Bible reading
A Bible reading plan for beginners you can keep
· 2 min read
How to choose a Bible reading plan for beginners, where to start, how much to read each day, and how to keep going when you fall behind.
A good Bible reading plan for beginners is short enough to keep and mixes different parts of the Bible, so you see the whole story. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching” (2 Timothy 3:16). Here’s how to set one up and stay with it.
What is a good Bible reading plan for beginners?
A good Bible reading plan for beginners is short enough to keep and mixes different parts of the Bible. Read a few verses to a chapter a day from the New Testament, the Old Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs, so you see how the whole story fits together. Pick a regular time, and when you fall behind, start again where you left off.
Start small
Read a few verses to a chapter a day. You’ll remember more, and you’ll come back tomorrow. You can always read more as the habit grows.
Read from more than one place
A plan that mixes different parts of the Bible keeps reading fresh and shows how it fits together.
- New Testament, to learn about Jesus and the early church. Mark and John are good places to begin.
- Old Testament, for the story of God and His people, starting with Genesis.
- Psalms, for prayer and worship.
- Proverbs, for wisdom about everyday life.
Pick a time
Read at the same time each day, like before your morning prayer routine. Pair it with prayer: read, then pray about what you read.
When you fall behind
You will miss days. Don’t try to catch up all at once. Pick up where you left off. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The goal is to walk with God, not to keep a perfect record.
Set up your own plan in The Pray App
On Home, tap Daily Bible Reading. Choose how many verses a day you want from each track: New Testament, Old Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. The app shows your total verses a day and about how long the plan will take. Tap Start plan.
To read and pray in the same place each day, see Bible and prayer app.
Each day, read your passages in Today’s Reading, then mark the day complete.
Each day, open Today’s Reading, read the passages, and tap the button to mark the day complete. Tap Commentary under a passage for a short explanation of it.
The Pray App is free on the App Store. See how to follow a Bible reading plan and how to read the Bible for beginners.
Questions people ask
What is the best Bible reading plan for beginners?
The best plan is one you'll finish. Start with a small daily amount, mix the Gospels with the Old Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs, and adjust as you go.
How many verses should a beginner read a day?
A few verses to a chapter is a good start. It's better to read a little and think about it than to rush through a lot.
What if I fall behind on my reading plan?
Don't try to catch up all at once. Pick up where you left off. The goal is to know God through His Word, not to stay on a schedule.
Where should a beginner start reading the Bible?
Many start with the Gospel of Mark or John to learn about Jesus, then read Genesis, the Psalms, and Proverbs alongside.
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