A Beginners Guide To Reading The Bible

I’m so glad you want to start reading the Bible! The Bible is God’s Word, written by 40 different authors across many continents over a span of 1,500 years. It serves as a source of spiritual guidance, wisdom, knowledge, and correction—God’s way of speaking directly to you. The more you immerse yourself in the Bible, the closer you will grow to God.

1. Pray First!

Before you begin reading, take a moment to pray. Ask God to help the words speak to your heart and inspire you to become the person He wants you to be.

Now, let’s get started!

into it!

2. Start With the Gospel of John

There is no right or wrong way to read the bible, some may prefer to read it from front to back, but in my experience as a first time reader and a person to to christ is to start in the Gospel of John in the new testament.  The reason I suggest this is because it contains the most relevant information a new Christian needs to know. It Focuses on the person, and the work of Christ. Most importantly Jesus interaction with Nicodemus and his explanation of Obtaining eternal life is penned in the Gospel of John. 

3. Break up Your reading into 4 parts per Day

After you finish reading the book of John, it’s time to read the rest of the Bible. Many Christians, including myself, read the Bible daily in four parts 1 chapter per day in each part. This approach allows you to experience a variety of its teachings, bringing the Bible to life in exciting and meaningful ways.

Here’s how it works:

1. Old Testament: The history of our faith before Christ. (39 books)
2. New Testament: The accounts of Jesus and the events following His resurrection. (27 Books)
3. Psalms: Poetic writings that offer strength and encouragement. (151 chapters
4. Proverbs: Wisdom-filled writings, primarily from King Solomon. (Proverbs has 31 chapters, making it easy to read one chapter each day based on the day of the month. When you finish all the chapters, start over and repeat the process each month.)

4. Dont Read To Understand, Read to Receive

When we read the Bible, we’re not approaching it like a textbook to master, but like a letter from a Father who loves us. If we only read to understand, we can slip into treating Scripture like a puzzle to solve or an argument to win. But when we read to receive, we come humble, open, and dependent—ready for God to correct us, comfort us, and change us. Understanding grows over time, but receiving requires surrender in the moment. The goal isn’t just information in our minds; it’s transformation in our hearts.

Final Thought

My final thought is this: Sometimes we get distracted, and reading the Word feels more like a chore than an opportunity to soak in spiritual guidance. Be mindful of this. At times, even listening to the Bible can turn into background noise. Instead, focus intentionally. Find a quiet place where you can meditate on the Word without distractions.

Consistency is key—make it a priority to spend time in the Word each day. The best time is often in the morning. When you start your day with Him, His presence will stay with you throughout. And remember, read to receive, don't read to understand. God will give you understanding.

God bless!