How to Start Reading the Bible: What to Read First

You want to read the Bible, but opening a book with more than a thousand pages leaves another decision: where do you begin?

Start with one short book and a passage you can finish today. This first week in Mark gives you actual readings, one question per day, and a route for what comes next.

Where should a beginner start reading the Bible?

Mark is a useful first book. Its 16 chapters follow Jesus through his teaching, encounters with people, death, and resurrection. The Mark introduction supplies background before you begin.

John is another good option, especially for Jesus' identity and the meaning of believing in him. Choose one Gospel and keep reading it rather than switching books every day.

You can begin with Genesis, the Bible's opening book. A Gospel-first route introduces Jesus before you return to the longer Old Testament books.

Choose a translation you can understand

Try a paragraph in a current English translation, such as the Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, or New Living Translation. Use one whose sentences you can follow.

A reference such as Mark 1:1-15 means the book of Mark, chapter 1, verses 1 to 15. You can use a printed Bible, the links below, or an app. Keep a place to write one sentence about each reading.

Your first seven days of Bible reading

Follow the opening of Mark in order

1. 1.Days 1-2: Mark 1

   Meet Jesus, hear his announcement, and follow his first encounters.

2. 2.Days 3-5: Mark 2-3

   Notice the questions and disagreements raised by his actions.

3. 3.Days 6-7: Mark 4

   Listen to his teaching, then watch the storm scene raise another question about his identity.

Allow roughly ten minutes per sitting. Split a longer passage across two sittings if you need to. The day numbers tell you the order, not a deadline.

1. Day 1: Mark 1:1-15. Notice the opening, Jesus' baptism, and his announcement. What does Mark want you to know about Jesus?
2. Day 2: Mark 1:16-45. Follow the calls, healings, and movement to other places. What do Jesus' actions show about his priorities?
3. Day 3: Mark 2:1-17. Notice the objections about forgiveness and the people Jesus eats with. How does he answer?
4. Day 4: Mark 2:18-28 and 3:1-6. Read the disagreements about fasting and the Sabbath, the weekly Jewish day of rest. How does Jesus explain his actions?
5. Day 5: Mark 3:7-35. Notice the crowds, the twelve, the accusations, and the words about family. What different responses to Jesus appear?
6. Day 6: Mark 4:1-34. A parable is a teaching story or comparison. Use Jesus' explanation of the sower: what distinguishes hearing from receiving the message?
7. Day 7: Mark 4:35-41. Follow the storm scene and the disciples' final question. What has this week shown you about Jesus' identity?

What should you do when a passage is confusing?

Read the paragraph before and after it. Ask who is speaking and what is happening. Then check the Mark commentary or Bible dictionary.

Write down what remains unclear and discuss it with a trusted Christian or church leader. You can keep reading with a question open. For a closer worked study, use the five-step beginner guide.

What should you read after the first week?

Continue with Mark 5 and work toward the end of the book. After Mark, try Luke for a longer account of Jesus, then Acts for the early church. Return to Genesis to follow creation, humanity's rebellion, and God's promises to Abraham's family.

There are other sound reading orders. When you want a longer schedule, the New Testament in 90 days plan supplies daily readings with commentary links.

Begin with today's passage

Read Mark 1:1-15 and write one thing it tells you about Jesus. That is enough for your first sitting. If you miss tomorrow, return to the next passage when you can.

Keep the worksheet for closer study. Teens can use the school-day study routine, and the method chooser helps when you want another approach.