Where to Start Reading the Bible (and What to Skip at First)
The best place to start reading the Bible depends on what you want from it. If you want a clear, fast-moving introduction, start with the Gospel of Mark. If you want the whole story in order, start with Genesis 1 and follow a plan that keeps you moving. If you only have a few minutes a day, start with a short book like James or Philippians. All three are good starts. The worst start is the one that stalls in chapter 3 of Leviticus because nobody warned you what was coming.
This guide gives you the three paths, what each is like in the first two weeks, and how to avoid the common stall points.
Why "just start at page one" often fails
The Bible is a library of 66 books (more in some traditions; see how many books are in the Bible), written by many people across a long span of history. In a printed Bible the books are grouped by kind of writing: law, history, poetry and wisdom, prophets, Gospels, letters. They are not in the order events happened.
That arrangement is useful for reference but awkward for a first read. After the stories of Genesis and the first half of Exodus come long sections of laws, offerings and genealogies. Many first-time readers who begin at page one reach those sections within a few weeks and stop. Knowing the terrain in advance makes the difference.
Path 1: Start with the Gospel of Mark
Best for: readers who want to meet the central figure of the New Testament quickly.
Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels at 16 chapters, and it moves fast. Traditionally it is attributed to John Mark, associated with Peter, and it is commonly dated between about AD 55 and 70 (traditional view; dates vary). A single sitting of an hour or so covers a chapter or two at a relaxed pace, so the whole book fits in about two weeks of short readings.
A sensible order from there:
- Mark, for a brisk overview of the life of Jesus.
- Luke and Acts, which are traditionally attributed to the same author, to see the story continue into the early church.
- John, for a more reflective Gospel built around signs and conversations.
- Romans or Philippians, to see how early letters address everyday life and belief.
- Genesis, to go back to the beginning with some context under your belt.
Path 2: Start at Genesis and follow the story
Best for: readers who want the big narrative and are willing to be patient.
If you want to start at the beginning, do it with a plan rather than by raw willpower. Genesis 1–11 covers creation, the first families, the flood and the scattering of nations. Genesis 12–50 follows Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. These chapters are story-driven and easy to follow.
The trouble starts after Exodus 18 or so, so plan for it. Exodus 19–40 and all of Leviticus focus on the law and the tabernacle. Numbers has censuses and travel notes. Rather than quitting, try this: read the story chapters closely, skim the lists, and move on when the pace slows. The goal of a first read is the outline, not mastery.
What a chronological plan does differently
A chronological plan reorders the books by when events are placed in time, so that the prophets sit beside the kings they addressed. In the 52-week plan that comes with The Bible Roadmap, the first weeks run like this:
| Week | Reading | Why it comes here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 1–11 | The opening scenes: creation, the flood, the nations scattered |
| 2 | Job 1–21 | Job's setting suggests the patriarchal era, so many plans place it here |
| 3 | Job 22–42 | The second half of Job: the debate ends and God answers |
| 4 | Genesis 12–25 | The call of Abraham and the family story resumes |
The reasoning is that Job names no king, nation or date, and the world it describes (a wealthy herdsman, family sacrifices, no mention of the law of Moses) resembles the world of the patriarchs. Not everyone agrees; authorship and date are debated, and the book's own text does not settle it. If Job's long poetry feels like heavy going for a first week, it is fine to move it later or read the first and last chapters now and return to the middle. For a complete walk-through of the plan, see the chronological Bible reading plan.
Path 3: Start with a short book
Best for: readers who want a quick win and a feel for the text.
Short books you can finish in one sitting give you a sense of how the Bible works, with no commitment to the whole thing. Popular choices, with the number of chapters:
- Philippians (4): a warm letter written from prison, often called a thank-you note.
- James (5): practical wisdom on how faith shows up in speech, fairness and action.
- Jonah (4): a reluctant prophet and a surprising story about mercy.
- Ruth (4): a short, human story of loyalty and a new family.
- 1 John (5): a letter about love, truth and living together.
Read the whole book once straight through, then read it again more slowly. You will notice repeated words and themes the second time, which is the beginning of real study. The how to read the Bible guide shows a repeatable three-step routine for this.
What to expect and what to skip
Here are the places readers most often stall, and a plain way through each.
| Where | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Exodus 25–40 | Detailed tabernacle instructions | Skim for the main idea: God dwelling among his people |
| Leviticus | Offerings, purity laws, festivals | Read chapter 1 and chapters 16 and 19, then skim |
| Numbers 1–4 | Census lists | Read the opening lines and move on |
| 1 Chronicles 1–9 | Genealogies | Skip on a first read; start at chapter 10 |
| Prophets | Poetry, symbols, oracles | Read one short prophet, such as Jonah or Amos, before a long one |
You do not owe the text a perfect read. Skimming a list and returning later is a normal way to read.
Practical tips for the first two weeks
- Pick a translation you can read. Some are word-for-word and some are thought-for-thought; any major modern translation is fine to start. Choose one with notes if you like context.
- Read in small chunks. One chapter, or about 10 minutes, is enough. Consistency beats volume.
- Write one line. After each reading, note one thing that stood out or one question. It keeps the passage from slipping away.
- Keep a map nearby. Knowing who wrote a book, roughly when, and where it fits in the larger story turns scattered chapters into a story. The Bible Roadmap puts that on one page for each of the 66 books, with the big idea, structure, key people and places, themes and a reading tip, so you know what you are walking into before you start.
- Do not worry about order of difficulty. If a section loses you, jump to the next one and come back later.
A simple starting plan
If you want to make the decision now, here is a four-week start that works for most beginners:
- Week 1: Mark 1–8.
- Week 2: Mark 9–16.
- Week 3: Luke 1–12 (or Genesis 1–11 if you prefer the opening scenes).
- Week 4: Luke 13–24, then Acts.
After a month you will know how the Bible reads, what type of reading suits you, and whether you want to follow the story chronologically, study a book in depth (see Bible study for beginners), or continue through the New Testament.