The Bible is the most important book ever written — and the most misread. This guide provides: where to start (not Genesis), how to understand the Bible's structure, the key questions to ask of any passage, how to handle difficult passages, and how to build a sustainable daily reading practice. Reading Scripture is a spiritual discipline that transforms how you see everything.
The most common mistake new Bible readers make is starting at Genesis 1 and trying to read straight through. They get to Leviticus and stop. Here is a better approach:
Start with the Gospel of John. John's Gospel is written explicitly for people encountering Jesus for the first time: "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). It is accessible, profound, and introduces the person Christianity is about — Jesus — before getting to the complexities of Old Testament law and history.
After John: read the other Gospels (Mark is the shortest and fastest-paced; Luke is the most literary). Then Acts (the story of the early church — it reads like an adventure). Then Paul's letters beginning with Romans or Ephesians. Then return to the Old Testament with Psalms, Proverbs, and Genesis.
The Bible is not one book — it is a library of 66 books written across approximately 1,500 years by 40+ authors. It contains multiple literary genres, each requiring different reading strategies:
Narrative: Genesis, the Gospels, Acts — read like history. Ask: what is happening? Who are the characters? What does God do? Poetry and Wisdom: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon — not instruction but meditation. Read slowly; these books were written to be prayed, not just analyzed. Prophecy: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Revelation — written to a specific historical audience; understand the original context before applying it. Epistle (letter): Paul's letters — read the whole letter in one sitting before studying individual verses; context is essential. Law: Leviticus, Deuteronomy — understand the covenant context; ask how each law is fulfilled in Christ.
For any Bible passage: (1) What does this say? — Read carefully; resist jumping to application before understanding what the text actually says. (2) What does this mean? — What was the original author saying to the original audience? Every text means what it meant before it can mean anything to us. (3) What does this mean for me? — Only after understanding the original meaning can you apply it to your life. The order matters.
The best Bible reading plan is one you will actually do. For beginners: 10-15 minutes per day is better than an hour a week. The YouVersion Bible app (free) has hundreds of guided reading plans for every level. For a more structured approach, M'Cheyne's one-year reading plan covers the Old Testament once and New Testament twice. For depth, a good study Bible (ESV Study Bible or NIV Study Bible) provides context for difficult passages.
See our guide on How to Become a Christian and our guide on Is the Bible True? The Gospel Coalition's guide to reading the Bible provides additional depth. GotQuestions on how to read the Bible is also excellent. See our Theology hub.