How to Start Reading the Bible as a Beginner
Opening the Bible for the first time can feel a little intimidating.
You may wonder:
- Where am I supposed to start?
- Do I read it from beginning to end?
- How much should I read each day?
- What if I don’t understand what I’m reading?
- Am I doing this the right way?
If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone.
The Bible is a big book, and if you’re new to reading Scripture, it can be hard to know where to begin. But you do not need to understand everything all at once. You do not need to read for an hour every day. And you definitely do not need to have all the answers before you start.
The most important thing is simply to begin.
Start With Prayer
Before you start reading, take a moment to pray. Ask God to help you understand what you are about to read and to show you what He wants you to learn. Your prayer can be very simple:
Lord, thank You for giving me Your Word. Help me quiet my mind and focus on You as I read today. Open my heart and help me understand what You want to teach me. Show me how this Scripture applies to my life and help me grow closer to You through it. Amen.
You do not need to say those exact words. The point is simply to invite God into your time in Scripture.
You Don’t Have to Start on Page One
One of the biggest misconceptions beginners have is that they need to start with Genesis and read straight through to Revelation. You can absolutely do that someday, but it is not always the easiest way to begin. If you are new to the Bible, I usually recommend starting with one of the Gospels.
The Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, tell us about the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
John is a wonderful place to begin because it helps you understand who Jesus is and why He came. You could read a small section of John each day and simply take your time.
Start Small
You do not need to read several chapters every day. In fact, if you are just beginning, I think it is better to read a small amount and really think about it. You might read a few verses, one short passage, half a chapter, or one chapter. There is no perfect amount. Reading ten verses slowly and thoughtfully can be much more meaningful than rushing through five chapters just so you can say you finished them.
Read Slowly
Try not to treat Bible reading like something you need to check off your to-do list. Slow down. Read the passage once, and then read it again. If a verse stands out to you, pause there. You can underline it, highlight it, write it down, or simply sit with it for a moment. Sometimes one verse may be exactly what you need that day.
Ask Simple Questions
You do not need complicated Bible study methods when you are first beginning. After reading a passage, ask yourself a few simple questions:
- What does this teach me about God?
- What does this teach me about people or about myself?
- Is there a promise here?
- Is there something God is asking me to do?
- Is there something I need to change?
- Is there something I can pray about?
- What verse stood out to me the most?
You may not have an answer to every question, and that is completely okay. The goal is to begin thinking about what you are reading instead of simply reading the words and moving on.
Write Down What Stands Out
Keeping a notebook or journal nearby can be really helpful. You might write down:
- the date
- the passage you read
- a verse that stood out
- something you learned about God
- a question you have
- a prayer based on what you read
Your notes do not have to be beautiful or organized. Even writing one sentence is enough. For example: John 8:12 - Jesus says He is the light of the world. Today I want to remember that I do not have to find my way through everything alone.
Little notes like this can help you slow down and remember what God is teaching you.
It’s Okay If You Don’t Understand Everything
There will be verses and passages that confuse you. That happens to everyone. Do not let one difficult passage convince you that you are not capable of reading the Bible. You can make a note of your question and come back to it later. You can look at the surrounding verses for more context, use a study Bible, or research the passage from a trusted source. But you do not have to solve every question before moving on. Bible reading is something you grow into over time.
Learn to Pray About What You Read
One of the best ways to make Bible reading feel personal is to turn what you read into prayer. If you read a verse about trusting God, pray about an area where you are struggling to trust Him. If you read about forgiveness, ask God to help you forgive. If you read about God’s faithfulness, thank Him for the ways He has been faithful in your own life. You can use the same simple method I shared in my prayer basics post:
“Lord, You said in [verse] that [read or summarize the verse]. So I pray, Lord, that…”
This helps connect Bible reading and prayer instead of treating them as two completely separate things.
Don’t Worry About Making Your Bible Perfect
If you enjoy highlighting, stickers, tabs, tip-ins, or decorating your Bible, those can be wonderful tools. But remember: your Bible does not have to look a certain way for your time with God to be meaningful. Some days you may decorate a page, journal, and write several notes. Other days you may simply read one verse and pray. Both are valuable. The purpose of Bible journaling and decorating is not perfection. It is to help you engage with Scripture, remember what you are learning, and enjoy spending time in God’s Word.
Choose Consistency Over Perfection
You may miss a day or several days. That does not mean you failed. You do not need to wait until Monday, the beginning of a new month, or January 1st to start again. Simply open your Bible again. Even five or ten minutes with God matters. Instead of worrying about creating the perfect Bible routine, focus on building a habit of returning to His Word.
A Simple Bible Reading Routine for Beginners
If you need somewhere to start, try this simple routine:
- Find a quiet place and bring your Bible, a pen, and a notebook if you would like.
- Begin with a short prayer.
- Read a small passage slowly.
- Read it a second time.
- Choose one verse that stands out to you.
- Ask yourself what the passage teaches you about God.
- Write down one thought, question, or takeaway.
- Turn what you read into a short prayer.
- Thank God for your time with Him.
That’s it. You do not need an elaborate system to begin.
Where Should a Beginner Start Reading?
If you are not sure what book to choose, here are a few good starting points:
John — to learn more about who Jesus is.
- Mark — a shorter, fast-moving account of Jesus’ life and ministry.
- Psalms — when you want help with prayer, worship, fear, grief, hope, or gratitude.
- Proverbs — for practical wisdom about everyday life.
- Philippians — for encouragement, joy, contentment, and growing in faith.
You can choose one book and slowly work your way through it.
Give Yourself Time to Grow
You are not supposed to know everything when you begin reading the Bible. That is part of why we keep returning to it. You may read the same verse a year from now and notice something you never noticed before.
As you spend more time in Scripture, you will begin recognizing themes, remembering verses, understanding how different books connect, and becoming more comfortable with what you are reading. Just keep showing up.
A Prayer Before You Go
Lord, thank You for Your Word and for allowing me to know You through it. Give me a desire to open my Bible and spend time with You. Help me understand what I read, remember what You teach me, and apply Your Word to my everyday life. When I feel confused or discouraged, remind me that I do not have to understand everything at once. Help me simply keep coming back to You. Amen.
You don’t have to be a Bible expert to open God’s Word. You just have to be willing to begin.
Need a Little Help Getting Started?
If you’re new to Bible reading and want a little more guidance, my Bible study tools, tip-ins, headers, stickers, and Prayer Bible Kits are designed to help make time in Scripture feel more approachable, organized, and enjoyable.
Whether you’re looking for a simple way to mark important passages, organize prayer themes, or add meaningful notes and reminders to your Bible, these resources can help you create a routine that feels personal to you.
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