How to read the Bible for beginners

Start with one of the Gospels, such as Mark or John. Read a short passage, notice what Jesus says and does, and read the surrounding story before applying a verse to your life. Write down one question and return for the next passage. You can begin while you are still exploring what Christians believe.

Where should a beginner start?

Mark gives a compact account of Jesus’ ministry, death and resurrection. John pays particular attention to his identity and the response of those who encounter him. Choose one Gospel and read in order. You do not need to start at Genesis and finish the whole Bible before learning about Jesus.

For a manageable first step, read Mark 1:14–20. If a word or reference is unfamiliar, write it down rather than letting it stop you. Our seven-day Gospel reading plan gives you a short passage and reflection for each day.

Understand the Bible’s main sections

The Bible is a collection of writings, with different kinds of literature. The Old Testament includes the story of Israel, law, poetry, wisdom and prophetic writings. The New Testament begins with the four Gospels, continues with Acts and letters to early Christian communities, and ends with Revelation.

A poem uses imagery differently from a letter or historical narrative. Ask what kind of writing you are reading, who is speaking and what is happening around the passage. These questions help you avoid treating every sentence as a direct instruction about your own circumstances.

Choose a translation you can follow

Use a readable translation and keep the same edition open while you work through a passage. Comparing another translation can help with an unfamiliar phrase. The World English Bible British Edition is a freely available option used for the short quotation below. You can also read a Bible you already own.

Chapter and verse numbers help you find a passage. Mark 1:14–20 means the Gospel of Mark, chapter one, verses fourteen to twenty. Read the whole selected passage, including any translation notes, before deciding what it means.

A simple method: read, notice, understand, respond

1. Read. Read a short passage twice, at a pace you can follow.
2. Notice. Identify the people, actions, repeated words and questions.
3. Understand. Read the surrounding verses. Ask how the passage fits its book and what it shows about God, Jesus or the people involved.
4. Respond. Write a reflection, an honest prayer or a question to explore. Where the passage calls for action, consider a responsible next step.

A few attentive minutes are enough to begin. Reading for longer is not a measure of your value, and missing a day need not end the habit. Pick up where you left off.

A worked example from Mark 1

Read Mark 1:14–20 in its chapter. Jesus announces God’s kingdom, calls people to repent and believe, and invites fishermen to follow him. Mark 1:17 says:

Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men.”

Mark 1:17, World English Bible British Edition. Public domain.

First notice the invitation and the people receiving it. Then read verses 14–15: following Jesus belongs within his announcement of God’s kingdom. The fishing image connects their familiar work with a new calling. Christian readers can reflect on learning to follow Jesus and helping others encounter him. It is not an instruction that every reader must leave their job that day.

Ask: what does this show about Jesus? What do I still need to understand? What might a thoughtful response look like in my own life?

What if a passage is difficult?

Difficulty is a reason to investigate, rather than to pretend you have understood. Read the paragraph before and after it, check a translation note and compare a related passage. Distinguish your first impression from a conclusion you can explain from the text.

Some questions concern history, different Christian interpretations or experiences that are painful to discuss. You can bring a specific question to ANCC. Ask about current Bible-study or conversation options through the church’s contact page. We will need to discuss the arrangements before you decide whether to take part.

Continue at your own pace

Use the seven-day reading plan or continue through your chosen Gospel in order. Keep a short record of what you notice. If you want to pray, our beginner prayer guide offers a starting point.

You can read privately, ask a question or meet the ANCC community in Leeds. Plan your first visit explains the gathering, the venue and first-floor access. Reading the guide does not register you for an activity.

Questions people ask

Do I have to be a Christian to read the Bible?

No. You can read the accounts, consider their claims and ask questions while you explore Christianity.

Do I need a study Bible or an app?

No. A readable Bible and a way to note questions are enough to begin. Additional notes can help, but check how a comment relates to the passage itself.

Should I read a whole chapter every day?

Choose a passage small enough to read attentively. Some chapters contain several different scenes. Understanding a short section is a useful beginning.

Can I ask ANCC about Bible study?

Yes. Use the contact page to ask about the options currently available. A specific timetable, facilitator or format should be agreed before you make arrangements.

Read ANCC’s statement of belief or ask a question.