel of Mark. Both tell the story of Jesus, and Mark is short and fast-moving. After that, many readers move to the Psalms for prayer and poetry, to Proverbs for practical wisdom, and then to Genesis to see where the story begins. A good rhythm for a beginner is ten to fifteen minutes a day rather than an occasional marathon.

Choose a readable translation. The King James Version, quoted on this page, is a public-domain classic with beautiful language, though its older English can slow a new reader down. Many people alternate it with a modern translation. Whatever you choose, read a passage twice, ask what it says before asking what it means, and write down one question and one thing you notice. A pencil and a small notebook go a long way.

Do not be discouraged by the parts you do not understand. Every reader has them. Come back to them later, read with a friend or a church group, and let the clear parts shape you while the harder ones wait. The verses below speak to why Scripture matters and how to approach it, and the articles at the bottom offer practical help. You might also try our free seven-day plan for beginners.

A short prayer

Lord, open my eyes as I read. Help me to understand what is clear and to be patient with what is not. Let your word be a lamp for my feet, and give me the desire to keep coming back to it. Amen.

Bible verses for this topic

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105 (KJV)

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Psalm 119:130 (KJV)

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Joshua 1:8 (KJV)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Acts 17:11 (KJV)

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

John 20:31 (KJV)

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:22 (KJV)

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Romans 15:4 (KJV)

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), which is in the public domain.

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