Getting started

How to start reading the Bible (and keep going)

Most people who try to read the Bible start in Genesis, stall somewhere in Leviticus and give up. Starting well is mostly about choosing the right first book and a pace you can keep.

Choose a starting book

Begin with a Gospel. Mark is the shortest and most direct account of Jesus' life. After Mark, read John, then Acts to see what happened next.

Keep Psalms and Proverbs nearby for a few verses a day alongside your main reading.

Read in context

Every verse sits inside a paragraph, a chapter and a whole book. Before deciding what a verse means, read what comes before and after it and ask who wrote it and to whom.

When the Bible text and a teacher's explanation seem to differ, go back to the text.

A 7-day starter plan

  • Day 1: Mark 1 — who Jesus is and how he begins.
  • Day 2: Mark 2 — Jesus and the people others avoided.
  • Day 3: Psalm 1 — two ways to live.
  • Day 4: Mark 4:1–20 — the parable of the sower.
  • Day 5: Proverbs 3:1–12 — trust and wisdom.
  • Day 6: Matthew 6:5–15 — how Jesus taught prayer.
  • Day 7: Look back: which passage stuck with you, and why?

Keeping the habit

Read at the same time each day, keep sessions short and write one sentence about what you read. If you miss a day, simply continue where you stopped.

Scripture · World English Bible

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105 (WEB)

“but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.”

John 20:31 (WEB)

Common questions

Should I read the Bible from beginning to end?

You can, but many beginners find it easier to start with a Gospel and come back to the Old Testament once they know the overall story.

How long does it take to read the whole Bible?

At roughly three to four chapters a day, about a year. There is no need to rush; understanding matters more than speed.

Is there a free place to start?

Yes. FORGED's Bible Basics path and Day 1 are free, and the website's Day 1 runs in your browser with no account.