What you need (almost nothing)

You need exactly one thing: a Bible. A paper one, or a free app — either counts. One honest tip if you go with an app: take two minutes to completely silence its notifications, and your phone’s while you read. The Word deserves a fighting chance against your lock screen.

Everything else is extra. Helpful, but extra:

• A pen and a notebook — mostly to write down your questions as you read. Questions aren’t a sign you’re doing it wrong; they’re the reading working.
• Highlighters, commentaries, dictionaries, atlases — wonderful, later. Don’t let gathering gear replace reading.

That’s the whole packing list. Next: choosing which Bible.