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.

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.