Exploring the importance of the greatest commandment, the deeper meaning of loving God, the theology of the heart, love as the measure of spiritual maturity, and making lifestyle changes for discipleship.

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 19v1-10This 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!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

In this podcast, John Mark explores Jesus' teaching on dealing with sin in the church and how it can help the church become what it's called to be. They discuss topics such as the importance of not despising little ones, handling conflicts within the church, moving from narcissism to love, and approaching church discipline with the right spirit. They also explore the concept of living in the kingdom of God, accepting and loving people as they are, and listening and obeying the voice of God.

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 18v1-9Resources 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!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

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 16v28-17v13This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. 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 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 16v21-27This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. 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 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 16v13-20This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. 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.

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 14v22-36This 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!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

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 11v1-15Resources 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!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

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 7v24-29Resources 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!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.