Gospel of John Reading Plan: The Best Place to Meet Jesus
If you're new to the Bible and want to know who Jesus is, start with John.
That's the advice pastors and Bible teachers have given for generations. And for good reason. John's Gospel was written specifically to introduce people to Jesus—who he is, why he came, and what it means to believe in him.
This guide gives you a 21-day plan to read through John and shows you what makes this Gospel unique.
Why Start with John?
The Bible is a big book. Sixty-six smaller books, actually. Where do you begin?
Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell Jesus's story too. But John is different. It's less concerned with events and more focused on meaning. John doesn't just show you what Jesus did—he shows you who Jesus is.
The writing is accessible. The themes are profound. And John's purpose is clear:
"These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." — John 20:31 (NIV)
That's the goal. Belief. Life. If you're exploring faith or wanting to deepen it, John is your book.
Who Wrote the Gospel of John?
John was one of Jesus's twelve disciples—part of the inner circle along with Peter and James. He calls himself "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (a humble brag, but also a statement of identity).
John wrote his Gospel later than the others, probably around 90 AD. He'd had decades to reflect on what he'd witnessed. The result is a deeply theological, carefully structured account.
John also wrote three short letters (1, 2, and 3 John) and the book of Revelation. His fingerprints are all over the New Testament's closing books.
Your 21-Day John Reading Plan
At one chapter per day, you'll finish John in three weeks:
| Day | Chapter | Key Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "In the beginning was the Word..." |
| 2 | 2 | Water to wine, temple cleansing |
| 3 | 3 | Nicodemus, "You must be born again" |
| 4 | 4 | Woman at the well |
| 5 | 5 | Healing at the pool, Jesus's authority |
| 6 | 6 | Feeding 5,000, "I am the bread of life" |
| 7 | 7 | Feast of Tabernacles, division over Jesus |
| 8 | 8 | Light of the world, "Before Abraham was, I am" |
| 9 | 9 | Man born blind healed |
| 10 | 10 | The Good Shepherd |
| 11 | 11 | Lazarus raised from the dead |
| 12 | 12 | Triumphal entry, Jesus predicts his death |
| 13 | 13 | Last Supper, Jesus washes feet |
| 14 | 14 | "I am the way, the truth, and the life" |
| 15 | 15 | The vine and the branches |
| 16 | 16 | The Holy Spirit promised |
| 17 | 17 | Jesus's prayer for his followers |
| 18 | 18 | Arrest and trial before Pilate |
| 19 | 19 | Crucifixion and burial |
| 20 | 20 | Resurrection and Thomas |
| 21 | 21 | Breakfast with Jesus, Peter restored |
Pro tip: If you can read two chapters a day, you'll finish in less than two weeks. But there's no rush. Better to absorb it than speed through it.
What Makes John Different?
The "I Am" Statements
Seven times in John, Jesus makes stunning "I am" claims:
- "I am the bread of life" (6:35)
- "I am the light of the world" (8:12)
- "I am the gate" (10:9)
- "I am the good shepherd" (10:11)
- "I am the resurrection and the life" (11:25)
- "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (14:6)
- "I am the true vine" (15:1)
These aren't just metaphors. "I am" echoes God's name revealed to Moses. Jesus is claiming to be God himself.
Signs, Not Just Miracles
John calls Jesus's miracles "signs"—they point beyond themselves to deeper truth. The feeding of 5,000 leads to teaching about the bread of life. Healing a blind man illustrates spiritual sight.
Watch for seven main signs in John, culminating in the resurrection.
Extended Conversations
While other Gospels feature short exchanges, John includes long dialogues: Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the disciples at the Last Supper. These conversations let you hear Jesus teach in depth.
The Upper Room Discourse
Chapters 13-17 record Jesus's final extended teaching with his disciples before his arrest. These chapters are incredibly rich—covering servanthood, the Holy Spirit, abiding in Christ, and Jesus's prayer for all believers.
If you read nothing else, read these chapters.
Key Themes in John
Light and Darkness
John opens with light shining in darkness. This theme runs throughout—physical blindness and sight, spiritual darkness and illumination, truth and deception.
Belief and Unbelief
The word "believe" appears nearly 100 times in John. It's the core response Jesus invites. Not just intellectual agreement, but trust. John shows us what belief looks like—and what unbelief costs.
Life
"Life" appears more than 30 times. Not just biological existence, but abundant, eternal life that begins now and continues forever. This is what Jesus offers.
Glory
John is fascinated with glory—the visible presence and weight of God. Paradoxically, Jesus's greatest glory is revealed on the cross.
Love
The Upper Room Discourse emphasizes love—the Father's love for the Son, Jesus's love for his disciples, and the command to love one another. John's Gospel and letters are saturated with this theme.
How to Read John
Read for relationship, not just information. John wants you to know Jesus, not just know about him. Let the reading become personal.
Slow down in the dialogues. When Jesus talks with Nicodemus or the Samaritan woman, put yourself in the conversation. What would you ask? How would you respond?
Notice repeated words. Light, life, believe, love, truth, glory—when you see these words, pay attention. John is building a theological vocabulary.
Let the signs point. Don't just read the miracles as impressive events. Ask what they reveal about Jesus.
Read the cross and resurrection carefully. John's account of Jesus's final days is detailed and deeply moving. Don't rush through chapters 18-21.
Famous Passages in John
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." — John 1:1
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." — John 3:16
"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.'" — John 11:25
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" — John 14:6
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." — John 13:34
John in Your Year-Long Journey
Our 365-day reading plan places John's Gospel early in the year, giving you a strong foundation for understanding Jesus before you encounter him throughout the rest of Scripture.
But John also works as a standalone read any time you want to reconnect with who Jesus is.
Why John Still Matters
Two thousand years later, John's Gospel still does what it was written to do: introduce people to Jesus.
Whether you're skeptical, curious, or wanting to go deeper in faith, John meets you where you are. It makes big claims and invites you to investigate them.
The evidence is on the table. The invitation is open.
"These are written that you may believe."
Start Your John Journey
Twenty-one chapters. Three weeks. The most important person in history.
Grab a cup of coffee, open to John 1, and read: "In the beginning was the Word..."
Continue Through the Whole Bible
John is a perfect starting point. But there are 65 more books waiting. Our 365-day reading plan takes you through all of Scripture in one year.
- 15-20 minutes per day
- Old and New Testament together
- Track your progress