You can read the Bible in several good orders depending on your goal; many beginners either start with the New Testament (especially the Gospels) or follow a simple Genesis‑to‑Revelation plan, and more advanced readers sometimes use chronological or thematic plans for deeper study. There is no single “correct” order, so the best approach is the one you will actually stick with consistently.

Start here if you’re new

For a first time through, many pastors, writers, and forum users recommend starting with Jesus’ life and basic Christian teaching, then expanding outward.

A common beginner-friendly order:

  1. Gospel focus
    • John (clear focus on who Jesus is).
 * Mark or Luke (straightforward narratives of Jesus’ life and ministry).
  1. Early church and core teaching
    • Acts (what happened after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension).
 * Romans and Galatians (big-picture explanation of salvation and grace).
  1. Wisdom and encouragement
    • Psalms and Proverbs (prayer, worship, and everyday wisdom, often recommended early because they’re very relatable).

Many forum readers suggest something like: “Gospels → Acts → key letters (Romans, Galatians, 1 John) → rest of New Testament → then go back and read the Old Testament.”

Popular reading orders

Believers, pastors, and Bible teachers today tend to circle around a few main “orders.”

1. Canonical (Genesis → Revelation)

  • What it is: Just read in the printed order, Genesis to Revelation.
  • Pros:
    • Simple to follow; no special plan needed.
* Lets you see how the whole story unfolds in the traditional sequence.
  • Cons:
    • Many beginners stall in Leviticus, Numbers, and some prophets because they are harder without background.

2. New Testament first

  • What it is: Read the entire New Testament before the Old Testament, often starting with a Gospel.
  • Common example orders:
    • John → 1 John → Romans → Galatians → Acts → rest of NT.
* Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) → Acts → key letters → rest of NT → then OT from Genesis.
  • Pros:
    • Focuses on Jesus first, which many people find easier to grasp.
* Language and themes often feel more accessible to modern readers.
  • Cons:
    • You meet Jesus before you fully know the Old Testament backstory, so some references may feel unclear until you go back.

3. Chronological order

  • What it is: Reading according to when events happened rather than the table of contents (for example, weaving Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles plus prophets together).
  • Pros:
    • Helps you see the big storyline and how books interlock historically.
  • Cons:
    • Better after you’ve read the Bible at least once; beginners can find the rearrangement confusing.
* Requires a plan or guide because it’s hard to build yourself.

4. Thematic or mixed plans

  • What it is: Grouping books by theme (e.g., “Wisdom,” “Promises,” “Gospels”) or reading a mix of Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs, and New Testament each day.
  • Example:
    • “Gospels & Acts first, then Pentateuch & historical books, then letters, then poetry and prophets.”
* Daily mixes like: a passage from Genesis, Matthew, Psalms, and Proverbs each day.
  • Pros:
    • Keeps variety and helps prevent burnout.
* Lets you connect themes across Old and New Testaments.
  • Cons:
    • Jumps around more, which some readers find less satisfying than marching through a single book.

Forum-style viewpoints (what real readers say)

Recent online discussions show a range of opinions, and you can hear the “human side” in how people advise one another.

“Begin with the New Testament; it is considerably easier to grasp than the Old Testament.”

“Start with the 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)… then Acts and Hebrews… stick to the NT at first, ask questions, and use videos like BibleProject for context.”

“What’s wrong with the order in which it is published? Why do we assume we know a better sequence for the word of God than the word of God itself?”

Other patterns people describe:

  • Some read John several times, then the New Testament, then finally go Genesis to Revelation so Revelation is easier when they reach it.
  • Some prefer “just pick a book, read it, check it off in the table of contents, and bounce between OT and NT as you go.”
  • Several suggest Bible-in-a-year or guided plans (for example, BibleProject’s one-year reading plan) because these come with videos and summaries to help understanding.

Matching order to your goals

Writers and teachers often say the best order is the one that fits your purpose and helps you keep going.

You might choose:

  • If you want to understand the Christian faith quickly
    • New Testament first (John, Mark or Luke, Acts, Romans, 1 John, then the rest of the NT, then OT).
  • If your goal is “read every word at least once”
    • Canonical order (Genesis → Revelation) or a Bible-in-a-year plan.
  • If your goal is to grasp the big storyline
    • Use a chronological reading plan that rearranges passages into historical sequence.
  • If you struggle with motivation or attention
    • Use a mixed plan: one OT passage, one NT passage, plus a Psalm and some Proverbs each day to keep variety while still moving steadily through.

Whatever order you choose, modern guides strongly emphasize consistency, prayer for understanding, and using good explanations or videos alongside your reading to deepen comprehension and keep you from getting stuck.

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Wondering in what order should I read the Bible? Explore popular beginner- friendly, chronological, and New Testament-first reading orders, plus real forum advice and modern study tips to help you stick with it.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.