Where Should I Start Reading the KJV Bible?
Where Should I Start Reading the KJV Bible?
You've decided to read the King James Bible. Excellent choice. But now you're staring at 66 books, 1,189 chapters, and 31,102 verses.
Where do you even begin?
The Problem with Starting in Genesis
Most people start at Genesis 1:1 with good intentions. They make it through creation, enjoy the stories of Abraham and Joseph, get bogged down in Leviticus, and quietly give up somewhere around Numbers.
You're not alone if this has happened to you.
The Bible isn't arranged chronologically or by difficulty. Starting at page one isn't always the best approach.
Three Better Starting Points
1. The Gospel of John (Best for New Believers)
If you want to understand who Jesus is and why He matters, start with John's Gospel.
John wrote specifically so that readers would believe in Jesus:
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." (John 20:31)
The language is accessible, the themes are profound, and you'll encounter Jesus in the most personal way possible.
2. The Gospel of Mark (Best for Busy Readers)
Mark is the shortest Gospel — you can read it in one sitting. It moves fast, uses the word "immediately" constantly, and presents Jesus as a man of action.
If you want a quick overview of Jesus' ministry, miracles, death, and resurrection, Mark delivers.
3. Genesis and Exodus (Best for Understanding the Big Picture)
If you want to understand the foundation of the entire Bible — creation, fall, covenant, and redemption — start with Genesis and Exodus.
These books introduce themes that echo through every other book of Scripture. Just be prepared: Leviticus comes next, and it's worth pushing through even if it feels tedious.
A 52-Week Approach
Rather than reading cover to cover, consider a structured approach that takes you through the whole Bible thematically.
Year 1: Old Testament Survey — From Creation to the Prophets Year 2: Life of Christ — All four Gospels in harmony Year 3: Acts & Epistles — The early church and apostolic letters Year 4: Poetry & Prophecy — Psalms, Proverbs, and the prophetsThis approach gives you the big picture while keeping things manageable.
Practical Tips for KJV Reading
The King James Bible uses older English that can feel unfamiliar at first. Here are some helps:
Common KJV Words
Reading Strategies
The Most Important Thing
Wherever you start, just start.
Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. A page read imperfectly is better than a Bible that sits unopened.
The goal isn't to master Scripture in a week. It's to let Scripture master you over a lifetime.
Ready to start your journey? Join thousands on a guided 52-week journey through Scripture at KJV Weekly.
Get weekly Bible insights
Join thousands studying Scripture together.
KJV Weekly
KJV Weekly provides curated Bible study content to help you grow in your understanding of Scripture. Our mission is to make the timeless truths of the King James Bible accessible and applicable to your daily life.