How to start reading the Bible can seem overwhelming for beginners. It can seem like a daunting task when just starting out, or when trying to get into a routine. Sometimes it seems like there are so many obstacles from knowing where to start, to how much to read, to understanding what it means. Thankfully, God promises that He reveals His word to those who seek Him. He understands we are all somewhere different in our understanding of who God is, how to apply His word, and biblical literacy.
If you are just beginning reading the Bible, or even if you have been reading for awhile and just want some tips and ideas, these Bible reading tips for beginners will help you in your journey.
Start with Prayer
Prayer can also seem intimidating to Bible reading beginners, but it doesn’t have to be! This is just you talking to God. It doesn’t have to be wordy, formal, or lengthy. Ask Him to speak to you as you read the Bible. Tell Him anything you might be feeling confused or concerned about. Tell Him you want to understand the words you are reading. God hears all of those prayers! Starting with prayer helps center your focus in your Bible reading time.
Start in The Gospels
If you simply aren’t sure where in the Bible to start, it’s recommended by many biblical experts to begin in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). This is because the gospels narrate Jesus’s life on earth, and the majority of the words are from Jesus himself. The gospels explain His life, from birth, to death, to resurrection. The rest of the Bible either foreshadows Jesus’s coming, or in some way represents this story of Jesus coming to earth, his death, and resurrection so it’s a good place to begin in order to understand the whole theme of the Bible. I like Matthew, but any of the gospels are a great place to begin reading the Bible.
Things to look for when reading the gospels:
- What did Jesus say?
- What did Jesus do?
- How did the people around Jesus respond?
- How does what you read apply to your life?
Try a Devotional
Devotionals can be great for beginners because they break down scriptures into chunks you can read each day. Oftentimes they give a short explanation of the passage you read, and then give you some questions to help you dig deeper into the scripture. Devotions are not meant to replace reading and studying the Bible but are a useful tool, especially for beginners to help them read the Bible daily, and help them understand what they are reading. My favorite devotions and guides are from the Daily Grace Co. They have many topics to choose from, and here are some of my favorites:
- Seek about the Psalms
- Chosen Studies Ephesians
- Amen (RECOMMENDED for beginners. Gives a big picture story of the Bible)
Bible Reading Plan
Bible reading plans are helpful for beginners, because you don’t have to guess what you will read each day. Bible reading plans tell you exactly what you will read each day, and can be anywhere from a few days to a year or more in length. If you have the YouVersion Bible app, there are so many Bible reading plans to choose from. You can choose one based on a topic, like anxiety, guilt, love, God’s grace, or by book of the Bible. There are many Bible reading plans you can find online as well. This 5 day a week Bible reading plan is great for beginners to read through the Bible in just a few minutes a day.
Get The Big Picture
Jen Wilkin’s book Women of the Word suggests reading for comprehension as a good first step when reading the Bible. This just means you read through a passage or book like you would any book, and try to grasp what is going on. You can take notes as you read, but you mostly just want to understand what is happening. I find it helpful to read through the book in its entirety before going back and taking notes. This helps you from feeling discouraged if you don’t understand a certain part of what you are reading. If you come across something confusing, take note of that part and keep reading. Once you have read the entire passage or book, go back to that verse. When reading the Bible for the first time, or reading a section you haven’t read before, start by reading it in large chunks at a time, not worrying about chapters or verses. Basically read it like a story. This helps you get the big picture of what is going on. While you’re reading, you can take note of anything that stands out to you, or any questions you have, but don’t get bogged down by the details.
Find Someone to Talk About it With
It’s essential that you have someone or multiple someones in your life to guide you through reading the Bible, and to ask questions about confusing things. If you aren’t already, get plugged into a local church so you have a pastor and a community to learn from and ask questions. If you are not yet connected to a church, find someone you can talk to about the Bible, that can lead you in the right direction. Discussion is key when beginning your Bible reading journey!
Do a Little Every Day
Keep it simple. All of the above ideas are to help guide your Bible reading, and to give you resources when you have questions. Every day, make a point to read some scripture, whether you’re following a plan, a devotional, or just reading through from start to finish. Read one verse if you have time. Read one chapter. Pray and ask God to speak to you about what you’re reading. Read the scripture. Write down one thing about it, or one question you have about it. Don’t try to overcomplicate it.
I absolutely believe Christians should strive to read and learn and dig deep into scripture, but these are beginner tips if you’re looking for a place to start. Reading the Bible can be intimidating when you are first starting out, because you may not be sure what you are even doing there. But it really can be simple. Trust that God will meet you. To start, all you have to do is open the Book.
Helpful Resources
Tim Keller– Author of many Christian books
Verity – Podcast by Phylicia Masonheimer that discusses theology
Blue Letter Bible– Website with bible study tools like commentaries, cross references, and more!
