Saints Light
Guide

How to start reading the Bible

Most people who try to read the Bible from page one stop in Leviticus. Begin with Christ instead, and read a little every day.

Saint Jerome Writing, a painting by Caravaggio
Saint Jerome Writing, Caravaggio, 1605-1606

A good order to begin

  • The Gospel of Mark: the shortest Gospel, about two hours in all.
  • The Gospel of Luke, then the Acts of the Apostles: one story in two volumes.
  • Genesis, then Exodus: the beginning of God's covenant.
  • The Psalms, a few each day: the prayer book Jesus prayed.
  • Then John's Gospel, Romans, and the rest of the New Testament.

How to read

  • Pray first, briefly: "Holy Spirit, open my mind." There is a prayer for this in the Prayer Book.
  • Read one chapter. Ask: what does it say, what does it say to me, what will I do?
  • Use a Catholic edition with footnotes. They answer most of the questions you will have.
  • Read it with the Church: the Sunday readings at Mass are a reading plan already.

Watch out for

  • Taking one verse out of its chapter. Always read what comes before and after.
  • Reading Genesis as a science textbook, or dismissing it as a myth. The Bible lesson on hard passages explains how the Church reads it.

Your next step

Start The Bible course

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