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How to read the Bible
Practical advice for new readers — where to start, how to pace yourself, and the small habits that make it stick.
Updated 17 May 2026 · By the Bibles.co.uk editorial team
The short answer
Where to start
The Bible isn't designed to be read cover-to-cover on the first attempt. It's a library of 66 books across 1,500 years, and the opening few books contain genealogies and laws that confuse most beginners.
The recommended first reads, in order:
- Mark — 16 short chapters covering Jesus's life. Fast and concrete.
- Acts — what happened next: the first decades of the church.
- Genesis 1–12 — creation, fall, Abraham. The foundations.
- John — a second Gospel, slower and more theological.
- Romans — Paul's summary of the Christian message.
- Psalms — open at any page; read one a day alongside the rest.
How long it takes
The whole Bible is around 780,000 words. At an average reading speed (~200 words/min), that's about 70 hours total.
- 15 min/day → one year. The most common plan.
- 30 min/day → six months. Steady pace.
- 45 min/day → 90 days. Intensive.
Pick the pace you can sustain for a month before judging whether it works for you. Habit beats heroics.
Reading plans that work
- Chronological — reorders the Bible into the sequence events happened. Easiest narrative flow.
- New Testament + Psalms — covers the heart of the Bible in around 90 days.
- Bible in a Year — Old + New each day. Comprehensive.
- M'Cheyne — full Bible once and the NT and Psalms twice in a year. For seasoned readers.
Most modern Bibles include a reading plan in the back. The YouVersion app is the easiest free way to follow one.
The five small habits
- Same time, same place. Morning coffee, last thing at night — whatever you already do daily.
- Mark what stands out. Underline, dog-ear, write in the margin. Engagement beats reverence.
- Read out loud occasionally. Especially Psalms and the Gospels — they were written for the ear.
- Ask three questions of every chapter. What does it say? What does it mean? What does it ask of me?
- Talk about it. A friend, a small group, a podcast. Conversation is how Scripture sticks.
Which Bible to read it in
For first-time reading, choose a translation in natural modern English — the NIV or NLT are the safest starting points. Pick an edition with book introductions; those short explainers at the start of each book make a huge difference.
Not sure yet?
Answer three questions. We'll recommend your Bible.
If you don't yet have a Bible, the Finder will recommend a starting edition based on your reading goal.
Start the Bible FinderFrequently asked
- Where should I start reading the Bible?
- Start with the Gospel of Mark — it's the shortest and most fast-moving — or the Gospel of John for a more reflective entry. Don't start at Genesis 1; most beginners get stuck in Leviticus and give up.
- How long does it take to read the whole Bible?
- About 70 hours at a normal reading pace — roughly 15 minutes a day for a year, or 30 minutes a day for six months.
- How often should I read the Bible?
- Most people who read consistently do 10–15 minutes a day at the same time — morning or evening. Frequency matters more than duration; a small daily habit will outlast a heroic weekly session.
- Do I need to read it in order?
- No. A chronological or guided plan is much easier than cover-to-cover. The Bible is a library, not a single novel — different books were written for different reasons across 1,500 years.
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