Reading the Bible is one of the most important practices in the Christian life. We read the Bible to know what God asks and requires of us. We discover the way in which God shows His love for us—by sending His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NKJV). And just as importantly, we read the Bible to know God Himself—not just what He is like, but to know Him as He speaks through His Word. But how do you start reading the Bible?
Our approach depends on our personal starting point. Where we start will be different if we are a longtime Christian trying to change Bible-reading habits vs someone doesn’t consider themselves a Christian but are curious, for example. So here are three approaches to consider:
- If you’re a curious about Christianity, start with one of the gospels.
- If you want to follow the Bible’s storyline, use a chronological reading plan.
- If you want to focus on a specific theme, use topical guides.
Curious about Christ? Start with a Gospel
It might seem unusual to start reading a book two-thirds of the way through. After all, you normally start on page one and continue from there. And you can do that with the Bible. However, if you’re new to Christianity—maybe a brand-new believer or someone who is exploring it for the first time—the best place to start is with one of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These writings, bearing the name of their author, each offer an account of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, the Savior of the world. And each of the gospels has its own focus:
- Matthew was written to specifically show how Jesus is the Messiah—the true king of Israel in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
- Mark, similarly, wrote to establish Jesus’s identity as the Messiah, and as a call to whole-hearted discipleship.
- Luke intended to “set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among [them]” (Luke 1:1 NKJV) to help his readers of all backgrounds and ethnicities know that the salvation Christ offers truly is for them.
- John is the most explicit in his aim: “That you may believe” (John 20:31). He wanted all who would read his gospel to know that Jesus is no mere human, but the eternal Word—God the Son—who entered human history, becoming one of us so that we would be saved from our sins.
Of these, Luke and John tend to be the most helpful for someone newly exploring Christianity—especially if they have little familiarity with the faith. However, all four offer a strong starting point for your faith journey. To get started, consider the NKJV Sovereign Collection Personal Size Reference Bible, which offers a beautiful and easy-to-read presentation of the text of Scripture.
Want to Explore the Storyline of Scripture? Read Chronologically
As much as the Bible is a collection of distinct writings that each serve a specific purpose, it also has a distinct storyline that flows through every book: the story of God’s redeeming and restoring people and the world from sin through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It tells this story through the historical events that are recorded in every book of the Bible.
A chronological reading plan allows you to more easily connect the dots throughout Scripture by encouraging you to read parallel and related passages together. For example, as you read 1–2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings, you’ll read portions of 1–2 Chronicles, along with many of the Psalms and Prophets.
There are many Bible editions organized in a chronological fashion, including the Chronological Study Bible. Along with its structure, this Bible provides valuable study tools to help you gain deeper insights into the events of Scripture.
Need Guidance on a Specific Issue? Explore Scripture Topically
Perhaps you want to know what the Bible says about anxiety, forgiveness, caring for those in need, parenting, or how to handle money. That’s where a topical guide or index is helpful. These plans guide you to relevant passages throughout the entire Bible to help you gain clarity on a specific issue, theme, or topic.
Many Bibles include guides and indexes to help you explore Scripture topically. One of the most robust belongs to The Open Bible. This edition’s easy-to-navigate topical index helps you explore the connections between more than 8000 names, places, concepts, events, and doctrines. The Life in Christ Bible and the Young Women Love God Greatly Bible also include guides to help you discover what Scripture says about important topics and truths.
Take Your First Step
Reading the Bible, especially when you’re new to it, can feel a bit daunting. But whether you’re exploring Christianity, looking for a fresh approach, or seeking insights into specific issues, there are tools and resources to help. So don’t wait—get your Bible and start reading today.
Aaron Armstrong
Aaron Armstrong is a Marketing Director with Thomas Nelson Bibles. He is also the author of multiple books, documentaries, and Bible studies, including Faith Simplified: What We Believe and Why We Believe It. As an adult convert, Aaron writes to engage those curious about Christianity, encourage new believers, and equip those who come alongside them. For nearly 20 years, he has served local churches as a preacher, small group leader, and children’s ministry leader. He and his wife, Emily, have three teenage children. To learn more, visit aaronarmstrong.co.
