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Get to know Jesus. He’s like no other figure of history. His works and teachings are amazing! If you’ve never read the Bible before, start with the New Testament, and read the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, beginning with Chapter 1 of each book. Don’t bounce around within any one book. Read it like you would read any other book. The word “gospel” means “good news.”

The Gospels are all biographies of Jesus’ life, written by different authors. Matthew and John were disciples and knew Jesus intimately. Many events, such as the crucifixion and resurrection, are repeated in all four Gospels. Jesus told at least 40 parables (stories with meanings) and they are spread between all four Gospel books. To have a full picture of the life and teachings of Jesus, all four Gospels should be read.

John was one of the closest friends of Jesus in the group of 12 disciples. Mark was a close friend of Peter, who was one of the 12, and who was also in Jesus’ inner circle, with John. Luke was a meticulous historian and a close friend of Paul. Luke also wrote the New Testament book of Acts, chronicling the early history and spreading of the Christian church.

Jesus appeared to Paul after his resurrection from the dead. After Paul’s conversion, he spent some time with the 12 disciples. He was very well educated and later became an evangelist and teacher, preaching across Europe and the Middle East. He founded many new churches and later wrote letters to those churches. Many of these letters are also included in the New Testament.