Where should I start with Jesus?

Start with how you feel. If you feel condemned, read the woman in John 8; if you are grieving, read Lazarus in John 11; if you doubt, read Thomas in John 20. Then read the passage itself. Or simply begin reading the Gospel of Mark from chapter 1.

What Gospel should I read first?

Mark is a good first Gospel: it is the shortest and moves quickly through what Jesus said and did. John is the gentlest for questions about who Jesus is. You can begin with Mark chapter 1 in the reader here.

Do I need to believe already to start?

No. You can come with doubts, questions, or nothing at all. The Gospels invite you simply to come and see what Jesus said and did, and decide from there.

Meet Jesus

Where Do I Start With Jesus?

If you are not sure where to begin with Jesus, begin with how you actually feel right now. For nearly every human state, there is a moment in the Gospels where Jesus met someone in exactly that place. Find yours in the table below, read that encounter, and then read the passage itself. That is the whole path: from your need, into his actual words.

Start with how you feel

If you feel	Read this encounter
Rejected, looked down on, left out	Zacchaeus →
Condemned, exposed, beyond forgiving	The woman they would not stone →
Lost, drifted off, unnoticed	The lost sheep →
Ashamed, wanting to come home	The prodigal son →
Grieving, mourning a loss	Lazarus →
Afraid, overwhelmed, sinking	Jesus calms the storm →
Doubting, wanting to believe	Thomas →
A failure, ashamed of what you did	Peter →
Searching, still thirsty	The woman at the well →
Curious, but not ready to be seen	Nicodemus →
Sure it is too late for you	The thief on the cross →
Desperate, needing to cry out	Blind Bartimaeus →
Held back by something you grip	The rich young ruler →
Weeping, unable to see hope	Mary Magdalene →
Wondering how to love others	The good Samaritan →

Rather just begin reading? The Gospel of Mark starts fast: Read Mark 1 → Or browse every encounter at Meet Jesus.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I start with Jesus?: Start with how you feel. If you feel condemned, read the woman in John 8; if you are grieving, read Lazarus in John 11; if you doubt, read Thomas in John 20. Then read the passage itself. Or simply begin reading the Gospel of Mark from chapter 1.
What Gospel should I read first?: Mark is a good first Gospel: it is the shortest and moves quickly through what Jesus said and did. John is the gentlest for questions about who Jesus is. You can begin with Mark chapter 1 in the reader here.
Do I need to believe already to start?: No. You can come with doubts, questions, or nothing at all. The Gospels invite you simply to come and see what Jesus said and did, and decide from there.

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Come and see

Wherever you are starting from, the invitation is the same and it is gentle: come and see. Read his own words, watch what he does, and let him meet you where you actually are.

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Jesus Christ is Lord.