How to start reading the Bible
Start with a Gospel: Mark takes about 1 h 9 min, John about 1 h 32 min. Read a little every day, use a readable translation, and follow a plan so you never wonder what to read next.
1. Pick a starting book
| Book | Time | Why start here |
|---|---|---|
| Mark | 1 h 9 min | The shortest Gospel and the fastest-moving. Good if you want the story of Jesus in one sitting or a week. |
| John | 1 h 32 min | Written “so that you may believe”; slower and more reflective, with Jesus’ longest conversations. |
| Genesis | 2 h 56 min | Where the story begins: creation, Abraham, Joseph. Easy to read as narrative. |
| Psalms | 3 h 23 min | Prayers and songs for every mood. Read one a day alongside a Gospel. |
| Proverbs | 1 h 11 min | Thirty-one chapters of practical wisdom: one a day for a month. |
2. Choose a readable translation
Pick one you understand without effort. Modern translations such as the Berean Standard Bible (free and public domain), NIV, CSB or NLT are easier for a first read than the King James Version. Compare translations.
3. Read a little, every day
Ten minutes a day is enough to read the whole Bible in a year. A fixed time (with coffee, at lunch, before bed) works better than waiting for a free moment.
4. Read with a few questions
- What happens, or what is said?
- What does it show about God?
- What is one thing to remember or do today?
The SOAP method turns these into a five-minute journal.
5. Use a plan, and don’t start over when you miss a day
Pick up where you left off. A plan with a catch-up option keeps one missed day from becoming a missed month.
Start the 90-day beginners plan
Questions
Where should I start reading the Bible?
Start with a Gospel. Mark is the shortest; John is the most reflective. Then read Acts, then go back to Genesis.
Should I read the Bible from start to finish?
You can, and a one-year plan makes it about 10 minutes a day. Many first-time readers stall in Leviticus, so mixing in the New Testament or Psalms each day helps.
How much should I read a day?
Ten minutes a day reads the whole Bible in a year (it is about 61 hours in all). Five minutes a day finishes the New Testament in about four months.
Which Bible translation should a beginner read?
A modern, readable translation such as the Berean Standard Bible, NIV, CSB or NLT. The King James Version is beautiful but its 400-year-old English is harder to follow at first.