If you have never read the Bible, opening it can feel intimidating. It is long. Its world can seem distant. Some names are hard to pronounce, and the first pages quickly lead into histories, laws, poetry, family conflict, promises, battles, letters, visions, and four different accounts of Jesus.
You are not failing if you do not immediately understand it. Christians have been reading, praying, discussing, and sometimes wrestling with these texts for centuries. The Bible is not a puzzle that must be solved before faith can begin. It is a place where we learn to listen for God.
01
A library, not a single kind of book
The word “Bible” comes from a word meaning books. That is a helpful beginning. The Bible is a collection written across many centuries by different human authors in different places. It includes history, law, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, Gospel accounts, letters, and apocalyptic visions.
The Old Testament tells of creation, God's covenant with Israel, the life of God's people, and their long hope for restoration. The New Testament opens with Jesus Christ and continues with the birth and witness of the early Church.
Different parts should therefore be read in ways that respect what they are. A psalm is not read like a historical account; a proverb is not a promise that ignores every exception; a parable invites us to listen differently from a letter.
02
Many voices, one unfolding story
Although the Bible contains many books, Christians hear a connected story within them: God creates; human beings turn away; God calls a people; prophets speak of justice and hope; and in Jesus, God comes among us to save and renew.
After his resurrection, Jesus helped his followers understand how the Scriptures pointed towards him (Luke 24:27, 44–45). This does not mean every verse is a hidden code. It means Christians read the whole Bible with Jesus at the centre—his life, teaching, death, resurrection, and promise of new creation.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”Psalm 119:105
03
How does the Church of England receive the Bible?
Anglican faith treats Scripture as foundational. The Church of England's historic Articles of Religion say that Holy Scripture contains all things necessary to salvation. We read it not merely for information, but to hear the good news of God and to be formed as followers of Christ.
In a Church of England service, Scripture is read aloud before it is preached. The psalms and readings also shape Morning and Evening Prayer. This matters because the Bible is not only a private book. It belongs in the worshipping community, where we receive it alongside the creeds, prayer, the sacraments, Christian tradition, and the help of the Holy Spirit.
04
Where should a new reader begin?
You do not have to begin on page one and read straight through. Because Christian faith begins with Jesus, one of the four Gospels is usually the most welcoming doorway.
Mark is the shortest Gospel. It moves quickly and shows Jesus teaching, healing, challenging, suffering, and calling people to follow him. John moves more slowly and reflects deeply on who Jesus is. Its stated purpose is to help readers believe and find life in Christ (John 20:30–31).
My practical suggestion is simple: begin with Mark. Read one short section at a time. When you finish, read John. You can then continue with Luke and Acts, which together tell the story of Jesus and the early Church.
05
A simple way to read without rushing
Choose a clear modern translation and set aside ten quiet minutes. Begin with a brief prayer: “God, help me to hear what you want to show me.” Then read a paragraph or one scene—not several chapters simply to finish a target.
Keep a note of your questions. You do not need to answer all of them before continuing. Sometimes a later passage brings light to an earlier one. Sometimes the next step is asking a priest, joining a Bible study, or reading a trustworthy guide.
06
What should I do when a passage feels difficult?
Some passages are difficult because the culture is unfamiliar. Others raise real moral, historical, or theological questions. Faithful reading does not require us to pretend those difficulties are not there.
Slow down. Read what comes before and after. Ask what kind of writing it is, who first received it, and how it relates to the wider story of Scripture and to Jesus. Compare a reliable translation, and bring serious questions into conversation with the Church.
In Acts, an Ethiopian traveller is reading Isaiah and admits that he needs guidance. Philip comes alongside him and begins with that Scripture to share the good news of Jesus (Acts 8:26–35). Needing help is not a weakness. It is part of learning.
The Bible's purpose is not simply to make us informed. By the Spirit, it draws us towards Christ, corrects us, gives hope, and prepares us for a life of love and service (2 Timothy 3:14–17). Start small, read honestly, and keep returning.
Bible references
Read the passages in context
This article follows the Church of England's historic confidence in Scripture and its practice of reading the Bible within the prayer and worship of the Church.