Bible Reading Plan for Beginners: Where to Start and How to Stick With It
If you’re new to the Bible, don’t start with a plan that marches you from Genesis to Revelation. Start with a short plan that hits the big stories first, then move to a full read-through once you’ve built the habit. Here are both.
Plan 1: The beginner’s path (about 15 weeks)
These 13 books give you the backbone of the whole Bible: Jesus, creation, the Exodus, King David, the early church and some of the most practical letters. That’s 218 chapters. Read 2 chapters a day and you’ll finish in about 15 weeks. Read 1 a day and it takes about 7 months, which is fine too.
| # | Book | Chapters | Count | Why it’s here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark | 1 to 16 | 16 | The fastest, shortest look at Jesus |
| 2 | John | 1 to 21 | 21 | Who Jesus is, in his own words |
| 3 | Genesis | 1 to 50 | 50 | Where the whole story starts |
| 4 | Exodus | 1 to 20 | 20 | Rescue from Egypt and the Ten Commandments |
| 5 | Ruth | 1 to 4 | 4 | A short, hopeful story in a dark time |
| 6 | 1 Samuel | 16 to 31 | 16 | Young David, Goliath and King Saul |
| 7 | Psalms | 1, 8, 19, 23, 27, 46, 51, 103, 121, 139 | 10 | Ten of the best-loved prayers and songs |
| 8 | Jonah | 1 to 4 | 4 | A runaway prophet and a second chance |
| 9 | Luke | 1 to 24 | 24 | Jesus’ life told by a careful historian |
| 10 | Acts | 1 to 28 | 28 | How the church spread after the resurrection |
| 11 | James | 1 to 5 | 5 | Faith that shows up in real life |
| 12 | Philippians | 1 to 4 | 4 | Joy written from a prison cell |
| 13 | Romans | 1 to 16 | 16 | The big picture of grace and faith |
Why start with Mark instead of Genesis? Because Mark is short and moves fast, and the rest of the Bible points toward Jesus. Once you know his story, the Old Testament makes a lot more sense. Our guide on how to read the Bible for beginners explains the thinking behind this order.
Plan 2: The whole Bible in a year
The Bible has 1,189 chapters. Spread over a year, that’s a little over 3 chapters a day, or about 15 to 20 minutes for most readers.
The simplest way to do it: read 2 to 3 Old Testament chapters and 1 New Testament chapter each day. You’ll finish the New Testament well before the end of the year, so loop back through the Psalms and Proverbs once you do.
| Pace | Chapters a day | Time to finish |
|---|---|---|
| Relaxed | 1 | About 3 years and 3 months |
| Steady | 2 | About 1 year and 8 months |
| One-year plan | 3 to 4 | About 1 year |
| Fast | 5 | About 8 months |
Not sure what each book is about before you start it? Keep our list of all 66 books open in another tab. It has a one-line summary of every book.
Plan 3: Read it in the order it happened
A chronological plan rearranges the books so you read events in historical order. Job shows up near Genesis, the Psalms show up alongside David’s life, and the prophets slot in next to the kings they spoke to. It’s a great second or third time through. Our Bible timeline gives you the big eras to follow.
How to actually stick with it
Pick a time and attach it to something you already do: coffee, lunch, bedtime. Keep your Bible (or app) in the same spot every day.
Track it. Print this page and check off each book as you finish. It sounds small, but watching the checkmarks pile up keeps people going.
Miss a day? Just pick up where you left off. Don’t double up to “catch up.” That’s how plans turn into guilt, and guilt is a terrible reading partner.
And write a little as you go. Even one sentence a day helps it stick. Our guide to Bible study notes shows a simple four-line method.
FAQ
What’s the best Bible reading plan for beginners?
A short plan that starts with the Gospels, like the beginner’s path above. It builds the habit first and gives you the big story before you tackle the whole Bible.
How many chapters a day to read the Bible in a year?
About 3 to 4. The Bible has 1,189 chapters, so 3.3 a day gets you through in 365 days.
How long does it take to read the Bible?
Most one-year plans take about 15 to 20 minutes a day. Reading time varies a lot by person and translation.
Should I read the Bible in order or chronologically?
Either works. Reading in book order is simpler. Reading chronologically helps you see how events and prophets fit together. Many people do book order first, then chronological.
Can I start a Bible reading plan any time of year?
Yes. There’s nothing special about January 1. Start today and your “year” starts today.
