Where To Start Reading the Bible?

Updated: June 25, 2026

Where to Start Reading the Bible — Quick Reference Guide (KJV)

Book	Testament	Best For	Chapters	Time to Read
📖 Tip: There is no wrong place to start. The best book of the Bible to begin with is the one you will actually read every day.
Gospel of John	New Testament	Brand new readers; anyone wanting to understand who Jesus is and why He came	21	~2 hours total
Psalms	Old Testament	Those going through hard times; anyone who wants to learn how to pray and praise	150	~5 hours total
Proverbs	Old Testament	Anyone wanting practical daily wisdom; easy to read one chapter per day for a month	31	~2 hours total
Genesis	Old Testament	Those who want to start at the very beginning; essential foundation for all of Scripture	50	~3.5 hours total
Gospel of Mark	New Testament	Busy readers; the shortest Gospel — fast-paced and action-focused account of Jesus’ ministry	16	~1.5 hours total
Romans	New Testament	Those wanting to understand salvation, sin, and the gospel message clearly explained	16	~1 hour total
Philippians	New Testament	Those struggling with anxiety or discouragement; short, joyful, and encouraging	4	~20 minutes total
Ruth	Old Testament	Those wanting a complete, easy-to-follow Bible story; a beautiful picture of loyalty and redemption	4	~20 minutes total
Full Bible — 365-Day Plan	Both	Anyone ready to read the entire Bible in one year — one OT and one NT passage every day	1,189	~15 min/day

Asking where to start reading the Bible is valid. With most books, you start at the beginning. However, the Bible can be an exception to this common practice. The Bible is a single book, yet it is composed of 66 different books, with two major divisions — the Old Testament and the New Testament. The correct answer to where to start reading the Bible is open-ended — you can start anywhere. Here are some ideas to help you.

Should You Start At Genesis?

The first book of the Bible is Genesis. This book is filled with Bible history and lessons to be learned. It is truly a book of beginnings. This book sets the foundation for the rest of the Bible. The Book of Genesis is a good place to begin reading the Bible, but it is not necessary that you must start your Bible reading from Genesis.

The Beauty of the Psalms

Some people who are not familiar with the Bible like to start with the Book of Psalms. This book contains 150 chapters and is a collection of songs used by the ancient Israelites to praise God. The range of emotions in this book is vast. In the Book of Psalms, you will find verses and Scripture passages ranging from despair, depression, fear, joy, love, excitement, and more. This book mirrors humans interacting with their God.

Practical Wisdom From Proverbs

Another good book to begin your reading in the Bible is the Book of Proverbs. This book has 31 chapters, so you can read a chapter a day for a month. An easy way to remember which chapter of Proverbs to read is to read the chapter that corresponds to the calendar day. For example, on the 15^th day of the month, read Proverbs chapter 15. The Book of Proverbs is full of practical wisdom to help you live wisely when interacting with others.

The New Testament

In the New Testament, the first four books are the Gospels. These books record the life and ministry of Jesus Christ while He was on Earth. The first three Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke are very similar, or synoptic, but the Gospel of John leans more strongly spiritual. The gospel of John presents Jesus Christ as the God Man while the first three Gospels emphasize more of Jesus’ humanity.

Many times, Christian workers will suggest new Christians read the Bible, starting with the Gospel of John. Other books by the Apostle John are his letters, called epistles, and they are 1, 2, and 3 John. The New Testament Book of Romans is also a good book to start your Bible reading at as it relates to all people and their spiritual condition before God.

Random or Systemic?

Some people randomly open the Bible and start reading to whatever place it opens. This is not necessarily an incorrect practice because you are reading the Bible, but it can be considered a lazy practice. It is far better to have a systematic way, which includes starting at a specific beginning and ending when reading the Bible. Another way is to read a part of the Old Testament and New Testament every day.

Best Books of the Bible to Start

If you are looking for a good starting place to read the Bible, here are a few suggestions. If you want to have a strong foundation of creation and first things, start at the beginning with the book of Genesis.

Revelation – Blessings and Prophecy

Alternatively, if you are interested in Bible prophecy, start reading the book of Revelation. Revelation is a difficult book to understand and many books have been written about it. Despite not knowing exactly everything, this is the only book which promises a blessing to those who read it: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3 (KJV) Check out the Revelation series for a verse-by-verse explanation of this last book of the Bible.

Some Bible Stories

If you like stories, read the books of Ruth, Esther and Jonah. For early church history, start by reading the Acts. The full name of the book of Acts is The Acts of the Apostles.

Practical Wisdom

For everyday practical wisdom, you can do no better than reading the book of Proverbs. With 31 chapters, some people recommend reading one chapter of Proverbs each day of the month on the coresponding day. Example: on day 28 of each month, read Proverbs chapter 28.

Poetry

For a look at fantastic poetry, read the discourse of Job and his three friends in the book of Job. Other poetic books include Psalms and the Song of Solomon. If you are feeling depressed and want to commiserate, read the book of Ecclesiastes.

Build A Bible Reading Daily Habit

No matter what your Bible reading preference, don’t allow indecision in where to start reading the Bible hinder you from reading it! Pick a book, any book, and daily read a few verses or a chapter, and make Bible reading a regular part of your day.

A good practice to have a time and even a specific place reserved for your personal prayer and Bible study. Check out this article about how to create a Christian prayer room. Also couple your Bible reading with Bible study. Check out the Faith Series Devotional books to help you understand better what you are reading in the Bible. Learn about the free intro book here.

Download a printable PDF on where to start to read the Bible here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Start Reading the Bible

Here are some FAQs with answers, about where to start reading the Bible.

Where should a beginner start reading the Bible?

For a complete beginner, the Gospel of John is widely considered the best place to start reading the Bible. John’s Gospel introduces Jesus Christ clearly and spiritually, explains who He is and why He came, and is written in straightforward language that new readers can follow easily. After John, many Bible teachers recommend reading the rest of the New Testament before moving to the Old Testament. If you prefer to start at the very beginning of the Bible’s story, Genesis is the natural starting point.

Should I start reading the Bible from the beginning?

Starting at Genesis chapter 1 is a perfectly good approach — Genesis lays the foundation for everything else in Scripture. However, it is not the only correct approach, and some new readers find the early chapters of Leviticus or Numbers discouraging. If reading straight through from Genesis feels overwhelming, starting with the Gospel of John or the book of Psalms and then returning to Genesis is a completely valid strategy. The most important thing is to start somewhere and read consistently.

What is the easiest book of the Bible to read for beginners?

The Gospel of John, the epistles of John, 1, 2 and 3 John, the book of Proverbs, and the book of Psalms are generally considered the most accessible books of the Bible for new readers. John is straightforward, but very spiritual and focuses on Jesus as God. Proverbs is practical and easy to read in short daily portions — one chapter per day for a month. Psalms covers the full range of human emotion and connects easily with everyday life experience.

What book of the Bible should I read if I am going through a hard time?

The book of Psalms is one of the best books of the Bible to read during difficult times. Written mostly by King David, the Psalms cover grief, fear, depression, loneliness, betrayal, and hope — and they show how to bring every emotion honestly before God. Psalm 23, Psalm 46, Psalm 91, and Psalm 121 are particularly beloved passages for times of trouble. In the New Testament, the book of Philippians is a short, joyful letter written by the Apostle Paul while he was in prison — a powerful reminder that peace is possible in any circumstance.

How long does it take to read the Bible?

Reading the entire King James Bible at an average reading pace takes approximately 70–80 hours. Spread across 365 days, that works out to roughly 12–15 minutes of reading per day. A simple plan of reading one Old Testament passage and one New Testament passage each day will take you through the entire Bible in exactly one year. The 365-day Bible reading plan on this site is designed to do exactly that.

Is it okay to read the Bible out of order?

Yes — the Bible is not a novel that must be read from page one to page last in order to make sense. Many Christians read topically (studying everything the Bible says about a specific subject), devotionally (reading a Psalm or a short passage each day), or systematically (following a reading plan). Reading out of order is far better than not reading at all. The goal is to engage with God’s Word regularly, in whatever structure works best for your life.

What is the best Bible reading plan for beginners?

A parallel Old Testament and New Testament plan is excellent for beginners. The 365-day reading plan on this site pairs one Old Testament passage and one New Testament passage every day, which keeps the reading varied and manageable. Most days require less than 15 minutes of reading. Starting with January 1 and following the monthly PDFs requires no prior Bible knowledge — just a willingness to open the Book every day.

Study/Review Questions

1. How many books are in the Bible? 66
2. What is the first book of the Bible? Genesis
3. What is the the only book with says those who read it are blessed? Revelation
4. What are three books of the Bible which are stories? Ruth, Jonah and Esther
5. Which is the most spiritual of all the Gospels? John
6. Who wrote the book of Psalms? King David
7. What is the name of a depressing book of the Bible? Ecclesiastes
8. How many chapters does the book of Proverbs have? 31

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