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.

"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 13v51-52This 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 2v11-12Resources for this practice:https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/preaching-the-gospelThis 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.