Good news
The Gospel
“Gospel” means good news. Here is the whole story of the Bible — from the first day of creation to the day Jesus returns — told in ten short chapters. Read a verse, read the breakdown, and sit with the questions. Take your time. The door is open.
In a nutshell
The Good News
We have a Dad (God) that loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die a brutal death so that we wouldn't have to suffer because of our sins. Jesus paid with His life so that we can live with our Papa forever and be forever loved, our bodies healed, and our minds at peace.
That is good news, my friend. We have a Dad that loves us, and an older brother that was beaten, shredded, and died for us so that we would never have to suffer for our sins.
He made it easy to be loved:
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
All we have to do is say that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God raised Him from the dead.
Listen to the Gospel, read the full Gospel of John, or worship along.
In the beginning
God made everything — and made it good
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
The breakdown
The story does not start with us. It starts with God, who was there before anything else and who made everything out of nothing.
People are not an accident. Every person carries the image of God, which means every life has dignity and purpose — we were made to know Him and walk with Him.
Questions to consider
- If God made you on purpose, what does that say about your worth?
- Where do you see the fingerprints of a Creator in the world around you?
The problem
We turned away
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
The breakdown
In the garden, the first man and woman chose their own way over God's. Ever since, every one of us has done the same — in what we do, say and think.
Sin is not only breaking rules; it is breaking relationship. It puts a wall between us and a holy God, and no amount of good work on our side can tear that wall down.
Questions to consider
- Is it hard or easy for you to admit that you fall short? Why?
- Have you ever tried to fix the distance between you and God on your own? How did it go?
The promise
God promised a Rescuer
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
The breakdown
God did not leave us in the mess we made. Through the prophets, hundreds of years ahead of time, He promised to send someone — “Immanuel,” which means God with us.
Isaiah even described how this Rescuer would save: by being wounded in our place and carrying the punishment we deserved.
Questions to consider
- Why do you think God made a promise instead of simply giving up on people?
- What does it mean to you that the Rescuer would be “God with us”?
The birth
God came near
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
The breakdown
The promise came true in a small town called Bethlehem. Jesus — fully God and fully man — was born to a virgin named Mary and laid in a feed trough.
The King of heaven did not arrive in a palace. He came humbly, so that anyone, from shepherds to kings, could come to Him.
Questions to consider
- Why would God choose such a humble way to enter the world?
- What changes when you think of God as someone who came close rather than stayed far away?
The life
Jesus lived the life we could not
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
The breakdown
Jesus healed the sick, welcomed outcasts, forgave sinners and taught with authority. He went looking for the lost — the people everyone else had written off.
He faced every temptation we face, yet never once sinned. That perfect life matters: He is the only one qualified to stand in our place.
Questions to consider
- Which story of Jesus — healing, forgiving, teaching — speaks to you most right now?
- Do you see yourself as someone Jesus would come looking for?
The cross
Jesus died in our place
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
The breakdown
Jesus was arrested, beaten and nailed to a Roman cross. It looked like defeat, but it was the plan all along — the promise of Isaiah 53 being kept.
On the cross He carried our sin and took the penalty we owed. He did not wait for us to clean up first; He died for us while we were still sinners. That is love.
Questions to consider
- What does the cross tell you about how serious sin is?
- What does it tell you about how much God loves you?
The resurrection
He is risen
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
The breakdown
Three days after His death, the tomb was empty. Jesus rose from the dead, just as He said He would, and was seen by hundreds of witnesses.
The resurrection is God's stamp of approval on everything Jesus did. Sin was paid for, death was beaten, and the way back to God was opened.
Questions to consider
- If Jesus really rose from the dead, what does that mean for the things He said?
- How would your view of death change if you knew it was not the end?
The invitation
Grace, received by faith
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
The breakdown
Salvation is a gift. It cannot be earned, bought or built — it can only be received. “Whosoever” means the invitation is open to anyone, no matter their past.
Receiving it means turning from sin and trusting Jesus: believing He died for you and rose again, and calling Him Lord.
Questions to consider
- Why do you think God made salvation a gift rather than a reward?
- What, if anything, is holding you back from trusting Jesus today?
The new life
Walk through the door
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
The breakdown
Jesus called Himself the door. There is one way in, and He is it — and the door is wide open. Everyone who enters is safe, provided for and at home.
Following Jesus is not a self-improvement project; it is a brand-new life. He forgives the past, walks with you in the present, and grows you through prayer, His Word and His people.
Questions to consider
- What “old things” would you want Jesus to make new in your life?
- Who is one person you could talk to, or one church you could visit, to take a next step?
The return
He is coming back
“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
The breakdown
The story is not over. Jesus promised to return and make all things new — no more death, no more tears, no more pain.
He is preparing a home for His people. The greatest Builder there is has a place ready, and the door is open to all who come to Him.
Questions to consider
- How does knowing how the story ends give you hope today?
- If Jesus is preparing a place for you, how might that change the way you live now?
Your response
Open the door
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him…” — Revelation 3:20. There are no magic words; God looks at the heart. If you are ready to trust Jesus, you can tell Him in your own words, or pray something like this:
Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned and cannot save myself. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for Your grace. Help me follow You. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer — or you have questions — tell someone. Find a Bible-teaching church near you, start reading the Gospel of John, and talk to God every day. We would be glad to pray with you, too.