How to Read the Bible: A Beginner’s Guide

Reading the Bible is a deeply personal and enriching experience that helps individuals connect with their faith and God’s teachings. Regardless of where you begin, this sacred text offers timeless wisdom, encouragement, and insight, allowing one to grow spiritually and gain a deeper understanding of life’s purpose.

Reading the Bible for Beginners

Reading the Bible can seem daunting. To make sure you actually commit to it, it’s important to start by following some simple guidelines:

Make a Plan

Time is of the essence, so decide when in the day you will read from the Bible. It may be the early hours of the morning when you're home alone and the house is peaceful before anyone else awakens. 

It can be during the time you're eating lunch at work. On the other hand, you may do it right before bed. Establish a habit of consistently indulging in God's Word by reading at least one chapter per day.

Next, sit down in a cozy chair, on the sofa, at your workstation, or even at the kitchen table to read. Your reading spot will quickly become your favorite spot if you do it frequently enough.

Arrange your preferred spot such that you have all the necessary items within easy reach. Perhaps you might want to read the Bible with a journal nearby to write certain things down, or some tea to add to your cozy mood. Keep in mind, though, that all you really need is a Bible open.

Take it Slow

To ease into reading the Bible, try reading a short excerpt or a chapter every day. Spend approximately ten to fifteen minutes reading. For the time being, at least, don't try to read a whole book in one sitting. Indulge in every word and phrase. 

Pause and consider the material you've read. Keep it in mind. Even put pen to paper. Writing in a journal is a great method to record your innermost sentiments, as well as your prayers and gratitude.

No matter if what you read is a promise to be kept, a warning to be heard, or a command to be followed, always look for the practical application. When you allow the Holy Spirit to live in you, your sinful nature will change into a sanctifying one, and you will be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:28).

Say a Prayer

Make time to pray and reflect as you read the Bible, and ask the Holy Spirit to accompany you, whom you received when you trusted in Jesus. To teach you "all things" (John 14:26) and to "guide you into all truth" (John 16:13) is one of his missions as your "helper" (John 14:26). When you need help interpreting or comprehending the Bible, you should seek out his insight.

Why Should You Read the Bible?

You are affected by what you read. There are several advantages to reading the Bible regularly and consistently. To begin with, the Bible reveals who God is and how he revealed himself to his people. The nature of God—holy, unchanging, faithful, gracious, and loving—is revealed in every book of the Bible.

The passage from 2 Timothy 3:16–17 explains that the Bible is:

"profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness."

This results in being fully prepared "for every good work" (ESV), as stated in the next verse.

Moreover, the Christian calling includes maturing in character and reading God's word on a regular basis helps with that (Ephesians 4:14-16; Romans 12:1-2). All things considered, these are merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many benefits of daily Bible reading.

Where to Start Reading the Bible

Source: Photo by Jonathan Bottoms on Unsplash

Abundant Life gave a great overview of what to read in the Bible and when according to your interests. It’s a great way to learn how to read the Bible for all its worth. According to them, reading the Gospels is a great way to begin your Bible study.

• The New Testament consists of the first four books of the Bible's canonical second half. Readings from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John make up the four Gospels. The book of John is a better place to begin than Matthew, although Matthew is a tempting choice.
• If you want a glimpse of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, read John. As you read, you'll also learn a lot of the "why" behind the events. Throughout John, Jesus reveals his identity and the reason behind his deeds.
• Finish reading the gospel of John before moving on to the other three. They all tell the same story of Jesus, but in different sequences and with different details, so read them whenever you like. In addition, when you delve deeper into the Bible, you will notice that each book ultimately relates to Jesus.
• If you've read the Gospels, you should read up on the background. After that, you should see what happened following the resurrection of Jesus.
• The first two books of the Bible, Genesis, and Exodus, are considered to be part of the Old Testament. Long ago, as these books recount, God began a connection with his people. One can discern the ways in which these narratives prepared the way for Jesus if one studies them carefully.
• These books are perfect for you if you enjoy historical fiction with thrills. Adam and Eve, the ark of Noah, the Israelites' journey with Pharoah, and many more well-known biblical stories all took place here.
• Then, return to the New Testament and study Acts, the very first book following the Gospels. This is where you will resume reading about Jesus' ascension into heaven, precisely where you left off. In this lesson, you will learn about the early church and how its members were inspired by Jesus. Keep an eye on how their faith changes when they receive the Holy Spirit.
• The Bible is wonderful because God gives you life-changing advice that you can use right now. This advice is best found in the Old Testament book of Proverbs. Simple facts that you can remember every day are presented in this book, chapter after chapter.
• The second part of the New Testament is devoted to Paul's letters, where you will discover further words of encouragement and wisdom. Scriptures such as Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians contain God's messages to early Christians. For every believer in Christ, these works are treasure troves of helpful encouragement and instruction.
• Finally, read the book of James, which was written by Jesus' brother James. You can find it towards the New Testament's conclusion. Anyone would benefit from reading James's instructions because they are clear and practical.
• Reading the Old Testament book of Psalms is essential if you are seeking profound spiritual meaning in God's Word. The book of Psalms is halfway through the Bible. Since it is the longest book in the Bible, you might find it more manageable to read in shorter sections.
• The Psalms are an anthology of poetry composed by various poets and dedicated to God. You will find Bible verses to read here that capture the greatest heights and deepest valleys of humankind's connection with God.
• Reading the Psalms as a prayer to God is something that many Christians do because of its encouraging outlook and profound vulnerability. One great example to consider when praying is Psalm 23.

How to Read the Bible in Chronological Order

Reading the Bible in chronological order can provide a clearer sense of the timeline of events and how the story unfolds. Here's how to read the Bible in order:

1. Genesis – Creation, Adam and Eve, the Fall, the Flood, and the Patriarchs.
2. Job – Often considered to take place during the time of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob).
3. Exodus – The story of Moses, the Israelites' escape from Egypt, and the journey to Mount Sinai.
4. Leviticus – Laws and regulations for Israel's worship and life.
5. Numbers – The Israelites' journey through the wilderness.
6. Deuteronomy – Moses' final speeches and instructions to Israel.
7. Joshua – The conquest of Canaan and the division of the land.
8. Judges – The time of Israel's judges before the establishment of monarchy.
9. Ruth – Set during the time of the judges, the story of Ruth and Boaz.
10. 1 Samuel – The rise of Samuel, Saul’s kingship, and the early life of David.
11. 2 Samuel – David's reign as king of Israel.
12. 1 Chronicles – A parallel account of events in 1 and 2 Samuel, focusing on David's reign.
13. Psalms – Many of the psalms are attributed to David and other figures, so these can be read alongside the historical books.
14. 1 Kings – The reigns of Solomon and the division of Israel into two kingdoms (Israel and Judah).
15. 2 Kings – The decline of Israel and Judah, leading to their exile.
16. 2 Chronicles – A parallel account of the kings of Judah (focuses more on Judah than Israel).
17. Isaiah – Prophecies during the time of the kings of Judah.
18. Amos – A prophet during the time of King Uzziah of Judah and King Jeroboam II of Israel.
19. Hosea – Another prophet during the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel.
20. Micah – Contemporary of Isaiah, prophesying in Judah.
21. Nahum – Prophecy against Nineveh (Assyria).
22. Zephaniah – A prophecy during the reign of King Josiah of Judah.
23. Jeremiah – Prophecies during the last years of Judah before the Babylonian exile.
24. Lamentations – Poems lamenting the fall of Jerusalem.
25. Ezekiel – Prophecies during the Babylonian exile.
26. Daniel – Events during the exile in Babylon, focusing on Daniel and his companions.
27. Obadiah – Prophecy against Edom.
28. Haggai – Prophecy encouraging the rebuilding of the temple after the return from exile.
29. Zechariah – Prophecies of hope and restoration after the exile.
30. Esther – The story of Queen Esther during the Persian Empire.
31. Ezra – The return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple.
32. Nehemiah – The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and restoration of order.
33. Malachi – The last prophetic book of the Old Testament, addressing issues of corruption and restoration.
34. Matthew – The life and teachings of Jesus, focusing on His ministry and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
35. Mark – A concise account of Jesus' life and ministry.
36. Luke – A detailed account of Jesus' life, including His birth, teachings, and resurrection.
37. John – A theological reflection on the life and significance of Jesus.
38. Acts – The early church's history after Jesus' resurrection and ascension.
39. Romans to Jude – These letters (epistles) were written by Paul, Peter, James, John, and others to various churches and individuals, giving doctrinal teachings, encouragement, and instruction.
40. Revelation – The prophecy of the end times, given to John while he was on the island of Patmos.

This order is based on the general timeline of events, but the Bible is also filled with themes, genealogies, and prophecies that may not follow a strict chronological sequence. This list offers a more narrative approach to understanding the unfolding of God’s plan in history.

How Long Does It Take to Read The Bible?

Different people will take different lengths of time to finish their Bible reading. Some may wish to reflect more, while others might be faster readers. Bible reading is something personal, and each journey differs. Here is what some people on the subreddit r/Christianity had to say about how long it took them:

“About 52 hours for me. I read for about 1 hour every weekend. This doesn’t take into consideration my daily bible studies.” – jud50

“I take 150 days, read one psalm a day plus reading the entire page number divided by 150 and break it up into that many pages per day depending on the size of the font. Usually an hour a day to an hour and a half, in depth, writing notes, commentary, and bible studies, rounding it up to 2 hours a day usually. Read it twice in 2017, twice in 2018, and already going this year…” – Default_Character

“It took me 6 months. There are lots of 1-year reading plans. It was worth it :)...” – MyFelineFriend

Conclusion

Regular engagement with the Bible brings clarity, peace, and strength to life. As you reflect on its stories and lessons, you’ll find direction for your journey. The Bible, in its depth and relevance, provides a continuous source of inspiration and spiritual guidance, shaping your heart.