I chose John because of his perspective. This Gospel is not so much a look at what Jesus said and did as it is a look at who Jesus is.
Some scholars have said that John wrote from a Greek, philosophical perspective. The Greeks were always taking a deeper look at things, seeking to understand the nature of things, and explanations for why things happen the way they do. In John's Gospel, we see Jesus as the Word, the Lamb of God, the Bread of Life, the One who gives the Water of Life, Son of God, Son of Man, the Good Shepherd, the Door to the Sheepfold, the Resurrection and the Life, the Light of the World, the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Mark wrote from a Roman perspective. The Romans were doers. They built one of the largest empires in history, and not just by conquest. They built roads, amphitheaters, arenas, temples, warehouses, palaces, etc., throughout the empire. Mark focused on what Jesus did, and the teachings of Jesus he recorded are "action" teachings that give direction to our actions.
Matthew is written from the Jewish perspective. Matthew constantly quotes the Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. He records all of the Sermon on the Mount, and many of the parables. By doing so, he is presenting Jesus as a Jewish rabbi, because parables are a favorite device of rabbis.
Luke also wrote from a Greek perspective, but a historical one. He records events and teachings the others don't. He also references other historical events, such as the census. Many scholars see Luke's Gospel and Acts as one book in two volumes.
I chose the order of John, Mark, Matthew, and Luke because it provides the best approach to lay a foundation of understanding and building on it.
Chronologically, most scholars today think that Mark was written first, followed by Matthew, then Luke, then John. Why is Matthew first in the New Testament? Because Augustine, an early church leader, thought it was. This isn't a major issue, because if someone is reading the Bible straight through, then Matthew's Gospel provides the best continuity and transition from the OT to the NT.
