10 Simple Tips to Bring the Gospels to Life in Your Bible Reading
The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are the heart of the Bible, revealing the depths of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you want to experience these books vividly, here are 10 simple tips that will make your study effective, meaningful, and profound.
1. Study with prayer ✝️
Before you read the Bible, ask God for guidance. Your prayer might be something like this:
“Lord, show me new truths in your Word. Open my heart and help me understand your message.”
Isaiah 55:11 says, “My word will not return to you void.” As you read prayerfully, God will guide you.
2. Reading the Gospel like a story 📖
The Gospels are the life stories of Jesus. Read them like a book, carefully examining the characters, events, dialogues, and teachings. If you experience Jesus’ life as a story, his miracles and teachings will come alive in your heart.
3. Understanding the main purpose of each book 📜
- Matthew: Written to the Jews who show Jesus as the promised king.
- Mark: A concise and moving book that shows Jesus in action.
- Luke: The historian’s perspective, showing Jesus’ kindness in detail.
- John: Focuses on the divinity of Jesus and his message of salvation.
When you understand these differences, your studies will be more interesting.
4. Reading using imagination 🎭
As you read Jesus’ teachings, imagine yourself there. Think about what it would be like if you were in the crowd. Feel as if Jesus’ words were speaking directly to you.
5. Studying in parallel 📚
Many events in the Gospels are told from different perspectives.
For example:
- The Birth of Jesus → Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2
- The death and resurrection of Jesus → in all the gospels
Reading these parallel descriptions can help you understand the events more clearly.
6. Making a list of Jesus’ teachings ✍️
There are many teachings of Jesus in the Gospels. Classify them into different categories, such as:
✅ Love and forgiveness – Luke 6:27-36
✅ Faith and prayer – Mark 11:22-24
✅ Eternal life – John 3:16
Making notes this way will help organize your studies.
7. Deeply studying Jesus’ parables 🌾
Jesus taught many things through parables, such as:
- The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9)
- The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7)
- The Parable of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46)
Try to understand the purpose of each illustration.
8. Finding ways to apply it in your personal life 🙏
The main purpose of the gospel is not just to inform, but also to change our lives.
As you read a passage, ask yourself these questions:
1️⃣ What can I learn?
2️⃣ How does this apply to my life?
3️⃣ What does God want to say to me today?
9. Making a list of the qualities of Jesus 💙
What character traits does Jesus display in the Gospels? For example:
- Merciful – Luke 7:13
- The Just – John 8:16
- Loving – John 15:13
- Powerful – Mark 4:39
Think about how these qualities can be reflected in our lives.
10. Sharing the gospel with others 🤝
When you discover a new truth, share it with others.
- Discuss with friends.
- Post your notes on social media.
- Study the Bible with your family.
You also learn deeply about yourself while preaching.
conclusion
The Gospels are not just history, they are life-changing truths. When you follow these 10 tips, your Bible study will be lively, interesting, and meaningful.
Don’t just read about the life of Jesus, take His teachings to heart and walk in His path!