It’s often recommended to begin reading The Gospels because they provide the foundation of Christian faith and offer insight into the life, teachings, and mission of Jesus Christ. Here’s a suggested plan for beginning your Scripture journey:
- Start with the Gospel of Mark:
- Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels and provides a fast-paced account of Jesus’ life, making it an accessible starting point for understanding who Jesus is and what He did.
- Read the Gospel of John:
- John offers a profound and theological perspective on Jesus’ divinity, focusing on His identity as the Son of God. It includes many of Jesus’ teachings and “I am” statements that reveal His divine nature.
- Continue with the Gospel of Luke and Acts:
- Luke provides a detailed narrative of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. The Acts of the Apostles, also written by Luke, is a compelling follow-up, detailing the early Church’s growth post-resurrection.
- Explore the Gospel of Matthew:
- Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies and includes key teachings like the Sermon on the Mount. It’s helpful for connecting the Old and New Testaments.
- Dive into Genesis:
- To understand the story of creation, the origins of humanity, and God’s covenant with His people, Genesis provides foundational insights into salvation history.
- Psalms and Proverbs:
- The Book of Psalms offers prayers and hymns that cover a wide range of human emotions. Proverbs provides wisdom for practical living and moral conduct.
- Explore the Letters (Epistles):
- Paul’s letters (e.g., Romans, Corinthians) and other epistles (e.g., James, Peter) provide teachings and advice to early Christian communities, offering doctrinal insights and moral guidance relevant today.
You will notice throughout our journey together, I will reference certain books that are not in a Protestant Bible. This is to include all Christians, including Catholics. We are all in this together. If there is something you don’t want to read, there will be daily reflections and readings you can refer to. Thanks for being part of this journey with us!