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First 5
First 5 is a daily Bible study app from Proverbs 31 Ministries that encourages users to give the first five minutes of their day to Scripture before distractions take over. Each day, the app provides a short teaching that walks through the Bible book-by-book, paired with a key verse, a reflection prompt called "My Moment," and a community comment section where users can share what God is teaching them.
The app is primarily aimed at women seeking consistent, structured engagement with the Bible. Features include note-taking, highlighting, reminders, an integrated Bible search tool, and group discussion. Study plans are free within the app, though optional printed companion guides are sold separately for those who want deeper study material.
Screenshots
Our verdict
First 5, from Proverbs 31 Ministries, is built around one deceptively simple idea: give God the first five minutes of your day before your inbox does. Where most devotional apps hand you a single uplifting verse and a short reflection, First 5 walks you through Scripture book by book, pairing each day's passage with a teaching note that explains context, culture, and meaning. It feels less like a daily pick-me-up and more like a guided, ongoing Bible study you can actually keep up with.
The daily rhythm is thoughtfully layered. The free Start Here teaching grounds you in a few minutes, and when you have more time, optional 15-minute study guides go deeper with reflection questions and background. The whole app is free, which is remarkable given the quality of the writing and the scholarship behind it. Proverbs 31 funds it through donations and optional companion study guides you can buy if you want a physical workbook. There is a light community layer, but the heart of the experience is the teaching.
The honest caveat is audience and scope. First 5 is written primarily for Christian women, and while the Scripture study translates to anyone, the voice, examples, and community lean that way. It is also focused: there is no worship music, sleep stories, or sprawling plan library, just excellent, sequential Bible study. If you want breadth or audio-first devotions, look elsewhere. If you want depth without a price tag, few apps do it better.
How we scored it
Standout features
Book-by-book study
Works sequentially through whole books of the Bible rather than scattered verses.
First five minutes
Designed to be the very first thing you do, before screens and to-do lists.
Teaching notes
Each day pairs Scripture with context on culture, history, and meaning.
Go-deeper option
Optional 15-minute study guides add reflection questions and background.
Free forever
Full teaching is free; only physical companion guides cost extra.
Shared journey
Thousands read the same passage each day, with a light community layer.
Pros & cons
✓ Pros
- Genuinely deep, book-by-book teaching with real context and scholarship
- Completely free, with no paywall on the core study
- Layered design lets you go five minutes shallow or fifteen minutes deep
- Backed by the trusted Proverbs 31 Ministries teaching team
- Builds a sustainable, distraction-first morning habit
– Cons
- Written primarily for women, so the voice won't fit every reader
- Very little audio, with no narrated devotions or worship music
- No large plan library; you follow the current study rather than your own picks
Best for
Christian women who want structured, book-by-book Bible study in a few focused minutes each morning, completely free.
Look elsewhere if
You want audio-led devotions, worship music, or a large library of pick-your-own reading plans.
Pricing
How it compares
| First 5 | She Reads Truth | Our Daily Bread | Glorify | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.1 | 7.8 | 8.4 | 8.7 |
| Price | Free | Freemium | Free | Freemium |
| Study depth | Deep, book-by-book | Plan-based | Short daily | Gentle |
| Audio | Minimal | Minimal | Full audio | Rich audio |
| Audience | Women | Women | All | All |
FAQ
Is First 5 really free?
Yes. The entire daily study and teaching are free. Only optional printed companion study guides cost money, and they aren't needed to use the app.
Do I have to be a woman to use it?
No. The Scripture study works for anyone, but the writing, examples, and community are geared toward women, so male readers should know the voice going in.
How long does each day take?
The core Start Here teaching takes about five minutes; an optional deeper study guide adds roughly ten to fifteen more.
Does it follow a set schedule or can I go at my own pace?
First 5 moves through a current study together as a community, releasing one day at a time, though you can catch up on missed days in the calendar.
Who is behind First 5?
It's produced by Proverbs 31 Ministries, a long-standing Christian teaching organization known for its women's Bible studies and writers.
