A book and a notebook on a table, with a coffee mug that says 'Trust in the Lord', a lit candle, and a potted plant in the background. The image is a cover for a guide on starting to read the Bible.

How Do I Start Learning The Bible?

You’re Not Alone

So many Christians feel embarrassed admitting they don’t understand the Bible. Sometimes it even keeps people from joining Bible studies or getting involved at church because they assume everyone else understands it better than they do.

The truth is that most people were simply never taught how to study the Bible.

If that’s you, you are not alone.

Start With Jesus and the Gospel

Unlike most books, the best place to start reading the Bible is not necessarily at the beginning.

The entire Old Testament points to Jesus, so why not start with Him?

The Gospel of John gives a beautiful picture of who Jesus was during His time on earth. If you’re new to the Bible, start there and simply focus on getting to know Jesus.

Another great place to start is Romans, which gives one of the clearest explanations of:

  • the Gospel

  • salvation

  • grace

  • faith

  • and the Christian life

John helps you understand who Jesus is. Romans helps you understand what He accomplished and what it means to follow Him.

Expand Into More Books

Once you feel comfortable with the basics of the Gospel, I would expand into:

  • the other three Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke)

  • the New Testament letters

  • Psalms

  • Proverbs

Not all books of the Bible are equally easy to read, and that’s okay.

Starting in the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs helps build confidence and understanding before moving into some of the more difficult sections of Scripture.

The History of Israel

When you’re ready to go deeper, begin learning the history of Israel.

In Genesis, we see the creation of the world and are soon introduced to what are called the Patriarchs: Abraham, his son Isaac, and his son Jacob. God later renames Jacob “Israel,” and his descendants become the people of Israel. By the end of Genesis, we see Israel (Jacob) and his twelve sons.

About 400 years pass between Genesis and the next book, Exodus. At the beginning of Exodus, the family of Israel has grown from Jacob’s twelve sons into a nation of at least a million people. This is the nation of Israel.

To learn the history of Israel, I would start in Genesis to watch its formation and then follow the people of Israel through:

  • Exodus

  • Numbers

  • Joshua

  • Judges

  • 1 & 2 Samuel

  • 1 & 2 Kings

  • Ezra

  • Nehemiah

This path gives you a strong foundation before eventually moving into some of the more difficult books of the Bible, like the prophets and Revelation.

Don’t Panic

One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming they need to fully understand every verse before moving forward. You don’t. It’s okay to hit confusing passages and keep reading anyway. Over time, the Bible starts connecting together more and more.

Give yourself grace while you learn.

Want Help Understanding the Bible?

We created a structured Bible class designed for:

  • homeschool teens

  • new Christians

  • overwhelmed believers

  • and Christians who simply never learned how the Bible fits together.

Our goal is to make Scripture feel approachable, understandable, and organized so you can grow in confidence as you study God’s Word.

Learn more at ByGodsStandard.com