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 7v15-23This 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!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

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 7v12This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to Timothy from Minnetonka, Minnesota; Derek from Holly Springs, North Carolina; Madison from Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jim from Flowery Branch, Georgia; and Kramer from Gig Harbor, 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.

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 6v1-4This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to Andrew from Salt Lake City, Utah; Andrew from Portland, Oregon; Jody from Kiefer, Oklahoma; Koen from Groningen, Netherlands; and Dan from Norcross, Georgia. 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 podcast discusses Jesus' radical teaching on enemy love. It explores historical context, challenges faced by the Hebrews, and the transformative power of love. Examples from history and personal experiences highlight the blessings and challenges of practicing enemy love. The chapter ends with a reflection on turning enemies into neighbors and the call to cross-shaped love.

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 5v38-42Resource from this teaching (affiliate link): Fight, Preston SprinkleThis 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!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

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-BrewerThis podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to Tashona from Carrollton, Texas; Logan from Hinsdale, Illinois; Karen from East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; Amanda from Menomonie, Wisconsin, and Seth from Spokane, 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.

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 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to Anh from Dublin, California; Evan from Troutdale, Oregon; Parker from Dallas, Texas; Terry from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Alexander from Fresno, 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.

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

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 5v1-10This 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!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

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 1v18-2v23This 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.