Whether you’re brand new to Christianity or returning after years away, opening the Bible can feel both exciting and overwhelming. You want to understand God’s Word… but where do you start? Is there a “right way” to study Scripture? What happens when you don’t understand what you’re reading?

Relax.
You are not behind.
You are not expected to know everything.
And you can learn to read the Bible with confidence.

The beautiful truth is this: God longs to meet you in His Word.
The Bible is not a textbook—it’s a story of God’s love, written for you, to draw you near to Him.

Today, I want to walk with you step-by-step through a gentle approach to reading Scripture, especially if you’re new to faith or restarting your journey with Jesus. By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to open the Bible without intimidation, how to choose what to read, and how to actually understand what God is saying.

1. Start With the Right Expectation: God Desires to Speak to You

Many people assume the Bible is too complicated for them. But Scripture was written for ordinary people. Farmers, shepherds, widows, teenagers, kings, fishermen, refugees, mothers, and children all heard God’s Word spoken and written in their day.

The Bible is God’s invitation to know Him.

Here’s the truth Scripture teaches:

God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12)
The Holy Spirit helps us understand truth (John 14:26)
Those who seek God will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13)

That means you are fully capable, with God’s help, of reading and understanding Scripture.

You don’t need a seminary degree.
You don’t need a perfect spiritual track record.
You don’t need to “catch up.”

You simply need a willing heart.

2. Choose a Bible Translation That’s Easy to Read

If you’ve ever opened the Bible and felt confused, it may not be you—it might be the translation. Not all translations are equally simple for beginners.

Here are some great, readable choices:

✔ NIV — New International Version

Smooth, clear, accurate, easy to follow for new believers.

✔ NLT — New Living Translation

Warm and easy to understand without losing meaning.

✔ CSB — Christian Standard Bible

Readable and faithful to original meaning.

Avoid translations with thee/thou language (like KJV) until you’re comfortable with Scripture.

If you don’t own a physical Bible yet, free apps like YouVersion or Bible Gateway let you sample translations before choosing one to buy.

3. Don’t Start at Genesis (Start With Jesus Instead)

Most people assume the Bible should be read like a normal book—starting at page one.
But because the Bible is a library of 66 books, written in different styles and eras, Genesis is not always the easiest starting point for someone new to the faith.

The best place to begin?

Start with the New Testament Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.

These books introduce you to:

the life of Jesus
His teachings
His character
His miracles
His heart for people like you

And since Jesus is the center of our faith, everything else in Scripture becomes clearer once we understand Him.

After the Gospels, move to:

Acts (the story of the early church)
Ephesians or Philippians (short, encouraging letters)
Genesis (now richer because you understand the Messiah it points to)

This approach builds confidence and understanding much faster.

4. Create a Simple, Sacred Routine (Not a Complicated One)

Your Bible reading doesn’t need to be long or intense.
Consistency beats perfection every time.

Here’s a gentle routine to begin with:

1. Set aside 10–15 minutes.

Morning or evening—pick what works for your life.

2. Pray a simple prayer:

“Lord, open my heart to Your Word. Help me understand what You want to teach me today.”

3. Read a small section—just a paragraph or a chapter.

The goal is quality, not quantity.

4. Ask three reflection questions (journaling optional):

What does this passage say?
What does it reveal about God?
How does it apply to my life?

5. Close with gratitude.

Thank God for speaking—even if you didn’t understand everything.

This is how spiritual growth begins: small, steady steps done with an open heart.

5. Learn to Slow Down: The Bible Wasn’t Meant to Be Rushed

We live in a world of fast answers, quick scrolls, and instant results. But Scripture invites you into a slower pace.

When you slow down, you’ll begin to see things you never noticed before:

A repeated word
A surprising detail
A command
A promise
A picture of Jesus
A theme of hope or redemption

Reading slowly helps you understand not only what the Bible says but why it matters.

One powerful method for reading slowly is “S.O.A.P.”

S.O.A.P. Method:

S — Scripture: Write down or reread the verse.
O — Observation: What stands out?
A — Application: How should this change your thinking or living?
P — Prayer: Ask God for strength and understanding.

This method is gentle but transformational for beginners.

6. Keep a Journal of What You’re Learning (Even Simple Notes Matter)

Your journal does not need to be pretty. It doesn’t need artwork. It doesn’t need long paragraphs.

A Bible journal can simply include:

Scriptures that stood out
Questions you have
Words you want to look up
Prayers you’re praying
What God is teaching you
Things you want to remember

Why journal?

Because it helps you see spiritual progress.
It trains your mind to look for meaning.
It becomes a record of God’s voice in your life.

Over time, you’ll look back and see how God has been faithfully guiding you.

7. Use Simple Tools to Help You Understand What You Read

Many new believers feel discouraged when they don’t understand a passage immediately. But the Bible is deep—and even lifelong Christians continue learning.

Here are tools beginners love:

Study Bible

The NIV Study Bible or CSB Study Bible gives helpful notes, maps, and quick explanations.

Bible Project Videos

These free, beautifully animated videos explain books of the Bible in simple ways.

Concordance or Bible App Search Tool

Helps you find verses about topics like fear, grace, or prayer.

Faithful Bible Teachers and Christian Apologists

Choose voices rooted in Scripture, not trends.

Wes Huff: Apologist, Public Speaker, Teacher

C.S. Lewis: Famous for Mere Christianity, bridging faith and reason.

John Lennox:

Sam Shamounians: prominent Assyrian Christian apologist, debater, and author

A simple commentary (optional)

Start with something beginner-friendly like “NIV Application Commentary” or “Life Application Study Bible Notes.”

But remember:
The Holy Spirit is your greatest teacher.
Tools can help, but they should never replace prayer and reflection.

8. Give Yourself Permission to Not Understand Everything Immediately

Some passages will confuse you.
Some will challenge you.
Some might feel distant or unfamiliar.

That’s okay.

Here’s what you need to hear:

Understanding Scripture is a lifelong journey.
You are not expected to master it overnight.

Even Jesus’ disciples asked Him to explain things (Mark 4:10–13).
Even Peter said Paul’s writings were “hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16).

You are in good company.

Instead of quitting when something feels confusing, try this:

Read it again slowly
Check another translation
Look at the notes in a study Bible
Write down your question for later
Keep reading the next section

God reveals His Word over time, like a sunrise.
Little by little, light increases.

9. Connect Your Bible Reading to Everyday Life

The Bible is not only meant to be read—it is meant to be lived.

As you read, watch for:

• A promise to hold onto

For example: “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1)

• A truth about God’s character

Example: “The Lord is gracious and compassionate” (Psalm 103:8)

• A command to obey

Example: “Do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34)

• A sin to repent of

Example: “Do everything without grumbling” (Philippians 2:14)

• An encouragement to strengthen you

Example: “He gives strength to the weary” (Isaiah 40:29)

When you begin connecting Scripture to real life—your decisions, thoughts, emotions, relationships—your spiritual growth accelerates.

10. Read With Others for Support and Encouragement

You don’t need a big group.
You don’t need to know all the answers.
You simply need someone who is also seeking God.

Consider:

A friend
A mentor
Another new believer
A small church group
An online Bible study

Reading the Bible together helps you:

stay consistent
ask questions
learn from others
stay accountable
deepen understanding

The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone.

11. Start With a Simple Reading Plan (Not an Overwhelming One)

The biggest mistake beginners make is starting with a 365-day Bible-in-a-Year plan. These can be wonderful later, but they’re too demanding for someone building confidence.

Here are gentle alternatives:

✔ A 30-day plan in John or Luke

✔ A 4-week “Jesus’ teachings” plan

✔ A beginner-friendly plan through Psalms

✔ A simple reading plan from your Bible app

✔ The Biblical Threads devotional series you’re already creating

These plans keep you focused, encouraged, and growing without overwhelm.

12. Remember That the Bible Points to a Person—Jesus

Every part of Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation—tells one unified story:

God’s plan to redeem, rescue, and restore His people through Jesus Christ.

Jesus Himself said:

“These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me.”
— John 5:39

So when you read:

The creation story → look for God’s design and Jesus as the Word
The sacrifices → see Jesus, the perfect Lamb
The prophets → hear them pointing to a coming Messiah
The Gospels → witness Jesus fulfilling God’s promises
Revelation → see the hope of His return and restoration

When you keep your eyes on Jesus, Scripture becomes clearer, deeper, and more beautiful.

13. What to Do When You Feel Stuck, Dry, or Distracted

Every believer experiences dry seasons. You are not failing. You are normal.

When reading feels hard:

Switch to a Psalm
Read a Gospel story
Listen to an audio Bible
Use your Scripture memory cards
Pray as you walk
Choose one small verse to meditate on
Read with a friend
Ask God to refresh your desire

Remember:
God is not measuring your performance.
He simply loves being with you.

14. The Most Important Thing: Keep Showing Up

There will be days when it clicks—and days when it doesn’t. Days when Scripture feels like water to your soul—and days when it feels hard to focus.

What matters is not perfection.
What matters is presence.

Your presence before God.
His presence with you.

If you keep showing up, your understanding will deepen, your love for Scripture will grow, and your faith will strengthen in ways you never expected.

Final Encouragement for You

You are not reading the Bible alone.
The God who wrote it walks with you as you read.

He sees your desire to grow.
He delights in your questions.
He honors your effort.
He strengthens your heart.
He guides you through His Word.
He reveals Jesus more and more each day.

One step at a time, you are becoming rooted, confident, and steady in your faith.

And that is a beautiful beginning.

How to Read the Bible When You’re New to Faith: A Simple, Grace-Filled Guide for Beginners