Four Gospels Reading Plan
If you only read four books of the Bible, these should be them.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—the four Gospels—tell the story of Jesus. His birth, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. Everything Christianity believes flows from these accounts.
This focused 30-day plan takes you through all four Gospels. No detours. Just Jesus.
What Are the Gospels?
"Gospel" means "good news." The four Gospels are biographical accounts of Jesus' life written by his followers in the first century.
Each Gospel tells the same core story but with different emphases:
- Matthew — Written for Jewish readers, showing Jesus as the promised Messiah
- Mark — The shortest and fastest-paced, emphasizing Jesus' actions
- Luke — The most detailed, highlighting Jesus' compassion for outsiders
- John — The most theological, revealing Jesus' divine nature
Together, they give us a complete portrait of who Jesus was and why his life changed the world.
Who Is This Plan For?
The Four Gospels plan is perfect if you:
- Are completely new to the Bible and Christianity
- Have limited time but want to start somewhere meaningful
- Want to focus specifically on Jesus' life and teachings
- Are curious about Jesus but not ready to commit to the whole Bible
- Need a refresher on the foundational Christian story
This is the most focused, accessible Bible reading plan available. If you're unsure where to start, start here.
Time Commitment
10-15 minutes per day for 30 days.
That's it. One month. Two chapters per day on average.
Even the busiest schedule has 10 minutes. Morning coffee. Lunch break. Before bed. The Gospels are waiting.
What Makes This Approach Unique
Pure Focus on Jesus
No genealogies in Numbers. No complex prophecies in Ezekiel. No letters about church disputes. Just Jesus—walking through Galilee, teaching crowds, healing the sick, confronting hypocrites, loving the unloved.
Hear His Actual Words
Jesus' teachings are preserved in these accounts. The Sermon on the Mount. The parables. His prayers. His warnings and his promises. You'll read what he actually said, not summaries or interpretations.
See His Actions
Jesus didn't just teach—he acted. Feeding thousands. Calming storms. Raising the dead. Welcoming children. Washing feet. His actions reveal as much about God as his words do.
Multiple Perspectives
Reading all four Gospels gives you stereoscopic vision. Where one Gospel mentions a detail briefly, another expands it. Where one emphasizes teaching, another emphasizes action. Together, they create a three-dimensional portrait.
Sample Schedule: Week One
Here's how your first week unfolds:
| Day | Passage | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Matthew 1-4 | Jesus' genealogy, birth, baptism, temptation |
| Day 2 | Matthew 5-7 | The Sermon on the Mount |
| Day 3 | Matthew 8-10 | Miracles and sending out the disciples |
| Day 4 | Matthew 11-13 | John's question, parables of the kingdom |
| Day 5 | Matthew 14-17 | Feeding 5,000, walking on water, Transfiguration |
| Day 6 | Matthew 18-20 | Teachings on forgiveness, wealth, and service |
| Day 7 | Matthew 21-23 | Entry to Jerusalem, confronting religious leaders |
By day 10, you'll finish Matthew and begin Mark. By day 30, you'll have read every Gospel account of Jesus' life.
What Each Gospel Offers
Matthew: The Teacher
Matthew organizes Jesus' teachings into five major discourses (including the famous Sermon on the Mount). He emphasizes Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. If you want to understand what Jesus taught, Matthew delivers.
Key passages:
- Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)
- The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)
Mark: The Servant
Mark is short, punchy, and action-oriented. "Immediately" is his favorite word. Jesus is constantly moving, healing, teaching, confronting. Mark shows a Savior who came "not to be served, but to serve."
Key passages:
- The busiest day in Jesus' ministry (Mark 1)
- The cost of discipleship (Mark 8:34-38)
Luke: The Compassionate
Luke includes stories and details no other Gospel has—the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, the thief on the cross. He shows Jesus' special care for women, Gentiles, and the marginalized. Luke's Jesus is radically inclusive.
Key passages:
- The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
- The walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
John: The Divine
John takes a different approach. Fewer miracles, more meaning. Long discourses replace rapid-fire action. John explicitly presents Jesus as God in human flesh—the Word made flesh who dwelt among us.
Key passages:
- "In the beginning was the Word" (John 1:1-18)
- "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6)
- The crucifixion and resurrection (John 18-21)
Tips for Gospel Reading
Let Jesus Be Surprising
You may think you know Jesus from cultural references. Prepare to be surprised. The real Jesus offends comfortable people and comforts offended people. He's not tame.
Notice Who Jesus Spends Time With
Religious leaders? Sometimes, to challenge them. But mostly: fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers, children, foreigners. Who Jesus ate with tells you who Jesus was for.
Pay Attention to Questions
Jesus asked a lot of questions. "Who do you say I am?" "Do you want to get well?" "Why do you call me good?" His questions are often more important than his answers.
Don't Rush the Ending
The crucifixion and resurrection are the climax of each Gospel. Slow down when you get there. These events are the hinge of human history.
Common Questions
Why Four Gospels Instead of One?
Multiple accounts from different witnesses strengthen the testimony. Each Gospel reaches different audiences with different emphases. Together, they're more powerful than any single account could be.
Why Do the Gospels Sometimes Differ?
They're written by different people for different audiences. Minor differences in detail are exactly what you'd expect from independent witnesses to the same events. The core story is completely consistent.
Which Gospel Should I Start With?
This plan starts with Matthew, but there's no wrong answer:
- Matthew — Great overview for those with some biblical background
- Mark — Best for impatient readers who want action
- Luke — Best for detail-lovers and those from non-religious backgrounds
- John — Best for philosophical thinkers seeking meaning
What Comes After the Gospels?
After 30 days, you might:
- Read Acts to see what happens next
- Try the New Testament Reading Plan for the full picture
- Go deeper with a 365-day plan that includes the whole Bible
- Re-read the Gospels more slowly, taking notes
The Gospels are a beginning, not an end.
Why This Matters
Every major movement in history traces back to a person. Christianity traces back to Jesus.
Not to his followers' interpretations (though those matter). Not to church traditions (though those developed). To Jesus himself—his words, his actions, his death, his resurrection.
If you want to understand Christianity, you need to know Jesus. The Gospels are how you meet him.
Ready to Meet Jesus?
Thirty days. Four books. One story.
You'll watch him teach on hillsides and calm raging storms. You'll see him embrace lepers and challenge the powerful. You'll follow him to a cross and an empty tomb.
Start reading, and let Jesus introduce himself.
Stay Focused
BibleMate makes your Gospel journey simple:
- Daily reminders to keep you moving
- 30-day progress tracker to see your journey
- Clean reading experience without distractions
- Offline access so you can read anywhere