The Bible, Simplified: Learn the Story, Live the Story

by Zach Windahl

Read by the author.

Go from feeling frustrated when reading Scripture to learning to love the Bible.

Feeling overwhelmed and confused by the Bible? Bestselling author Zach Windahl breaks down its entire storyline in The Bible, Simplified, making Scripture clear, accessible, and life-changing so you can gain confidence in your faith.

In The Bible, Simplified, you will learn how

Understand the entire storyline of the BibleGain clarity and confidence in your faithIncorporate the Bible’s teachings into your daily life

You want to understand the Bible and feel a deeper connection to God, but busyness, relationships, and everyday distractions seem to crowd out Bible reading most days. Not to mention it’s hard to know where to start—and deep down, you might even wonder if the Bible is relevant to your modern life. It’s overwhelming. It’s confusing. And it’s easy to feel frustrated on your faith journey.

Too often, you find yourself walking away from reading Scripture, feeling lost instead of encouraged, something Zach Windahl experienced firsthand. Even though he grew up going to church, his Bible often remained on the shelf. It wasn’t until he discovered the joy of reading the Bible that he became passionate about helping others do the same. In his relatable and easy-to-read style, Zach has simplified Scripture to help you—especially if you’re a new Christian—understand the Bible’s message in a way that’s approachable and life-changing.

If you’re feeling lost with Scripture, this book will be your guide. You no longer need to be confused, disconnected, and overwhelmed in your faith. Take the first step to understanding God’s story—and your remarkable role in it.

Maps, diagrams, and reference material can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Faith, Christian Living, Christianity, Self Help

Audible Audio

Published July 1, 2025

About the author

Zach Windahl is an author and content creator focused on helping people grow in their faith. He is the author of several books, including The Bible, Simplified: Learn the Story, Live the Story, and The Bible Study: A One-Year Study of the Bible and How It Relates to You. He lives in Orlando, Florida, with his wife, Gisela. You can connect with Zach on social media at @ZachWindahl or at www.ZachWindahl.com.

Reviews

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bible, Simplified: Learn the Story, Live the Story by Zach Windahl

The Bible, Simplified is an accessible Christian guide that untangles the big picture of Scripture so readers no longer feel overwhelmed or disconnected from the Bible. Across about 40 short chapters, Zach Windahl breaks down the entire biblical narrative from Genesis through Revelation, helping people see how the books of the Bible fit together, why God’s story matters, and how its truths apply to everyday life, all in clear, inviting language designed for both new believers and longtime Christians alike. It is meant to build confidence for reading the Bible, not replace Scripture itself, and to help you approach it with clarity and connection rather than confusion.

Reading this felt like having a wise friend walk me through Scripture’s sweep, helping me relate ancient events and themes to my own spiritual journey without making it feel like a lecture. Windahl’s explanations made familiar stories feel fresh and helped me see links I had missed between Old and New Testament themes, while the practical takeaways encouraged me to live the story, not just learn it. Whether you’ve ever felt intimidated by Bible reading, or simply wanted a clearer grasp of its structure and meaning, this book meets you where you are with warmth and clarity.

Rating: 4 out of 5, for its welcoming, big‑picture approach that makes Scripture feel approachable and deeply relevant.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars ✨

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy of The Bible Simplified by Zach Windahl, for an honest review.

This was exactly as described- The Bible Simplified. It goes through each book of the Bible and gives a quick summary of what is taking place within that time frame. In some cases, gives a tiny bit of historical background as well. I think this would be a good book for someone who is having trouble with the story as a whole, (putting the pieces together) or someone looking for a simple breakdown of the Bible. It’s a very easy read and doesn’t bog the reader down. I thought there were some things that could have been hashed out a little better or more in depth- but as a whole
this was a great beginner study guide to getting to know the order of things and learning the basic story of the Bible at surface level. Would recommend as a resource for study.

[Alex Chesnut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughout the book, the author’s tone is like talking to a friend. Like we’re having a casual conversation, which was really nice. Although it seemed the author expected his audience to be Christians that have been attending church and learning the Bible for a long time, this book was super helpful and easy to digest as someone who didn’t grow up going to church or learning Scripture.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who grew up going to church/in a Christian home, I was never confident in my knowledge of the Bible. I knew some of the Sunday school stories. This book did an aaaamaazing job and breaking it down, making the Bible easier to understand. It makes you eager to continue deep diving into scripture. So many stars for this one!

[Carissa Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

If you often feel overwhelmed by the puzzle-like nature of The Bible, this book is a fantastic place to start! Organized chronologically, Windahl walks through each book of Scripture with a succinct summary, brief historical context, and explanation as to its original significance and relevance to believers today + there are a few additional commentary sections on various topics.

For those who have studied The Word extensively, Windahl’s insights may feel fairly introductory. However, I found the breakdowns to be rather helpful for connecting Biblical & historical dots in a way that I wasn’t able to before - especially in The Old Testament. My personal highlights include the sections on Hell, Paul’s Epistles, The Silent Years, The Apocrypha, and Jewish Culture.

I also appreciated the reoccuring reminder that our foremost responsibility as Christians is to love others. We see it over and over again in The Bible & Windahl does a great job at pointing it out. Showing consistent, Christ-like love towards others is how we can gently usher unbelievers towards The Kingdom of Heaven.

The book’s conversational tone made it really easy to read and I can see myself revisiting it alongside my studies in the future. Highly recommend!

[Maggie Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

moment of honesty…. I’ve always struggled with the timelines, connections, etc of the Bible. This was an incredible book to pair with my quiet times the last 2 months to just help grasp a deeper understanding

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Raise your hand if you grew up going to church but still don't know the Bible. Or what if you're a new Christian but don't know where to begin. Or what if you're just curious about Jesus and figured the Bible is the best place to learn about him?

What you see is what you get, essentially, a simplified summary of the big picture of the Bible. The book contains forty chapters that present the basics of the Bible and the faith, emphasis on the Bible. I think the opening chapters are on the general basics of how to read the Bible and get started. I do think the last few chapters focus more on "what's next" or "next steps."

The chapters are arranged, I believe, with a chronological approach to understanding the big picture of the Bible. The focus is on SUMMARY and a simplified summary at that. It is not a Bible commentary. It doesn't deep dive into the details, or "go into the grass" if you will. It focuses on the 'big picture' basics of the Bible. What are the bare basics that would help a new reader to the Bible actually keep reading the Bible. Each chapter has shorter recaps and directs focus to Jesus. (Well, most of the chapters.)

I will say that this one does have a few theological biases. However, I think the biases lean towards what many believe. I hesitate to use the word majority because that would be mere speculation and theoretical. I just mean that while I personally found a few sentences to be questionable, I think, many readers will read past those sentences without blinking twice. The book does NOT hold to Reformed theology. If you're not sure what Reformed theology is, then likely you are not Reformed and it would not be an issue anyway. Reformed does refer in part to the views held by the Reformers--Protestant Reformation days.

Like any christian nonfiction book, if you read with discernment and judge everything against the Word of God, then this book would certainly be worth considering.

The primary audience is those new to reading the Bible. If you have read and studied the Bible, and, you are not a parent or Sunday School teacher, then, this one might not be the best fit for you. If you are a parent or Sunday School teacher, then, I think you could read this one to get ideas on how to 'teach' others how to read the Bible.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bible, Simplified by Zach Windahl
Learn the Story, Live the Story
Go from feeling lost with the Bible to becoming confident in your faith.
Feeling overwhelmed and confused by the Bible? Bestselling author Zach Windahl breaks down its entire storyline in The Bible, Simplified, making Scripture clear, accessible, and life-changing so you can gain confidence in your faith.
Bible and feel a deeper connection to God, but busyness, relationships, and everyday distractions seem to crowd out Bible reading most days. Not to mention it’s hard to know where to start—and deep down, you might even wonder if the Bible is relevant to your modern life. It’s overwhelming. It’s confusing. And it’s easy to feel frustrated on your faith journey.

Too often, you find yourself walking away from reading Scripture, feeling lost instead of encouraged, something Zach Windahl experienced firsthand. Even though he grew up going to church, his Bible often remained on the shelf. It wasn’t until he discovered the joy of reading the Bible that he became passionate about helping others do the same. In his relatable and easy-to-read style, Zach has simplified Scripture to help you—especially if you’re a new Christian—understand the Bible’s message in a way that’s approachable and life-changing.

In The Bible, Simplified, you will learn how to:

Understand the entire storyline of the Bible
Gain clarity and confidence in your faith
Incorporate the Bible’s teachings into your daily life
If you’re feeling lost with Scripture, this book will be your guide. You no longer need to be confused, disconnected, and overwhelmed in your faith. Take the first step to understanding God’s story—and your remarkable role in it.
The Bible Simplified. It goes through each book of the Bible and gives a quick summary of it.
Gives a little of historical background as well.
This book you will help you understanding the Bible better.
I recommend this book.
The Bible Simplified by Zach Windahl is a 5 star book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Zach Windahl.

[Bob Greenway · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bible is no easy read. It can be mystifying and confusing. Forty authors wrote the 66 books over a period of 1,500 years. How does it all fit together to convey God's message?

Author Zach Windahl offers answers in The Bible, Simplified. He explains what the Bible is, how to read it, and how each book leads to Jesus.

Readers will appreciate Windahl's light and conversational writing style. He makes his points succinctly, making sure we understand what's happening and why it matters. He also provides a recap at the end of each chapter, which reinforces key takeaways.

I found his explanations of the Old Testament particularly helpful. The first half of the Bible can be challenging with its unfamiliar customs and culture. Windahl navigates each book deftly, striking the right balance of explanation and commentary to keep things clear.

A valuable lesson Windahl offers is the importance of context. Many of us view scripture through a Greek or Western mindset that focuses on logic and facts. The Hebrew or Eastern mindset values poetry, story, and symbolism. He doesn't ask us to change the way we think, but to open our minds to how people felt about God and Jesus in biblical times.

Windahl summarizes, "In the West, we view life with a Greek mindset, which is very different from the Eastern or Hebrew mindset that Jesus, the original audience, and the Bible's authors would have held. And we need to be aware of this when reading and interpreting Scripture."

Readers should note that some of their favorite Bible stories and characters are missing from Windahl's book. This is not meant as a criticism, however. The Bible, Simplified, means precisely that.

The book is an excellent study guide. It's a superb overview of Scripture that shows how the 66 books and 40 authors come together to tell the story of Jesus.

I received an advance reading copy from Netgalley.com.

[jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy. I gave this title 3 stars because I enjoyed it and believe it can help those who want a short and concise summary of Book of the Bible. It is very simplified. There’s historical and cultural background given which I found extremely insightful. It’s impossible to understand the Bible without that context. I feel a lot was glossed over, however, and was surprised that what I have always believed to be important events and characters were completely left out. Yes, all the content in God’s Word is important so I understand th author could not include everything in a simplified book. I just felt a bit more could’ve been added without making the book complicated. The Book of Revelation chapter was very short. I was hoping for more insight, but given how confusing and widely debated the prophecies are I understand why the author chose to strip it down to the bare bones. I also did not agree with the author’s interpretation of the visions John was shown, but that is neither here nor there. Most people don’t agree with each other on that topic and it doesn’t inhibit salvation to do so. In closing, I recommend this as a companion to The Bible. This should not, of course, be used in place of your daily reading of God’s Word. It should be used along with commentaries and other study materials.

[Cheryl Malandrinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you're a new believer, looking to learn more about what Scripture says and how to apply it to your life, or want to get reacquainted with the Bible, The Bible, Simplified. by Zach Windahl can help.

After an engaging Introduction, Windahl guides you through what the Bible is, how to read it, and then breaks down the story of the Bible in its entirety into one chapter. Sounds too simple, but as you read Windahl's words, you realize it's true. The author reminds the reader that his book is a resource, not a substitute for reading Scripture.

Broken down into ten parts, Windahl takes the reader from Creation through to the End Times, and then explains how to live out your faith. Each chapter is followed by a helpful recap. As you are reading about the Old Testament, there is also a "How to Find Jesus in This Story" moment, and each chapter also includes a "How to Apply This Lesson to Your Life" moment. With charts, historical photos, and maps, Windahl's The Bible, Simplified. will be a study guide you turn to repeatedly. You'll also find recommended resources for further study.

Sometimes reading the Bible can seem overwhelming. The Bible, Simplified. can make it easier to understand.

[Gloriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so helpful! I've done studies in the past that provided an overview of the whole Bible, but Zach Windahl's was more detailed than some of the other ones. It's a perfect balance of a high level overview but enough detail included to really help the reader understand how each book of the Bible fits into the overall story - and how it applies to our lives today.

I really liked how in the Old Testament chapters, he ends with a sentence explaining how each story points to Jesus. It's so important to look for that!

Overall, I highly recommend this book for anyone, whether you're a new believer or a seasoned Christian; The Bible, Simplified will deepen your understanding and appreciation for God's incredible story!

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great surface level overview of the Biblical story. Maybe I should give it 5 stars since I think the author accomplished his goal of “discussing the Bible story in a simplified way to inspire you to study it yourself.”

As someone that has read through the Bible multiple times (and multiple translations), I had hoped this would have gone a bit deeper into some areas that instead got lumped and only briefly discussed. Despite how simple and high level overview it was, I did feel it was a worthwhile read and I felt it explained a thing or two I hadn’t gotten on my own read-through.

Would be an excellent resource for the new Christian or someone struggling to understand the Bible.

[Shanel V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! You’ll FINALLY be able to understand the Bible in a way you could never have imagined!! I’ve only ever read the New Testament because I always felt the Old Testament was so intimidating. It was always difficult to understand. This book has helped me understand the Bible in so many ways and the author just really makes it so easy to understand, but you don’t feel like you’re missing anything. After reading the book of Genesis and then starting the book I was able to understand everything so much more. I highly recommend and have been telling everyone I know about it!! You won’t regret it!

[Ashleigh Pressy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the Bible 3 times and 2 different translations and currently on my 4 round. I really did take away a deeper understanding of a few things that I still needed an understanding of!

I won this book through a Good Reads giveaway and I would recommend reading this along with your Bible especially if you're reading the Bible for the first time. Even for readers with a better understanding could take something away from this book.

[Amber Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

It says it’s a deep dive but I guess it depends on where you’re at with your relationship of the Bible. I found it more on the basic/light side but it’s still a great read. An awesome refresher of the main story/themes of the Bible and what modern readers should know and keep in mind. Great book for those new to the Bible (by that I mean people who haven’t actually sat down and read it as a whole).

[Lilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good introduction to what the Bible is, while giving us an overview of all the different books. As a Christian myself, I found this book useful in helping me navigate through some of the more “difficult” books.

This book is written in a way that makes reading it fun and by giving us context instead of just hard, cold, facts. It is a book which you can refer to again and again as you read through the Bible regularly.

[Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this as a birthday gift blindly. I decided to go ahead and read it myself, and with the first few chapters I wasn't quite sure about it. But then as the book arrives at chapter 10 or 11, it really reaches its stride.

Recommend for someone who is either new to the Bible, struggling to see the overarching story, or for you if you are going to try and sum up the narrative of the Bible as a whole.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

it’s a great breakdown of the Bible. Book by book. It really helped me with the Old Testament ! I think it’s great if you’re new to Christianity, have questions, or just want a bit of a refresher on the text. 😊

This book is written in a simple, succinct way to help with understanding. Each chapter wraps up what it is about with one sentence, where Jesus is in the text, and how you can apply it in your life. Thanks TikTok for the find!

[Michellel | The Red Fox Mama Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bible at times can be one of the hardest books to understand but no doubt the best book of all time. Zach's breakdown of the Bible and the the easy to understand chapters make this a great companion to Bible Reading. This book is for everyone. It tells the overarching story of the Bible, explains the importance of each book and goes into detail on what Christians believe and why. I loved it and will gift this to others in the future.

[GraceLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are overwhelmed by the Bible or don’t know where to start, this is the book for you! It provides the entire storyline of the Bible with clarity, structure, and context. It’s an easy read with easy to understand short chapters. Sometimes we don’t know how to tackle the whole library of the scriptures. After reading this book you will have more understanding and feel less overwhelmed when it comes to the Bible. Definitely a must read!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible. I’ve been a Christian for most of my life and this book has rekindled my love for scripture. I looked forward to reading it every day. Zach truly simplifies the Bible. Turns it into stories that are easier to understand. So grateful he wrote it because I’m walking away feeling refreshed and encouraged. 10/10 recommend it to anyone who wants to learn. Christian or not.

[Rachel Nester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book by Zach that’s helped me grow my love for Jesus! I’ve learned a lot from this book. Even though I’ve already read the actual Bible a few times, I still learned new things. If you ever want to read the Bible and don’t know where to start, start here and then dive into the Bible! I also recommend getting Zach’s Bible study book to help you along the way with the actual Bible.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic unencumbered overview of the metanarrative of scripture. Perfect for new bible readers, or for regular readers wanting a refresher on context, meanings and structure of the bible. Easy to follow and understand. I bought copies for my family members. The audible version is great too.

~Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher

[Mindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for a Cliff’s Notes version of the Bible, in part to help me pull together sections I’ve read but mostly to have a more in-depth understanding. This book was at least as much advice as it was a summary of one of the most popular pieces of literature in our time, which to me wasn’t what the title promised.

[David Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate this book as a primer for understanding the Bible. Very helpful to gain an overall picture of the construction of the book and its major themes. This can be very beneficial for the newer Bible reader, to help start their studies from the over all view, and then going deeper into each book.

[Christine Steffens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good solid basic run through the Bible. Actually learned a thing or two along the way! Some interesting insights that I never thought of before, definitely should be a. Must read for people wanting to learn more about the Bible!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Fabulous. Couldn’t wait to wake up and do my Bible time every morning!! This is basically the Bible written in chronological order and in Laymen’s term with zero fluff. I highlighted the entire thing because everything was important. I will definitely make Willis and Barrett read it!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will be most helpful read slowly alongside the matching Scripture passage. It is clearly written and promises to be helpful in Bible study. Thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy for review.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well structured and informational, definitely what I needed to give me motivation to get back into scripture. I loved the bible verses and deeper explanations that the author gave.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Nelson Books, and Libro.fm for my arcs