Reading the Gospels: Plans Focused on the Life of Jesus
By Bible Plan Generator Team
At the very heart of the Christian faith is a person: Jesus Christ. To know Him, to understand His character, and to follow His example is our highest calling. But in a library of 66 books, where is the best place to start? The answer is clear and resounding: the Gospels.
The four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are our primary, eyewitness-based accounts of the life of Jesus. A focused plan for reading the Gospels is more than just a reading schedule; it’s an invitation to walk with Jesus through the hills of Galilee, listen to His parables, witness His miracles, and stand at the foot of the cross. It is the most direct path to knowing the Savior.
Why a Focused Gospel Reading Plan is Essential
Dedicating a season to intentionally reading the Gospels is a powerful spiritual discipline for believers at every stage of their journey. It’s a foundational practice for new Christians and a refreshing return to the source for those who have walked with the Lord for decades.
- You Encounter Jesus Directly: The Gospels are not just about Jesus; they are our window into His life. You get to see how He interacted with people, how He handled conflict, how He showed compassion, and how He taught with authority.
- You See from Four Unique Perspectives: Each Gospel author presents a unique portrait of Jesus.
- Matthew portrays Jesus as the promised King and Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.
- Mark presents Jesus as the suffering Servant, constantly in action.
- Luke highlights Jesus as the perfect Son of Man, showing compassion for the outcast and the poor.
- John reveals Jesus as the divine Son of God, emphasizing His identity and eternal nature.
- You Build a Strong Foundation: The life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the bedrock of Christian doctrine. A thorough understanding of the Gospels grounds your faith in historical reality and theological truth.
How to Approach Reading the Gospels
There are several excellent ways to structure your journey through the four Gospels. The best method for you will depend on your goals and the amount of time you have.
1. Read Them One by One (Canonical Approach)
The simplest and most common method is to read each Gospel from beginning to end: start with Matthew, then move to Mark, Luke, and finally John. This approach allows you to appreciate the unique voice, style, and theological emphasis of each individual author without interruption.
2. Weave Them Together (Harmonized or Chronological Approach)
Another powerful method is to read the story of Jesus’ life in chronological order. This involves reading sections from different Gospels that cover the same events back-to-back. This approach helps you build a cohesive timeline of Jesus’ ministry and see how the different accounts complement and enrich one another.
3. Choose a Pace that Fits Your Life
A Gospel-focused plan is wonderfully flexible. You can set a pace that works for you:
- 30-Day Immersion: Read through all four Gospels in a month. This intensive pace is great for getting a comprehensive overview and fully immersing yourself in the story.
- 90-Day Reflective Journey: This is a popular and sustainable pace. It gives you more time to meditate on each passage, journal your thoughts, and truly savor what you’re reading.
- A Year with Jesus: You could even create a year-long plan that cycles through the Gospels four times, allowing for incredibly deep familiarity with the life of Christ.
Practical Tips for Your Gospel Reading
To get the most out of your reading, here are a few practical tips:
- Keep a Journal: Write down one key verse, one observation, and one application from your reading each day.
- Pay Attention to Differences: When reading parallel accounts of the same story, ask yourself, “What details did Matthew include that Mark left out? Why might that be?”
- Focus on Jesus’ Character: In every story, ask: “What does this reveal about who Jesus is?”
- Read for Transformation, Not Just Information: The goal isn’t just to learn facts about Jesus, but to become more like Him. End your reading time with a simple prayer, asking God to help you apply what you’ve learned.
How Bible Plan Generator Helps You Walk with Jesus
Our free web app is the perfect tool to create a focused and effective plan for reading the Gospels. We provide the structure so you can focus on what matters most: encountering Jesus.
- Laser-Focused Scope: Our custom plan generator allows you to be highly specific. Simply select the “Gospels” as your scope, and the tool will create a plan that includes only Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
- You Set the Pace: Choose any duration you like. Want a 90-day plan? Just enter the dates, and your plan is ready. Prefer a quick 30-day overview? You can create that in seconds.
- Read in Your Preferred Order: You can easily set up a canonical plan to read the books one after another. This gives you a clear sense of each author’s unique perspective.
- Easy Access to Scripture: Each day’s reading in your plan comes with direct links to the text in popular Bible apps and websites like YouVersion, BibleGateway, and Blue Letter Bible.
- Stay Encouraged: It’s a joy to see your progress. Our tracking feature visually shows you how far you’ve come, keeping you motivated to continue your journey through the life of Christ.
There is no greater adventure than getting to know Jesus. A structured plan for reading the Gospels provides a clear and powerful path to a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him.
Begin reading the Gospels with a structured plan. Create a personalized journey to focus on the life, ministry, and teachings of Jesus Christ.