Are you a newer Christian or a returning believer who wants to read the Bible, but you’re not sure where to begin? Friend, you are not alone. I still remember sitting with my Bible as a baby Christian, feeling totally overwhelmed by where to start, what to read, and how I was supposed to understand it.

The Bible is a HUGE book. It’s holy and beautiful and full of truth…but it can also feel intimidating. I hope that this guide feels like a friend sitting beside you, showing you a simple and peaceful way to start reading God’s Word every day, without pressure, guilt, or confusion.

So pour a cup of coffee, take a deep breath, and let’s walk through this together.

Why Reading the Bible Matters

Reading the Bible isn’t about following a rule or checking something off the to-do list. It’s about building a relationship.

God speaks through Scripture. He comforts, He corrects, He teaches, He guides, and He draws us closer to Jesus. There’s a reason Hebrews 4:12 says,

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

That means it speaks to you and makes a difference in your life. Not just once, but over and over, in new ways depending on your season of life.

There have been so many times when I opened my Bible and the exact verse I needed that day seemed to leap off the page. It’s one of the ways God talks to us. And the more time you spend in His Word, the more familiar His voice becomes.

Pray First (and Last)

Before you begin reading, simply pray:

“Lord, open my heart and my mind so I can hear You in Your Word today.”

And when you finish reading, pray again:

“Help me take what I read and apply it to my life.”

The Holy Spirit helps you understand Scripture, even passages you’ve read before. You may find that the same chapter speaks to you differently depending on what you’re walking through, and that’s normal. That’s one of the beautiful things about the Bible: it meets you exactly where you are. It’s also one of the reasons it’s important to make reading the Bible an everyday habit.

What You Need to Begin

You don’t need much to start reading the Bible:

• A Bible — I recommend the NIV translation for beginners. Here is one I use and love: https://amzn.to/4iqsJek
  
• A notebook or journal, I love this one https://amzn.to/48clhyt because it has a ribbon bookmark, it lies flat, and the pages don’t bleed through
  
• A pen and/or pencil and a highlighter
  
• Optional: a study Bible (the notes can help, but it’s not required).
  

Start with what you have. Don’t wait until you have the “perfect setup.” God can use whatever is already in your hands.

Where to Start Reading

Starting in Genesis and reading straight through the Bible is usually not the easiest place to begin…ask me how I know!

When I first tried reading cover to cover, I got overwhelmed quickly. I didn’t understand the first few books, couldn’t pronounce half the names, and eventually discouraged myself from continuing.

That’s why I want to give you a plan that feels doable and meaningful.

Two-Week Reading Plan: The Life and Teachings of Jesus

• Luke 1 — Preparing for Jesus’ Arrival
  
• Luke 2 — The story of Jesus’ birth
  
• Mark 1 — The beginning of Jesus’ ministry
  
• Mark 9 — A day in the life of Jesus
  
• Matthew 5 — Sermon on the Mount
  
• Matthew 6 — Sermon on the Mount continued
  
• Luke 15 — Parables of Jesus
  
• John 3 — A conversation with Jesus
  
• John 14 — Jesus’ final instructions
  
• John 17 — Jesus’ prayer for His disciples
  
• Matthew 26 — Betrayal and arrest
  
• Matthew 27 — Crucifixion
  
• John 20 — Resurrection
  
• Luke 24 — Jesus’ appearance after His resurrection

(You can download this as a printable checklist at the end of this post!)

If you’re not following a plan, a good place to start is simply the Gospel of John.

But wait…Maybe I need to back up even more and fill you in on a few things. The Bible is split into two sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament includes 39 books. This is the history that took place before Jesus was born. The New Testament consists of 27 books that tell of the life of Jesus, his death, burial, and resurrection, and how his disciples spread the good news after Jesus left us. Each book is split into chapters and verses. For example, my favorite verse comes from the book of 1 Peter, the fifth chapter, and the seventh verse. You would see the reference written like this: 1 Peter 5:7. The verse is,

“Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.”

The reference is the book name, the chapter, and the verse number.

How to Read the Bible Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Here’s my favorite advice:

Read one chapter a day. And if that feels like too much, read one verse.

God can speak through a whole chapter or a single sentence. Consistency matters far more than volume.

As you read:

• Go slowly
  
• Notice what stands out
  
• Ask God, “What is this showing me today?”
  
• Remember: it’s okay if you don’t understand everything
  

You are building a habit of showing up, and that’s beautiful, friend!

Write a Simple Reflection

After you read, take a quick moment to jot down:

• What verse stood out
  
• What you learned
  
• What confused you
  
• How you felt God speaking to you
  
• A short prayer (I do this in the form of a letter to God)
  

This doesn’t need to be long or fancy. It’s more like having a conversation with God. I share more about how I do this here: https://justbeingkara.com/create-a-calm-morning-routine-for-less-stress/

What to Do When You Don’t Understand Something

Every Christian, new or seasoned, comes across passages they don’t understand. Seriously…everyone.

You can:

• Pray for clarity
• Read the verse again tomorrow
• Use notes in a study Bible
• Ask a mature Christian woman in your life
• Or advice my pastor recently shared with us: if something you are reading seems tricky, skip it!
  

Again, if you are new to reading the Bible, you want to create the habit of reading every day. There will be time later on to figure everything out! Don’t give up just because something is confusing. Keep going. Understanding grows with time.

Tips for Busy Women

As a busy wife, mom, and homemaker myself, I know how fast days can get away from you. Here’s my best tip:

Read something every day. Even one verse counts.

Some ideas:

• Read first thing in the morning before your house wakes up
• Read during coffee time
• Read while your kids do homework
• Read in the car while waiting for an appointment
• Read before bed instead of scrolling
• Listen to the Bible being read through an app in your car while driving, or during your workouts
  

You don’t need perfect quiet. You just need a willing heart.

My Personal Journey With Reading the Bible

When I first tried reading the Bible, I started in Genesis and tried to go straight through. I didn’t get very far. The names were hard to pronounce, the stories confused me, and I felt discouraged before I even really began.

Things changed when I joined a Bible study and we read the book of Ruth together. Hearing other women stumble over names made me feel normal. Listening to the story of Ruth, simple, heartfelt, and full of God’s faithfulness, helped Scripture feel alive for the first time. I also had a very strong relationship with my mother-in-law, so this book just spoke to me.

Later, a friend suggested reading a devotional with my son each day. That was a turning point. Reading God’s Word together rooted me in Scripture daily, and before long, I found myself craving more of it. Now, every week in my newsletter, I share a verse that spoke to me and how I’m applying it in my life. God uses His Word to speak to me every single day, and He will speak to you, too. Shameless plug…if you haven’t signed up for my newsletter yet, you should, and you can do so here:

A Final Encouragement for Your Heart

If you’re new to reading the Bible, please hear this:

You do not have to be perfect. You just have to show up.

Every time you open your Bible, God meets you there. Whether you read a whole chapter or a single verse.

You are learning. You are growing. And God is delighted every time you turn your heart toward Him.

I’m cheering you on, friend.

Download Your Bible Reading Checklist

I created a simple, two-week reading plan focusing on the life and teachings of Jesus. Print it, tuck it inside your Bible, and check off each day as you go.