Start with a Gospel, either Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Not Genesis, unless you’re feeling really ambitious.
The Bible is really big and really old. It’s a library of 66 books written over a span of about 1,500 years. We shouldn’t expect it to be an easy read. Yet, you’ve probably heard how important it is for Christians to read the Bible regularly. But how? I’ve found that where you start makes all the difference.
Should I Start Reading the Bible in Genesis?
I used to start at the beginning, power through weird stories about a flood, a tower, a rainbow coat, and an Egyptian jailbreak, then get stuck. Because from there, it’s chapters and chapters of DIY tent building and dense legal code.
And I’m sure the precise measurements of acacia wood in the Tabernacle meant something to someone, once. I just couldn’t find what it had to do with me.
You don’t have to read the Bible in order, but where you start changes how you read the whole Bible.
Here’s what helped: I realized you don’t have to read the Bible in order, but where you start changes how you read the whole Bible.
So whether you’ve never opened a Bible or you grew up around one without actually finishing it, this is for you. It won’t talk you into Genesis 1 through Revelation 22 like a novel. It’ll give you a place to start, leaving you with a better understanding of the Bible.
Where Should You Start Reading the Bible?
I highly recommend you start reading the Bible with one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). That’s because the Gospels spend more time on who Jesus is—and once you’ve seen what God looks like through Him, the rest of the Bible starts making more sense. Which one you choose depends on the kind of reading you like. Keep reading to learn the nuances of each Gospel.
Why Start With Jesus?
The Bible is one long story, and Jesus is the “hinge” it swings on.
Everything before Jesus is building toward His arrival: a people being formed, promises being made, and prophets pointing at something not yet here.
Everything after Jesus is the early church working out what it means that He actually came.
Once you get to know who Jesus is in the Gospels, it helps you read the entire Bible well.
Start in the middle of that story before you know who it’s about, and the clues won’t mean much yet. Start with Jesus, and everything begins to fall into place. That’s because Jesus is God. If we want to know what God is like, we can look to Jesus. And once you get to know what God is like through Jesus in the Gospels, it helps you read the entire Bible well.
Of course, each book tells Jesus’ story in a slightly different way. Check out what each of these books offers, then make your pick of where to start.
Start With Matthew if You Want a Story With an Edge
Matthew groups Jesus’ teaching into long blocks rather than bits and pieces. It’s in Matthew where you’ll find Jesus’ most famous teaching, the Sermon on the Mount. That’s where Jesus announces what life looks like in His kingdom. One where power is reversed, the last become first, and the humble are lifted up.
I enjoy how Matthew used the word “hypocrite” more than every other book of the Bible combined—and every time, he was quoting when Jesus used the term to go after religious leaders who wouldn’t practice what they preached.
Start With Mark for Momentum
Mark’s Gospel is the shortest of the four Gospels, and it moves along. Mark’s favorite word to describe Jesus is basically “immediately.” He’s teaching, then immediately He’s healing someone, then immediately He’s in a boat crossing to the next town. Mark reads less like a theology textbook full of ancient rules and more like someone out of breath, telling you what he just watched happen.
I like that Mark’s original conclusion ends without a clear resolution. The whole book is basically one long question: Here’s what Jesus Christ said and did—now what will you do with everything you’ve seen and heard?
Start With Luke if You Want a Story That Feels Personal
Luke starts with the Christmas story, and it gives you a clue to what his whole Gospel is like. It’s a book showing how God invites surprising people into His story. How God cares for people who are often forgotten, and how these stories are rooted in a complex world rather than a fairy tale.
One thing I personally enjoy about the Gospel of Luke is that it contains the most parables, many of which are unique to it. Parables are fictional stories Jesus told about the new world He’s creating. You can find out more about parables here.
Start With John for More Depth
John opens more slowly and is slightly denser. That’s because he spends his Gospel explaining who Jesus is and what that means for all of us. Throughout the book, John keeps circling back to Jesus’ identity, like in the famous “I am” statements of Jesus. He shows it through stories, explains it through Jesus’ teaching, and spells it out for us in the first chapter. So while John is a slightly more challenging read than Mark, it’s helpful for anyone wanting to answer the question, Who is Jesus?
I really like the intro to John, but it can trip up new readers. It starts with, “In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1). Here’s a hint to help you read it. When John says “Word,” He’s talking about Jesus, not the Bible. The Bible never actually refers to itself as “God’s Word,” so whenever you see “God’s word” in the Bible, it’s either talking about God’s actual words or about Jesus!
What Are Good Places to Start Reading the Bible Other Than the Gospels?
If Jesus isn’t where you want to start, fair enough. Here are a few alternatives, depending on what you need right now.
Top Pick for Quick, Daily Reading: Proverbs
If you like practical, bite-sized sayings, Proverbs is an easy starting point. It’s mostly full of one-liners about how to live well. Less theology, more advice and practical wisdom.
Top Pick for Old Testament Narrative: 1 Samuel
If you’ve heard of King David from shows like House of David, or if you’d like to read about some ancient court drama/war stories, 1 Samuel could be an interesting place to start. Along the way, you’ll see ancient Israel decide to pursue a monarchy, and the mixed results that ensue. It’s also here that you’ll find perhaps the most famous Old Testament story: David and Goliath.
Top Pick for New Christians: Philippians
If you’re wondering what it actually looks like to follow Jesus day to day, Philippians is a great place to start. It’s one of Paul’s letters, and it’s a shorter one about finding joy, choosing humility, and trusting God even when life isn’t going the way you hoped. Less about winning theological debates, more about learning to think and live like Christ.
Other Common Starting Points
Romans: A lot of people mention Romans as a good starting point because it’s a complete outline of the gospel and how to live as a Christian. I love it too, but it’s by no means an easy introduction. If you’re up for a challenge, Romans is a great book to spend a lot of time reading, processing, journaling, and discussing with others.
Psalms: This is another one many people like to start with. It’s a giant collection of poetry and songs written by various authors. Psalms features many honest emotions, such as joy, anger, fear, frustration, and gratitude. It’s an incredible source of encouragement, but it is a collection, not a coherent book with a story and characters. That can make it a more difficult starting point in the Bible.
What Are Some Books to Avoid for New Bible Readers?
The obvious ones are Leviticus and Numbers, since they deal with dense laws and census numbers. All those details matter in context, but they’re not the best starting points.
Here are a few other places I’d recommend waiting on.
Galatians: This letter of Paul is full of encouragement and challenge for Christians, but most of the arguments assume you understand first-century Jewish laws.
Hebrews: Like Galatians, this letter is packed with practical wisdom but assumes the reader is familiar with the Old Testament sacrificial system.
Revelation: There’s a reason this book is in the back of the Bible. It’s a tough read without a grasp of everything that comes first. That’s because it’s a New Testament author borrowing an Old Testament literary style—which makes it very easy to misinterpret. But if you’re curious and would like a super-simple overview of how the Bible ends, you can find it here.
Your Next Step
Open a Gospel and go to chapter 1. Read it. It’ll take five minutes, maybe less. Don’t worry about catching every cross-reference on the first pass. Just read it and ask yourself, “What does this show me about Jesus?”
If you’d rather have it read aloud or want something to keep you moving after chapter one, the free YouVersion Bible App offers audio Bibles and Bible reading plans that walk you through the rest of it, a few minutes at a time.
Check out our quick-start Bible study guide for tips on how to read and apply Scripture.
Common Questions From New Bible Readers
Should I Start in the Old Testament or the New Testament?
The New Testament, and specifically a Gospel, is the better entry point for most first-time readers. To be clear, the Old Testament isn’t less important. It’s most of the book, and it’s where the story starts. But the whole Bible is really about Jesus. So think of it less like skipping ahead and more like meeting the main character before you read the backstory.
What if I Don’t Understand What I’m Reading?
That happens to everyone, including people who’ve read the Bible for decades. Mark a passage that confuses you and keep moving instead of getting stuck trying to solve it on the spot. A study Bible, a pastor, or an app with reading notes can help later. Most of the Bible makes more sense on a second or third pass than it does on the first, so keep reading Scripture!