Gospel Facts for Kids

The recto of Rylands Library Papyrus P52 from the Gospel of John.

The word Gospel comes from an old English word meaning "good news." It tells the story of Jesus Christ's life and teachings. The Gospel shares how Jesus came to save the world and help people understand God as a loving Father. It also includes important events like Jesus' death and resurrection.

Long ago, these stories were first shared by people talking to each other. They were passed down through spoken stories before they were ever written down.

Eventually, the word "Gospel" came to mean a special ancient book about Jesus. Most often, it refers to one of the four main books collected by the Church in the Bible.

These four books are the first part of the New Testament in the Bible. They are usually found in this order: the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel of Luke, and the Gospel of John.

What are the Gospels?
- The Four Gospels
- Why are they important?
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What are the Gospels?

The Gospels are like biographies of Jesus Christ. They tell us about his birth, his miracles, his lessons, and his journey. Each Gospel was written by a different person, giving us slightly different views of the same amazing story.

The Four Gospels

There are four main Gospels that are part of the Christian Bible. They are:

The Gospel of Matthew: This Gospel often shows Jesus as a new Moses or a king. It includes many of Jesus' teachings, like the famous Sermon on the Mount.
The Gospel of Mark: This is often thought to be the shortest and oldest Gospel. It focuses on Jesus' actions and miracles, showing him as a powerful servant of God.
The Gospel of Luke: This Gospel highlights Jesus' compassion and care for everyone, especially those who were poor or outcast. It includes unique stories like the Good Samaritan.
The Gospel of John: This Gospel is different from the others. It focuses more on Jesus' divine nature and his deep relationship with God. It includes many of Jesus' "I Am" statements.

Why are they important?

The Gospels are very important for Christians around the world. They teach about Jesus' message of love, forgiveness, and hope. They also explain how people can have a relationship with God. These books help people understand the foundations of the Christian faith.