Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Multiple sources that I have seen over the years have recommended the gospel of John for the purpose described because it is a narrative of events (rather than an abstract discussion of issues); because it contains multiple extended teachings by Jesus; and because (as John himself indicated in John 20:30-31) it was written for the specific purpose of bringing the reader to faith in Jesus and thus to eternal life in His name.

May 13 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

Book? Verse, is a better way to look at this issue. What verse or narrative is a good way to reach an unbeliever with the truth of where we stand with God. An unbeliever 'Ain't Gettin' Ready' to sit still long enough to hear a whole book about something he or she doesn't believe to be true, or worth hearing. 

There are New Testament stories that might be able to get an unbeliever to take notice.

1) The lost (prodigal) son of Luke 15 (31 verses); (2) the woman at the well with Jesus of John 4; and (3) Jesus taking a night meeting with Nicodemus in John 3, in which is the most popular verse in the whole Bible: "For God so loved the world..." (vs 16)

These three are worth a try. 

The first is a story about a son who already had that for which he left his father's house to go out into the world to find. (I don't think he had a clear picture in his mind of what he was looking for). The second is about a woman who had gone through five husbands looking for something to quench her insatiable thirst for security in life. (She knew what she was looking for, but she was trying to find it in a man. Humanity can't make humanity secure). The third is the story of a teacher who doesn't have a basic knowledge of what he's called to teach. He's supposed to be able to teach the equivalence of writing skills, but he doesn't even know the alphabet yet. (This is the person who doesn't know what he doesn't know, but thinks he knows).

An unbeliever, if he or she can be honest with themselves, can relate to all three. 

An unbeliever is a person who has declared that they don't believe God; it goes beyond just not being saved yet; it's a declaration that they've weighed the evidence and are unconvinced of its truthfulness. But they didn't begin life there. They left a place that was closer to God. They need to return to that place. (It's where the prodigal son was before he left home). God will be there waiting.

It's where the woman at the well was before she started looking for a husband; one who would love her and take care of her; one who would be her first and last. She probably had a father who loved her before she went out on her own.

Nicodemus had been called to be a teacher of Israel. Tradition had become his area of expertise. He taught it well. He needed to relearn the Scriptures. He came to Jesus searching for answers. Was Jesus the Messiah? That was what Nicodemus was trying to find out. He came to the right place to find the answer. He asked the Word if He was the Word that he was supposed to teach. 

An unbeliever is a lost son who will only find security in life by learning and believing the truth of God's Word!

December 01 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is the best New Testament book in the Bible to share with unbelievers?

The Gospel of John is widely considered the best New Testament book to share with unbelievers because it was explicitly written to evoke faith in Jesus Christ. John focuses on the person of Jesus and his direct, personal conversations with individuals, making it accessible to those unfamiliar with the Old Testament or Jewish history. 

While there is no single "correct" answer, the Gospel of John is the most widely recommended New Testament book for sharing with unbelievers. Its direct focus on the divinity of Jesus and its clearly stated purpose make it a frequent first choice for evangelism. 

However, the best book often depends on the specific person's interests or background.

For me, discussing the Bible with a non-believer, I would read the Sermon on the Mount: Why does it address all the problems of life we go through today?

Most folks have heard of the Hindu leader Mohandas Gandhi, and he is quoted as saying that by following Jesus'eachings, "We shall have solved the problems... of the whole world." He also went on to say that "the teaching of the Sermon was meant for every one of us."

Then, Professor Hans Dieter Betz recently noted: "The influences exerted by the Sermon on the Mount generally far transcend the borderlines of Judaism and Christianity, or even Western culture." He added that this Sermon was "a peculiarly universalistic appeal."

One of the big problems plaguing communities and nations is racial prejudice. In today's world, we often hear the opinion expressed: "The principles of Christianity are not practical. They will not work in today's complex society." However, what else has worked or will work? 

But, Christian principles can be of real value if applied to your community now, and they will be the basis for uniting all 'nations, tribes, and peoples' earth wide under the rule of God's Kingdom over humanity.​

A non-believer might readily accept this worldly person's view of things from Mohandas Gandhi, or Professor Hans Dieter Betz, quoted above.

Then I would show the non-believer these points from the Sermon on the Mount, which concern us all.

Here are some highlights that we can reap from this most excellent Sermon:

How to be happy—Matthew 5:3-12; Luke 6:20-23.

How to maintain self-respect—Matthew 5:14-16, 37; 6:2-4, 16-18; Luke 6:43-45.

How to improve relations with others—Matthew 5:22-26, 38-48; 7:1-5, 12; Luke 6:27-38, 41, 42.

How to lessen marital problems—Matthew 5:27-32.

How to cope with anxiety—Matthew 6:25-34.

How to recognise religious fraud—Matthew 6:5-8, 16-18; 7:15-23.

How to find the meaning of life—Matthew 6:9-13, 19-24, 33; 7:7-11, 13, 14, 24-27; Luke 6:46. The sermon speaks of being mild-tempered, peaceable, merciful, and a lover of righteousness. It condemns not only murder but being wrathful with others, not just adultery but lustful thoughts as well. It speaks against irresponsible divorce actions that break up homes and victimise children. It tells us: 'Love even those who dislike you, give to the needy, stop judging others unmercifully, treat others as you would like to be treated.' All this advice, if applied, would yield tremendous benefits. The more people in your community who practice them, the better your community becomes!

Again, this paragraph highlights what people today are thinking.

1 day ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report