If you've never read the Bible — or you've tried and felt completely lost — this guide is for you. The Bible is the most influential book in human history, but it can feel intimidating to open for the first time. It doesn't have to be.
I'm going to assume you have a Bible (or a Bible app on your phone — both work fine), some curiosity, and about ten minutes a day. That's all you need to begin.
First, understand what the Bible is
The Bible isn't one book. It's a library — sixty-six books, written by about forty different authors, over roughly fifteen hundred years, in three languages. It contains poetry, history, prophecy, biography, letters, songs, and visions. Some books are short — one chapter. Others are long.
This is important to understand because many people open the Bible at page one (Genesis) and try to read straight through, and they get bogged down in genealogies in Numbers, give up, and conclude the Bible is impossible. Don't start at the beginning.
Where to actually start
Start with one of the Gospels — the four short biographies of Jesus that open the New Testament. I usually recommend the Gospel of John for new readers. Here's why:
- It introduces you to Jesus directly — his words, his actions, his character.
- It's accessible. The language is direct. The stories are clear.
- It's the heart of the Christian faith. Everything else in the Bible points to him in some way, so meeting him first helps the rest make sense.
The Gospel of John has 21 chapters. Read one chapter a day. In three weeks, you'll have met Jesus.
How to read a chapter
Here's a simple practice that works for almost everyone:
- Pray a short prayer first. Something like, "God, help me understand what I'm about to read." That's enough.
- Read the chapter slowly. Don't rush. If you have time, read it twice.
- Notice what stands out. A word, a phrase, a question, a feeling. Don't try to understand everything. Just notice what catches your attention.
- Ask three questions: What does this say about God? What does this say about people? Is there something here for me to do or believe?
- Pray about what you noticed. Tell God what you're thinking. Ask for help to live it out.
That's it. Ten minutes. No special knowledge required.
What if you don't understand something?
You won't understand everything. Nobody does. Even those who have studied the Bible for decades come across passages that confuse us. That's okay — actually, it's a sign you're paying attention.
When you hit something confusing:
- Keep reading. Often the passage explains itself in the next few verses.
- Make a note of your question. Write it down. Bring it to church. Ask Pastor Raju, ask a small group, ask someone you trust.
- Don't let confusion stop you. The point is not to master the Bible — it's to let the Bible shape you over time.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
After you finish John, what next?
Once you've read the Gospel of John, here are some good next steps:
Read another Gospel
Try Mark next — it's short, fast-paced, and gives you another angle on Jesus. Then Luke or Matthew.
Try a Psalm a day
The book of Psalms is the prayer book of the Bible — 150 songs and prayers covering every possible human emotion. They teach you how to talk to God when you don't have words of your own.
Read a letter from Paul
Paul's letters (Romans, 1 Corinthians, Philippians, etc.) explain how to live the Christian life. Philippians is short, joyful, and a great place to start.
Eventually, read the whole thing
Many people use a "one-year Bible reading plan" — a guide that takes you through the entire Bible in 365 days. Most Bible apps offer these for free. It's not a race; you can take longer. The goal is just to be soaking your mind in scripture over time.
A few honest warnings
Some parts will be uncomfortable. The Bible doesn't flatter humanity. It tells the truth about us, and the truth isn't always easy. Read with an open heart, even when it stings.
Don't read just to extract verses for your problems. The Bible isn't a fortune cookie. Read it to know God, not just to find help for today's situation. Strangely, when you read it that way, it ends up helping with today's situation more than you'd expect.
You will have bad days. Days where the words don't land. Days where you fall asleep. Days where you skip altogether. That's normal. Just come back the next day. Faithfulness over time matters more than perfection on any given day.
One last thing
The Bible is not a book about how to be religious. It's the story of how God came to find us — and what life looks like when we let ourselves be found.
If you start reading and your understanding grows, but your heart stays the same — keep going. Eventually, the words start to do something to you. They reshape how you see yourself, how you see others, how you see God. That's the whole point.
If you'd like to talk more — about a specific passage, about a question you have, about anything — I'd love to hear from you. Reach out any time.