You’ve probably heard someone say, “Just read the Bible like any other book. Start at the beginning and read to the end.” It sounds simple enough, but that’s not always the best advice. The Bible isn’t like any other book — it’s God’s Word, written to reveal who He is and how we can know Him.
Before you begin, pray first. Ask God to open your heart and reveal His truth as you read. The Holy Spirit is your teacher and guide, and He will help you understand what you could never grasp on your own.
The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by more than 40 authors under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, spanning 1,500 years, across three continents, and in three languages. It’s unified, divinely ordered, and perfectly connected — but it’s not written in chronological order like a typical story. That’s why starting at Genesis and reading straight through can sometimes leave you confused or overwhelmed.
Instead, here’s a simple way to begin reading Scripture so it makes sense and helps you grow:
- Choose one book from either the Old or New Testament.
- Learn the background — who wrote it, who it was written to, when it was written, and what kind of writing it is (history, poetry, prophecy, letter, etc.).
- Read that one book from start to finish rather than jumping around.
- Ask questions as you go: What does this reveal about God? What does it say about humanity? How does it point to Jesus? How should it change how I live?
Avoid the “close your eyes and point to a verse” approach. God’s Word was given for transformation, not superstition. When you read with context, curiosity, and consistency, Scripture comes alive. The Bible isn’t just a book to get through — it’s the living Word of God that gets through to you.
If you’re new to Scripture, here’s a reading path that can help you build a solid foundation:
- Start with the Book of John to truly understand who Jesus is and why He came.
- Then read Matthew, Mark, and Luke to see His life and ministry from different perspectives.
- Move on to the Book of Acts to learn how the church began and what its mission is.
- After that, read Romans and James to discover how we’re called to live as followers of Jesus — what genuine faith looks like in both belief and action.
- Finally, circle back to Genesis to see where it all began — God’s creation, humanity’s fall, and the foundation for His plan of redemption through Christ.
Start small, stay consistent, and let God’s Word transform your heart one chapter at a time.