Bible reading
How to read the Bible for beginners
· 2 min read
How to read the Bible for beginners, where to start, simple questions to ask of every passage, and how to turn what you read into prayer.
To read the Bible as a beginner, start with a Gospel, read a little each day, ask a few simple questions, and turn what you read into prayer. You don’t need to understand everything at once. “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Psalm 119:18) is a good prayer to start with.
Where should a beginner start reading the Bible?
A beginner can start reading the Bible with the Gospel of Mark or John to meet Jesus, then read Genesis alongside a few verses of Psalms and Proverbs. Read a little each day, ask what the passage shows about God, what it shows about people, and how to respond, then turn what you read into prayer. A reading plan tells you what to read next.
Where to start
- Mark is short and fast, a good first book about Jesus.
- John shows who Jesus is, “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ” (John 20:31).
- Genesis tells how the story begins.
- Psalms and Proverbs are good to read alongside, a few verses at a time.
Three questions for every passage
- What does this show me about God?
- What does this show me about people, and about me?
- How can I respond, in prayer and in how I live?
Read slowly
Read the passage once to get the whole picture. Read it again and notice one verse that stands out. Write it down or think about it during the day.
Turn it into prayer
Pray what you read. If you read about God’s faithfulness, thank Him for it. If you read a command, ask for help to obey it. See how to pray when you don’t know what to say.
Use a plan
A plan tells you what to read next, so you don’t have to decide each day. See this Bible reading plan for beginners.
Get help with hard passages
Some passages are hard to understand. Ask a pastor or friend, read with a small group, or use a short commentary.
In The Pray App, tap Commentary under a passage for a short explanation.
Read the Bible in The Pray App
Set up your own reading plan with verses from the New Testament, Old Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs, and read each day’s passage in the app, alongside your prayers.
The Pray App is free on the App Store. See how to follow a Bible reading plan.
Questions people ask
Should I read the Bible from beginning to end?
You can, but many beginners stall in Leviticus. Starting with a Gospel and reading the Old Testament alongside it is often easier to keep.
What questions should I ask when reading the Bible?
Ask what the passage shows you about God, what it shows you about people, and how you can respond in prayer and in how you live.
Do I need a commentary to read the Bible?
No, but a short explanation can help with hard passages. Reading with others at church or in a small group helps too.
Related guides
- A Bible reading plan for beginners you can keepHow 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.
- How to pray for your children, with prayers and ScriptureHow to pray for your children by name, what to ask God for, prayers for your son and daughter, their salvation, and grandchildren, with Scripture to pray.
- How to pray for your husband, from head to toeHow to pray for your husband with Scripture, a head-to-toe prayer guide, prayers for when he's struggling, and prayers for your marriage.
- How to pray for your wife, in every seasonHow to pray for your wife with Scripture, what to pray for each part of her life, prayers for difficult times and her birthday, and prayers for your marriage.