Start with a Gospel. Mark is the shortest and moves fast, and John is the clearest on who Jesus is. Either one is a good first book, because the Gospels tell Jesus’ story, which is why many people start there.
There’s no single right answer here. But some starting points are easier than others, and it helps to know why.
Why a Gospel Is a Good First Book
The Gospels tell the story of Jesus — His life, His teaching, His death, and His resurrection. That’s the story many readers want to meet first.
If you start in a Gospel, you’re starting at the center of the New Testament. You’ll read about Jesus directly: what He did and what He taught.
Mark or John?
Mark is short and quick. If you want to move, start there. John is slower and more direct about who Jesus is. If you want to take your time, start there.
Two Other Good Starting Points
A Gospel isn’t the only place to begin. Two others work well.
- Genesis, for the beginning of the whole story. It sets up everything that comes after.
- Psalms, for prayer and honest words to God. It’s a good place if you want to read something you can pray.
Pick one, and stay with it. The point isn’t to find the perfect book. The point is to start and keep going.
The psalmist wrote:
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Psalm 119:130
You don’t need to know where everything is before you begin. Starting is how the reading begins.
Read a Little Each Day
Whichever book you pick, read a little each day and come back tomorrow — how to start reading the Bible each day walks through the daily habit.
The Key Point
Start with a Gospel, and read a little each day. Genesis and Psalms are good places too, and any of them beats waiting for the perfect one.
Wherever you start, the whole Bible is free to read in Righteously, with highlights, and it picks up where you left off. See how the Bible reader works.
