Bible Reading for Beginners: Where to Start

If you're new to the Bible and not sure where to begin, start with the Gospel of John — it's written specifically to introduce readers to who Jesus is — then circle back to Genesis to read from the very beginning. A structured reading plan makes sure you don't stall out halfway through Leviticus.

Why "Just Open to Page One" Doesn't Work

Most beginners open to Genesis, read through Exodus, then hit a wall of laws and genealogies and quietly close the app. It's not a character flaw — it's just that the Bible wasn't written as a cover-to-cover novel. It's a library of 66 books spanning poetry, history, law, prophecy, and letters. Reading it without a plan is like walking into a library and reading whatever's on the shelf in alphabetical order.

A reading plan solves this by spreading difficult passages across the year and pairing Old Testament readings with New Testament ones so the context builds naturally. Most people find that reading the Psalms alongside something like Numbers makes the whole thing feel less like homework.

A Practical First Month for New Readers

If you're starting from scratch, here's a simple first-month approach:

Week 1: Gospel of John (21 chapters — one a day with a few double-up days)
Week 2: Genesis 1–25
Week 3: Genesis 26–50
Week 4: Psalms 1–30 and the Gospel of Mark (alternate days)

After a month, you'll have seen the story of creation and the patriarchs, read through the life of Jesus twice from two different angles, and spent time in the most beloved prayer book in the Bible. That's enough foundation to keep going with a full-year plan.

How a 365-Day Plan Helps You Stay on Track

Once you're past the first few weeks, the biggest challenge is consistency. A daily plan removes the "what do I read today?" decision, which turns out to be one of the main reasons people stop. Apps like Bible In A Year handle this automatically — each day's reading is queued up, your streak is tracked, and a daily reminder keeps the habit anchored to a specific time.

The 365-day format also has a natural payoff: you finish the entire Bible in a calendar year. That milestone is surprisingly motivating once you're a few months in.

What to Do When You Hit Confusing Passages

You will hit confusing passages. When that happens:

Keep reading. Context often resolves the confusion within a few chapters.
Don't skip. Skipping creates gaps that compound later.
Note the question. Write it down and look it up afterward — Bible commentaries, YouTube explainers, and even asking a pastor all work.

The goal in year one isn't full comprehension of every verse. It's familiarity — building a mental map of the whole story so future readings make more sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should a beginner start with the Old Testament or New Testament?

Start with the New Testament, specifically the Gospel of John. Once you've seen the big picture of who Jesus is, the Old Testament — which is largely setting the stage for him — makes much more sense. A good reading plan will weave both together.

How long does it take to read the Bible in a year?

Most people read the Bible in a year by spending 15–20 minutes a day. That covers roughly 3–4 chapters daily. A structured daily plan like the one in Bible In A Year keeps the chapter count manageable and consistent.

Is it okay to skip around in the Bible?

For devotional reading and studying specific topics, absolutely. But if your goal is to read the whole Bible, a sequential plan prevents the common pattern of re-reading familiar books while never touching others. Structure matters for completion.