The hardest part of starting anything is knowing where to begin. If you’re a new believer, or you’ve decided to finally get to know the Bible, a good beginner’s study is the best companion you can have.
There are a lot of options out there. Here are eight I recommend, from 15-minute-a-day plans to guides that walk through all 66 books. If you only have a minute, start with my top three.
Beginner Bible studies compared
| Study | Best for | Standout feature | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Days to Understanding the Bible | Getting started fast | 15 minutes a day for 30 days | Check price |
| NIV Starting Place | A first study Bible | 6,000+ study notes | Check price |
| Know Your Bible | All 66 books | "So what?" application sections | Check price |
| Starting Out | New Christians | 7-week study | Check price |
| The Complete Guide to the Bible | Visual learners | Illustrations, maps and photos | Check price |
| The Beginner's Bible Study Guide | Reading in order | Books listed chronologically | Check price |
| Bible Study Guide for Beginners | Study plus devotion | A devotion for each book | Check price |
| The Bible: A Beginner's Guide | Memorizing verses | Index of verses by trial | Check price |
How I chose: I compared how approachable each study is, how much time it asks of you, and how much of the Bible it covers.
1. Best Overall: 30 Days to Understanding the Bible
30 Days to Understanding the Bible, 30th Anniversary: Unlock the Scriptures in 15 minutes a day
Highlights
- 15 minutes a day
- Trusted for more than 30 years
- Updated 30th anniversary edition
Watch-outs
- An overview, not a deep study
Best for: brand-new readers who want the big picture quickly.
Skip it if: you want a book-by-book study.
If a full Bible study feels daunting, start here. With just 15 minutes a day for 30 days, Max Anders gives you a clear, straightforward overview of the whole Bible. It’s been recommended by pastors and Bible teachers for more than 30 years, and the anniversary edition adds updated content for today’s readers.
It also makes a great gift for anyone just starting to read the Bible.
2. Best Study Bible for Beginners: NIV Starting Place Study Bible
NIV, Starting Place Study Bible (An Introductory Study Bible), Hardcover, Tan, Comfort Print: An Introductory Exploration of Studying God's Word
Highlights
- 6,000+ study notes
- 88 Bible character profiles
- 138 Bible truths explained
Watch-outs
- A full Bible, so larger than a guide
Best for: new believers who want notes alongside the text.
Skip it if: you already own a study Bible.
The NIV Starting Place Study Bible is approachable and easy to read, and it helps you build confidence in Scripture. It explores the lives of 88 Bible characters, explains 138 Bible truths, and includes more than 6,000 study notes.
3. Best Book-by-Book Guide: Know Your Bible: All 66 Books Explained and Applied
Know Your Bible: All 66 Books Explained
Highlights
- Covers all 66 books
- Author, date and key verses for each
- A "so what?" section for application
Watch-outs
- Brief on each book
Best for: readers who want a quick guide to every book.
Know Your Bible covers all 66 books in one concise, easy-to-understand guide. For each book you get the author, when it was written, a synopsis, its unique features, key verses, and a “so what?” section that helps you apply it.
4. Best for New Believers: Starting Out: A Study Guide for New Believers
Starting Out: A Study Guide for New Believers
Highlights
- A 7-week study
- Covers prayer, sharing your faith and stewardship
Best for: new Christians building their walk with God.
Your new walk with God will be exciting, with a lot to learn. Over seven weeks, Starting Out covers how the Bible was written, God’s plan for mankind, developing a prayer life, sharing your faith, stewardship and more.
5. Best Illustrated Guide: The Complete Guide to the Bible
The Complete Guide to the Bible
Highlights
- Explains all 66 books
- Illustrations, maps and photos
- Free of jargon
Watch-outs
- Also covers the Apocrypha
Best for: readers who like an easy-to-browse reference.
Stephen M. Miller’s guide is interesting, reliable and free of jargon. It explains all 66 books, plus the Apocrypha, with sidebars full of insight and beautiful illustrations, maps and photos.
6. Best for Chronological Reading: The Beginner’s Bible Study Guide, Second Edition
The Beginner's Bible Study Guide, Second Edition
Highlights
- Books listed chronologically
- Synopsis of each Testament
- 10 key Scripture stories
Best for: readers who want to follow the Bible in time order.
This guide helps you discover the Old and New Testaments and apply their teaching to your life. The books are listed chronologically so you can follow along in your own Bible, and it highlights 10 key stories.
7. Best with Devotions: Bible Study Guide for Beginners: Each of the 66 Books Explained
Bible Study Guide for Beginners: Each of the 66 Books Explained for Getting Started (The Bible Study Book)
Highlights
- All 66 books explained
- A summary and devotion for each book
Best for: readers who want to reflect as they learn.
When you turn to the Bible on a new journey, it can get overwhelming fast. This guide gives a summary message and a devotion for each of the 66 books, so you can understand and reflect as you go.
8. Best for Memorizing Scripture: The Bible: A Beginner’s Guide to Study and Understand Scripture
The Bible: A Beginner's Guide to Study and Understand Scripture
Highlights
- Synopsis of both Testaments
- Help memorizing Scripture
- Index of verses by personal trial
Best for: readers who want verses ready for hard days.
This guide gives a synopsis of the Old and New Testaments, lists the books in chronological order, and stands out for its help with memorizing Scripture and its index of verses for personal trials.
How to choose a Bible study for beginners
- How much time do you have? If it’s 15 minutes a day, start with 30 Days to Understanding the Bible. Short on budget too? Try a free Bible study.
- Guide or study Bible? A guide sits next to your Bible. A study Bible like the NIV Starting Place puts the notes right beside the text. For more, see the best study Bibles compared.
- Pick a translation you’ll read. See our overview of Bible versions.
Frequently asked questions
Where should a beginner start reading the Bible?
Many pastors suggest starting with the Gospel of John or Mark, then using a guide like 30 Days to Understanding the Bible for the big picture.
What is the best study Bible for beginners?
The NIV Starting Place Study Bible was made for beginners. The Life Application Study Bible is another great choice.
My final picks
Reading and understanding the Bible can feel daunting at first, but you don’t have to do it alone. Choose the study that fits your time and the way you learn, and start today.
