How to Read the Bible When You Don’t Know Where to Start

If you’re wanting to grow closer to God but feel overwhelmed in starting a Bible reading routine, you are not alone.

For many people, the hardest part is simply knowing where to start.

The Bible can feel big, intimidating, and hard to understand at first. You may open it wanting a deeper relationship with Jesus, only to feel unsure what to read or how to stay consistent.

But reading the Bible doesn’t have to be complicated.

You do not need to have perfect understanding or a long morning routine to begin spending time with God’s Word. Small, simple steps matter more than doing everything perfectly.

Over time, those quiet moments of reading Scripture begin to shape your heart, your faith, and even the atmosphere of your home.

If you’ve been wondering how to read the Bible when you don’t know where to start, I hope this post helps you begin simply and confidently.

If the Bible Feels Overwhelming, You’re Not Alone

Ready to start reading the Bible, but you don’t know where to start? I get it. I’ve been there, and so have many others before you.

With so many questions about where to begin, how long to read for, or which Bible version to read from, it’s no wonder it can be overwhelming.

The beautiful thing is, getting into God’s doesn’t have to be complicated, perfect, or look like everyone else’s routine you see online.

With a few simple suggestions below, getting into God’s Word will be less intimidating and slowly become part of your everyday life.

Start by Getting a Bible You Can Read Daily

For starters, purchase a physical Bible if you don’t own one yet.

There are many versions of the BIble, but I personally use an ESV. Some other good versions include the NIV, NKJV, and NLT. You can find some beautiful Bibles here.

All these versions have the same Biblical and historically accurate details, but with various changes in vocabulary.

For example, Proverbs 13:20 in the ESV says, “whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm”, whereas the NKJV says, “he who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed”.

Same same, but different.

Find a version you prefer and start from there.

Follow a Simple One-Year Chronological Bible Reading Plan

Next, follow a chronological one-year Bible reading plan.

This type of reading plan allows you, as the reader, to read the Bible in a way that puts all the events in chronological order. It helps connect the Old Testament to the New Testament and all the writings in between.

These reading plans also provide the verses to read each day and help keep you on track to complete the Bible in one year. There are lots of Bible reading plans available online today.

I’ve linked my personal chronological one-year Bible reading plan for you here.

Focus on Knowing Jesus, Not Just Finishing Chapters

Furthermore, getting into God’s Word daily isn’t just one more task added to your busy schedule.

It’s a time to build a relationship with Christ through His living Word.

Friend, you’ll never be able to read the Bible enough that you’ll understand everything.

You’ll never be able to read it enough that it will become boring.

And you’ll never be able to read it enough that it stops impacting your life.

The Bible is living and breathing, as Hebrews 4:12 tells us. It is continually changing you and growing you closer to God.

It continually renews your mind every time you read it- bringing you closer to Jesus.

How to Build a Simple and Consistent Bible Reading Routine

One of the biggest misconceptions about reading the Bible is that it has to look perfect to be meaningful.

But building a consistent Bible-reading routine is often much simpler than we make it.

It doesn’t have to mean waking up at 5 a.m. every morning or spending hours studying Scripture. In many seasons of life—especially motherhood—that may not be realistic.

Consistency is usually built through small, sustainable rhythms.

Maybe that looks like:

• reading your Bible while the kids slowly wake up for the day
• spending a few quiet minutes with Scripture before bed
• listening to the Bible while driving or folding laundry
• reading one chapter during nap time

The goal is not to create a perfect routine.

The goal is to spend time with Jesus through His Word regularly.

One thing that can help is attaching Bible reading to something you already do every day. For example:

• reading your Bible with your morning coffee
• reading before your kids wake up
• keeping your Bible near your bedside
• listening to Scripture during school drop-offs or errands

Small rhythms often become lasting habits over time.

And if you miss a day, don’t let it discourage you. Bible reading is not about performance or checking off a box. It’s about building a relationship with Jesus little by little, day by day.

A simple and consistent Bible reading routine will not always look impressive from the outside. But over time, those quiet moments in God’s Word begin to shape your heart, renew your mind, and strengthen your faith in everyday life.

Pray Before You Read the Bible Each Day

Before opening your Bible, take a moment to pray.

It doesn’t need to be long or complicated.

You can simply ask:

• “Lord, help me understand Your Word.”
• “Teach me more about who You are.”
• “Help me grow closer to You.”

Prayer helps shift our hearts from simply reading words on a page to truly seeking God through Scripture.

And the beautiful thing is that you do not have to understand everything immediately.

The Holy Spirit helps guide and teach us as we spend time in God’s Word. Sometimes a single verse can stay with you throughout the entire day and speak directly into a season you are walking through.

Prayer also reminds us that Bible reading is not about striving for perfection.

It is about a relationship.

You are spending time with Jesus, learning His character, hearing His truth, and allowing His Word to shape your everyday life.

Even small moments of Scripture and prayer matter more than you realize.

You Don’t Have to Read the Bible Perfectly to Start

Finally, the Bible is nourishment for our souls.

It breathes life into a broken spirit and makes a blind man see his sin.

Each moment you spend reading the Word, God becomes your source of peace, joy, comfort, safety, and protector from the evil one.

Know this- no weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17 ) when you’re walking with the Lord and washing yourself with His living word.

Friend, God isn’t looking for perfection in your Bible-reading routine; He’s after your heart.

So, bring your mess, your sorrows, your joys, and your weary heart to your Bible studying each time.

God welcomes it all.