Where to Start Reading the Bible – 7 Unique Ways to Dive Deeper Into Scripture

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“Genesis 1:1… no wait, maybe Psalms… or should I try Revelation?” My Bible sat open but unread for three months as I paralyzed myself with indecision. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by this ancient library of 66 books, you’re not alone – finding where to start reading the Bible can feel like being dropped in a foreign city without a map.

Have you ever downloaded a new app only to immediately close it when faced with too many options? The Bible can trigger that same overwhelm response. During my freshman year of college, I carried a Bible everywhere but barely cracked it open until a mentor showed me that there’s no single “right way” to begin. Some thrive by diving into Jesus’ story in the Gospels, while others connect more deeply through the poetry of Psalms or the wisdom of Proverbs.

Think of the Bible like a vast streaming service – you wouldn’t start by watching every show in alphabetical order! Just as you might begin with recommended hits or stories that match your interests, your Bible journey can start wherever speaks to your current season. Whether you’re navigating a painful breakup, questioning your purpose, or simply curious about this book that’s shaped world history, I’ve discovered seven practical approaches that have helped thousands move from intimidation to fascination with Scripture. No theological degree required – just an open heart and these straightforward strategies to make the Bible’s ancient wisdom come alive in your everyday life.

1. Start with the Gospel of John

Have you ever jumped into the middle of a TV series, only to feel completely lost about who’s who and what’s happening? That’s how many people feel when they start reading the Bible from Genesis. Here’s a secret I wish someone had told me years ago: the Gospel of John is like the perfect pilot episode for your Bible reading journey. It opens with those captivating words, “In the beginning was the Word,” drawing a beautiful parallel to Genesis while introducing us to Jesus in a uniquely personal way.

Why John? Unlike Matthew, Mark, or Luke, John wrote his gospel specifically “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31). He crafts his narrative like a master storyteller, weaving together Jesus’s miracles (which he calls “signs”), deep conversations, and powerful teachings that reveal who Jesus is.

Start with Chapter 1, reading slowly and thoughtfully. You’ll meet fascinating characters like Nicodemus, a religious leader who sneaks out at night to ask Jesus life’s biggest questions (John 3), and the Samaritan woman who encounters Jesus at a well (John 4). Through these stories, you’ll discover core truths about God’s love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

I remember sitting in a coffee shop, reading John’s gospel for the first time, feeling like I was there watching these events unfold. The way Jesus interacts with real people – showing compassion to the outcast, challenging the self-righteous, offering hope to the broken – helps us see Him as more than just a historical figure. He becomes someone we can know personally.

2. Follow a Chronological Approach

Remember trying to understand “Star Wars” after watching the movies in release order instead of chronological order? Reading the Bible chronologically can be just as enlightening. When I first discovered this approach, it was like watching puzzle pieces click into place – suddenly, events and prophecies that seemed disconnected made perfect sense in their historical context.

The Bible isn’t arranged chronologically in its standard form. For instance, Job’s story actually takes place during the time of Genesis, and the prophets wrote during the periods covered in Kings and Chronicles. Reading chronologically helps you understand how everything fits together. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,” Paul reminds us in Romans 15:4.

Start with Genesis, but use a chronological Bible or reading plan to guide you through the historical timeline. You’ll see how God’s plan unfolds through the ages, from creation through the patriarchs, the exodus, the kingdoms, the exile, and finally to Jesus and the early church. This approach helps you understand prophecies in their context – for example, reading Isaiah alongside the historical events in Kings brings new depth to both books.

One of my favorite discoveries was seeing how the Psalms fit into David’s life story. Reading Psalm 51 right after learning about David’s sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12) makes his prayer of repentance even more powerful. As Psalm 119:160 says, “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”

3. Use a Thematic Reading Plan

Life rarely follows a straight line, so why should your Bible reading? Sometimes what we need most is God’s wisdom on specific life situations. That’s where thematic Bible reading comes in. Think of it like having a conversation with a wise friend about exactly what’s on your heart – whether it’s dealing with anxiety, building relationships, or making tough decisions.

The Bible itself tells us that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). A thematic approach helps you discover how different parts of Scripture speak to your current circumstances. For example, if you’re seeking peace in a stressful time, you might start with Jesus’s words in Matthew 6:25-34 about anxiety, then explore related passages like Philippians 4:6-7 and Psalm 23.

Create your own theme-based reading plan by using a concordance or Bible app to find relevant passages. Some powerful themes to explore include:

– God’s love and grace (start with 1 John 4)

– Dealing with fear (explore Psalm 34)

– Finding purpose (read Ephesians 2:1-10)

– Building relationships (study Proverbs’ wisdom)

I remember when, during a particularly challenging career transition, I focused on passages about trust and guidance. Starting with Proverbs 3:5-6 (“Trust in the LORD with all your heart…”), I discovered countless stories and promises about God’s faithful guidance. This approach turned my Bible reading from a daily task into a genuine source of strength and direction.

4. Begin with Bible Stories

Remember how captivated you’d be when someone started a story with “You won’t believe what happened…”? The Bible is filled with such moments – dramatic narratives that have captured imaginations for thousands of years. When I first discovered this approach to Bible reading, it transformed my perspective from seeing the Bible as a rulebook to experiencing it as an epic story of God’s relationship with humanity.

Start with Abraham’s journey (Genesis 12-25), a story that begins with an incredible promise: “I will make you into a great nation” (Genesis 12:2). Follow his story as he leaves everything familiar behind, faces challenges, makes mistakes, and learns to trust God. What makes these narratives so powerful is their honesty – biblical characters aren’t perfect heroes, they’re real people with real struggles.

Move on to Moses’s story in Exodus, where you’ll find drama that rivals any Hollywood movie: a baby saved from death, a burning bush, plagues, an epic escape, and the parting of a sea. These aren’t just entertaining tales; they reveal God’s character and how He works in human lives. As Psalm 105:5 encourages us, “Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.”

I remember being particularly moved by Joseph’s story (Genesis 37-50) during a time when my own life seemed to be going off track. Here was someone who faced betrayal, false accusations, and imprisonment, yet could later say to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20). These stories show us that God can work through any situation – even the ones that seem hopeless.

5. Focus on Wisdom Literature

Have you ever wished life came with a practical manual? That’s essentially what you’ll find in the Bible’s wisdom literature, particularly in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and James. When I first discovered these books, it was like finding a treasure trove of life advice that was somehow both ancient and completely relevant to modern life.

Proverbs is a great starting point, offering bite-sized wisdom about everything from relationships to work ethics. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5) isn’t just a nice saying – it’s a tested principle for decision-making. Each chapter contains practical insights that you can immediately apply to your daily life.

The book of Ecclesiastes offers a different kind of wisdom, tackling life’s biggest questions about meaning and purpose. Written by someone who had it all – wealth, power, wisdom – yet found it empty without God, it speaks powerfully to our modern pursuit of fulfillment. Its famous opening, “Meaningless! Meaningless!… Everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2), leads us on a journey to discover what truly matters.

I found this especially relevant during my early career when I was chasing success at any cost. Reading Solomon’s reflections on the emptiness of pursuing wealth and achievement apart from God (Ecclesiastes 2:4-11) helped me realign my priorities. The wisdom literature teaches us that true wisdom starts with “the fear of the LORD” (Proverbs 9:10) and shows us how to live that out practically.

6. Read Through Psalms

Think of Psalms as God’s playlist for your life – there’s a song for every emotion and experience you might face. My journey through Psalms began during a particularly difficult time when I felt like I couldn’t find the right words to pray. Then I discovered Psalm 13, which starts with “How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?” It was comforting to know that even biblical writers had moments of raw honesty with God.

The Psalms give us permission to be real with God. You’ll find expressions of joy (Psalm 100), deep sorrow (Psalm 88), frustration (Psalm 44), and everything in between. As you read, you’ll likely find yourself thinking, “That’s exactly how I feel!” The psalmists model authentic relationship with God, showing us it’s okay to bring our whole selves – including our doubts and struggles – to Him.

Start with Psalm 1, which sets the tone by contrasting two paths in life. Then explore different types of psalms: praise (Psalm 150), lament (Psalm 51), thanksgiving (Psalm 103), and wisdom (Psalm 119). Don’t feel pressured to read them in order – choose psalms that resonate with your current situation. As David writes, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Many people find it helpful to read one psalm each day, allowing its words to shape their prayers and meditation. I’ve made it a practice to start my mornings with a psalm, often writing down verses that particularly speak to me. This practice has enriched my prayer life and given me words when my own fall short.

7. Use the Book of Acts

If the Gospels are like a biography of Jesus, then Acts is like a thrilling sequel that shows what happened next. It’s a story filled with adventure, miracles, persecution, and the unstoppable spread of the good news. When I first read Acts, I was amazed by how relevant it felt to modern challenges of living out faith in a sometimes-hostile world.

Begin with Acts 1, where Jesus gives his final instructions and promises the Holy Spirit’s power. Then watch as this small group of frightened followers becomes a movement that changes the world. Acts 2 describes the dramatic arrival of the Holy Spirit and Peter’s powerful sermon that led 3,000 people to faith in a single day. As Jesus promised, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8).

What makes Acts particularly engaging is its mix of dramatic events and practical church life. You’ll read about miraculous prison breaks (Acts 12), Paul’s shipwreck (Acts 27), and also how the early church handled conflicts (Acts 15) and cared for those in need (Acts 6). These stories show us what it looks like to live out our faith in community.

I found Acts especially encouraging when facing opposition for my faith. Reading about how the early Christians responded to persecution with boldness and joy (Acts 5:41) gave me perspective on my own challenges. The book of Acts reminds us that we’re part of a continuing story of God’s work in the world, and that same power is available to us today.

Conclusion:

Starting your journey through the Bible doesn’t have to be overwhelming or confusing. These seven approaches provide different pathways to engage with Scripture in ways that work for your unique situation and learning style. Remember that the goal isn’t to race through the pages but to let the words sink deep into your heart and mind. Take your time, be patient with yourself, and don’t hesitate to try different approaches until you find what works best for you. The most important step is simply to begin.