How to Read the Bible When It Feels Overwhelming

66 Books Is a Lot

Let us just say it: the Bible is intimidating. Sixty-six books, written over thousands of years, with genealogies, poetry, prophecy, law, and letters. Opening it cold can feel like walking into a movie two hours late and trying to follow the plot.

But you do not have to read it like a textbook. And you definitely do not have to start at Genesis page one.

Start Where It Makes Sense

If you are new to the Bible or coming back after a long break, here are the best entry points:

• The Gospel of John - The story of Jesus told in a way that is personal and profound. If you read nothing else, read this.
• Psalms - Raw, emotional prayers that cover every feeling you have ever had. Read one a day.
• Proverbs - Practical wisdom for daily living. 31 chapters, one for each day of the month.
• James - Short, punchy, and practical. A book about faith that shows up in real life.

Read Less, Absorb More

The biggest mistake people make is trying to read too much at once. You do not need to power through five chapters a day. One paragraph, read slowly and thoughtfully, will do more for your soul than speed-reading three chapters.

Try this approach:

1. Read a short passage (5-10 verses)
2. Read it again, slower
3. Ask: What stands out to me?
4. Ask: What is God saying through this?
5. Ask: How does this apply to my life today?

Use Tools Without Shame

Study Bibles, devotional apps, audio Bibles, YouTube explainers - these are not cheating. They are resources. The early church did not have leather-bound study Bibles either. They had community and oral tradition.

Some helpful approaches:

• Listen to an audio Bible during your commute
• Follow a reading plan that gives you structure
• Watch a Bible overview video before diving into a new book
• Join a small group that studies together

It Is Okay to Not Understand Everything

Scholars who have studied the Bible their entire lives still encounter passages that puzzle them. You are not going to understand everything on the first read. Or the tenth. And that is fine.

The Bible is not a manual you master. It is a living text you grow with over a lifetime. Every time you come back to a passage, you bring new experiences, new questions, and new maturity. The same verse can speak differently to you at 20 than it does at 40.

Consistency Over Intensity

Five minutes a day, every day, beats a two-hour study session once a month. Build the habit. Keep your Bible where you will see it. Set a reminder on your phone. Read before you scroll.

Do not let perfectionism keep you from starting. Open the book. Read something. Let God speak. That is enough for today.