Gospels

Books

• Matthew
• Mark
• Luke
• John

Six Principles when Reading the Gospels

1. Because the Gospels are narratives, we should emphasize the broader context when reading.
2. The Gospels demand some background information regarding history and culture. See Making Observations for reference.
3. The focus of the Gospels is on Jesus, not on us!
4. One of the primary goals of the Gospel writers is to prove that Jesus is the Messiah, not to prove that He is God.
5. With four different Gospels, we should do comparisons of the various Gospel accounts when appropriate.
6. We need to understand the centrality of the kingdom of God in the Gospels.

The Specific Contribution to Our Spiritual Formation

Primary Contribution: To teach us about who Jesus the Messiah is and give us the opportunity to be discipled by Him as we observe Him and His disciples; also, to observe Him modeling life in the kingdom of God and listen to Him about how we should live in the kingdom and be transformed in areas of sinful resistance.

Therefore, ask: What does this passage tell us about who Jesus is and about how I should respond to being His disciple? How then should I live as a citizen of the kingdom of God?

Secondary Contribution: To give us insight into how we may encourage fellow disciples.

Therefore ask: WAre there certain principles or methods of ministry that Jesus is modeling as He ministers to His disciples or others that would be appropriate for us to imitate in our ministries?