Which Book Of The Bible Should I Start With?

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As I wrote earlier in the week, I’m going to be blogging about Christian topics in future posts, although not exclusively. As I’m tentatively finding my way back into Bible study, and in order to be accountable, I thought I’d throw it open to my fellow bloggers as to which book I study first. The book with the most votes will then feature in regular-ish posts, delivered in my own unique, slightly offbeat style.

Please take a moment to leave a comment as to which book I study. I’m excited about this opportunity to share God’s Word with you. You might want to pray about this, or perhaps you already have an idea in your head. Possibly an old personal favourite or perhaps one of the more obscure ones you want to learn a bit more about. I will abide by your decision and will announce the ‘winner’ over the weekend.

Which book of the Bible would you like me to blog about?

Views of Christians and non-Christians both welcome.

Published by Fractured Faith Blog

We are Stephen and Fionnuala and this is our story. We live in Northern Ireland, have been married for 17 years and have three kids - Adam, Hannah and Rebecca. We hope that our story will inspire and encourage others. We have walked a rocky road yet here we are today, together and stronger than ever. We are far from perfect and our faith has been battered and bruised. But an untested faith is a pointless faith. Just as a fractured faith is better than none at all. We hope you enjoy the blog.

102 thoughts on “Which Book Of The Bible Should I Start With?”

  1. Ah. Such a quandary. It depends on how much you are willing to commit to. If you would like a longer read, I love the Gospel of Mark. (“…and immediately!”) If you choose a short little epistle, I would go for Philippians. Always great to read a thank-you letter! (And, with a definite note of joy, too.) In case you are thinking of the Hebrew Scriptures, I love the books of Ruth and Esther. Strong women, both of them.

    So, my advice? It is up to you, of course. Those are some recommendations. Happy reading! And, may God bless you as you get back into God’s Word.
    @chaplaineliza

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  2. For me personally, I started in Psalms when I started reading again.

    Recently I went through the major prophets and they were so much richer than I remembered!

    I just finished John and am currently in Acts. Love both of these as well.

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    2. I’ve spent months avoiding my bible. I’ve dug back in Psalms. One psalm a day, at least until I hit 119 🤔

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  3. Psalms is my favorite book of the Bible. Practically every emotion you can experience is represented in the 150 songs/prayers of the psalmists. I spent the better part of this year reading/blogging through them. I would say that, whatever you do, do it for yourself first, for your readers second. That’s how I try to approach it. But then my daily blog also coincides with my morning devotion.

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  4. Ultimately Steven, the choice is yours. I believe that if you earnestly seek God in prayer about this decision, He will direct you. Perhaps the many suggestions you will undoubtedly receive will point you in a direction to be prayerful about. I am excited to join with you in this time!
    My personal suggestions are as follows: To study a wide range of our emotions in a biblical context, there is no better place than the Psalms. If you would like to study how God worked out His salvation plan, the Gospel of Luke is the ticket. We are currently leading a study on Luke and Acts for this reason and to consider how God planted His church for the continuance of Kingdom work here on earth.
    Blessings,
    Chuck

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  7. Good for you to be taking this step. I think it’s one I ought to do, but am putting it off. I have always struggled with reading the Bible – I don’t often seem to “get anything out of it” and it feels like I’m doing it because I ought to, rather than I want to.
    But I look forward to reading your posts on whatever you’re reading. Personally I’d echo the thoughts of others who have said Psalms, or one of the Gospels. John is a bit tricksy, but the Synoptic gospels might be good. I’ve always had a sneaking preference for Luke, with Jesus’s “mission statement”.

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    1. That’s why I don’t read the Bible in a year plan. It’s unrealistic for anyone to read in a year and truly understand the importance in your life. Because it’s not about reading it, but application in ones life where the Bible has a greater effect.

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  8. I love the story ones, like Joshua, Judges, Ruth, etc, and Acts is full of totally underrated stories. But I also love the more doctrinal, devotional type books, like many of the letters in the NT. In short, I don’t know what to tell you! But the first thing that popped into my head was Joshua. That could be a sign from God, or just because it’s what I’m currently studying 😂

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  9. I also love the messy, real, mixed, desperate, grateful and jubilant emotions of the Psalms. A wonderful example of how God accepts us just as we are. Or I would head to the one of the Gospels to learn about the life of Jesus. And Peter. My Life group is currently studying through Matthew and we are delighted with the sheer humanness of the disciples in their faith and lack thereof at times.

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  10. Good morning Stephen, It would be wise to ask the Lord if you haven’t already about which book He would like you to start with. Just this morning, twice He brought Exodus verses into my radar. That’s where I will be next. May He bless you with wisdom as you get back to study.

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  11. I thought of Psalms as well. The psalms of David are so encouraging and Up lighting in their love of God and faith in God. But I think the book of Luke would be as good. Just do not start with Romans. I am still wrestling with that book for understanding. Pray and let God lead you. We all are at different places in our lives, and what I need today, you may need something else. Also, let the words really sink into your heart, for you, not just for something to blog. Your spiritual needs are the priority, and your relationship with God is what is most important. Every word brings us closer to knowing and loving the sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord, and that includes the Old Testament. I personally love Ezra and Nehemiah on understanding that Godnis faithful to His promises.

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  12. That’s a hard one to answer because it’s different from person to person. I’d have to chime in with what a lot of other folks have said, and go with Psalms. That said, it’s also useful to read Samuel 1 and 2, as well as Kings to get an understanding of what was going on in David or whoever wrote that Psalm’s life. Many times he had his back against the wall, and all that stood between him and just giving up and accepting defeat was his faith in God. When you understand that, then you understand that this is a lot more than poetry. Often times they’re a cry for help, a big thank you for help received, or just a reminder that God never has, and never will let us down.

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  13. I hope this comment didn’t double post something out there. I have a terrible internet connection this morning…

    You can’t go wrong no matter where you start! Every book seems to have its own unique connection to us and its own wisdom if we take into account the context in which it was written. I love reading the prophets of old who continually called a stubborn people back to God (I can really relate). The Old Testament includes the stories and experiences leading and pointing to Jesus. The New Testament (after the Gospels) looks back at Jesus. The central theme being the Son of God so the Gospels seem to be a good place to start.

    I personally prefer Luke’s writing style in Luke/Acts, but Matthew gives more details about the Beatitudes. They are Jesus’ manifesto for loving God, loving others, and living life. Mark, the earliest Gospel, gives a powerful summary of Jesus’ ministry. I love the Book of John because it has a spiritual depth and mysticism (plus, it almost wasn’t canonized because it was somewhat gnostic in nature!)

    I guess the bottom line is I every recommendation is a great one. Wherever you choose to start, I would suggest a new set of glasses. People tend to tread it looking for answers as if the Bible holds them all. I’ve found it to be a great book of questions that help me converse with God, reflect on my thoughts, and transform my life.

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  15. The book of Ruth. 😸

    A lot of bible will be hard for me to read so …. you may not get many responses or you may get lots of different perspectives. Like…. I do not believe the Bible is the dictated word of god.

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  16. I have really benefited from reading one chapter of a poetry/letter/law/etc. book (Psalms, Proverbs, Romans, etc.) and a chapter of a narrative book (a Gospel, Nehemiah, etc.). It really helps me stay motivated

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  20. I’d say go where the spirit is speaking the most. Ephesians is a great book because you learn about Gods love for you and who you are in God. In fact, I need to go over it again. I’m going to pull suggestions from these comments as well.

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  23. Hey! I’m a catholic and I go to church every Sunday and basically do all the things a “catholic should do”! But I feel I’m lacking the personal relationship with god I used to have… how could I read the bible in order to achieve this? Love your writing xx

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      2. I was raised Presbyterian, too. But the personal relationship came from Jesus, not the church. When I was in fourth grade I was officially presented with my own Bible, and as my mother always put my sister and me to bed too early, (We weren’t tired!) I would read it under the covers with a flashlight each night. I’ll never forget the first time it (He) spoke to me. I had started stressing out one night, wondering, “What if all this isn’t true? What if there is no God? Or what if He doesn’t like me? Or he’s mean?”(etc.) And when I started reading where I had left off the night before, I read, “Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” And will a profound sense of peace, I closed the Book and fell asleep. There was another episode of doubt where I asked Him for a sign, but that was a little weird. (See “Not a Trained Monkey” on my blog.)

        I’m so glad you are embarking on this journey. God bless you!

        PS – I recommend the gospel of John, because he was so close to Jesus (“the disciple that Jesus loved”), but that’s just my opinion. You go with where He leads you.

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    2. My suggestion would be the book of John – “the disciple that Jesus loved.” He had a very intimate relationship with Jesus, and so his perspective is personal and, I believe, would show you what a personal relationship with Jesus “looks like.” Chapter 3 defines the difference between people who are “born again” and those who aren’t. – very important!

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  24. I was also raised Presbyterian but also went to the Methodist church with my grandmother and the Lutheran church with my aunt and uncle. I am now a Lutepisc. Part Lutheran part Episcopalian. Both churches are open thinkers and expect you to explore your faith.

    All that said I also love Romans but I have a penchant for Matthew and the beatitudes.

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  25. I like the book of Philippians. 🙂 Probably my favorite verse (or one of them, that is) is found in chapter 1 verse 21, “To me to live is Christ and to die is gain”. Philippians is full of joy! We just did a study at church over the whole book. I highly recommend it. 🙂

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  26. I love Psalms because they address just about every aspect of life and faith. Looking forward to whatever you post – it’s sure to be inspirational, because, whether you realize it or not you are being led….wishing you many blessings as you move forward.

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  28. I am not religious so I have no recommendation. But I appreciate your candor and authenticity and will keep reading because you write what you know and theres always something to learn and enjoy from that.

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  29. I recently re-read Romans in the original Greek and found it illuminating. It is about how paying lip service to the law and bowing to authority means nothing, if the law is not in your heart and how faith in Jesus can help you put the law in your heart. Very relevant on a day when a candidate who clearly does not have the law in his heart is likely to be appointed to the US Supreme Court and in an age in which a US President who clearly does not have the law in his heart is still feted by self-described evangelical Christians.

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  32. I don’t know where to tell you to start but here’s what I do. I start with Genesis, Job, and the New Testament (Matthew) I read 2 chapters each Book, each day. (Genesis 1:1-2, Job 1:1-2, Matthew 1:1-2) and then continue each day with the next 2 chapters. (Genesis 1:3-4, Job 1:3-4, Matthew 1:3-4) You get the picture 🙂 I pray each day before I read that God clear my mind, and reveal and teach me what He wants me to learn. I’m sure there are better ways but this is what works for me 🙂 I ask the LORD to guide you to where He wants you to read, to learn the lessons He wants you to learn.

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  33. The book of 1 John overwhelms me with its messages of God’s love, light, and assurance. It immediately came to mind when I saw the title of your post. Blessings as you read – no matter where you begin.

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  34. Do something different: begin at the end of the Bible and work backwards, book by book, from The Revelation of St John the Divine to Genesis. I’ve done this, and it greatly enlarged my understanding.

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  36. I like starting in the gospels of the new testament. It is a quick reminder of why we became Christians. But the Psalms have a way of teaching us how to talk to God and have faith.

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  37. In the past I’ve always read the 66 book cannon from Genesis to Revelation (a few times I’ve read the Apocryphal and Deuterocanonical Books in-between the new and the old testaments) but I’ve been thinking of starting from Matthew and just reading non-Pauline books ie: skip Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Colossians, Philippians, Philemon, and Thessalonians and see if I end up thinking different.

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  38. The first book of the Bible I read – before I was any more than a nominal, ‘C of E’, believer, was Judges. It still seems an odd place to have started… but obviously it did enough to make me go on to read the New Testament and decide that, yes, if this was true I needed to do something about it.

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  39. Romans. I seriously think it covers a Christian 101. Also, again, it told me I was not following you, yet I get the posts in Reader. So confused! xD So if you see me follow again, that’s why.

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      1. xD I promise I did no such thing. It’s so confusing, and you have not been the only blog I’ve “unfollowed” yet still get posts in my Reader…which are the blogs I follow. Why WordPress?! xD

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  40. I know this is a day late and a dollar short, but here’s my two cents..(I’m playing catch up on your posts)
    The simple story of Joseph and his redemption is where I (accidentally) started years ago. It is what first really piqued my interest and made me hungry for more.

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