Get started with the Bible 

Did you know that the Bible is the world's best selling book? In 2025, 396,000 copies were sold in the UK alone - a record high. Lots of people read it, but it can be intimidating to pick up if you've never tried before. Don't worry, though: we'll help you get started.

Why read the Bible?

It's an inspirational book for millions; it's the sacred text of Christianity; it's a book of hope, meaning and purpose; it's inspired great art; it's underpinned legal systems; and it's foundational to many societies (including ours in the UK). Christians believe it is the word of God. Love it or hate it: the one thing we can't do is ignore it.

Give it a try. You don't need to understand it all straight away - nobody does. And you never know; maybe it'll change your life.

How can I read it?

You can read the entire text online for free (here's a link to BibleGateway, which is a good place to start). Or you can get your own copy - we give them away at Christ Church, so just come along, or get in touch, and we'd be delighted to give you yours.

Where do I begin?

Because the Bible is a whole collection of different writings in one volume, it can be very confusing when you're first starting out. So here's a handy guide to getting started:

• There are two big sections in the Bible - the Old Testament and the New Testament. Here are the broad brushstrokes:
  • The Old Testament tells the story of humanity from creation to just before Jesus comes.
  • The New Testament tells the story of Jesus, and the early church
• We recommend you begin with the New Testament (the second part of the Bible).
  • The New Testament begins with four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These are the eye-witness accounts of Jesus. They all have different emphases, but they tell the same story.
  • We suggest starting with the Gospel of John.
• Don't try to read too much in one go - it's fine to read it in short sections, and to spend your time doing this.
• Once you've read John, you might be ready to dig a bit further. You could try reading the other Gospels - start with Mark.
• After you've finished the Gospels, move on to the story of the early church, and read Acts.
• If you've done all this, you're probably ready to explore with others. Come to church! We'd love to welcome you - and you can plan your visit here.