Bible for kids
What Order Should I Read The Bible With My Kids?
Short answer
Start with Jesus in a Gospel like Mark or Luke, then read key Old Testament stories that show the big story of creation, sin, promise, and rescue. Add Psalms for prayer, then Acts and short letters like Philippians or James.
You can absolutely read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation someday. But for most children, the best first Bible reading order is not the printed order. Kids usually learn best when they first meet Jesus, then hear the big story of God’s rescue, then grow into the harder and longer books.
A helpful goal is not to “cover everything” quickly, but to help your child love God’s Word and understand how the whole Bible points to Christ (Luke 24:27).
1. Start With Jesus in the Gospels
Begin with one Gospel, especially **Mark** or **Luke**.
- **Mark** is short, action-filled, and easy to follow.
- **Luke** includes many stories children recognize: Jesus’ birth, the Good Samaritan, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son.
- **John** is wonderful too, especially for older kids, but it includes more symbolic language and deeper conversations.
As you read, keep asking simple questions:
- What did Jesus do?
- What does this show us about God?
- How did people respond to Jesus?
- What can we pray about from this story?
This keeps Bible reading relational, not just informational. Children are not only learning facts; they are meeting the Savior who welcomes children (Mark 10:13-16).
2. Read the Big Story: Creation, Fall, Promise, Rescue
After a Gospel, go back and read key Old Testament stories in order. This helps children see the Bible as one connected story, not a pile of separate lessons.
A simple order could be:
1. **Genesis 1-3** — creation, sin, and God’s first promise 2. **Genesis 6-9** — Noah and God’s mercy 3. **Genesis 12, 15, 22** — Abraham and God’s promises 4. **Genesis 37-50** — Joseph and God’s providence 5. **Exodus 1-20** — Moses, Passover, the Red Sea, and the Ten Commandments 6. **Joshua 1-6** — entering the promised land 7. **1 Samuel 16-17** — David is chosen and faces Goliath 8. **2 Samuel 7** — God’s promise to David 9. **1 Kings 3, 8** — Solomon and the temple 10. **Daniel 1, 3, 6** — faithfulness in exile 11. **Jonah** — God’s mercy for the nations
This gives kids the main storyline: God made the world good, people sinned, God promised rescue, and Jesus is the promised King and Savior.
3. Add Psalms, Proverbs, and Prayer
Children also need language for worship, fear, sadness, gratitude, and trust. The Psalms are perfect for this.
Try reading short psalms between Bible stories:
- **Psalm 23** when your child is afraid
- **Psalm 8** when talking about creation
- **Psalm 51** when discussing confession and forgiveness
- **Psalm 100** for thanksgiving
- **Psalm 121** before travel or bedtime
Proverbs can also work well as short family readings. Read one or two verses at a time and ask, “What would this look like at school, with siblings, or online?” Proverbs 3:5-6 is a great anchor passage for kids learning to trust God.
4. Then Read Acts and the Letters
After children know Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, read **Acts**. It shows what happened next: the Holy Spirit came, the church grew, and the good news spread to the nations (Acts 1:8).
Then choose shorter New Testament letters:
- **Philippians** — joy, humility, and following Christ
- **Ephesians** — grace, unity, and family life
- **James** — practical faith and wise speech
- **1 John** — God’s love and loving others
For younger kids, read smaller sections and summarize tricky parts. For older kids and preteens, you can begin reading whole chapters and discussing context.
A Simple Family Reading Plan
Here is an easy order many families can use:
1. Mark or Luke 2. Key stories from Genesis and Exodus 3. Selected Psalms 4. David, Daniel, Jonah, and other Old Testament highlights 5. Luke 22-24 or Mark 14-16 again for the cross and resurrection 6. Acts 7. Philippians, James, or 1 John 8. Return to Genesis and keep building from there
Keep readings short: 5-10 minutes is enough for many families. Read with warmth, not pressure. Let kids ask honest questions. If a passage is violent, confusing, or mature, it is okay to summarize it and say, “We will understand more as we grow.”
Most of all, pray before or after reading. A simple prayer works: “Lord, help us know You, trust You, and love Your Word.” The Bible is useful for teaching and training us in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17), but it is also a gift that draws our families toward God.
More questions parents ask
- Should Kids Read The Bible From Genesis To Revelation?
- Not at first for most children. Genesis to Revelation is a great long-term goal, but young kids usually do better starting with Jesus and the main Bible storyline before tackling long laws, genealogies, and prophetic books.
- What Book Of The Bible Is Best For Kids To Start With?
- Mark, Luke, and selected stories from Genesis and Exodus are great places to begin. Psalms are also excellent for bedtime, prayer, and helping children name their feelings before God.
- How Long Should Family Bible Reading Be?
- For young children, 5-10 minutes is often enough. Consistency matters more than length, and it is better to end with kids wanting more than to make Bible reading feel exhausting.
- Can I Use A Children’s Story Bible?
- Yes, especially for younger children. A good story Bible can introduce the big story, but also read short passages from an actual Bible so kids learn that the stories come from Scripture.
- What If My Child Asks Hard Questions?
- Pause and answer simply, or say, “That is a good question—we can learn more together.” It is okay not to know every answer; curiosity is part of growing in faith.