Start Where You Are
I am new to Christianity
A few simple places to begin reading, asking questions, and learning the basics.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
You do not need to have it all figured out to start. Most people begin by reading one of the Gospels, asking honest questions, and finding a few people to walk with.
In this passage Jesus explains why he came. It is a good place to return to as you read.
Start reading
A Bible on your phone makes it easy to read a little each day. The Gospel of John or Mark is a good first book.
- Bible studyProvisional
YouVersion — The Bible App
Life.Church
The free Bible app most readers already have on their phone: hundreds of translations and languages, audio, dated reading plans, and shareable verse images. Installed on well over half a billion devices, it is the default pocket Bible.
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- Ongoing
- Where
- Online
- Format
- App · Introductory
Last verified September 20, 2026
- Bible studyProvisional
Bible Gateway
HarperCollins Christian Publishing
A free app and website for reading the Bible in more than 200 translations, with audio Bibles in over 15 languages, a verse of the day, and side-by-side comparison of versions. A free account adds highlights and notes.
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- Ongoing
- Where
- Online
- Format
- App · Introductory
Last verified October 4, 2026
- Bible studyProvisional
BibleProject App
BibleProject
The BibleProject app gathers its videos, podcasts, and classes in one place, with reflection questions and progress tracking. BibleProject is a nonprofit organization, and its resources are free.
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- Ongoing
- Where
- Online
- Format
- App · Introductory
Last verified October 4, 2026
Learn the basics
These walk through what Christians have believed for centuries, in plain language.
- Catechesis & discipleshipVerified
The New City Catechism
The Gospel Coalition
Fifty-two questions and answers drawn from the Heidelberg and Westminster catechisms, one a week for a year, with a short and a long form of each answer so a child and an adult can learn the same thing. Free app and web version carry a Scripture proof, a short commentary, and a prayer for each question.
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- Weekly rhythm
- Where
- Online
- Format
- App · Introductory
Last verified September 8, 2026
- Books & readingProvisional
Knowing God
InterVarsity Press
J. I. Packer’s study of the character of God and what it means to know him rather than only know about him — a chapter at a time on his majesty, love, wrath, and grace, written for the ordinary reader but not thinned out. Widely used as a first serious book of theology.
- Cost
- Paid
- Time
- Weeks
- Where
- Online
- Format
- Book · Intermediate
Last verified September 20, 2026
When you want to go deeper
Free courses you can take at your own pace, whenever you are ready.
- Free coursesVerified
BibleProject Classroom
BibleProject
Free self-paced courses of four to sixteen hours on individual books and on reading skills — literary design, narrative, poetry, and how the biblical authors quote each other. Sessions run twenty to thirty minutes with transcripts, notes, and facilitator guides for groups.
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- A few hours
- Where
- Online
- Format
- Course · Introductory
Last verified September 8, 2026
- Free coursesProvisional
BiblicalTraining.org — Foundations Program
BiblicalTraining.org
Foundations Program at BiblicalTraining.org. Self-paced online, free.
- Cost
- Free
- Time
- Months
- Where
- Online
- Format
- Certificate · Introductory
Last verified September 20, 2026
