The early church decided not to put the four different gospel stories of Jesus into one harmonized whole, but valued each gospel book for its unique and special perspective. By seeing and hearing Jesus through the various accounts we get a richer and deeper understanding of who Jesus is for us and what he taught.

This Summer we will take three of those four gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke,) and read them side by side, like seeing Jesus from different angles. They are all Jesus, but they each offer a special side of him. To do this we are using books that put the same stories and lessons on each page together, literally side by side. Most of the sayings and events are well known, but on Sundays and in Bible studies we only hear one side of Jesus at a time.

As a bonus, we will get to look at some of the gospels and books that didn’t get into the New Testament. Our book includes materials from the Gospels of Thomas, Mary, and others when they are similar to lessons and episodes that we have in Matthew, Mark and Luke. If you’ve been interested in what those non-canonical books are like, we will have a chance to look at these versions of Jesus that are mostly unknown.

The gospel parallel books have already been purchased and can be picked up in the Narthex area. If you wish, an ebook version is available. We are using Gospel Parallels: A Comparison of the Synoptic Gospels, New Revised Standard Version, ed. Burton H. Throckmorton. These books are not for purchase, for they are for our future library and Bible studies. Just sign one out and join us for our discussions.

We will meet Wednesday nights at 6:30 and Thursdays at 11 am. Zoom links will be available if you can’t meet us in the Conference Room. Please contact Pastor Bruce for more information. We hope you can join us for our summer reading focusing on Jesus’ story, side by side by side.