John Mark Comer Teachings

Why is there such a disconnect between who we want to be and what we actually do? In this second of two conversations with Ger Jones of Vintage Church LA, John Mark and Ger discuss the practice of contemplation. John Mark argues that we overestimate the ability of willpower and insight to change us. Instead, he offers us three doorways into the practice of contemplation and practical suggestions for integrating this practice in our lives.

You can read more in the expanded hardcover edition of John Mark’s book God Has a Name, now available wherever books are sold.

Key Scripture Passage: 2 Corinthians 3v18

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jana from Richardson, Texas; Janet from Liberty Lake, Washington; Allysa from Nipomo, California; Ryan from Dallas, Texas; and Anita from Anchorage, Alaska. Thank you all so much!

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Do we project our own ideas onto God? In this first of two conversations with Ger Jones of Vintage Church LA, John Mark and Ger explore the significance of God having a name and how God's self-disclosure often contradicts our assumptions. They challenge us to re-examine and adjust our implicit knowledge of God by reckoning with God's character revealed in Scripture.

You can read more in the expanded hardcover edition of John Mark’s book God Has a Name, now available wherever books are sold.

Key Scripture Passage: Exodus 34v6-7

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Kathryn from Amarillo, Texas; Kristen from Brentwood, Tennessee; Cole from Brush Prairie, Washington; Sarah from Waco, Texas; and Ian from Whitestown, Indiana. Thank you all so much!

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Do you represent God well? John Mark explores God's final characteristic: jealous, like a passionate husband protecting his bride. As he tracks this theme throughout the Scriptures, he leaves us with a prophetic invitation to carry the name of Yahweh into every sphere of our lives.

Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-14, Deuteronomy 28v1-10, Exodus 19v1-6, Leviticus 19v1-18, Exodus 20v1-7, Ezekiel 36v16-23

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Gracey from Chicago, Illinois; Andrew from Madison, Wisconsin; Tracy from Cape Town, South Africa; Anders from Hood River, Oregon; and Chuck from Springfield, Illinois. Thank you all so much!

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Does God punish children for their parent's sin? John Mark explores the final section of Exodus 34v6-7, highlighting the beauty of God's justice, the gravity of sin, and God's overwhelming proclivity towards forgiveness and mercy over wrath and judgment.

Key Scripture Passage: Exodus 34v6-7, Numbers 14v11-23, Matthew 18v21-35

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Camie from Roswell, Georgia; Violet from Dayton, Ohio; Alayna from Inman, South Carolina; John from Raleigh, North Carolina; and John from Omaha, Nebraska. Thank you all so much!

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"We think of God's love and God's anger as at odds with one another. That's because we don't understand God's love or God's anger."

John Mark challenges our perceptions of God, both the God who is always angry and the God who never gets angry, by showing in the Scriptures how God is both patient and wrathful, and why both are important for our understanding of who God is and what that means for us in our lives.

Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-7, Matthew 21v12-14, James 1v19-20, 5v7-8

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Melody from Cerritos, California; Jason from Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Merideth from Carrollton, Georgia; Jordan from Falls Church, Virginia; and Kai from Costa Mesa, California. Thank you all so much!

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"We all love that God is compassionate and gracious, but what about when God is compassionate and gracious to people you hate?" John Mark walks us through the passages demonstrating the scandalous compassion and graciousness of God, inviting us to imitate God by extending compassion and grace to others in our lives.

Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-7, Jonah 1-4, Luke 17v11-19, Luke 18v35-43, Luke 15v11-32, Luke 6v35-36

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Carma from Columbus, Ohio; Sam from Sioux Center, Iowa; Kathy from Coupeville, Washington; Joshua from Holt, Michigan; and Jeannette from Chichester, West Sussex. Thank you all so much!

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Why does God need a name in the first place? John Mark argues that it's because there are many "gods". He surveys scripture passages relating to gods and demonic beings, not only warning us that they are real and should never be worshipped, but that Yahweh is the one true creator God and is higher than them all.

Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-7, Exodus 12v12, Exodus 15v11, Exodus 20v2-4, Psalm 82, Mark 5v1-13, Ephesians 6v10-12

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Kayla from Nanaimo, British Columbia; Ross & Allison from Salem, Oregon; Josiah from Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Church on the Rock in Huntley, Illinois; and Jenna from Columbia Heights, Minnesota. Thank you all so much!

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Who is God? John Mark dives deep into God's name, Yahweh, and the significance that holds for what he's like: a consistent God who wants to be in relationship with us.

Key Scripture Passage: Exodus 34v6-7, Exodus 33v7-23, Genesis 17v1-5, Exodus 3v1-18

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Julie from Dallas, Texas; Luke from Springfield, Missouri; Phoebe from Hokowhitu, New Zealand; Leigh from Robinson, Texas; and Joe from Portland, Oregon. Thank you all so much!

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What comes to mind when you hear the word church? John Mark challenges us to rethink our definition, exploring the deeper meaning of church as the "called out ones," a new humanity formed by Jesus to carry the kingdom of God to every corner of the world. He calls us to see church as a family that embodies the kingdom of God through everyday relationships, practices, and a shared mission to spread God's kingdom.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 10v1-7, Matthew 16v13-18, Acts 1v6-9, Acts 2v1-4,41-47

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Isabella from Bridgeville, Pennsylvania; Austin from Marshall, Minnesota; Sierra from Palermo, Maine; Andrew from Colbert, Washington; and LifeHouse Church in Mississauga, Ontario. Thank you all so much!

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Why is the world so messed up? John Mark reflects on the reality of the world's dysfunction and how the story of the Fall in Genesis explains humanity's descent into chaos. He challenges us to reconsider our understanding of sin, its origins, and its impact on our lives, ultimately pointing to Jesus as our only hope for overcoming sin and its consequences.

Key Scripture Passage: Genesis 3v1-21

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Maggie from San Antonio, Texas; Doug from Signal Mountain, Tennessee; Heidi from Cincinnati, Ohio; Sarah from Voorheesville, New York; and Johnny from La Barge, Wyoming. Thank you all so much!

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The Generosity Practice is out now. Check it out at practicingtheway.org/generosity.

"Generosity is more than giving; it's an act of trust."

Ger Jones, lead pastor of Vintage Church, explores the deeper implications of generosity in the life of a disciple. He challenges the common views of generosity tied to wealth and obligation, urging us to see it as a practice that reshapes our hearts and lives. By reflecting on the biblical foundations and the transformative power of giving, he invites us to reimagine generosity as an opportunity to grow in trust, freedom, and love.

Key Scripture Passages: 2 Corinthians 8v1-9, 2 Corinthians 9v6-11

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Kelsey from St. Petersburg, Florida; Russell from Snohomish, Washington; Abby from Yorba Linda, California; Michael from Elgin, Illinois; and Dan from Dover, Delaware. Thank you all so much!

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"What if fasting could break our hearts open to the suffering of the world and move us to action?"

John Mark explores the connection between fasting and justice, urging us to consider how this ancient practice can realign our hearts with God's care for the poor. He challenges us to move beyond a self-focused spirituality and enter into a deeper solidarity with those in need.

Key Scripture Passage: Isaiah 58v1-12

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Ashley from Nashville, Tennessee; Abigail from Calgary, Alberta; Cory from Battle Ground, Washington; David from Knoxville, Tennessee; and Danielle from Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Thank you all so much!

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Do you ever feel like your prayers aren't heard? In a world where we often feel disconnected from God's voice, fasting can be a powerful tool to hear and be heard by Heaven. John Mark explores the interplay between prayer and fasting, uncovering how these two ancient practices flow together and compliment the work of transformation in our lives.

Key Scripture Passage: Acts 13v1-3, Jonah 3v5-10

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Brendan from Decatur, Alabama; Thalia from Powell Butte, Oregon; Luke from Missoula, Montana; Robert from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and James from Scotts Valley, California. Thank you all so much!

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How can we overcome sin when our willpower isn't enough? John Mark talks about how fasting is one way to help us grow in self-control, and the ripple effect that can have throughout our whole lives.

Key Scripture Passage: Romans 7v15-8v1

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Melanie from Dothan, Alabama; Evan from Westminster, Colorado; Shaylana from Dallas, Texas; Peter from Howell, Michigan; and Bob from Salem, Oregon. Thank you all so much!

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Why should we fast? John Mark outlines the history of fasting in the Christian tradition, and argues that we don't fast to bio-hack our way to holiness, but rather to expose our weakness where God meets us.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 6v16-18

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Lena from Nashville, Tennessee; Robert from Marietta, Georgia; Adam from Norton Shores, Michigan; Miles from Waco, Texas; and Jared from High Ridge, Missouri. Thank you all so much!

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How do we sabbath well? John Mark highlights four common words associated with the word “shabbat”: stop, rest, delight, and worship, showing us how these four words give us clues on how to best open ourselves up to the life God offers us through this practice.

Key Scripture Passages: Mark 2v23-28; Mark 3v1-6

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Beverly from Pearland, Texas; Pamela from Coppell, Texas; James from Oceanside, California; Kerri from Tallahassee, Florida; and Maria from Solvang, California. Thank you all so much!

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Do you think of Sabbath as a weapon? In a culture that is addicted to the twin drugs of accomplishment and accumulation, Sabbath is how we “fight” back against Egypt, Pharaoh, and his empire. Join us as John Mark continues his biblical theology on Sabbath with an exploration of work and rest in the story of the Exodus.

Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 20v8; Deuteronomy 5v12-15; Nehemiah 13v15-22

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Mical from Statesville, North Carolina; Taylor from Granger, Washington; Tim from Burbage, Leicestershire; Emily from Portland, Oregon; and Brendon from Doha, Qatar.Thank you all so much!

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What makes the Sabbath different from the rest of the week? John Mark continues exploring a biblical theology of Sabbath, demonstrating how Sabbath is woven throughout creation as a rhythm for us to follow, and encouraging us to embrace the gift of this practice with delight.

Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 1v31-2:3; Exodus 16v9-30; Exodus 20v1-8

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Philip from Coupeville, Washington; Paul from Richardson, Texas; Alyssa from Denver, Colorado; Tanya from Australia, Washington; and Pauline from Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Thank you all so much!

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Are you tired? In our world filled with fast-paced digital technology, what do we do to combat the restlessness that corrodes at our soul? John Mark teaches on how the practice of Sabbath can help us embody the peace of Jesus in our lives and and radically change our walk with God.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 11v28-30; Hebrews 4v1-11

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Tom from Kremmling, Colorado; Daniel from Orange, New South Wales; John from Albuquerque, New Mexico; Crystal from Perth, Washington; and Rebekah from Nesbit, Mississippi. Thank you all so much!

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What do you do when you hit a wall in your apprenticeship to Jesus? Beau Hughes, lead pastor of The Village Church, Denton, interviews John Mark and Matt Chandler, lead pastor of The Village Church, Flower Mound about their journeys of discipleship and formation. Together, John Mark and Matt encourage us to open our lives for God to bring transformation in the deepest part of our selves.

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Ekaterina from La Mirada, California; Matthew from Hagerstown, Maryland; Katrina from West Linn, Oregon; Chris from Austin, Texas; and Ruth from Hamilton, Michigan. Thank you all so much!

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How do we become resilient disciples of Jesus? Gavin Bennett shares a vision for how a Rule of Life can shape us and our communities into people of love. He challenges us to resist the temptations to make a Rule of Life about control, busyness, duty, or enthusiasm, and instead encourages us to lean into the invitations of the Spirit and Jesus's easy yoke.

Key Scripture Passage: John 15v1-5

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Spencer from New York, New York; Macy from Atlanta, Georgia; Jenni from Portland, Oregon; Todd from Fabius, New York; and Judy from Fort Worth, Texas. Thank you all so much!

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Why a Rule of Life? Tyler Staton explains the why and the what behind a Rule of Life, outlining the biblical, historical, and practical roots of this practice. He argues that a Rule of Life is essential for us to preserve the new wine of God's grace in this cultural moment with new wineskins.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 9v14-17, Psalm 56v12-13, Acts 2v42-47.

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Joe from Huntsville, Alabama; Joshua from Columbus, Ohio; Caleb from Crystal, Minnesota; Jessica from Challenge, California; and Tanner from Moncton, New Brunswick. Thank you all so much!

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What does it look like to witness in our culture? Tre' Giles walks us through three ways to witness to others: spoken love, supernatural love, and sacrificial love, and challenges us to live our lives in a way that demonstrates the good news of Jesus to others.

Key Scripture Passages: Acts 1v8; Colossians 1v12-14; Matthew 3v16-17; Matthew 9v9-13; Luke 23v38-43

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Josh from Lubbock, Texas; Ernest from Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Carl and Aline from Plantation, Florida; John from Scarborough, Ontario; and Shannon from Charleston, South Carolina. Thank you all so much!

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"Sabbath rest empowers resurrection work."

In a world filled with burnout, exhaustion, and shallow indulgence, Tyler Staton argues that Sabbath is a practice to reform our relationship with work and rest - helping us work with God and receive rest as a gift from him. Highlighting the scriptural foundations and formational purpose of this practice, he highlights the future hope that we live into as we stop and rest.

Key Scripture Passage: Genesis 2v1-3; Exodus 20v8-11; Exodus 31v17; Deuteronomy 5v12-15; John 7v21-24; Psalm 127v1-2

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jon from Odessa, Texas; Nickie from Kansas City, Missouri; Katie from Portland, Oregon; Catherine from Medford, Massachusetts; and Amy from Arlington, Virginia. Thank you all so much!

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Are our hands so full of money that we can't receive the generosity of God? Gavin Bennett argues that how we handle money is key to our apprenticeship to Jesus. He shows us that when our generosity is rooted in God's generosity, we can more fully step into our role as stewards of the resources God's entrusted to us.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 13v44-46; Matthew 6v24; Matthew 15v15-22; Matthew 19v16-26

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Colin from Houston, Texas; Tyler from Ankeny, Iowa; Allison from Altamonte Springs, Florida; Jason from Allen, Texas; and Rebecca from Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i. Thank you all so much!

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What if serving others is more rewarding than we think? Bethany Allen argues that we often only consider the costs of service, but rarely consider the deeper rewards it brings: lasting joy and fulfillment. She not only encourages us to see and sacrifice for one another in service, but also offers us five principles to guide as we serve.

Key Scripture Passage: Luke 10v25-37

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Cory from Akron, Ohio; Paul from New Castle, Indiana; Katie from Westfield, Indiana; Michael and Amanda from Austin, Texas; and Skylar from Scottsdale, Arizona. Thank you all so much!

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What does not eating have to do with following Jesus? Tyler Staton breaks down the "why" of fasting: how it can help us focus on what's most important, give us freedom from idols in our lives, and grow us in compassion for others.

Key Scripture Passages: Romans 12v1

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Goolam from Claremont, South Africa; Andrew from Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; Carli from Chandler, Arizona; Casey from Juliette, Georgia; and Keith from Rockwell, North Carolina.Thank you all so much!

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"You can't follow Jesus alone."

John Mark shows us the essential nature of community in our walk with Jesus: how God adopts us into his family and the role our brothers and sisters play in our formation. He concludes with an encouragement to be intentional in finding community, and when we do, to put down deep roots.

Key Scripture Passages: Mark 1v16-20; Mark 3v13-19; Mark 3v32-35; Romans 8v15; Ephesians 2v15-20

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Daniel from Hillsboro, Oregon; David from Yorba Linda, California; Aarti from Beaconsfield, Australia; Melanie from Flower Mound, Texas; and Kim from Keller, Texas.Thank you all so much!

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"When you're waiting, you're not doing nothing. You're doing the most important something there is. You're allowing your soul to grow up. If you can't wait, you can't become what God created you to be." - Unknown

In a world that is full of noise and activity, solitude is deeply uncomfortable for many of us. Yet it's core to the way of Jesus. Tyler explores the importance of solitude in our apprenticeship, slowing us down to God's pace and giving us hope in the waiting. He ends with practical examples of how to create rhythms of solitude in our everyday lives.

Key Scripture Passage: Psalm 131

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Mackenzie from Charlotte, North Carolina; Dy from Tulsa, Oklahoma; Luke from Redding, California; Matthew from Sherwood, Oregon; and Gina from Asheville, North Carolina.Thank you all so much!

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Why are the Scriptures so confusing? Tim Mackie and Tyler Staton discuss how our intuition about what the Bible should do - that it's supposed to tell us about what's true, good, and God's voice - are correct. But these intuitions without the right tools to read can destruct our faith more than they construct it. Together, Tyler and Tim show us how to approach the Scriptures with the right tools, and read it like a story: one that leads us to Jesus.

Key Scripture Passage: Psalm 1v1-3

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Amy from Fort Wayne, Indiana; Claire from Madison, Mississippi; Cheyenne from Charlotte, North Carolina; Michele from Plymouth, Minnesota; and Beth from Fort Worth, Texas.Thank you all so much!

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"Prayer is the soil where every other spiritual practice grows."

Tyler teaches on the pervasiveness of prayer in every facet of our spiritual walk and its importance in our growth. He challenges us to pray like we believe that God hears and answers.

Key Scripture Passage: Hebrews 5v7

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Gillian from Forest Hills, South Africa; Jeff from Ann Arbor, Michigan; Evan from Olympia, Washington; Christa and Jim from Goodyear, Arizona; and Andrew from Woodstock, Ontario. Thank you all so much!

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What is the "yoke" of Jesus? Tyler Staton breaks down Jesus's invitation, helping us to experience the joy and life of Jesus as we follow in his ways.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 11v28-30

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Emily from Lakewood, California; Abraham from Omaha, Nebraska; Eli from Bois D’Arc, Missouri; Steve from Portland, Oregon; and Samara from Lausanne, Switzerland. Thank you all so much!

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Do you have hope? John Mark explores the life-changing message of Easter by showing us the hope found in the story of Jesus and his resurrection.

Key Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 15v1-28

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Christopher from Superior, Colorado; Jonathan from Langley, BC; Kathy from Colorado Springs, Colorado; Kayne from Phoenix, Arizona; and Ryan from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Thank you all so much!

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"Godliness is possible, but it is not natural."

John Mark discusses some of the foundational ideas from his new book: Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus, Become Like Jesus, Do as He Did. John Mark challenges us to resist the distractions that tempt us to waste our lives, and instead become people of love who live for our eulogies rather than our resumes.

To pick up a copy of John Mark's new book, you can purchase it online here, or in person wherever books are sold.

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Cheyne from Vero Beach, Florida; Christina from Burbank, California; Gabriel from Portland, Oregon; Scott from Sudbury, Massachusetts; and Jennifer from Spokane, Washington. Thank you all so much!

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How do we read the Bible? John Mark talks about the importance of obedience in our reading the Bible, challenging us to not only study the Bible, but meditate and digest it through slow, prayerful reading of the Scriptures.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 24v13-27, 44-48; Joshua 1v7-8; Psalm 1v1-3

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Tim from Paron, Arkansas; Michael from Kettering, Ohio; Keith from Madison, Wisconsin; Macy from Fort Collins, Colorado; and Barbara from Mesa, Arizona. Thank you all so much!

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Why read the Bible? John Mark argues that we don't just read the Scriptures to gain information or be entertained, but to be shaped: to become more like the God whose story and character are revealed to us as we read.

Key Scripture Passages: 2 Timothy 3v14-18

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jill from Louisville, Ohio; Jess from Brea, California; Jacob from Austin, Texas; Kate from Fargo, North Dakota; and Mark from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Thank you all so much!

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What exactly is the Bible? If we misunderstand what the Bible is, we’ll turn in into something it’s not. John Mark makes the case that the Bible is a library of writings that are both divine and human, that together tell a unified story which leads us to Jesus.

Key Scripture Passages: John 5v39-40

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Natalie from Sierra Madre, California; Michelle from Nashville, Tennessee; Ethan from Columbus, Ohio; Jenna from Choteau, Montana; and Nate from Pittsboro, Indiana. Thank you all so much!

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We have a problem with the Bible. More and more followers of Jesus in the west don’t read it, don’t now how to read it, don’t even like it, and frankly, take issue with it. So why do we follow the Bible? In this episode, John Mark looks at how Jesus talked about the Bible, arguing that we believe in the Bible because of Jesus's authority, not the other way around.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 5v17-19; Mark 12v35-36; Mark 12v18-27; Matthew 28v16-18.

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: John from Telford, Pennsylvania; Carter from Mount Vernon, Ohio; Clint from St Simons Island, Georgia; Taylor from St. Catharines, Ontario; and Anne from Olympia, Washington. Thank you all so much!

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Are you waiting on a dream from God? John Mark teaches about God's promises through the story of Joseph. He shows us that God's fulfillment of our deepest dreams and desires are often even better than we can imagine, giving us hope and endurance in the different, harder, and longer middle of the story.

Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 37v2 - Genesis 45v8; Philippians 4v11-13

Resources for this practice: https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/identity-and-calling

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Brandon from Indianapolis, Indiana; Julia from Auburn, Washington; Tami from Tustin, California; Nate from Denver, Colorado; and Delaney from Edmonton, Alberta. Thank you all so much!

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Have you ever tried to change but couldn't make it last? As John Mark taught last week, we're constantly being shaped by our beliefs, habits, relationships, and environment. This week, he tells us how to fight back and create lasting transformation in our lives.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 6v39-40; Romans 12v2; Matthew 5-7

Discussion Guide: https://practicingthewayarchives.org/identity/part-six

Other Mentioned Resources:

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

The Cost of Discipleship by Diedrich Bonhoeffer

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Dwayne from Waianae, HI; Michael from Tyler, TX; Carine from Rogers, AR; Kyle from Waco, TX; and Scott from London,UK. Thank you all so much!

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"The question isn't, are you being formed? It's, what are you being formed into?"

John Mark talks about the various influences that shape our lives and who we become. He challenges us to be intentional with our beliefs, habits, relationships, and experiences to form us into people of love.

Key Scripture Passages: Ephesians 4v1-24; Galatians 4v19; Proverbs 4v23

Discussion Guide: https://practicingthewayarchives.org/identity/part-five

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Sam from Derby, Derbyshire; Kevin from Hamilton, Ontario; Matthew from Langley, British Columbia; Elijah from Garland, Texas; and Kendall from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Thank you all so much!

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"The main thing God gets out of your life is the person you become" - Dallas Willard

Our calling isn't just about what we do with our lives: it's also about who we become. John Mark talks about the inward journey: who we are called to be as believers, and how to get there.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 4v18-22; Matthew 9v9-13

Discussion Guide: https://practicingthewayarchives.org/identity/part-three

Other Resources:

The Road Back to You, Suzanne Collins

Invitation to a Journey, Robert Mulholland

The Road to Character, David Brooks

enneagraminstitute.com

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Barbara from Mesa, Arizona; David from Portland, Oregon; Josiah from Byron Center, Michigan; Renee from Cambridge , Massachusetts; and Kyle from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Thank you all so much!

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Who are you, really? John Mark walks us through what the Scriptures tell us about our identity in Christ, helping us step into that reality through faith -- even when our lives don't seem to live up to it.

Key Scripture passages: Matthew 3v13-17; Ephesians 1v1-15; Ephesians 4v1-3

Discussion Guide: https://practicingthewayarchives.org/identity/week-two

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Janine from Forest Grove, Oregon; Tobias from Hürth, North Rhine Westphalia; Tom from Hubbard, Oregon; Drew from Greenville, South Carolina; and Bates from Waco, Texas. Thank you all so much!

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Our identity and calling has ramifications for who we become and what we do with our lives. John Mark lays out a biblical framework for this journey of discovery, encouraging us to embrace this process with community and the Holy Spirit.

Key Scripture passages: Matthew 3v13-4v11; John 1v20-28; Matthew 16v13-18;

Discussion Guide: https://practicingthewayarchives.org/identity/week-one

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Shaun from Nashville, Tennessee; Michael from Clarksville, Tennessee; Kelsey from Tulsa, Oklahoma; Amanda Ann Godwin from Hillsborough, North Carolina; and Jesse from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Thank you all so much!

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We've got lots of new content coming in 2024! Our new host, Strahan Coleman, gives a quick update on what's upcoming for the John Mark Comer Teachings podcast.

When was the last time you were disappointed? In our world, it's easy to put our hope in things that fail us. In contrast to the disillusionment of the world, John Mark talks about the Advent hope of Jesus's birth and second coming, showing us how putting our hope in that reality is the only hope that will never disappoint.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 1v16-38; Luke 24v13-27

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Pat from Modesto, California; John from Minneapolis, Minnesota; Scott from Waco, Texas; Nick from Laguna Niguel, California; and Tahisha from Arlington, Virginia. Thank you all so much!

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Are you happy? Many of us aren't. Yet Martin Luther once said "a Christian should be happy." And Rick Howe argued that "the pursuit of joy is a moral obligation." In a world filled with sorrow and grief, John Mark shows us how the coming of Jesus gives us a path to pursue joy and how we can hold it in tandem with the pain of our lives.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 2v1-20

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Autumn from Austin, Texas; Joshua from Shreveport, Louisiana; Hollie from Meridian, Idaho; Derrick from Portland, Oregon; and Cadyn from Sachse, Texas. Thank you all so much!

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How do we pray when we run out of words? John Mark talks about the practice of contemplative prayer and it's importance in our spiritual formation. He concludes with three primary obstacles to this form of prayer, offering ideas on how to move past these and embrace the depth of this path to life with God.

Key Scripture Passages: 2 Corinthians 3v7-18

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Shirley from Carnegie, Pennsylvania; Trish from Houston, Texas; Keith from Flowood, Mississippi; Chris from St. Louis Park, Minnesota; and Trevor from Damascus, Oregon. Thank you all so much!

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"Learning to hear God's voice is the single most important task of a disciple of Jesus."

John Mark talks about listening to God, exploring both they why and the how behind it. He challenges us to posture ourselves in surrender and obedience as we lean into a relationship with our creator.

Key Scripture Passages: John 10v1-10; Deuteronomy 6v4-5; Matthew 28v19-20

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jo-Dee from Cookeville, Tennessee; Dustin from Portland, Oregon; Beth from Lake Zurich, Illinois; Thomas from Soldotna, Arkansas; and Kevin from Lexington, Kentucky. Thank you all so much!

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There comes a moment in our prayer lives when we want to pray our own words to God. John Mark shows us how the ancient practices of gratitude, lament, petition, and intercession help us find words to place our lives before God in love.

Key Scripture Passage: Luke 11v1-13

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How do we pray in a world full of smartphones? John Mark dives into Luke 11 and how Jesus taught his disciples to pray, showing how this prayer orients us to the character of God and how other pre-written prayers can help us grow in our walk with God.

Key Scripture Passage: Luke 11v1-4

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Do you ever feel stuck? John Mark speaks to the difference between our role and God's role in our formation journey, inviting us to embrace God's leading by letting go of attachments. He argues that surrender to God's work is a way to go beyond the surface level of our spiritual journey.

Key Scripture Passage: John 21v18-19

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What do you do when everything falls apart? John Mark talks about overcoming fear in our lives, laying out a three-part journey of growing in faith, where we find deep peace and trust that transcends our circumstances.

Key Scripture Passage: Mark 9v14-29

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Kevin from New Richmond, Wisconsin; Nathan from Social Circle, Georgia; Mike from Nashville, Tennessee; Barb from Richardson, Texas; and Clay from Marietta, Georgia. Thank you all so much!

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What gives you hope for the future? John Mark contrasts the negative news cycle of our age with the good news of Jesus: that he's overcome death and is returning that we might walk in his resurrection.

Key Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 15v1-28

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Eric from Lake Zurich, Illinois; Matt from Conway, Arkansas; Zodwa from Spring, Texas; Annie from McKinney, Texas; and Steven from New York, New York. Thank you all so much!

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How would you work differently if you believed your work was essential to your apprenticeship to Jesus? John Mark argues that a subtle religion emerging in our culture is 'work-ism,' where work becomes the primary system of meaning and identity in our lives. In contrast, he proposes the practice of vocation - 're-weaving glory' by doing everything unto the Lord.

Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 1v26-29, 2v8-15

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What if the way forward in our political moment isn’t sweeping reform, but a meal around the table? As much of the world becomes more divided than ever, John Mark challenges us to become peacemakers by demonstrating God's love through the practice of hospitality.

Key Scripture Passages: Mark 2v13-17, Mark 3v13-19, Romans 12v13, 1 Peter 4v8-9, Hebrews 13v1-2

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jessica from Hermantown, Minnesota; Ben from Portland, Oregon; Brooke from Nashville, Tennessee; Marc from Chino Hills, California; and Achsah from Fayetteville , Georgia. Thank you all so much!

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"If there's anything left of my annoying voice in your memory banks in 20 years, I would hope that you would hear me as a brother in your ear just saying, 'follow Jesus to the quiet and pray.'"

All around us, people are angry and afraid. John Mark invites us to become a community of peaceful, 'non-anxious presences' by engaging in the practice of silence and solitude. Through this practice, we learn how to receive the love of God into the deepest places of our pain and fear.

Key Scripture Passage: Luke 5v12-16

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Araceli from Portland, Oregon; Kristin from Omaha, Nebraska; Keith from Modesto, California; Brian from Durham, North Carolina; and Dan from Foley, Alabama.Thank you all so much!

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How do we love others in the moral decay of the modern West? John Mark argues that the world needs a community of holiness as the counter-culture to the mainstream. John Mark explores the concept of holiness, a theology of the body, and the practice of fasting as a path to joy in God.

Key Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 6v12-20

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Kayla from Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Cory from Oakland, California; Mason from Dallas, Texas; Seth from Hood River, Oregon; and Adam from Omaha, Nebraska. Thank you all so much!

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In a culture of deconstruction and ideology, how do we stay faithful to Jesus and His teachings? Through the practice of Scripture, John Mark challenges us to deepen our trust in God and the teachings of our rabbi, Jesus.

Key Scripture Passage: 2 Corinthians 10v1-5

Resource for this teaching: After Doubt: How to Question Your Faith Without Losing It, AJ Swoboda

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Maja from Christchurch, New Zealand; Lisa from Calgary, Alberta; Kevin from Cresson, Texas; Gracie from Austin, Texas; and Gregory from Ballwin, Missouri. Thank you all so much!

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How do we cultivate deep community? John Mark explores how the practice of community fits into our cultural moment of the loneliness of tribalism and individualism. He challenges us to press into community, even in pain, wounding, and trauma, since it is in community that we will ultimately find our healing.

Key Scripture Passage: Romans 12

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Timothy from Mount Pleasant, North Carolina; Michael from Manitowoc, Wisconsin; Callie from Cary, North Carolina; Stephanie from Richmond, Virginia; and Ashley from Montrose, Colorado. Thank you all so much!

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"This could be our finest moment. This could be the moment not of our death but of our rebirth."

John Mark challenges us to dream again about what the Church can and should be in our cultural moment. He invites us to re-examine our Rule of Life as we think about being a counter-culture amidst the secular mainstream.

Key Scripture Passage: Psalm 80

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How do we deal with emotional pain? John Mark explores Jesus's prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, and discusses how His model can help us process through our own moments of pain, turmoil, and disappointment.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 26v36-46

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jimmy from Randle, Washington; Jonathan from Shalimar, Florida; Rachel from Norwich, Norfolk; Diana from Charlotte, North Carolina; and Ryan from Toronto, Ontario; Thank you all so much!

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How do we keep from becoming "pharisees"? In a time when deconstruction is the cultural tide we swim in and disillusionment with pastors is widespread and well-earned, how do we model the way of Jesus? John Mark looks at Jesus's critique of the pharisees in Matthew 23, and explores what it means for us: how we live our lives and relate to our leaders in the church.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 23

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What is life about? John Mark teaches on Jesus's teaching on the two greatest commandments in the Old Testament: to love God and to love our neighbor. He challenges us to examine how we can arrange our lives in such a way that love of God and neighbor is our natural response.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 22v34-40

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to Michelle from Boerne, Texas; Marlys from Augusta, Maine; Meiko from St. Petersburg, Florida; Rachel from Clearwater, Florida; and Seth from Portland, Oregon. Thank you all so much!

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Is marriage a contract, or a covenant? Is the love that lasts a lifetime a fiery passion of desire, or something else? Is divorce a necessary evil to “be true to yourself,” or a rupture of a deep union? Jesus’ teaching on divorce is based in his vision of marriage, which is as radical today as it was nearly two thousand years ago.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 19v1-10

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Eric from Cincinnati, Ohio; Sarah from Carlton, Oregon; Ike from Durham, North Carolina; Hayley from Walsall, West Midlands; and Hannah from San Francisco, California. Thank you all so much!

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What do we do when other followers of Jesus fall into sin and wander away? John Mark explores Jesus’ teaching on dealing with sin in the church. Even though it's one of the most abused teachings of Jesus, John Mark show that, rightly applied, it has the potential to help the church become everything it's called to be.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 18v10-20

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Jesus’ call for his apprentices to become like children is one of his most misunderstood teachings. John Mark explores the cultural background to Jesus’ words and argues that living like a child -- dependent, humble, and servant-hearted -- is the the key to greatness in Jesus' Kingdom.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 18v1-9

Resources for this teaching:

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Thank you all so much!

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At the fulcrum point in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus goes up on a high mountain where he is transfigured before his apprentices. Over their fear, the apprentices hear a voice from heaven saying, “listen to him!” Thousands of years later, in our own fears, the call to find a mountain and listen to Jesus is greater than ever.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 16v28-17v13

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What if control is actually an illusion? What if yielding is actually the path to freedom and joy? John Mark explores Jesus' call to deny your self and take up your cross and follow Him. In a culture of hedonism, digital instant gratification, and postmodern propaganda, this call sounds bizarre. But in yielding control to God in trusting love, we enter the Kingdom.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 16v21-27

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"How you answer the question, 'who do you say I am,' will define you."

John Mark explores Simon Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ. He shows us that in seeing Jesus rightly, we move from fear to faith.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 16v13-20

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In this well known, but often missed-out-on story of Jesus walking on the water, we notice the writer Matthew’s key insights from Jesus’ life and teaching about becoming a “non-anxious presence” in a world caught in a vicious cycle of anxiety. We have faith and release control.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 14v22-36

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Natalie from Hays, Kansas; Matthew from West Pymble, New South Wales; Grace from Portland, Oregon; Amanda from Lawrenceville, Georgia; and Scott from Midwest City, Oklahoma. Thank you all so much!

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Jesus warns and encourages his disciples about what will come as they live into his Kingdom mission. What would it look like to live as a disciple, free of all fear, fully alive to his power?

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 11v1-15

Resources from this teaching:

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to Jenna from Rossmoor, California; Amelia from Homestead, Pennsylvania; Leandra from Tomball, Texas; Jordan from Anaheim, California; and Brianna from Hyattsville, Maryland. Thank you all so much!

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What do we do the Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount? Jesus ends his manifesto of life in the kingdom of the heavens, not with a pep talk or feel-good story, but with a warning about what happens when we don’t put his teachings into practice. John Mark argues that, in the “information” age, where things go in one ear and out the other, we need to be diligent to do what Jesus taught.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 7v24-29

Resources from this teaching:

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Haylee from Camas, Washington; Nick from Watsontown, Pennsylvania; David from Southlake, Texas; Ben from Dannevirke, New Zealand; and Rebekah from Atascadero, California. Thank you all so much!

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With so many voices claiming to be the truth, how do we discern what is from God and what isn't? John Mark examine's Jesus's warning to beware false prophets in the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus's three "tests" for who to believe.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 7v15-23

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to Bryce from Austin, Texas; Brett from Mattoon, Illinois; Blake from Birmingham, Alabama; Gregory from Boise, Idaho; and Jennifer from Phoenix, Arizona. Thank you all so much!

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We all know the Golden Rule, but do we actually live by it? John Mark teaches on how this summary of the teachings of the Bible was familiar during the time of Jesus, but how Jesus makes it even more radical and powerful. He concludes by challenging us to actually try living by this rule and doing to others what we would have them do to us.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 7v12

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Are you tired of trying to earn other's approval? John Mark looks at the first of Jesus's teachings of practicing righteousness before others to be noticed by them in Matthew chapter six. He encourages us to break free from the bondage of seeking the approval (or disapproval) of others by doing good works in secret in order to be rewarded not by others, but by our Father in Heaven.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 6v1-4

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Is it practical to love our enemy? John Mark exegetes from Jesus's final teaching in Matthew chapter five on enemy love. He challenges us to take this teaching seriously by showing historical and personal examples of Jesus's way bearing fruit, and encourages us to lean into our questions about this teaching with honestly before God and our communities.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v43-48

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Is following Jesus really incompatible with violence? John Mark looks into Jesus's teaching about returning evil not with more evil but with good. He wraps up by acknowledging how many of us are resistant to Jesus's ideas on nonviolence, but encourages us to continue to follow and learn from Jesus and not let our conclusions become a source of disunity in the Body of Christ.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v38-42

Resource from this teaching (affiliate link):

Fight, Preston Sprinkle

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to Kendall from Nashville, Tennessee; Jonathan from Nanterre, France; Victor from Sanford, Florida; Aaron from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Hannah from Warren, Michigan. Thank you all so much!

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When Jesus recounts the Laws from the Torah, he doesn’t simply address the behavior, he gets to the heart of sin. John Mark explores Jesus's commandments surrounding lust and divorce and highlights how God's heart is for us to honor one another as brothers and sisters in our we see and interact with one another. He concluded by challenging us to repent for the ways that we have dishonored one another and to step forward into Jesus's plan for human flourishing.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v27-32

Resources from this teaching:

Divorce and Remarriage in the Church, David Instone-Brewer

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Is anger wrong? John Mark looks at Jesus's teaching on anger in the Sermon on the Mount, and argues that Jesus is teaching us to guard against nursing a grudge, harboring resentment, and partnering with contempt. Instead, Jesus offers a way forward: reaching out in love and a spirit of reconciliation.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v21-26

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"The Bible is how the authority of Jesus is mediated to His apprentices."

John Mark examines Jesus's teachings on the Scriptures in Matthew chapter five. He argues that Jesus not only views the Bible as trustworthy, authoritative, and good, but also sees Himself as the climax of the biblical narrative.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v17-20

Resources from this teaching:

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to Brett from Waco, Texas; Sonya from Stilwell, Kansas; Samuel from Clinton, Illinois; Luke from Leland Grove, Illinois; and Joshua from El Cerrito, California. Thank you all so much!

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Most people think of the Beatitudes as virtues, but what if that's not at all what Jesus was saying? John Mark looks at some of the ancient context around Jesus's opening of the Sermon on the Mount and argues that Jesus is not telling us virtues to aim for, but offering blessing to the downtrodden of the world in the midst of their pain.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v1-10

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to Michele from Mooloolah Valley, Queensland; Philip from San Diego, California; Kyle from Portage, Michigan; Meagan from Austin, Texas; Katya from Portland, Oregon. Thank you all so much!

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What can Jesus's origin story tell us about Him? John Mark explores Matthew's story of Jesus's conception and His calling to "save their people from their sins." He invites us to recognize where we need saving, healing, and rescue in our own lives.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 1v18-2v23

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to Lisa from Jackson, Tennessee; Jonathon from Vancouver, Washington; Aimee from Nolensville, Tennessee; Tiffany from Louisville, Kentucky; and David from Chatsworth, California. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

"This genealogy isn't just a genealogy. It's an invitation to join the story of Jesus."

John Mark explores the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew and uncovers for us the hidden treasures of meaning found in this often-overlooked section.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 1v1-17, Matthew 13v51-52

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to Jordan from Lutz, Florida; Sylvia from Friday Harbor, Washington; Tyler from Knoxville, Tennessee; Jared from Salem, Oregon; and Carson from Victoria, BC. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

“What if there is a rich gift waiting for us in this new cultural moment of rising hostility?”

John Mark discusses what it meant in the early church to be a witness and how that applies to how we share the Gospel. He argues that the call of Jesus isn't just to preach the good news, but it's also to become 'good news people.'

Key Scripture Passage: 1 Peter 2v11-12

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/preaching-the-gospel

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to Tarrah from Ames, Iowa; Paul from Cleveland, Ohio; Guy from Wenatchee, Washington; Benjamin from Herborn, Germany; and Matthew from Beaverton, Oregon. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

How do we preach the Gospel in our cultural moment? John Mark examines Jesus’s practice of hospitality and how this practice can help us share the good news about Jesus with the lost and the least.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 19v1-10; Luke 7v33-50

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/preaching-the-gospel

A Meal with Jesus, Tim Chester

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to Sarah from London, UK; William from Elkton, Maryland; Peter from Springfield, Missouri; Karissa from Nampa, Indiana; and Andrea from Portland, Oregon. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What does it even mean to be saved? John Mark looks at four common articulations of the Gospel, and unpacks what’s good about each of them, and how they might fall short of the Gospel Jesus preached. He concludes with some thoughts on how we can examine our own views of the Gospel with our communities.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 19v16-30

Resources for this practices:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/preaching-the-gospel

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to Melissa from Falls Church, Virginia; Elisha from Rindge, New Hampshire; Pedro from Brasilia, DF; David from Round Rock, Texas; and Bethany from MacGregor, Manitoba. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

“A lot of us are emotionally allergic to preaching the Gospel of Jesus.”

In our post-modern culture, sharing the good news of Jesus can feel insensitive or unkind. John Mark shows us that everyone is believing a “gospel” of what they hope in, and through the Scriptures, unpacks how Jesus preached the Gospel and what it means to rethink and turn towards Jesus.

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/preaching-the-gospel

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to Zach from Cleveland, Tennessee; Alison from Dallas, Texas; Reggie from Arcadia, California; Jenn from Rome, Georgia; and Eric from Cincinnati, Ohio. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

"The more we have, the more we want."

John Mark examines how our never-ending desire can lead to lives of discontentment and dissatisfaction, but how the practices of desiring less and generosity can help us practice simplicity and lay hold of Jesus’s promise of life to the full.

Key Scripture Passage: 1 Timothy 6v2-19

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/simplicity

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to: Kali from Silver Lake, Kansas; Morgan from Nashville, Tennessee; Joshua from Whitefish, Montana; Dan from Stamford, Lincolnshire; and Jerod from Fairhope, Alabama. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

“The mouth is the main thoroughfare of evil in human life.” – Dallas Willard

Simplicity of speech is a disciplined attempt to bring our speech into alignment with Jesus' heart. John Mark dives into what the New Testament’s author say about the power of the tongue and our words. Through it, he encourages us to simplify what we say in order to ultimately bring more blessing into the world. 

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 6v43-45; Mark 12v13-17; Mark 15v1-5; James 3v1-12

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/simplicity

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to: Aidan from Grand Rapids, Michigan; Sydney, Cody, and Violet from Bellingham, Washington; Mark from Cary, North Carolina; Jim and Deanna from Portland, Oregon; and Ruben from Euless, Texas. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Simplicity is about choosing a deep life over a simple one, a life of focus rather than a life of distraction. John Mark talks about how we need to simplify around something, and how our heart and values are essential for this practice. He reminds us that, as followers of Jesus, we are called to make Him the center of our lives, in the various ways that plays out for each of us.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 12v22-31

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/simplicity

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to: Anna from Indian Land, South Carolina; Christel from Coogee, New South Wales; Scott from Pearland, Texas; Lisa from Sherwood Park, Alberta; and Jordyn from Dallas, Texas. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Most of us don’t really believe that less money, stuff, or activities is actually the way to a better life. But Jesus’s teachings tell us that life doesn’t consist of our possessions. John Mark introduces the practice of simplicity, also called minimalism, by reviewing Jesus’s teachings on money and discussing how simplicity can lead to a better, happier life.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 12v13-21, Matthew 19v23-24, 1 Timothy 6v6-10, Hebrews 13v5

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/simplicity

The Freedom of Simplicity, Richard Foster

Abundant Simplicity, Jan Johnson

The More of Less, Joshua Becker

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today's episode goes to Bonnie from Palmer, Arkansas; Ian from Vero Beach, Florida; Tiffany from Tirana, Albania; Corrine from Rancho Santa Margarita, California; and Megan from Port Orchard, Washington. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Why should I so what the Bible says? Authority is a negative word in our individualistic culture, making the idea of Scriptural authority feel scary for some of us. John Mark challenges us to approach the Bible as Jesus did: with trust and obedience. 

Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 3v1-7; Matthew 4v1-11

Resources:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/scripture

Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Craig Keener & John Walton

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Why do authoritarian governments often ban the Bible? John Mark talks about the how the library of Scripture is an alternative story: one that points to Jesus as the center of reality. He challenges us to let this story shape our lives and engage with these writings, even through its confusing, difficult, or challenging aspects.

Key Scripture Passage: Luke 4v14-22

Resources for this practice: https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/scripture

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

How did Jesus view the Scriptures? In contrast to how many people view the Bible today, either as an ordinary human text or as “golden tablets” from Heaven, John Mark explores how Jesus thought, taught, and talked about the Scriptures. Through that, John Mark shows us that our approach to the Bible matters and encourages us to adopt a posture of surrender as we read.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 5v17-20; Mark 12v18-27; John 5v39-46; 2 Timothy 3v14-17

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/scripture

Shaped by the Word, Robert Mulholland

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

If the Bible tells us to "rejoice always", how do we do it? John Mark walks through how to experience more joy. Since we can’t “will” ourselves to joy, he offers us practices based in the Scriptures that allow us to cultivate happiness and celebration in our everyday lives.

Key Scripture Passage: Philippians 4v4-9

Resources for this practice

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/unhurry

Path of Life, Rick Howe (https://amzn.to/3ERlngB)

How do we experience more joy in our everyday lives? John Mark talks about how the common human desire to be happy isn’t the problem, but that we’re searching for joy in the wrong places. He encourages us to examine what beliefs might be blocking us from experiencing the joy that Jesus offered to all who follow Him.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 1v39-45; Luke 2v8-11; Luke 4v14-21; Luke 10v17-21;

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/unhurry

Do you have margin in your life? In the digital age, it’s easy to operate outside our emotional and spiritual limit and undermine our formation into people of love. John Mark reminds us of the importance of margin in our lives and how the practice of simplicity can help us live within our limits.

Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 1v26-2v8, Genesis 3v1-7

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/unhurry

What if the greatest threat to faith today is not hedonism, but distraction? John Mark discusses the importance of making time for silence and solitude in our rule of life, and the benefits of quiet in our spiritual walk: helping us accept reality, experiencing God’s love, yielding to God’s will, hearing God’s voice, and ultimately becoming people of love.

Key Scripture Passage: Luke 5v15, Matthew 6v5-6

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/unhurry

“If your rule of life does not find a way to ruthlessly eliminate digital distraction, it will likely fail.”

Is distraction undermining our spiritual life? John Mark makes a case for a rule of life that accounts for our society of digital distraction by highlighting how our technology can be unhealthy for us. He also offers some guidance on shaping your rule of life to avert digital distraction and help orient your life towards becoming a person of love.

Key Scripture Passage: Psalm 16

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/unhurry

“A good rule of life can actually set us free to be our true and best selves.”

In a world of distraction and speed, how do we arrange our lives so that we are experiencing deep joy, peace, and contentment in our life in God, as Willard said? John Mark talks about the ancient practice of creating a “rule of life” and offers seven tips for creating your own rule of life.

Key Scripture Passage: John 15v1-8

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/unhurry

“Most people are just too busy to live an emotionally healthy and spiritually rich life.”

We live in an age of chronic distraction and business. John Mark talks about hurry as the great enemy of our spiritual life. He proposes that the solution to “hurry sickness” is not more time, but rather become people of love through being intentional with our own “rule of life.”

Key Scripture Passage: Luke 10v25-37

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/unhurry

“When we honor people, we get access to whatever people carry, if it's friendship, relationship, conversation, wisdom, prophetic ability, healing, discernment, wealth, resources, opportunities, whatever it is. When we dishonor people, we cut off ourselves from whatever it is they have to offer.”

John Mark talks about the importance of honor in in a culture of dishonor and contempt, highlighting the difference that living with honor can have on our relationships and others’ lives.

Key Scripture Passage: Romans 12v9-16; Mark 6v1-6

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/community

Jesus intended his followers to become a family-like community. John Mark talks about how this idea of family was radical not only for first-century Jews, but also why it’s just as radical for us today. Through it, he offers advice on how to build relational skills to bless and love our communities well.

Key Scripture Passage: Mark 3v31-35

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/community

We are lonelier than ever. In the US, loneliness rates have doubled since 1980, with 35% of people saying that they are chronically lonely. Is there are practice from the life of Jesus to help us thrive in a culture that is more disconnected than ever? John Mark talks about Jesus’ practice and invitation into community, encouraging us to commit to community, despite the challenges, so we can embrace “life to the full.”

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 4v18-22; Matthew 8v18-22; Matthew 9v9-13; Matthew 10v1-4; Matthew 20v20-28

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/community

Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Can pain make us more loving? Continuing our discussion of stage theory, John Mark uses the story of Leah and Rachel in Genesis to show how our responses to the pain in our lives can either lead us closer to God and acceptance of our circumstances, or towards bitterness and pain.

Key Scripture Passages: Gen 29v15-35; Gen 30v1-24; Gen 35v16-20

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/naming

“Have you ever cried out to God in a time of distress, but felt nothing in return?”

John Mark continues his discussion on the dark night of the soul, focusing on the two types of “dark nights” that are written about by St. John and St. Teresa in the 16th century. In it, he encourages us to continue to press into community and into God if we find ourselves in a dark night.

Key Scripture Passage: Psalm 77

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/naming

The Dark Night of the Soul, Dr. Gerald May

Have you ever felt like there is a wall between you and heaven? John Mark explores the Dark Night of the Soul, talking about what it is, what it isn’t, and some ideas for how to move through this season well.

Key Scripture Passage: Psalm 42

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/naming

“The farther we get down the path of the spiritual journey, the more our apprenticeship to Jesus feels less and less active, and more and more passive.”

John Mark continues with our discussion on the stages of apprenticeship, this time talking about active and passive spirituality and its role in our formation. He shows us how to use practice (active) and surrender (passive) to be more formed into the likeness of Jesus in every season of our lives.

Key Scripture Passages: John 21v18; Matthew 6v25-34

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/naming

Sacred Fire, Ronald Rolheiser

As we continue to explore stage theory paradigms, John Mark turns to the paradigm of the two halves of life by drawing on Jesus’s post-resurrection conversation with Peter. John Mark breaks down the common challenges and struggles of each half of life and offers some helpful ideas on how to move through these stages well.

Key Scripture Passages: John 21v18-25

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/naming

Sacred Fire, Ronald Rolheiser

The Second Mountain, David Brooks

How do we get unstuck? This week, John Mark introduces the newest spiritual journey paradigm: the Critical Journey, and discusses how we can get unstuck at the various stages and challenge us to push through the “wall” in the various places in our lives.

Key Scripture Passage(s): John 21v15-19

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/naming

In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, Henri Nouwen

What is the meaning of life? According to Jesus, the meaning of life is love: becoming a person who loves God and loves others. Breaking down the story of the Road to Emmaus and our modern cultural moment, John Mark challenges us to embrace the good news of the resurrection and live as beacons of love and hope in our world.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 24v13-35

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/naming

Do you feel stuck in your apprenticeship to Jesus? Drawing from the wisdom of followers of Jesus throughout church history, John Mark discusses how identifying landmarks on the journey of our apprenticeship to Jesus can help us get unstuck. This week, he talks about one ancient journey paradigm called The Three Ways to show how the purpose of our spiritual formation is becoming people of love and presence.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 9v57-62; 1 Corinthians 13v11; Hebrews 5v12-14

Recommended Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/naming

Invitation to a Journey, Robert Mulholland

Sacred Fire, Ronald Rolheiser

Did Jesus practice sabbath? John Mark talks about Jesus’s teachings and relationship to the sabbath by highlighting four common words associated with the word “shabbat”: stop, rest, delight, and worship. John Mark shows how these four words give us clues on how to find happiness, joy, and peace in this practice.

Key Scripture Passages: Mark 2v23-28; Mark 3v1-6

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/sabbath

Sacred Rhythms, Ruth Haley Barton

“Sabbath is an act of resistance, a prophetic act over against the accomplishment and accumulation of our society.”

In a culture that is addicted to the twin drugs of accomplishment and accumulation, sabbath is how we “fight” back against Egypt, Pharaoh, and his empire. John Mark continues his biblical theology on sabbath with an exploration of work and rest in the story of the Exodus.

Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 20v8; Deuteronomy 5v12-15; Nehemiah 13v15-22

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/sabbath

“If you go against the grain of the universe, you get splinters.” – HH Farmer

Sabbath was built into the rhythm of creation and going against this rhythm has consequences. John Mark lays out a biblical theology of sabbath, showing that sabbath is instituted by God, blessed, holy, made for worship, a command and a gift, and a day to remember. 

Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 1v31-2:3; Exodus 16v9-30; Exodus 20v1-8

Resources for this practice: 

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practice/sabbath

Are you tired? We are plagued by a cancerous restlessness of our condition and our culture, made worse by our digital technology. Through sabbath, the way of Jesus instead offers rest and peace. In this episode, John Mark teaches on the need for sabbath in our lives and its potential to radically change our walk with God.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 11v28-30; Hebrews 4v1-11

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/sabbath

The Subversive Sabbath, AJ Swoboda

"When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

We live in a culture that focuses on self-gratification, but Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him. In this episode, John Mark talks about how denying the self and our disordered desires leads to our deepest joy, peace, and happiness.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 16v21-27; Galatians 2v20; Galatians 5v24-25; Colossians 3v1-5

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/fighting

How do we resist being shaped by modern culture? The "world," as the New Testament writers called it, shapes how we think and live. John Mark discusses how we can discover how we being shaped by culture. By learning how to reconnect with God's definitions of good and evil in those ways, we find how to be "in the world but not of it." 

Key Scripture Passages: John 15v18-21; John 17v6-18; 1 John 2v15-17; Romans 1v20; 1 John 3v16; 

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/fighting

Why Liberalism Failed, Patrick Deneen

Liberal Christianity, Theo Hobson

The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis

Disappearing Church, Mark Sayers

The Truth About Lies and the Lies About Truth, David Takle

You don't just reap what you sow: you become what you sow. Continuing his exploration of Galatians, John Mark teaches that our decisions to walk by the Spirit or by the flesh have a compounding effect that shapes our character and our destiny. He finishes by encouraging us to embrace the way of Jesus as practice walking by the spirit.

Key Scripture Passages: Galatians 6v1-9; James 1v4

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/fighting

Satan and the Problem of Evil, Greg Boyd

Doesn't freedom mean that I can do what I want? Not according to Jesus. John Mark contrasts our modern culture's definition of freedom with how Jesus and the other biblical authors thought about freedom. He then breaks down Galatians 5 and shows us how the practices of Jesus help us to walk by the Spirit towards true fulfillment in God and not be mastered by the flesh. 

Key Scripture Passages: Ephesians 2v1-5; Galatians 5v1-26

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/fighting

The Gift of Being Yourself, David Benner

Why Liberalism Failed, Patrick Deneen

How do we identify the lies that we are believing about God and ourselves? John Mark talks on the destruction that deception and believing lies can cause in our lives with a teaching on the Fall. Then he shows us how to identify and overcome those lies: by living with spirit and truth and refining our desires with the practices of Jesus. 

Key Scripture Passages: John 8v44-45; Genesis 3v1-15; Luke 4v1-13; Ephesians 6v13; James 4v7-8; 1 Peter 5v8-9

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/fighting

The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck

Why Liberalism Failed, Patrick Deneen

What is the truth? The modern, secular world laughs off the idea of the devil as a relic from the pre-scientific age. But for Jesus, there is an invisible but intelligent evil at work in the world, but his primary strategy isn’t what most of us expect. It’s lies. Fighting the devil is first and foremost about the war to believe truth over lies.

Key Scripture Passages: John 8v31-47; John 18v36-38

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/fighting

Renovation of the Heart, Dallas Willard

The Truth About Lies and Lies About The Truth, David Takle

The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis

The practice of communion has changed throughout church history. In part two of this teaching, John Mark continues to discuss the the many names for this practice and its use over the centuries. He leaves us with a challenge to press into community even when it's mundane and messy.

Key Scripture Passages: 1 Corinthians 11v20-34

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/eating-drinking

Come to the Table by John Mark Hicks

What is communion, really? The practice of eating with God, or the Lord's Supper, shows up throughout the New Testament. In part one of this teaching, John Mark breaks down the many names for this practice and its use in the Scriptures and throughout church history to give us a better understanding of the essence of this practice.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 22v7-30; Acts 2v42; Acts 20v7; 1 Corinthians 11v20-34;

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/eating-drinking

The Meal Jesus Gave Us by NT Wright

Seven Practices for the Church on Mission by David Fitch

In a culture that focuses on the negatives, how do we stand apart and live with joy? In part two of this teaching, John Mark talks about how to practice joy in our day-to-day lives and how the practice of eating and drinking together is one of the best ways to go about living a happy life.

Key Scripture Passages: Philippians 4v4-9

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/eating-drinking

Can Jesus show us how to be happy? In part one of this teaching, John Mark teaches about God's joyful nature and how that reality can give us wisdom to improve our everyday emotional health.

Key Scripture Passages: Hebrews 1v9; Psalm 45v7; John 2v1-11; John 15v11; John 16v24; John 17v13

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/eating-drinking

What does hospitality in the church have to do with architecture? John Mark explores the story of this practice in Church history: throughout the New Testament, we see followers of Jesus gathering in homes around a table and a meal. But as the church changed, so did their meeting place, which impacted the practice of eating and drinking in fellowship. John Mark encourages us to recapture this practice of breaking bread together and gives us practical ways to get started.

Key Scripture Passages: John 13v1-17; Acts 2v42-47; Romans 16v3-5; Colossians 4v15; Philemon 1-2; Galatians 6v9

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/eating-drinking

From Tablet to Table, Leonard Sweet

Community and Growth, Jean Vanier

What if, when Jesus said love your neighbor as yourself, he meant your actual neighbor? John Mark teaches on Jesus's command to love our neighbors as ourselves and the parable of the Good Samaritan. Then he explains the history of hospitality and finishes by walking through exercises to help us begin our journey with this practice.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 10v25-37

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/eating-drinking

The Gospel Comes with a House Key, Rosaria Butterfield

How can we practically love others and reach the lost in a post-Christian culture? In this teaching, John Mark looks at Jesus's habit of eating and drinking with the societal outcasts of his culture through the Gospel of Luke. Then he explores the biblical commands to practice hospitality in the New Testament letters. Finally, John Mark gives practical and spiritual guidance for how we can apply this practice to love and build relationships with the lost.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 19v1-10; Luke 7v33-50; Romans 12v13; 1 Peter 4v8-10; Hebrews 13v1-2

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/eating-drinking

The Gospel Comes with a House Key, Rosaria Butterfield

"The question isn't, 'How do you get through life without being hurt?' Not gonna happen. The question is, 'When you are hurt, how do you deal with it?'"

When we forgive, we first need to release the person who hurt us. But our journey doesn’t end there. We also need to learn to forgive ourselves, the unfairness of life, and finally, learn to release the feelings of anger that we have toward God. This week, John Mark challenges us to address our hurt and provides guidance for us to walk in forgiveness.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 18v21-35; Luke 23v32-34; Ephesians 4v30-32

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/forgiving

Sacred Fire, Ronald Rolheiser

Do you ever feel stuck in prayer? As if there is a wall between you and heaven? In this teaching, John Mark shows us different ways that fasting can be used in combination with prayer. Using examples from the Scriptures, he shows us five different ways that people fast and pray: to repent, to grieve, to cry out to God in a crisis, to ask God to relent, and to know God's mind when making decisions. John Mark concludes by reminding us that this practice, like all the practices, is about building our relationship with God, and encourages us to keep pressing in even when it's hard.

Key Scripture Passages: Acts 13v1; 1 Samuel 7v3-6; 1 Kings 21v27-28; Leviticus 23v26-32; 1 Samuel 31v11-13; Nehemiah 1v2-4; 2 Chronicles 20v1-12; Jonah 3v1-10; Joel 2v12-14

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/fasting

God's Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis

Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman

Why should you fast? In modern society, fasting as a spiritual practice is almost unheard of, even among Christians. So why does Jesus assume that his followers will fast? (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:15-16). In this teaching, John Mark discusses the what and the why behind fasting. First, he shows that fasting helps us break free from "slavery" to food, feeds our flesh and starves the spirit, and allows us to "pray" with our bodies. Then he outlines what fasting is and what it isn't and what that means for us as we press into this practice from the way of Jesus.

Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 2v4-7; Genesis 3v1-6; Matthew 4v1-4; John 4v7-30; Matthew 6v16-18; Galatians 5v13-25

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/fasting

Our God-given dreams are how God leads us and guides us into our identity and calling, to be who God made us, and to do what God made us to do. But dreams can be difficult to live with because there is always a gap between the dream and its fulfillment. In this teaching, John Mark lays out a theology of biblical dreams by exploring the story of Joseph. Through it, John Mark shows that God's fulfillment of our dreams is different, harder, longer, but also better than we can imagine. By remaining faithful to how God is calling us to live in the here and now, we can live with boldness and conviction in the identity and calling that God has for us.

Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 37v2 - Genesis 45v8; Philippians 4v11-13

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/identity-and-calling

We are all being formed into someone. For us, as apprentices of Jesus, how do we become more like Him? In this teaching, John Mark tells us that our apprenticeship to Jesus needs to be stronger than the stories we believe, our habits, our relationships, and our environment. Then he lays out how teaching, practice, community, and the Holy Spirit can help us counter these influences. John Mark closes by equipping us with tools and practices to help us be intentional in our spiritual formation with the goal of becoming more like Jesus. 

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 6v39-40; Romans 12v2; Matthew 5-7

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/identity-and-calling

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

The Cost of Discipleship by Diedrich Bonhoeffer

We are all being shaped. The question is, what is shaping you? This week, John Mark challenges us with this question as he unpacks how our beliefs, habits, relationships, and experiences all shape the person that we are. Rather than passively let these influences shape us, we are called, as apprentices of Jesus, to be intentional with our beliefs, habits, relationships, and experiences as we seek to curate our lives to grow in our love for Jesus.

Key Scripture Passages: Ephesians 4v1-24; Galatians 4v19; Proverbs 4v23

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/identity-and-calling

In the journey to discover your identity and calling, a transformation from who you are now to who you are becoming in Christ needs to take place. During that "inward journey," you have to come face-to-face with your sin. In this teaching, John Mark gives insight into how to navigate this journey. First, he walks us through the "layers of sin" and shows us how to address our sins at their roots. Then, he equips us with some tools to help us face our sin, including a short teaching on the Enneagram. And finally, John Mark reminds us that we can't do it on our own: we need the salvation that only Jesus can offer. 

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 4v18-22; Matthew 9v9-13

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/identity-and-calling

The Road Back to You, Suzanne Collins

Invitation to a Journey, Robert Mulholland

The Road to Character, David Brooks

enneagraminstitute.com

Who am I? Somewhere in our hearts, we all are seeking the answer to this question, trying to find security and worth. In this teaching, John Mark teaches us about who the Bible says we are. Jesus found his identity from Heaven, but we often find our identities from earthly things: in what we do, what we have, what we want, or even what others think about us. But the Bible says that not only is our identity rooted in Jesus and what He did on the Cross, but it is also rooted in our future with Him, rather than our past or present reality. John Mark closes by exhorting us to "live in a manner worthy of calling with which we have been called," and to embrace the fullness of God's identity and calling on our lives.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 3v13-17; Ephesians 1v1-15; Ephesians 4v1-3

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/identity-and-calling

Discovering our identity and calling is one of the key tasks of apprenticeship to Jesus because what we believe about our identity and calling has ramifications for who we become and what we do with our lives. And while the journey of discovery can be scary and difficult, the Scriptures and millennia of Christian tradition show us that it is essential. In this teaching, John Mark lays out the biblical basis for the practice of discovering our identity and calling. Then he explains what this journey is like by breaking down its stages. Finally, he offers resources to help in our journey and encourages us to embrace the process with community and the Holy Spirit.

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/identity-and-calling

We are all called to spend our lives abiding (John 15:4). Paul called it "praying without ceasing;" Brother Lawrence called it “practicing the presence of God." Jesus claimed that there is a strong connection between abiding and joy. In this teaching, John Mark gives us key insights to practicing this joy-filled lifestyle. First, John Mark challenges us to slow down, open our lives to the flow of the spirit, and practice the presence of God. Then he shows how the practice of fixed-hour prayer can be an effective tool to unlock this lifestyle. By pressing into the discipline of fixed-hour prayer, we can open our hearts to the joy and peace that Jesus promises. 

Key Scripture Passages: 1 Thessalonians 5v16-18; Daniel 6v1-28

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/prayer

What do you do when your prayers are not answered? In Jesus' teaching to His disciples in John 14-17, He tells them three times that whatever they ask for in His name will be done. So how do we make sense of Jesus’ promise to answer prayer with the reality that we all have unanswered prayers? In this teaching, John Mark goes through the various types and reasons for unanswered prayer in the Bible and explains how "laments" in the Psalms can serve as an example for how to bring our unanswered prayers to God. 

Key Scripture Passages: John 14v12-13; John 15v7, 16-17; John 16v23-24; Daniel 10; Matthew 21v21-22; Luke 18v1-8; Psalm 66v18; Isaiah 58v6-12; Psalm 13

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/prayer

Last week, John Mark walked us through Jesus teaching us how to pray. This week, we learn why we pray. In this teaching, John Mark covers Jesus' teaching and parable on prayer in Luke 11 to show that Jesus sees prayer differently. He believes that prayer is a way to collaborate with God to create good in the world. John Mark also challenges our preconceptions of prayer by talking through Jesus' command to ask with shameless audacity and don't stop asking. The episode concludes with some practical tips to make prayer a consistent element of your discipleship to Jesus. 

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 11v1-13; Genesis 1v26-28; Genesis 2v15-17; Genesis 3v6-7; Exodus 32v1-10

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/prayer

How should we pray? For most of us, prayer is a weak point in our apprenticeship to Jesus, and it's hard to do in the digital age. But Jesus made prayer a consistent part of His lifestyle, and it didn't seem to be a chore for Him. In this message, John Mark breaks down the practice of prayer. After defining prayer and explaining why it is so hard for many of us, John Mark explains what the Lord's Prayer teaches us about the attitude Jesus's had toward prayer and how we can press into prayer not just to meet our needs and wants, but primarily to enjoy the Father's presence. 

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 5v15-16; Luke 6v12; Luke 9v18, 28-34; Luke 11v1-4

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/prayer

Our families of origin and past experiences impact every human, both for bad and for good. In this teaching, John Mark explores the nature of blessing throughout the Bible and God's plan to bring blessing to the whole world, while showing how blessings are passed from one generation to the next. Because of the influence that we can have and our authority to bless, John Mark invites us to partner with God's plan by blessing our children, our friends, and our circumstances as a way to pass on good to the next generation. 

Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 12v1-3; Genesis 25v7; Genesis 26v23-25; Genesis 27v1-40; Genesis 28v10-15; Genesis 48v1-20; Genesis 2v24; Mark 10v13-16

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/dealing-with-your-past

Our family of origin and past experiences shape our present. And past hurt and trauma don't go away on their own. They need to be dealt with, or these hurts and traumas will emerge in unhealthy ways as we try to cope with our pain. So how do we deal with our past so that we can move forward in our apprenticeship to Jesus? In this teaching, John Mark shows us why it is important to deal with our past in our discipleship to Jesus. After discussing common objections to dealing with your past, he takes us through the Bible and shows how sins get passed from one generation to the next. He finishes this teaching by giving practical tips on how to engage these topics in community and begin your journey to healing and freedom.

Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 12v1-20; Genesis 20v1-18; Genesis 26v1-11; Genesis 27v18-20; Genesis 37v2-4; Genesis 37v31-35; Exodus 34v6-7; Mark 5v24-34

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/dealing-with-your-past

Why is it so difficult for us to be alone with God? Many believers struggle to practice silence and solitude, and others outright avoid it. This practice often evokes discomfort because it forces us to address the hard emotions we'd often like to ignore, whether it's loneliness, anxiety, or fear. This week, John Mark discusses these issues. Through the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19, we find that this is a common experience, and we also find a roadmap for how to deal with our emotions with God in a healthy way. 

Key scripture passages: 1 Kings 19v1-21

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/silence-solitude

Do you ever feel like your life is too busy, your schedule is too jammed, and your soul is overly hurried? You aren't alone: our culture is constantly pressing us to move at unsustainable speeds. So how do we "unhurry" our souls? Is there a practice from the way of Jesus, a time-tested way of living, that would set us up to thrive right in the middle of all the chaos of modern society? In this teaching, John Mark introduces the practice of Silence and Solitude as the answer to a world filled with distractions. Through the Scriptures, John Mark shows how even Jesus incorporated this into his routine and why this practice is often considered the most essential of them all. He concludes with practical ways to implement silence and solitude while taking into consideration your stage of life and discipleship. 

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 3v13-4v4; Mark 1v35-39; Mark 6v30-46; Luke 5v15-16

Resources for this practice:

practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/silence-solitude

Invitation to Silence and Solitude by Ruth Haley Barton

The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

"If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus."

In Matthew 11v28-30, Jesus offers a new yoke to his disciples. In this message, John Mark breaks down what it means to pick up the yoke of Jesus and adopt His lifestyle: taking up the easy yoke of Jesus means that we need to slow down. In light of this, John Mark explains how hurry is opposed to the way that Jesus walked and to our spiritual growth, then challenges us to be creative and disciplined in how we "unhurry" our lives. 

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 11v28-30; Luke 10v41-42 

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/practicing-the-way

In Luke 9:23, Jesus tells His disciples "if anyone wishes to come follow Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." In this episode, John Mark unpacks this Scripture, telling us that the cost of discipleship is to die to ourselves every day. Self-denial is not only challenging; it also runs against the prevailing cultural winds of self-fulfillment. But by overcoming our personal obstacles to discipleship and dying to ourselves, we can step into the abundant life that Jesus promises for His followers.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 9v18-24; Galatians 5v16-24; Luke 9v57-62; Luke 14v25-33; Luke 18v18-23; Matthew 13v44

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/practicing-the-way

Without the Holy Spirit, we will never be transformed to the degree we ache for and realize our full potential because willpower isn’t enough. This week, John Mark shows us the role the Holy Spirit plays in our transformation and the importance of partnering with Him in our apprenticeship to Jesus. Through this teaching, we learn about the person of the Holy Spirit and how walking by the Spirit brings the fruit that we long to see in our lives.

Key Scripture Passages: 2 Corinthians 3; Exodus 34v29-35; John 15v5; Galatians 5v22-25; Romans 6v13

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/practicing-the-way

Community is non-optional for disciples of Jesus. But in our modern world, it is easy to mistake our connectivity with community. In this teaching, John Mark communicates the importance of community and how we, as disciples of Jesus, are called to live life with others. But community is more than a command: it is the context where we are transformed, exposing what’s actually inside of us and encouraging us in our walk with God. John Mark finishes by giving practical guidance on how to practice community and a testimony of how God can use community to reveal His calling on our lives.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 4v18-22; Matthew 9v9-13; Matthew 10v1-5; Matthew 20v20-28; Acts 2v42-47; Acts 4v32-35; Acts 5v1-6

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/practicing-the-way

We know practicing the way of Jesus is important, but what exactly do we practice? In this teaching, John Mark drills down on the what and the how behind the practices of Jesus, drawing on the wisdom of the spiritual disciplines. The practices of Jesus, John Mark tells us, are ways to help us live out the lifestyle of Jesus. By “training hard” we can make it easier to be forgiving, kind, patient, loving, joyful, and more. But the disciplines go beyond that as they help shape our “loves” and orient our hearts toward God. John Mark finishes by showing that the disciplines should be practiced in community, shaped by who we are, and relevant to our stage of life.

Key Scripture Passages: 1 Corinthians 9v24-27; Acts 20v24; Galatians 5v7; 1 Timothy 6v12; 2 Timothy 4v6-8

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/practicing-the-way

How do we transform our lives to be like Jesus? In this mini-series, How We Change, John Mark lays out how transformation into the image of Jesus takes place: through teaching, practice, community, and the Holy Spirit. This first teaching focuses on teaching and practice. John Mark shows that teaching is meant to counter the stories we believe about our lives. Practice, on the other hand, is to counter our habits. And together, they recalibrate the loves of our hearts towards God.

Key Scripture Passages: Mark 1v14-15; Matthew 7v24-27; Romans 12v1-3; 2 Corinthians 2v16; 2 Corinthians 10v5; Colossians 3v3; Philippians 3v5

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/practicing-the-way

The end goal of our apprenticeship to Jesus is to do what He did. In this teaching, John Mark gives the historical background of discipleship and shows through the scriptures that Jesus’s intention was for His disciples to become like Him all along. By sharing some of his best practices, such as identifying your stage of discipleship, finding community, and starting with the basics, John Mark challenges us to live in the moment and become the embodiment of Jesus to the world.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 4v18-25; Matthew 8v18-22; Matthew 9v9-13; Matthew 9v35-10v8; Matthew 28v16-20; 1 Peter 2v11-12; Luke 19v10; Luke 7v34-35; Romans 12

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/practicing-the-way

“Who are you becoming?”

Are we conforming to the world, or being transformed to become like Jesus? In this next installment of the Practicing the Way vision series, John Mark discusses the call of Jesus for His students to become like their master, as well as how teaching, practice, community, and the Holy Spirit combine to help us practice and live the way of Jesus.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 6v39-40; 2 Corinthians 3v18, Romans 12v1-2; Matthew 5-7; Galatians 5v13-26;

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/practicing-the-way

How do we abide? It seems straightforward, but we often struggle to put it into practice. This week, John Mark tackles this problem as we continue in the Practicing the Way vision series. In this episode, John Mark teaches about the importance of spending time with Jesus. Using key scriptures and church history examples to give a tangible vision of how to “practice the presence of God,” John Mark shows that through abiding, we have access to the peace and joy that Jesus promised as we adopt the spiritual disciplines that Jesus exemplified.

Key Scripture Passages: John 1v35-49; John 14v16-15v8; Galatians 5v13-26

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/practicing-the-way

Have you ever wanted to have the abundant life of Jesus? In this new series, John Mark outlines the what, how, and why behind Practicing the Way. For the first episode, John Mark outlines the cultural context behind Jesus's identity as a first-century rabbi, and what that means for us as His followers as we practice being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did.

Key Scripture Passages: Mark 8v34-36; Mark 1v16-20; Mark 2v13-14; Mark 3v13-14; John 15v1-8; Matthew 5-7

Resources for this practice:

https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/practicing-the-way