Where Do You Start with Reading the Bible?
- Duke Hall
- Oct 4
- 3 min read
Life is full of choices, and choices have outcomes. My heart is to point you toward the best one.
I’m Duke Hall. If you know me, you know this: I’m for God. I love Him. I’m not perfect, and I’m no scholar, but I stand on what Scripture says:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” — Romans 1:16
Why I Want to Share This
I want you to see the power of God. The power of His Word, and to believe it, so you can receive the forgiveness and love He freely gives.
The question, “Where do you start with reading the Bible?” will look a little different for everyone, because we’re all walking different roads.
How I Grew Up with Scripture
I grew up in the church. My dad was, and still is, a preacher. A lot of what I know about God started with him. As a kid, the stories captured my imagination: David and Goliath, Jonah and the Whale, Daniel in the lions’ den, Adam and Eve in the garden, and more.
What Makes the Bible Unique
The Bible is the best-selling book in history—billions of copies in print. It wasn’t written by just one person, but by around 40 people over about 1,500 years. Yet Scripture says there’s ultimately one Author:
“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation… but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” — 2 Peter 1:20–21
That’s part of what makes the Bible unlike any other book.
Many Good Ways to Read
A lot of my friends read the Bible in different ways. Some go cover to cover. Some camp out in one of the 66 books and take it slow, digging deep. Others read stories or passages that speak to what they’re living through right now. There isn’t only one “right” way—the Bible is a living book to be explored, studied, and lived.
And unlike most books, you don’t have to start at page one. The Bible is filled with
connections—cross-references—where one passage points to another on the same theme, promise, or prophecy. A visualization of Scripture’s cross-references counted 63,779 of them. Think of them as spiritual hyperlinks connecting God’s story from beginning to end.
When Life Gets Loud
Maybe you just bought a Bible. Maybe you’ve had one for years and aren’t sure where to begin.
Life brings all kinds of moments and emotions—joy, love, anger, sadness, loneliness, even suicidal thoughts. God shows up in all of it, and when He does, He points us to Himself—and to His Word:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” — John 1:1–3
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us… the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” — John 1:14
John tells us that “the Word” ultimately points to Jesus Himself. So when Scripture leads you to God, it’s leading you to the One in whom there is real, fulling life.
So… Where Should You Start?
Start where you’ll actually start.
• Read the stories that capture your imagination.
• Read passages that speak into what you’re facing right now.
• Read straight through, if that helps you see the big picture.
• Or choose one book and go slow—underline, ask questions, and dig.
Good news: there isn’t just one way. Find the way that helps you meet God in His Word—and begin.
Have a great day and know He loves you.
He sent his Son to die for you.
-Duke Hall
Sources & Links
• Romans 1:16 (NIV).
• 2 Peter 1:20–21 (NIV).
• John 1:1–3; 1:14 (NIV).
• Bible cross-reference visualization (63,779 links).
• Bible as best-selling book (estimated 5–7 billion).
• Overview of authors/timeframe (≈40 authors over ~1,500 years).
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