Gospels of Mark and Matthew
The earliest of the four Gospels, Mark and Matthew tell the story of Jesus of Nazareth. Mark’s brief, synoptic Gospel focuses more on the acts of Jesus than his teachings, while Matthew introduces the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount and delves into the question of whether this man whose life and teachings shook the world was in fact divine. The Gospels challenge readers to ask what kind of life they should live, how they might change the lives that they are leading, and what place they might find within their communities.