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 4v14-22Resources for this practice: https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/scriptureThis 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 3v14-17Resources for this practice: https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/scriptureShaped by the Word, Robert MulhollandThis 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 4v4-9Resources for this practicehttps://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/unhurryPath 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 3v1-7Resources 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 6v5-6Resources 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 16Resources 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 15v1-8Resources 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 10v25-37Resources 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 6v1-6Resources for this practice:https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/community