Obviously, I am learning as I go through this exercise of trying to outline the word of God. What do I leave in? What do I summarize? I find, in general, my outlines are longer than I initially expected them to be, but have resolved they are a snapshot in time. They capture what the Lord highlights to me as I read them. I’m fighting my nature to edit them too much. I’m realizing outlining could be an endless process, balancing big picture and important detail. I’ve shared before my conviction that all the word of God is important, so how do I even dare outline or summarize? I do so if only it will inspire others to read the entirety of the word of God for themselves.
I think John is the most recommended book of the Bible. I believe it was suggested to me as initial reading in my newfound adult faith. I frequently hear it recommended to other new believers or to those who finally resolve to start reading the Bible. I wonder about this recommendation, because the language and style of John can seem very cryptic to me. Is it really good for new believers or new Bible readers? Will they understand it? My questioning betrays a lack of trust in the Holy Spirit to give understanding. Putting that doubt aside, I have been pondering what it is we love about John that we recommend it so highly. I think it is because it is so intimate.
The content of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are similar enough to earn them the description, “the synoptic Gospels.” The content and style of writing of John is different. John is written by the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” John was likely the youngest of the disciples, which may explain Jesus’ special protective care of him. He was also likely one of two of John the Baptist’s disciples who left John to follow Jesus (John 1:35-37), so he witnessed Jesus’ ministry from the time of His baptism by John. The Gospel of John includes many events that occurred after Jesus’ baptism, especially in Jerusalem, from the time of His baptism to the start of His ministry in Galilee, that the other gospel writers do not.
All the gospel accounts are hard to outline, because there are events and there is the content of Jesus’ teaching. We can focus on events, which is easy to do and not unimportant, but miss the content of what Jesus desired to teach us. There is much of what the Lord desired to teach us in John.
In his book, “The Truth and Beauty,” Andrew Klavan explains a conversation he had with his son confessing a struggle understanding the Gospels. His son suggested that maybe his confusion was because he was trying to understand a philosophy and not trying to get to know a Person. John’s gospel provides an intimate look at Jesus, the Word made flesh. If you want to get to know the Person of Jesus, I share the recommendation to read this book.
An outline for the Gospel of John is available here.