1. Introduction: What Is the Bible?
If you are new to the Bible, the first thing to understand is that it is not a single book -- it is a library. The Bible contains 66 individual books written by approximately 40 different authors over a span of roughly 1,500 years. These authors included kings, shepherds, fishermen, a doctor, a tax collector, prophets, and apostles. Despite this remarkable diversity of human authorship, Christians believe the Bible is unified by a single divine Author -- God Himself -- who inspired every word through the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16).
The Bible is divided into two major sections. The Old Testament contains 39 books and covers the period from the creation of the world through roughly 400 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. It includes the history of Israel, the law God gave to Moses, the poetry and wisdom of Solomon and David, and the writings of the prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah. The New Testament contains 27 books and covers the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the birth and growth of the early church, the letters of the apostles explaining Christian doctrine, and the prophecy of Revelation describing the end of the age.
Together, these 66 books tell one grand story: God created humanity for relationship with Himself, humanity fell into sin and separated itself from God, and God initiated a plan of redemption that culminated in the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Every book in the Bible contributes to this overarching narrative. Understanding this big picture makes studying individual books and passages far more meaningful, because you can see how each piece fits into the whole.
Do not let the size of the Bible intimidate you. You do not need to read all 66 books before you can benefit from Scripture. Even a single chapter, read carefully and prayerfully, can transform your understanding of God and yourself. The key is simply to begin. The fact that you are reading this guide means you are already taking the most important step -- the decision to open the Bible and let God speak to you through His Word.
As the Psalmist wrote, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130). God promises that His Word will illuminate your path, regardless of how much you already know. You do not need a seminary degree to understand the Bible. You need a willing heart and a readiness to listen.
2. Where to Start Reading the Bible
One of the most common questions beginners ask is, “Where should I start?” While you can technically open to any page and find something valuable, certain books are better entry points than others. Here are five recommended starting places, in the order most Bible teachers would suggest, along with the reasons why each one is a strategic beginning.
1. The Gospel of John -- Meet Jesus
The Gospel of John is the single best place to start reading the Bible. Written by the apostle John, who was one of Jesus' closest disciples, this book presents the life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ in a deeply personal and accessible way. John wrote with a clear purpose: “These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). The book opens with one of the most profound statements in all of literature: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). From there, it walks you through conversations Jesus had with real people -- Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman at the well, the man born blind, Lazarus and his sisters -- making it remarkably relatable for first-time readers.
Start reading the Gospel of John →2. Genesis -- The Beginning of Everything
After meeting Jesus in John, go back to the very beginning. Genesis is the book of origins -- the origin of the universe, of humanity, of marriage, of sin, of death, and of God's plan of redemption. In Genesis, God creates the world, Adam and Eve fall into sin, and God begins His covenant relationship with Abraham, promising that through his descendants all the nations of the earth would be blessed. This promise is the thread that runs through the entire Bible and finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Genesis also contains some of the most well-known stories in human history: Noah and the flood, the tower of Babel, Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, Jacob and Esau, and Joseph's journey from slavery to rulership in Egypt.
Start reading Genesis →3. Romans -- Core Christian Theology
The book of Romans, written by the apostle Paul, is the most systematic explanation of the Christian gospel in the entire Bible. It answers fundamental questions: Why do humans need salvation? How does God save sinners? What does it mean to be justified by faith? How should Christians live in response to grace? Romans chapters 1 through 8 lay out the full arc of the gospel -- from the universal problem of sin (Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”) to the ultimate security of the believer (Romans 8:38-39: nothing can separate us from the love of God). Reading Romans after John and Genesis gives you a theological framework for understanding the rest of the Bible.
Start reading Romans →4. Psalms -- Prayer and Worship
The book of Psalms is the Bible's prayer book and hymnal. It contains 150 poems and songs that express every human emotion -- joy, sorrow, fear, anger, gratitude, loneliness, and hope. Written primarily by King David, the Psalms teach you how to talk to God honestly. When you do not know what to pray, the Psalms give you words. Psalm 23 (“The Lord is my shepherd”) is perhaps the most beloved passage in the entire Bible. Psalm 1, Psalm 91, and Psalm 139 are also excellent places to begin. The Psalms are ideal for daily devotional reading -- one Psalm per day gives you five months of material.
Start reading Psalms →5. Acts -- The Early Church in Action
The book of Acts picks up where the Gospels leave off. It records the birth of the Christian church on the day of Pentecost, the dramatic conversion of the apostle Paul, and the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. Acts reads like an adventure story -- filled with miracles, persecutions, shipwrecks, prison breaks, and bold preaching. It shows you what the Christian life looked like for the first believers and how the Holy Spirit empowered ordinary men and women to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Reading Acts after the Gospels and Romans helps you understand how the early church applied the teachings of Jesus and the theology of Paul in real-world situations.
Start reading Acts →3. 5 Essential Tools for Bible Study
You do not need expensive equipment or advanced degrees to study the Bible effectively. However, a few basic tools will make your study more productive and more enjoyable. Here are the five essentials every beginner should have.
1. A Readable Bible Translation
The King James Version (KJV) has been the gold standard of English Bible translations for over 400 years. Its language is beautiful, precise, and deeply influential on the English language itself. While some beginners find the Elizabethan vocabulary challenging at first, most discover that it becomes natural after just a few weeks of consistent reading. The KJV is the primary text used here on Bible Maximum. If the older language is initially difficult, the New King James Version (NKJV) preserves the same translation philosophy while modernizing some vocabulary. The English Standard Version (ESV) is another reliable word-for-word translation. The most important thing is this: choose a translation you will actually read. A Bible that stays on the shelf helps no one.
2. A Notebook or Journal
Writing down what you learn transforms passive reading into active study. Keep a dedicated Bible study notebook where you record observations, questions, verse references, prayer requests, and personal applications. Many believers look back on years of Bible journals and see a clear record of spiritual growth -- and of God's faithfulness in answering prayer. A simple lined notebook is all you need. The act of writing slows your mind, focuses your attention, and helps you retain what you read.
3. A Bible Dictionary or Concordance
When you encounter an unfamiliar word, place, or concept, a Bible dictionary explains it in context. A concordance lets you look up every occurrence of a specific word in the Bible, which is invaluable for understanding how Scripture uses a term. Bible Maximum's Hebrew and Greek Lexicon provides original-language definitions for every word in the Bible, tied to Strong's numbering system, making it accessible even if you have never studied Hebrew or Greek.
4. A Reading Plan
A reading plan gives structure to your Bible study and prevents the aimless wandering that often leads to abandoning the habit. It tells you exactly what to read each day, how much to read, and in what order. Bible Maximum offers structured reading plans ranging from 14 days to a full year, organized by category. For beginners, starting with a shorter plan builds confidence and momentum before committing to a longer program.
5. A Study Group or Church Community
While personal Bible study is essential, studying in community adds accountability, diverse perspectives, and encouragement. A local church, Sunday school class, or small group Bible study provides a place to ask questions, discuss difficult passages, and learn from believers who have been studying Scripture for years. Hebrews 10:25 instructs believers not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together.” If you are not currently part of a church, finding one that teaches the Bible faithfully should be a priority alongside your personal study.
4. The 4 R's: A Simple Bible Study Method for Beginners
Many beginners feel overwhelmed by formal study methods that involve complex charts, diagrams, or multi-step analytical processes. The 4 R's method is designed specifically for people who are just starting out. It is simple enough to do in 10 to 15 minutes, yet structured enough to produce genuine insight and personal growth. Use it every time you sit down with your Bible.
R1: READ -- Read a Short Passage
Choose a single chapter or even a single paragraph. Do not try to read too much at once. Quality matters more than quantity. Read the passage slowly, at least twice. On the first reading, simply absorb the content. On the second reading, pay attention to details you may have missed -- specific words, names, commands, or promises. If a verse is confusing, that is normal. Mark it and keep going. Understanding will come as you read more of the Bible and its themes begin to connect. Many of the most popular chapters in the Bible -- like John 3, Psalm 23, Romans 8, and Genesis 1 -- are excellent starting places because they are rich in meaning yet straightforward in language.
R2: REFLECT -- Ask “What Does This Tell Me About God?”
After reading, pause and ask yourself one central question: What does this passage reveal about the character, nature, or plan of God? Every passage in the Bible reveals something about who God is -- His holiness, His mercy, His justice, His faithfulness, His love, His sovereignty. By making this your central reflection question, you train yourself to read the Bible theologically rather than merely informationally. You are not just gathering facts -- you are getting to know a Person. Write down your answer in one or two sentences. Over time, your understanding of God's character will deepen profoundly.
R3: RESPOND -- Write One Thing You Learned
In your notebook, write down one specific insight, lesson, or conviction from the passage. This forces you to distill your reading into a concrete takeaway. It might be a truth you had never considered before, a command you need to obey, a sin the passage convicts you of, or a promise you need to trust. Keeping it to one thing prevents overwhelm and makes application practical. Over the course of a year, you will accumulate 365 specific lessons from Scripture -- a remarkable record of growth.
R4: REMEMBER -- Pick One Verse to Carry with You All Day
Select the single verse that struck you most powerfully during your reading. Write it on an index card, set it as your phone's lock screen, or simply repeat it to yourself several times. The goal is to meditate on this verse throughout the day -- while commuting, working, waiting in line, or lying in bed at night. This practice fulfills the command of Joshua 1:8 to meditate on God's Word “day and night.” Over time, you will build a treasury of memorized Scripture that the Holy Spirit can bring to mind exactly when you need it.
The beauty of the 4 R's method is that it works with any passage, at any reading level, in any amount of time. A busy parent can do it in five minutes during naptime. A college student can do it between classes. A retiree can expand it into an hour-long study session. The framework stays the same -- only the depth changes. For a more advanced approach as you grow, see our comprehensive guide to 7 proven Bible study methods.
5. Common Questions from Beginners
Every beginner has questions. That is a sign of healthy curiosity, not ignorance. Here are the questions we hear most often, along with honest, practical answers.
“Should I read the Bible from beginning to end?”
You can, and many believers eventually do read the entire Bible cover to cover. However, most pastors and Bible teachers recommend a different approach for beginners. The Bible is not arranged like a novel with a single linear plot. Starting in Genesis and reading straight through can become challenging when you reach the detailed ceremonial laws of Leviticus, the census records of Numbers, or the complex prophecies of Ezekiel. A more strategic approach is to start with the books recommended in the section above -- John, Genesis, Romans, Psalms, and Acts -- to build a framework of understanding. Once you have that foundation, the rest of the Bible becomes far more accessible. Think of it like learning a new city: you start with the main roads before exploring the side streets.
“How long should I study the Bible each day?”
Start with just 5 to 10 minutes a day. This may sound small, but consistency matters far more than duration. A focused five-minute reading every single day produces more spiritual growth than an occasional hour-long session once a week. The Puritan preacher Thomas Watson wrote, “The Word is not only a lamp to guide, but a sword to guard.” Even a short daily exposure to Scripture begins to shape your thinking, strengthen your faith, and guard your heart against discouragement and temptation. As the habit takes root and your hunger for Scripture grows, you will naturally want to spend more time. Many mature believers study for 20 to 30 minutes daily, but there is no legalistic requirement. The goal is regular, meaningful engagement with the text.
“What if I don't understand what I'm reading?”
This is completely normal, especially when you are starting out. The Bible was written across thousands of years in ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman cultures very different from our own. Some passages require historical context, knowledge of literary genres, or familiarity with customs that may be unfamiliar to modern readers. Here are practical steps that help: pray for understanding before you read (James 1:5 promises God gives wisdom generously to those who ask), use a study Bible with explanatory footnotes, look up unfamiliar words in a Bible dictionary or lexicon, read a chapter summary before studying the chapter itself, and do not be afraid to skip a confusing passage and return to it later. Understanding grows over time as you read more of the Bible and see how its themes, characters, and doctrines connect across books and testaments.
“Do I need to learn Hebrew or Greek?”
No. While knowledge of the original biblical languages -- Hebrew for the Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament -- can certainly deepen your study, it is absolutely not necessary for a meaningful and accurate understanding of Scripture. Good Bible translations like the KJV, NKJV, and ESV are produced by teams of highly qualified scholars and faithfully convey the meaning of the original text. When you want to explore the original languages -- and many beginners develop this curiosity naturally -- tools like the Interlinear Bible and the Hebrew and Greek Lexicon allow you to examine original words, their definitions, and their usage across Scripture without any formal language training. These tools are available for free on Bible Maximum.
“Which Bible translation should I use?”
Bible translations fall into two broad categories: word-for-word (formal equivalence) and thought-for-thought (dynamic equivalence). Word-for-word translations prioritize accuracy to the original language structure, while thought-for-thought translations prioritize readability in English. The King James Version (KJV) is the most widely used and historically significant English Bible translation, renowned for its literary beauty, precision, and faithfulness to the original Hebrew and Greek texts. It has been the standard for over 400 years and is the primary text used on Bible Maximum. The New King James Version (NKJV) updates the archaic vocabulary while preserving the same translation philosophy. The English Standard Version (ESV) is another solid word-for-word translation. The most important factor is choosing a translation you will actually read consistently. A beautiful Bible that stays on a shelf does less good than a simple one that is open on your lap every morning.
Learn by Doing — Try a Beginner Quiz
The best way to remember what you read is to test yourself. Our easy-level quizzes are designed for beginners with clear, encouraging questions.
Try an Easy Bible Quiz6. Building a Daily Bible Reading Habit
Knowing how to study the Bible is valuable, but it is the daily practice that produces lasting transformation. Here are five proven strategies for building a Bible reading habit that endures.
Start with Just 5 Minutes
The biggest mistake beginners make is setting unrealistic goals. Committing to read for an hour a day when you have never read the Bible consistently is a recipe for failure and guilt. Start with five minutes. Read a single Psalm or one short passage. Do the 4 R's method. Close your Bible. That is a successful day. Once five minutes becomes automatic -- something you do without having to force yourself -- increase to ten minutes. Then fifteen. The habit itself matters more than the length of any single session.
Pick a Consistent Time
Habits form fastest when they are anchored to a consistent time and place. Many believers find that early morning works best, before the demands of the day crowd out their intentions. Jesus Himself rose “a great while before day” to pray (Mark 1:35). However, if you are not a morning person, choose a time that works for your schedule -- lunch break, after dinner, or before bed. The key is consistency. Put it on your calendar or set a daily alarm. Treat it as an appointment with God that you would not cancel for a lesser priority.
Use a Reading Plan
A reading plan eliminates the daily decision of “What should I read today?” Decision fatigue is one of the silent killers of good habits. When you have a plan, you simply open to the assigned passage and begin. Bible Maximum's reading plans provide daily assignments with clear progress markers, so you always know where you are and where you are going.
Don't Skip When You Miss a Day
You will miss a day. Everyone does. The critical moment is not the day you miss -- it is the day after. Many people miss one day, then feel guilty, then miss another, and the habit unravels. When you miss a day, do not try to “catch up” by reading double the next day. Simply pick up where you left off. Grace, not guilt, sustains spiritual disciplines. God is not keeping a scorecard. He delights in your return to His Word whenever it happens.
Track Your Progress
Visible progress is motivating. Keep a simple checklist -- even just checkmarks on a calendar -- to mark each day you read. After a week, you see seven checkmarks. After a month, thirty. This visual streak becomes something you do not want to break. Some believers track which books and chapters they have completed, gradually filling in a map of the entire Bible. Testing your knowledge with Bible quizzes after completing a book is another excellent way to measure progress and reinforce what you have learned.
7. Recommended First-Time Reading Plans
If you are ready to begin, here are three reading plans tailored for first-time Bible readers. Each one provides a structured path through Scripture, scaled to different levels of commitment.
30-Day Gospel Plan
Read all four Gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John -- in 30 days. This gives you a complete picture of the life of Jesus from four different perspectives. Read roughly three chapters per day. Start with John, then Mark (the shortest Gospel), then Luke, then Matthew. By the end, you will have read the accounts of Jesus' birth, ministry, teaching, miracles, death, and resurrection four times -- each time from a slightly different angle.
90-Day Bible Overview Plan
This plan takes you through the major narrative arc of the Bible in 90 days by selecting key chapters from each book. You will read the creation account in Genesis, the exodus from Egypt, the giving of the law, the conquest of the Promised Land, the rise and fall of Israel's kings, the exile and return, the life of Christ, the birth of the church, and the letters of the apostles. This is not a complete reading of every chapter, but it gives you the “skeleton” of the Bible's story, making a full reading much more understandable when you are ready for it.
Topical Approach
If you prefer to start with subjects that are personally relevant, try a topical approach. Choose a topic that matters to you -- faith, prayer, anxiety, forgiveness, marriage, parenting, money, suffering -- and read what the Bible says about it. Bible Maximum's Bible Verses by Topic page organizes thousands of verses by subject, giving you an instant reading list on any theme. This approach is especially helpful for people facing a specific life situation and wanting to know what God's Word says about it.
Whichever plan you choose, remember that the goal is not to check a box or accumulate information. The goal is to know God more deeply, to be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2), and to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). The Bible is a living book, and the God who wrote it is eager to meet you in its pages. Open it today.
Make Bible Study a Daily Habit
Bookmark this page as your reference guide. Come back each day to apply these methods to the next chapter in your reading plan. Track your progress by completing a quiz after each chapter you study.