How Can I Start Reading the Bible Without Feeling Overwhelmed?

Why Does Reading the Bible Feel So Overwhelming?

You open the Bible with good intentions.

Then you realize there are 66 books, hundreds of chapters, unfamiliar names, different types of writing, and thousands of years of history.

Suddenly, something you hoped would bring clarity can feel confusing.

Where do you start?

How much should you read?

What happens when you don’t understand something?

And are you doing it wrong if you don’t immediately know what a passage means?

If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone.

Reading the Bible can feel intimidating, especially when you’re just beginning your faith journey or returning to it after a long time away.

But here’s something important to remember:

You don’t have to understand everything before you begin.

You don’t have to read several chapters every day.

And you don’t have to become a Bible expert before God’s Word can begin making a difference in your life.

The best place to start is simply to start.

One passage.

One question.

One conversation with God.

Over time, those small moments can become a meaningful part of your relationship with Him.

Why Do Christians Read the Bible?

Christians don’t read the Bible simply to collect information.

We read it because Scripture helps us understand who God is, who we are, and how He calls us to live.

At Action Church, we believe the Bible is God’s Word and is relevant to our daily lives.

That means Bible reading isn’t supposed to be disconnected from the challenges you’re facing right now.

Your relationships.

Your decisions.

Your fears.

Your purpose.

Your questions.

Your future.

The Bible gives you a foundation for understanding God’s character and learning what it looks like to follow Jesus.

That doesn’t mean every passage will immediately make sense.

It means that as you continue reading, learning, praying, and growing, you begin to see the larger story more clearly.

Bible reading is not about checking off a religious task.

It’s about knowing God.

Where Should I Start Reading the Bible?

One of the most common mistakes new readers make is assuming they need to start on page one.

You can certainly begin with Genesis, but you don’t have to.

The Bible is a collection of books, and they serve different purposes.

If you’re beginning your journey with Jesus, one helpful place to start is with one of the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.

The Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ life, ministry, teaching, death, and resurrection.

Starting there helps you read the Bible without feeling overwhelmed because it answers one of the most important questions in Christianity:

Who is Jesus?

You might choose Luke, for example, and read a small section each day.

Don’t worry about finishing quickly.

Instead, slow down enough to understand what you’re reading.

Ask:

What happened in this passage?

What does this show me about Jesus?

What stands out to me?

What might God be teaching me?

What could I apply to my life today?

Those questions turn Bible reading from simply consuming words into engaging with what you’ve read.

How Much of the Bible Should I Read Each Day?

There is no spiritual prize for reading the most chapters.

Some days you might read an entire chapter.

Other days, a few verses may give you plenty to think about.

The goal is not speed.

The goal is engagement.

If you’re new to reading Scripture, begin with an amount you can realistically maintain.

That could mean spending 10 or 15 minutes reading and reflecting.

It could mean reading one chapter.

It could mean reading a shorter passage and spending more time thinking about it.

A manageable habit that continues is often more helpful than an ambitious plan you abandon after a week.

Instead of asking, “How much do I need to read?”

Try asking:

“What can I read thoughtfully today?”

That small shift removes some of the pressure and helps you start reading the Bible without feeling overwhelmed.

What Should I Do When I Don’t Understand Something?

You will encounter passages you don’t understand.

Everyone does.

The Bible contains history, poetry, prophecy, letters, wisdom literature, and other forms of writing. Some passages also describe cultures and events that may be unfamiliar to modern readers.

Confusion doesn’t mean you’re failing.

When you encounter something difficult, start by asking simple questions.

Who is speaking?

Who are they speaking to?

What is happening?

What comes before and after this passage?

Is there a word or idea I need to understand better?

You can write down your questions and continue learning.

You can also ask a pastor, trusted Christian friend, or Small Group leader for help studying the Bible.

You don’t need to solve every question before continuing.

Sometimes understanding develops as you read more of Scripture and begin seeing how different parts connect.

Give yourself permission to learn.

How Can the SOAP Method Help Me Read the Bible?

If you’ve ever read a chapter and immediately forgotten what you read, having a simple process can help.

One Bible study method Action Church recommends is the SOAP method.

SOAP stands for:

Scripture

Read a passage slowly and identify a verse or idea that stands out.

Observation

Ask what is happening in the passage.

What is the main message?

Who is speaking?

What truth, instruction, promise, or warning do you notice?

Application

Ask how the passage connects to your life.

Is there something you need to change?

Something you need to remember?

Someone you need to forgive?

A truth you need to trust?

Prayer

Talk to God about what you’ve read.

Ask Him to help you understand His Word and live out what you’re learning.

SOAP gives your Bible reading a simple structure without making it complicated.

You aren’t just trying to finish a passage.

You’re slowing down enough to engage with it.

Do I Need a Special Bible or Bible App?

No.

You can begin with the Bible you already have or use a Bible app.

The most important thing is choosing something you can understand and use consistently.

If the language in your Bible feels difficult, consider using a modern translation that is easier for you to read.

Digital Bible apps can also be helpful because they allow you to read Scripture wherever you are and often provide reading plans and other tools.

The format matters less than the habit.

Printed Bible or phone.

Morning or evening.

Desk or coffee shop.

What matters is creating space to read God’s Word consistently.

How Can I Make Bible Reading a Consistent Habit?

A good Bible-reading habit should fit into your real life.

You don’t need a perfect morning routine, an hour of silence, or an elaborate study setup.

Choose a time and place that you can return to consistently.

Maybe it’s with your coffee before everyone wakes up.

Maybe it’s during lunch.

Maybe it’s after your kids go to bed.

Maybe it’s during your commute if you’re listening to an audio Bible.

Connect Bible reading to something you already do regularly.

Then keep the goal simple.

For example:

“After I make my morning coffee, I’ll read one chapter of Luke.”

That’s much easier to follow than:

“I’m going to become better at reading the Bible.”

Specific habits are easier to repeat.

Another Bible study tip is to keep a notebook nearby.

Write down:

A verse that stood out.

A question you have.

Something you’re learning about God.

One thing you want to apply.

A short prayer.

Over time, those notes become a record of what you’re learning and how you’re growing.

Should I Read the Bible by Myself or With Other People?

Both.

Personal Bible reading gives you space to slow down, think, pray, and develop your own relationship with God.

But Christianity was never designed to be lived alone.

Reading and discussing Scripture with other people gives you opportunities to ask questions, hear different perspectives, and learn from people who may be further along in their faith journey.

At Action Church, Small Groups are one way people can build authentic relationships while growing in their faith.

Some groups specifically study God’s Word, while others help people grow through relationships, shared interests, or focused curriculum.

If you’re just starting your faith journey, you don’t need to find people who know everything.

You need people willing to grow with you.

What If I Miss a Few Days?

Start again.

That’s it.

Don’t turn missing a few days into a reason to quit.

You don’t need to catch up on ten chapters because your reading plan says you’re behind.

You haven’t failed God because your schedule became busy.

Open the Bible again.

Read today’s passage.

Keep going.

A healthy relationship isn’t built by perfect performance.

It’s built through continued connection.

The same principle applies here.

Consistency matters, but consistency doesn’t mean perfection.

It means returning.

What Should I Expect as I Keep Reading?

You may not notice dramatic changes every time you open the Bible.

Growth often happens gradually.

A passage you’ve read before may suddenly connect with something you’re experiencing.

A verse may come to mind when you’re facing a difficult decision.

You may begin recognizing themes that appear throughout Scripture.

You may understand a message at church differently because you recognize the passage being discussed.

You may discover that your prayers begin changing as you learn more about God’s character.

Bible reading becomes more meaningful as familiarity grows.

Think of it like developing any relationship.

You learn someone’s character by spending time with them.

You begin recognizing what matters to them.

You understand their heart more clearly.

Reading Scripture is one of the ways we learn who God is and how He calls us to live.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest book of the Bible to start with?

There isn’t one required starting point, but one of the Gospels is a helpful choice for many new readers because Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John focus directly on the life and ministry of Jesus. Action Church’s SOAP resource currently includes a guided reading plan through Luke.

Do I need to read the Bible in order?

No. The Bible is a collection of books rather than one continuous book written from beginning to end. You can start with a book that helps you understand Jesus and then expand your reading over time.

What if I don’t understand what I’m reading?

Write down your question and keep learning. Look at the surrounding verses for context and ask trusted believers, pastors, or Small Group leaders for help. You do not need to understand every passage immediately to continue reading.

How long should I read the Bible each day?

There is no required amount of time. Start with something manageable so you can read the Bible without feeling overwhelmed. Ten or 15 focused minutes can be a meaningful beginning if it helps you read, reflect, and pray consistently.

Is it okay to use a Bible app instead of a printed Bible?

Yes. The best format is one you will actually use. A printed Bible and a Bible app can both help you develop a consistent habit of reading Scripture.

What is SOAP Bible study?

SOAP is a simple Bible-reading method built around Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. It helps you move from simply reading a passage to thinking about what it means and how it applies to your life.

Should I pray before reading the Bible?

Prayer can help you approach Scripture with an open heart. You can simply ask God to help you understand what you’re reading and show you how to apply it.

What if I’ve tried reading the Bible before and stopped?

Begin again. You do not have to make up for everything you missed. Choose a starting point, read a manageable passage, and build the habit one day at a time.

Your Next Step

If you’ve been waiting until you understand the Bible before you start reading it, you can stop waiting. Follow these Bible study tips to get started now.

Start today.

Choose one Gospel.

Read one passage.

Write down one thing that stands out.

Ask one question.

Pray one simple prayer.

Then come back tomorrow.

If you’d like more structure, Action Church has a SOAP Bible-reading guide that walks you through Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer and includes a reading journey through Luke.

And if you’d rather learn alongside other people, consider joining a Small Group where you can ask questions, build relationships, and continue growing in your faith.

You don’t have to understand everything today.

You just need to take the next step.