" We think of God's love and God's anger as at odds with one another. That's because we don't understand God's love or God's anger." John Mark challenges our perceptions of God, both the God who is always angry and the God who never gets angry, by showing in the Scriptures how God is both patient and wrathful, and why both are important for our understanding of who God is and what that means for us in our lives. Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-7, Matthew 21v12...
Oct 11, 2024•52 min
"We all love that God is compassionate and gracious, but what about when God is compassionate and gracious to people you hate?" John Mark walks us through the passages demonstrating the scandalous compassion and graciousness of God, inviting us to imitate God by extending compassion and grace to others in our lives. Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-7, Jonah 1-4, Luke 17v11-19, Luke 18v35-43, Luke 15v11-32, Luke 6v35-36 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our comm...
Oct 04, 2024•49 min
Why does God need a name in the first place? John Mark argues that it's because there are many "gods". He surveys scripture passages relating to gods and demonic beings, not only warning us that they are real and should never be worshipped, but that Yahweh is the one true creator God and is higher than them all. Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-7, Exodus 12v12, Exodus 15v11, Exodus 20v2-4, Psalm 82, Mark 5v1-13, Ephesians 6v10-12 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The C...
Sep 27, 2024•53 min
Who is God? John Mark dives deep into God's name, Yahweh, and the significance that holds for what he's like: a consistent God who wants to be in relationship with us. Key Scripture Passage: Exodus 34v6-7, Exodus 33v7-23, Genesis 17v1-5, Exodus 3v1-18 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Julie from Dallas, Texas; Luke from Springfield, Missouri; Phoebe from Hokowhitu, New Zealand; Leigh from Ro...
Sep 20, 2024•50 min
What comes to mind when you hear the word church? John Mark challenges us to rethink our definition, exploring the deeper meaning of church as the "called out ones," a new humanity formed by Jesus to carry the kingdom of God to every corner of the world. He calls us to see church as a family that embodies the kingdom of God through everyday relationships, practices, and a shared mission to spread God's kingdom. Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 10v1-7, Matthew 16v13-18, Acts 1v6-9, Act...
Sep 13, 2024•47 min
Why is the world so messed up? John Mark reflects on the reality of the world's dysfunction and how the story of the Fall in Genesis explains humanity's descent into chaos. He challenges us to reconsider our understanding of sin, its origins, and its impact on our lives, ultimately pointing to Jesus as our only hope for overcoming sin and its consequences. Key Scripture Passage: Genesis 3v1-21 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Spec...
Sep 06, 2024•47 min
The Generosity Practice is out now. Check it out at practicingtheway.org/generosity . "Generosity is more than giving; it's an act of trust." Ger Jones, lead pastor of Vintage Church, explores the deeper implications of generosity in the life of a disciple. He challenges the common views of generosity tied to wealth and obligation, urging us to see it as a practice that reshapes our hearts and lives. By reflecting on the biblical foundations and the transformative power of giving, he...
Aug 30, 2024•53 min
"What if fasting could break our hearts open to the suffering of the world and move us to action?" John Mark explores the connection between fasting and justice, urging us to consider how this ancient practice can realign our hearts with God's care for the poor. He challenges us to move beyond a self-focused spirituality and enter into a deeper solidarity with those in need. Key Scripture Passage: Isaiah 58v1-12 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community ...
Aug 23, 2024•52 min
Do you ever feel like your prayers aren't heard? In a world where we often feel disconnected from God's voice, fasting can be a powerful tool to hear and be heard by Heaven. John Mark explores the interplay between prayer and fasting, uncovering how these two ancient practices flow together and compliment the work of transformation in our lives. Key Scripture Passage: Acts 13v1-3, Jonah 3v5-10 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Spec...
Aug 16, 2024•46 min
How can we overcome sin when our willpower isn't enough? John Mark talks about how fasting is one way to help us grow in self-control, and the ripple effect that can have throughout our whole lives. Key Scripture Passage: Romans 7v15-8v1 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Melanie from Dothan, Alabama; Evan from Westminster, Colorado; Shaylana from Dallas, Texas; Peter from Howell, Michigan; and B...
Aug 09, 2024•56 min
Why should we fast? John Mark outlines the history of fasting in the Christian tradition, and argues that we don't fast to bio-hack our way to holiness, but rather to expose our weakness where God meets us. Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 6v16-18 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Lena from Nashville, Tennessee; Robert from Marietta, Georgia; Adam from Norton Shores, Michigan; Miles from Waco, Tex...
Aug 02, 2024•56 min
How do we sabbath well? John Mark highlights four common words associated with the word “shabbat”: stop, rest, delight, and worship, showing us how these four words give us clues on how to best open ourselves up to the life God offers us through this practice. Key Scripture Passages: Mark 2v23-28; Mark 3v1-6 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Beverly from Pearland, Texas; Pamela from Coppell, Texas; ...
Jul 26, 2024•55 min
Do you think of Sabbath as a weapon? In a culture that is addicted to the twin drugs of accomplishment and accumulation, Sabbath is how we “fight” back against Egypt, Pharaoh, and his empire. Join us as John Mark continues his biblical theology on Sabbath with an exploration of work and rest in the story of the Exodus. Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 20v8; Deuteronomy 5v12-15; Nehemiah 13v15-22 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special than...
Jul 19, 2024•53 min
What makes the Sabbath different from the rest of the week? John Mark continues exploring a biblical theology of Sabbath, demonstrating how Sabbath is woven throughout creation as a rhythm for us to follow, and encouraging us to embrace the gift of this practice with delight. Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 1v31-2:3; Exodus 16v9-30; Exodus 20v1-8 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Philip from Coupevi...
Jul 12, 2024•50 min
Are you tired? In our world filled with fast-paced digital technology, what do we do to combat the restlessness that corrodes at our soul? John Mark teaches on how the practice of Sabbath can help us embody the peace of Jesus in our lives and and radically change our walk with God. Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 11v28-30; Hebrews 4v1-11 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Tom from Kremmling, Colorado...
Jul 05, 2024•1 hr 8 min
What do you do when you hit a wall in your apprenticeship to Jesus? Beau Hughes, lead pastor of The Village Church, Denton, interviews John Mark and Matt Chandler, lead pastor of The Village Church, Flower Mound about their journeys of discipleship and formation. Together, John Mark and Matt encourage us to open our lives for God to bring transformation in the deepest part of our selves. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for...
Jun 28, 2024•44 min
How do we become resilient disciples of Jesus? Gavin Bennett shares a vision for how a Rule of Life can shape us and our communities into people of love. He challenges us to resist the temptations to make a Rule of Life about control, busyness, duty, or enthusiasm, and instead encourages us to lean into the invitations of the Spirit and Jesus's easy yoke. Key Scripture Passage: John 15v1-5 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special than...
Jun 21, 2024•47 min
Why a Rule of Life? Tyler Staton explains the why and the what behind a Rule of Life, outlining the biblical, historical, and practical roots of this practice. He argues that a Rule of Life is essential for us to preserve the new wine of God's grace in this cultural moment with new wineskins. Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 9v14-17, Psalm 56v12-13, Acts 2v42-47. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to:...
Jun 14, 2024•54 min
What does it look like to witness in our culture? Tre' Giles walks us through three ways to witness to others: spoken love, supernatural love, and sacrificial love, and challenges us to live our lives in a way that demonstrates the good news of Jesus to others. Key Scripture Passages: Acts 1v8; Colossians 1v12-14; Matthew 3v16-17; Matthew 9v9-13; Luke 23v38-43 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: J...
Jun 07, 2024•46 min
"Sabbath rest empowers resurrection work." In a world filled with burnout, exhaustion, and shallow indulgence, Tyler Staton argues that Sabbath is a practice to reform our relationship with work and rest - helping us work with God and receive rest as a gift from him. Highlighting the scriptural foundations and formational purpose of this practice, he highlights the future hope that we live into as we stop and rest. Key Scripture Passage: Genesis 2v1-3; Exodus 20v8-11; Exodus 31v17; Deute...
May 31, 2024•54 min
Are our hands so full of money that we can't receive the generosity of God? Gavin Bennett argues that how we handle money is key to our apprenticeship to Jesus. He shows us that when our generosity is rooted in God's generosity, we can more fully step into our role as stewards of the resources God's entrusted to us. Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 13v44-46; Matthew 6v24; Matthew 15v15-22; Matthew 19v16-26 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of mont...
May 24, 2024•41 min
What if serving others is more rewarding than we think? Bethany Allen argues that we often only consider the costs of service, but rarely consider the deeper rewards it brings: lasting joy and fulfillment. She not only encourages us to see and sacrifice for one another in service, but also offers us five principles to guide as we serve. Key Scripture Passage: Luke 10v25-37 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode g...
May 17, 2024•56 min
What does not eating have to do with following Jesus? Tyler Staton breaks down the "why" of fasting: how it can help us focus on what's most important, give us freedom from idols in our lives, and grow us in compassion for others. Key Scripture Passages: Romans 12v1 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Goolam from Claremont, South Africa; Andrew from Santa Rosa Beach, Florida; Carli from Ch...
May 10, 2024•52 min
"You can't follow Jesus alone." John Mark shows us the essential nature of community in our walk with Jesus: how God adopts us into his family and the role our brothers and sisters play in our formation. He concludes with an encouragement to be intentional in finding community, and when we do, to put down deep roots. Key Scripture Passages: Mark 1v16-20; Mark 3v13-19; Mark 3v32-35; Romans 8v15; Ephesians 2v15-20 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community ...
May 03, 2024•54 min
"When you're waiting, you're not doing nothing. You're doing the most important something there is. You're allowing your soul to grow up. If you can't wait, you can't become what God created you to be." - Unknown In a world that is full of noise and activity, solitude is deeply uncomfortable for many of us. Yet it's core to the way of Jesus. Tyler explores the importance of solitude in our apprenticeship, slowing us down to God's pace and giving us hope in...
Apr 26, 2024•55 min
Why are the Scriptures so confusing? Tim Mackie and Tyler Staton discuss how our intuition about what the Bible should do - that it's supposed to tell us about what's true, good, and God's voice - are correct. But these intuitions without the right tools to read can destruct our faith more than they construct it. Together, Tyler and Tim show us how to approach the Scriptures with the right tools, and read it like a story: one that leads us to Jesus. Key Scripture Passage: Psalm 1v1-3...
Apr 19, 2024•1 hr 7 min
"Prayer is the soil where every other spiritual practice grows." Tyler teaches on the pervasiveness of prayer in every facet of our spiritual walk and its importance in our growth. He challenges us to pray like we believe that God hears and answers. Key Scripture Passage: Hebrews 5v7 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Gillian from Forest Hills, South Africa; Jeff from Ann Arbor, Michigan; Eva...
Apr 12, 2024•43 min
What is the "yoke" of Jesus? Tyler Staton breaks down Jesus's invitation, helping us to experience the joy and life of Jesus as we follow in his ways. Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 11v28-30 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Emily from Lakewood, California; Abraham from Omaha, Nebraska; Eli from Bois D’Arc, Missouri; Steve from Portland, Oregon; and Samara from Lausanne, Switzerland. Tha...
Apr 05, 2024•53 min
Do you have hope? John Mark explores the life-changing message of Easter by showing us the hope found in the story of Jesus and his resurrection. Key Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 15v1-28 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Christopher from Superior, Colorado; Jonathan from Langley, BC; Kathy from Colorado Springs, Colorado; Kayne from Phoenix, Arizona; and Ryan from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Thank...
Mar 29, 2024•46 min
"Godliness is possible, but it is not natural." John Mark discusses some of the foundational ideas from his new book: Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus, Become Like Jesus, Do as He Did. John Mark challenges us to resist the distractions that tempt us to waste our lives, and instead become people of love who live for our eulogies rather than our resumes. To pick up a copy of John Mark's new book, you can purchase it online here , or in person wherever books are sold. This podcast and ...
Mar 22, 2024•1 hr 8 min
