How to Read the Bible for the First Time (Step-by-Step Roadmap)

Starting to read the Bible can feel like a daunting task. With 66 books written over thousands of years, how can you even begin to understand it all? Whether you’ve tried reading from cover to cover or just felt lost in a sea of unfamiliar names and concepts, you’re not alone.

But here’s the good news: There’s a simple roadmap that can help you start your Bible-reading journey with clarity and confidence. I created this to make the Bible finally make sense and stop the overwhelm from slowing you down. Here’s what I would do if I were reading the Bible for the very first time.

Step 1: Understand This God-breathed

The Bible isn’t just another book—it’s the living Word of God. It’s how God speaks to us, teaches us, corrects us, and equips us for life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Try This: Before you start, remind yourself that God desires to speak to you through His Word.

Step 2: Prepare Your Heart Through Prayer

Before diving in, take a moment to pray. Ask God to open your heart, give you understanding, and help you apply what you’re about to read.
Prayer Prompt: “Here I am, Lord. I’m listening. Teach me what You want me to learn today.”

Step 3: Start with the Gospels

If you’re new to reading the Bible, start with one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John).

• Matthew: Helps you understand Jesus as King and what it means to live as a citizen of His Kingdom.

• Luke: Written by a physician who carefully investigated everything—perfect if you’re logical and love details.

Step 4: Use a Journaling Bible

Grab a journaling Bible and write down what you’re learning, your questions, and even your prayers.
It’s okay to mark up your Bible—it’s your conversation with God.

Step 5: Read Through the New Testament Letters (Epistles)

After the Gospels, read through the Epistles (Romans, Ephesians, Galatians, etc.) to learn practical wisdom for living as a follower of Jesus.

Step 6: Rely on God’s Grace

You’re going to make mistakes, fall short, and feel overwhelmed. That’s okay. God’s grace is enough. Keep going, even when it feels hard.

Step 7: Pray for Transformation

Don’t just read for information—read for transformation. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you apply what you’re learning.

Step 8: Circle Back to Genesis & Read the Old Testament

Once you’ve read the New Testament, go back to Genesis. Now that you understand what everything leads to, the Old Testament will make far more sense.

Download My Guide

To make thing simple and help you get started, I created a step-by step guide that you can follow through the New Testament. You can get the digital download here. Click the link to automatically add it to your cart