Read the Bible — and understand what you're reading.

Creation, the fall, the flood, and the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph — the beginnings of God's people. Where to start: Start with chapters 1–3 and 12.

God rescues Israel from slavery in Egypt through Moses, gives the Ten Commandments and makes a covenant at Sinai. Where to start: Chapters 1–20 carry the story.

Laws for worship, sacrifice and holiness for a people living with God in their midst.

Israel's forty years in the wilderness between Sinai and the promised land.

Moses' farewell sermons renewing the covenant before Israel enters Canaan; source of the Shema (6:4–5).

Israel enters and settles the land of Canaan under Joshua.

A cycle of unfaithfulness, oppression and rescue through leaders like Deborah, Gideon and Samson.

A short, beautiful story of loyalty: a Moabite widow becomes great-grandmother of King David. Where to start: Read it in one sitting.

Samuel, Saul and the rise of David. Where to start: Chapter 17 is David and Goliath.

David's reign — his triumphs, his sin with Bathsheba, and its consequences.

Solomon's wisdom and temple, the kingdom's division, and the prophet Elijah.

The decline of Israel and Judah, ending in exile to Assyria and Babylon.

A retelling of Israel's history focused on David and worship.

Solomon to the exile, retold with attention to the temple and faithful kings.

Exiles return from Babylon and rebuild the temple.

Jerusalem's walls are rebuilt and the community recommits to God's law.

A Jewish queen in Persia risks her life to save her people — God's name never appears, yet his providence is everywhere.

A righteous man suffers terribly and wrestles honestly with God.

Israel's prayer and song book: praise, lament, thanksgiving and trust. Where to start: Start with 1, 23, 46, 121 and 139.

Short sayings of practical wisdom for everyday life. Where to start: One chapter a day for a month.

A searching, honest meditation on meaning, work and mortality.

Love poetry celebrating desire and commitment, also read as an image of God's love.

Judgment and hope, the suffering servant, and visions of a renewed creation. Where to start: Chapters 40, 53 and 55.

A prophet's tears and warnings before Jerusalem's fall, with the promise of a new covenant (31:31).

Five poems of grief over Jerusalem's destruction.

Visions to exiles in Babylon — including the valley of dry bones (ch. 37).

Faithfulness in a foreign court and apocalyptic visions of God's kingdom.

God's faithful love pictured through the prophet's marriage to an unfaithful wife.

A locust plague and the promise that God will pour out his Spirit (2:28).

A shepherd-prophet demands justice: 'let judgment run down as waters' (5:24).

A short oracle against Edom.

A reluctant prophet, a great fish and God's mercy toward an enemy city. Where to start: Read it in one sitting.

Judgment, hope, a ruler from Bethlehem (5:2) and the call of 6:8.

The fall of Nineveh.

A prophet questions God about injustice and learns to trust.

The day of the LORD and a God who 'will rejoice over thee with singing' (3:17).

Encouragement to rebuild the temple after exile.

Visions of restoration and a humble king riding a donkey (9:9).

The final Old Testament prophet calls for faithfulness and promises a messenger.

Jesus as the promised Messiah and teacher; includes the Sermon on the Mount.

The shortest, fastest-moving Gospel — the best first read for most people. Where to start: Start here.

A careful account emphasising Jesus' care for the poor, women and outsiders; the prodigal son (ch. 15).

A reflective Gospel: Jesus as the Word made flesh, with 'I am' sayings and signs.

The Spirit comes at Pentecost and the church spreads from Jerusalem to Rome.

Paul's fullest explanation of the gospel: sin, grace, faith and life in the Spirit. Where to start: Chapters 3–8 and 12.

Practical guidance for a divided church; includes the love chapter (13) and resurrection (15).

Paul defends his ministry and finds strength in weakness.

Freedom in Christ and justification by faith; the fruit of the Spirit (5:22).

God's plan to unite all things in Christ; grace (2:8–9) and the armour of God (6).

A joyful letter from prison; Christ's humility (2:5–11). Where to start: A good second read after Mark.

The supremacy of Christ over all things.

Encouragement to a young church, with hope about those who have died.

Clarifications about Christ's return.

Pastoral advice to a young church leader.

Paul's last letter: 'I have fought a good fight' (4:7).

Leadership and good works in Crete.

A personal appeal for a runaway slave, Onesimus, to be received as a brother.

Jesus as the great high priest; the 'hall of faith' (ch. 11).

Practical wisdom: faith that works, taming the tongue.

Hope and endurance for suffering Christians.

Warnings about false teachers and the promise of Christ's return.

Assurance, light and love: 'God is love' (4:8).

A brief letter on truth and love.

A personal note commending hospitality.

A short warning and a famous doxology.

Visions given to John on Patmos — the worship of heaven, the defeat of evil, and the new heaven and earth. Where to start: Chapters 1, 4–5 and 21–22.