Terrain Guide: Gospels & Acts

A Roman emperor might have had one or two books written about them, if they were lucky. The New Testament kicks off with four books, and all about a poor builder, who started life as a refugee and ended up crucified as a renegade. Why? Because Jesus said and did such incredible things – in fact a whole library couldn’t contain the books written about Him.

The four gospels were written by Jesus’ closest followers (Matthew, John) or by people who knew them (Mark, Luke). They give different angles on Jesus for various groups of people – Matthew for Jewish people, Mark for Romans, Luke for women, children and the poor.

Luke also wrote a sequel called ‘Acts’ that tells what Jesus’ followers got up to in the years after he returned to heaven. The word ‘gospel’ means ‘good news’. Together, these books tell the story of God’s love breaking into our world, in person.

Tips for navigating the ‘Gospels and Acts’ terrain:

• In Matthew, Mark and Luke, the disciples are on a journey to understand Jesus. Join them in trying to work out ‘Who is Jesus?’ based on what he says and does.

• In John’s Gospel, the answer is more up front: Jesus is God in the flesh. John gives the God’s-eye-view of Jesus. Yet most of the religious leaders didn’t get it. To discover Jesus ourselves, a good place to start (and end!) is on our knees.

• Focus on the final chapters: each Gospel goes into slow motion during the final week. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the climax of the whole Bible story. The ultimate rescue mission. Can you work out why?