Which Gospel should we study first?

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I am going to be leading a bible study at my parish for the youth and young adults and I was wondering if people had suggestions of which gospel would be best to study with people this age?

They all seem to have great things to offer but I feel a bit biased toward John because I had a great study of John once upon a time.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Prayers too!
Thank you thank you!
 
It was recommended to me to start with John because it’s the shortest and a good way to get your feet wet and ready for deeper, longer study.
 
All the Gospels are of immeasurable worth, But maybe it was Fr. Groeschel who instilled in me that Mark is often a very good first one to read, but it really does depend.

Mark is by far the shortest Gospel, but it is obviously no less powerful than the other three. So my intuition says Mark.

John is profound and beautiful, but I think for this age group, Mark may be a better choice because it is so concise, yet at the same time very powerful.

Mark has 16 chapters, for example, while the Gospel of John is 21 chapters all together.
 
I suggest John as well. It was written with a focus towards those without as much knowledge of the faith and from a viewpoint of introducing Jesus as who He is to non-believers.
 
Mark, I was just in a bible study class about Mark… It is the oldest one and very concisely written, packed with the good news of Jesus Christ.
 
I sat through RCIA last year with my husband, and looking at my notes, our Pastor recommended that people new to reading the Gospels should start with Mark because it’s “short and shows best the dysfunction.” I just got through all four of them (starting with Mark), and would have to go back through them again with that in mind to realize it in my own head (I’m fairly new to reading the Bible myself).
 
DaddyGirl said:
I’d go by the order in which they were written…because the reader can see how the ideas and beliefs about Jesus developed and evolved in time, within the 30-year time span in which they were written in.
Each one reflects the decade in which they were written, as well.

As per most historians–Mark was written first, then Matthew…Luke…then John.

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I’d say so also. Mark is like, just the facts, Matthew tailors for Jewish community, Luke for gentile and then years Later John brings the finishing touches.
 
Here is what I think if i was in your place . The time and effort I invested in studying St John was not mere chance. The Lord is showing me favor by offering me this opportunity to lead those bible study classes . I’d pick St John no doubt about it simply because Ill be able to acquit myself better having studied it -as a teacher I mean. then I’ll go and consult with the Parish priest . the parish priest decides. I always consult with the Parish priest . I’m just lay person .i go and come he stays all the time . the ultimate responsibility lies with him. Down here where I’m at Christians are a minority . so the last thing I want is to end up causing him issues due to my lack of experience of the politics or the nhistory of teh parishioners . . so I’m constantly consulting with him in terms of extent and scope of the lessons and the best angle to approach them with . I try not to take too much time. My questions are ready and written and his answers jotted down quickly. I always cross reference the catechism. Some of it is very helpful for Christian communities like ours . for example , I stress to the kids that we are people of the Word and not people of the book as we’re referred to by members of another world religion. i do that also to make sure the lessons do not conflict with the catechism. There are usually a group of lay people associated with the parish down here . patiently and gently I break the ice . if they leave there might not be someone else to replace them. I try not to burden the parish with monetary expenses.usually i do things totally free from that . For writing paper I get them for free from the commercial printers. Throw away cuts and clippings. For fruits and stuff I bum them from the vendors . the priest always get to eat some too. hits two birds with one stone if you teach the kids and also teach them to teach what you taught them …foster team spirit and love .punish collectively and reward collectively. Not too strict though. Bend the rules when i need to. I usually combine bible study with hands and crafts like drawing biblical figures . make it fun so the kids have good memories of the church when they grow up. I handle classes spanning over 50 kids at a time. packed in benches

We all know what Jesus wants from us but it is very hard to do . may you be one of his instruments that bring his children to him . I pray you be the brother the orphan seeks and the friend he doesn’t have guiding him and yourself to our Lord where our salvation resides in Jesus name.

In Christ
 
Mark! Yep, another vote for Mark.
Why?
It’s just so clear and straightforward.
Much easier to follow than John (John is awesome and flowery and I can appreciate it 100x more after getting through the other gospels first).
It’s the least embellished of the gospels in my opinion. It’s just “And then this happened, and then that happened, and then this happened”. Very matter-of-fact.

And as an added bonus/plug, Cardinal Collins from the Archdiocese of Toronto has been doing an awesome lectio divina series, going through the gospel of Mark (available in podcast and Youtube form. Or in person if you’d like to visit Toronto! 🙂 ) : archtoronto.org/lectio
 
no no visit Africa . internet access in Africa is for pennies . Africa warm . you can take the kids on safari afterwards . word gets out and they will be lining up to get into your class .more languages, English, French , Swahili and Arabic. Many more languages if you include Smithsonian and national geographic crews. Great for nature lovers. bible class held under tree shade .hyenas circling in distance take pictures and all

Your point about Mark is good . couldn’t argue against that . I’m smarter due to that . thank you .

but then learning is not just about reading up on stuff . takes time to reflect and takes time to absorb the lessons. Jesus is the life .litle bit of life to apply and practice , hands on practice . practical side matters . kids come to you with issues . the time that elapsed between reading St John and now served as time to reflect and relate what’s in the good book and what’s out there ,
 
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