Chapter 9 of 13
What Should I Read First in the Bible?
By The Living Bread · Last reviewed · 8 minute read
The short answer
Start with the Gospel of John or Mark, not Genesis. Read a short section daily, then move to Luke and Acts, the Psalms, and Romans. Choose a clear modern translation you can understand, such as the World English Bible or the NIV, ESV, or NLT, and read slowly, asking what this shows about Jesus.
Do not begin at the beginning
The most common advice is the least helpful: start at Genesis and read straight through. People mean well, and some do finish. But many who try it stall somewhere in Leviticus, feeling confused and a little guilty, and conclude that the Bible is not for them. It is a library, not a novel. It was written over about fifteen hundred years by many authors, in several genres, and it was not arranged for a first time reader.
The better advice is to start with a person. The Bible's whole story is aimed at Jesus, and the books that tell His life are the clearest door in. Once you have met Him, the rest begins to make sense, because you know what it is all pointing toward. Jesus Himself taught that the Scriptures bear witness to Him.
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”
On the road to Emmaus, the risen Jesus explained to two puzzled disciples how all the Scriptures spoke of Him. That is the key that makes the Bible a single story. Read it looking for Him.
The best place to begin: John or Mark
The Gospel of John states its aim plainly: that readers would come to trust Jesus as God's own Son, the promised Christ, and find life in His name. It is a good first read for someone asking who Jesus is and what He offers. It opens with a hymn about the Word becoming flesh, then moves through signs and conversations, ending with the cross and the resurrection. It has only twenty one chapters. You can read one a day, or just a section.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
The Gospel of Mark is the shortest and quickest, with sixteen chapters. It moves at a run, "immediately" this and "immediately" that, and shows Jesus as a man of action and mercy. If you want a fast overview of His life, start here.
Either is fine. Pick one and begin. You can read John chapter 1 or Mark chapter 1 right on this site, in the King James Version, with the surrounding context explained.
After that, a simple road
When you have finished a Gospel, here is a gentle order that serves most beginners well. Nothing is sacred about it; it is simply tested by many people.
- Luke and Acts. Luke is a longer, warmly human telling of Jesus' life, and Acts, by the same author, shows what happened next as the church was born. Together they give you a map of the first Christian years.
- Psalms. A few each day. These are the prayer book of the Bible, honest about every mood. They teach you how to pray.
- Romans. Paul's great letter on the gospel, a deeper explanation of what Jesus did and what it means. Read it after you have the story in your bones.
- Proverbs. Short sayings of wisdom, one chapter a day for a month.
- Genesis and Exodus. Now the beginning will make sense, as the first act of the story that leads to Christ.
- The rest of the New Testament letters, and then the Old Testament, in pieces, with a guide.
A reading plan can help. Bible reading plans offers several. But a plan is a servant, not a master; if you miss a day, pick up where you left off, and do not read it as a failure.
Which translation
This is the second question everyone asks, and the honest answer is that the best translation is the one you will actually read. Translations sit on a line between word for word (closer to the original structure, sometimes harder to read) and thought for thought (easier to read, with more interpretation by the translators). All the major ones are serious scholarly work.
- Easy to read: the New Living Translation (NLT) and the Good News Translation use plain contemporary English.
- Balanced and widely used: the New International Version (NIV) is the most common in churches in the United States. The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is similar.
- Closer to the words: the English Standard Version (ESV), the New American Standard Bible (NASB), and the New King James Version (NKJV).
- Free and public domain: the World English Bible (WEB) is a modern English translation anyone may copy and share freely. The King James Version (KJV) is the classic of English literature, beautiful but with older language that can slow a first time reader.
On this site, Scripture appears in the King James Version because it is in the public domain and the text is carefully preserved. If you find it hard going, do not struggle. Put it side by side with a modern translation. Which Bible translation should I read? goes into more detail.
A practical suggestion: choose one modern translation for daily reading, and use a second to compare when a verse is puzzling. If you read in a language other than English, ask a local church or search for a trusted translation in your own heart language; the Bible has been translated into many hundreds of languages.
How to read it so it does you good
Reading the Bible is not like reading an article for information. It is closer to listening to someone who loves you. A few simple habits help.
- Pray before you read. Something as brief as "Lord, I am listening" turns a task into a meeting. The psalmist prayed for the same thing, as you can see in Psalm 119:18, read in the King James Version below.
- Read slowly, a little at a time. A paragraph read carefully beats a chapter skimmed.
- Ask three questions. What does this say? What does it show me about Jesus or about God? What is one thing I will do or remember today?
- Read in context. A verse belongs to a passage, which belongs to a book, which belongs to the whole story. Avoid pulling one line out and building a life on it.
- Notice what confuses you. Write down questions and ask someone. Confusion is not failure.
- Read with others. A friend, a small group, or a community. Faith is a team sport.
“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
A lamp unto my feet. The image is not of a floodlight that shows the whole road, but of a lamp that shows the next step. You do not need to understand it all to take the next step.
When it troubles you
At some point you will read something that disturbs you: a story of violence, a law that seems harsh, a command that grates. Do not hide from it. These passages have been wrestled with for thousands of years, and thoughtful believers have good answers, which are usually found in the context and in the larger story. Take them to someone wise. Why is the Bible so confusing? addresses the common stumbling blocks, and the full guide at how to read the Bible walks you through the issues that new readers meet.
When it feels dry
There will be days when you read and feel nothing. That is normal. Stay with it, as you would with a friend through a quiet afternoon. Some of the most important growth happens in the unspectacular stretches. The Bible compares God's word to rain that does not return empty but accomplishes what it was sent to do. You may not see the growth for a while.
Reading the Bible with Living Bread
If you would like help, Living Bread offers the Bible alongside the rest of the walk. There are readings that follow the words of Jesus, plans to follow, and companions to read with. You can start with reading chapter by chapter, and you can find a plan at your own pace. The point is the same as everywhere else in this guide: it is not to master a book, but to meet the One the book is about. More on this in how Living Bread walks with you.
Walk this with someone
You do not have to walk this alone, and you do not have to hurry. Living Bread is a free home, with no ads, where a person can read the Word, pray with real people, and be known by a family in Christ. If you would like company for the next step, it is there. If not, that is fine too, and the rest of this page stands on its own.
Questions people ask
What should a beginner read first in the Bible?
The Gospel of John or the Gospel of Mark. They tell the story of Jesus clearly and are the best door into the rest of Scripture. After that, read Luke and Acts, the Psalms, and Romans.
Should I start at Genesis?
Most beginners do better not to. Genesis is wonderful, but it is easier to understand after you have met Jesus in the Gospels, because the Bible's whole story points to Him.
Which Bible translation is best for beginners?
One you will actually read. Many beginners like the NLT or NIV for readability, the ESV or NASB for closeness to the words, or the free World English Bible. Compare two translations when a passage is hard.
How much should I read each day?
A few verses to a chapter is plenty. A small habit you keep is better than a big goal you drop. Read slowly and ask what the passage shows about Jesus.
What if I do not understand what I am reading?
That is normal. Read in context, compare translations, ask a pastor or a friend, and keep going. The Bible is meant to be read in company.
Where to go next
More on the site: How to read the Bible: a beginner's guideHow to start reading the BibleFirst time reading the GospelsRead the Bible onlineBible reading plansThe BibleRead the Gospel of JohnRead the Gospel of Mark