What Are The Gospels?

What are the gospels? And why do they tell the same story in such different ways? 

The gospels are the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In different ways, they each tell the same story: the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Each gospel author wrote to a different audience to convince them of the good news of Jesus Christ and highlight important characteristics, themes, or messages that the author most wanted his audience to know about Jesus. 

We often hear Matthew, Mark, and Luke referred to as the “synoptic gospels” because they focus on many of the same events and present them in similar sequences. On the other hand, John explores the person of Jesus as a man and “the Word” who became flesh (John 1:14). We invite you to delve into the gospels with the Groundwork audio Bible study series listed below. Groundwork is a weekly, half-hour audio program for radio and podcast that digs deeply into Scripture as the foundation for our lives. Hosts Scott Hoezee and Darrell Delaney cultivate our understanding of God’s Word by unpacking the richness of the Bible in casual conversation and applying it with insight for today’s world. These series are great for personal or group study.

Gospel Beginnings. A five-part series on the similarities and differences of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We discuss the perspective of each book for shaping our faith and understanding of Jesus Christ.

Groundwork has studied the gospel of Matthew in three different series: 

• Matthew. This seven-part series reviews the stories about John the Baptist and Christ’s birth up to Jesus’ baptism and temptation to learn more about who Jesus is, our spiritual needs, and where we find hope. 
• Ministry of Christ. This eight-part series explores the events of Jesus' ministry from the perspective of Matthew’s gospel to hear what Jesus had to say about our spiritual lives, our living, his identity, the kingdom of God, and more. 
• Reactions and People of the Passion. Over seven episodes, we study the reactions to Jesus and his interactions with the people he meets on his journey from Palm Sunday to the cross and finally his resurrection Easter morning. 

The Gospel of Mark. In this six-episode series, we study Jesus' ministry and teaching as told in the Gospel of Mark. We explore the radical truth of Mark’s message and discuss the implications its abrupt and unexpected ending has for our lives.

Important Themes in the Gospel of Luke. In this series, we examine the essential themes in Luke’s gospel and discuss how his message continues to be profoundly personal and relevant to our world today.

The Gospel of John. This series explores the distinct themes and nuances of John’s gospel so we can grow in understanding of Jesus Christ, his purpose, and what this means for us as his disciples today.