Practicing the Way of Jesus: Life Together in the Kingdom of Love

by Mark Scandrette

Take a casual survey of how people practice their faith, and you might reasonably conclude that Jesus spent his life going door to door offering private lessons, complete with chalkboard and pop quizzes. We think about God in the comfort of our own minds, in isolation from one another; meanwhile the world waits for a people to practice the way of Jesus together. Mark Scandrette contends that Jesus has in mind something more lively for us: not a classroom so much as a kingdom, where our formation takes place not only in our heads but in our hearts and our bodies, and in the company of one another, in a way that blesses the world we've been entrusted with. In Practicing the Way of Jesus Scandrette draws from his experience as a spiritual director and leader of an intentional community, as well as the best contemporary thinking on kingdom spirituality, to paint a picture of life lived together, in the way of Jesus--which is another way of saying life lived to the full.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christianity, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Faith, Discipleship

220 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 2011

About the author

Mark Scandrette is an internationally recognized expert in practical Christian spirituality. He is the founding director of ReIMAGINE: A Center for Integral Christian Practice and he is on the creative team for NINE BEATS collective. A sought after voice for creative, radical, and embodied faith practices, he frequently speaks at universities, churches and conferences nationally and internationally and also serves as adjunct faculty in the doctoral program at Fuller Theological Seminary. His most recent books include The Ninefold Path of Jesus, FREE, Practicing the Way of Jesus, and Belonging and Becoming (with Lisa Scandrette). Mark lives with his wife and their three young adult children in an old Victorian in San Francisco's Mission District.

Reviews

[Sarah Chappell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an interesting book with some super helpful practical strategies you can implement into your life to be more like Jesus, but there were a few things that weren’t really my favourite. I found that some good points were made but they were supported with bible verses which seemed out of context or not relevant. Similarly, I found that the writing style was ingratiating at points or the examples were too specific, such as quoting many conversations as if they were the exact conversations had.
But perhaps this is written with American culture in mind (as the author is based in San Francisco).
After reading the book by myself, I feel like it could have been beneficial to read it in a group or with someone else to discuss the points made.

[Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very practical (duh) and interesting look into putting faith into action. I found it applicable and motivational for my own life.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book twice now and am now working through it again with two friends of mine. This is a marvellous book that helps all of us to better understand how we can introduce practices in our life that are more Jesus-focused and less me-focused.

I've been fortunate to meet Mark and be taught by him on some of the elements of his book. What was particularly pleasing for me having spent some time with Mark I realised he was just like you and me, he was no Mother Teresa, he grapples with living the Way of Jesus as much as anyone. However, what is especially different about Mark and his wife, Lisa, is they've been having a real go at it for years now and by using different 'experiments' (usually with others) have borne the fruit from stretching themselves and picking themselves up when an experiment may not have worked the way they initially thought it would.

The book is essentially broken into two sections: the first being the 'theory' and the second being the 'practice'. Full of stories, learnings from experiments completed by them and many others and wisdom from the Bible and other wise ones, this is an invaluable addition to the spiritual formation catalogue and is a must read for anyone desiring to discover the wonder of living more like Jesus did.

The book flows well and in that respect is easy to read but you can't not read it without being challenged to conduct your own experiment(s) and that's the brilliance of it - Mark shows us how to do it step-by-step. Plus you come to see Jesus in an even brighter light.

Grab a copy of it as you won't be disappointed.

[Brooks Lemmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I don’t agree with everything this author said I think this is a great book for facilitating the beginnings of a community based on the practices of Jesus. I really enjoyed the first half which was about the basis for group practice and why we need it today. The second half was all about different group experiments we can engage in to get the ball rolling on the spiritual journey as a community. I definitely have some experiments I will be taking with me and hopefully starting within the community I am a part of!

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've taken months to read through this book. It was given to me by our Spiritual Formation minister at church and it has my head buzzing with ideas!

My first steps are to take the time to really evaluate my life purpose. After years of wondering about this, some things have recently started to come together for me...I'm sensing God's timing at work and trying very hard to be obedient to that. This book does an excellent job of giving me practical ways of thinking through many options - some I will do on my own, some with people that I'm already meeting with regularly, and some I may not even know yet. The last one is most exciting to me.

I spent the past couple of years feeling grateful for my small group but longing for more than just another Bible study. I love digging into the Word and the great conversations that come from those but God has given me a spirit of action and I didn't know where or how to start. This book is just what I needed to plant some ideas.

If you find yourself in a similar place or if you are just curious about ways to practice living like Jesus, read this book!

[Jordan Parkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My credibility wouldn’t come from what I knew or how well I performed, but from my lived experience, practicing and teaching the way.” (Page 97)
- Mark Scandrette

I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did! This was assigned reading for a class I am taking in University, and I really didn’t know what I was getting into. It was very practical and helpful in showing what spiritual formation looks like in a community. Would definitely read again.

[John Kohlhepp · Rating 4 out of 5]

very practical book the focuses on small group activities he calls experiments. He pushes the reader to lead or be a part of a group that moves from sit and think about our relationship with Jesus and make each other feel good for believing the right thing to go and do and risk to learn through these experiments.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique in its presentation of concrete ideas for running "experiments of obedience." There's definitely material here to help the Christian who is stuck in the rut of traditional spiritual growth practices. I anticipate putting some of the experiments in this book to work in my own life and finding ways to introduce them into the small group culture at my local church.

[Hallie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book did a nice job promoting values-based living and the importance of community. However, the idea of the experiments wasn't necessarily what I was looking for and at times felt too specific. I imagine this being a useful read for people at a different point and wanting something a little different from their spirituality. I wouldn't discount the book, but I found it to be just ok.

[Johnny Cowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a helpful book. Mark does a great job mixing real-life stories and personal experiences in following Jesus with practical, tangible exercises for us to implement in our own communities.

I appreciate the attention to not only providing the “what to do” but the “how to do it” for the life of a disciple of Jesus; breaking down Jesus’ and other followers exercises.

[Jorge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siempre las disciplinas espirituales son presentadas como prácticas tranquilas y solitarias. Este libro las propone como activas y grupales. Excelentes ideas para implementar y comparte modelos y testimonios.

[Mark Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give it a 3.5 stars. A very practical book that has very specific ideas for groups and individuals.

[Thomas Christianson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting thoughts on practical Christian living.

[Stuart Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling case for obedience based discipleship

[Kimberly Lavoie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptionally challenging book about putting hands and feet to belief.

[Riley Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Memoir alert

[Robert Irish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book full of practical approaches to living a life of meaningful faith. It's one I come back to.

[Brad Dell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daring, practical, wise. A radical take on practicing the kingdom tangibly, yet a simple one. Mark clearly practices these ideas among a developed culture of resourced people, so it’s harder to imagine his ideas working for the average church. Then again, maybe these ideas are what built such a culture, and one needs only a leap of faith.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems all too easy to walk away from hearing a sermon without a tangible application. What good is it to read scripture and pontificate about it without coming up with clear, explicit ways to apply it? As Christians, we understand that it's grace and not works that save us but being saved should ignite a spark within us to live out the way of Jesus. What would it look like if I were to exit church not just thinking "I should read my Bible more" or "I'm going to spend more time in prayer" but with a plan to give away half of what I own or spend time with the poor or to analyze my use of finances? And not just walk away with a plan but with a group of people I have vowed to be accountable to? This is what it looks like to practice the way of Jesus to invoke real change in our lives.
It was inspiring to read about Scandrette's small groups and their experiments, which have brought about change in the participants and in some cases the surrounding communities. The book is chock full of examples of experiments he has taken part of and experiment ideas for the reader to try. For this reason, it doesn't make sense to read this book in isolation because it's a book that asks the reader to step out of her comfort zone and try something new, something that will ultimately reshape her relationships with others and with God. There is real power in application on this level because as you stretch yourself and ask God to use you and surprise you, you can guarantee He will answer those prayers.
One critique I have with this book is that it doesn't take the time to delve into failed experiments. Since this book acts as more of a guide than just a book to read for entertainment, it would do well to guide the reader through failed situations. What does the community do when an experiment goes awry? What are helpful ways to process it? How do you move on without feeling totally defeated?
This book is challenging, convicting and at times uncomfortable. Some experiments left me wondering whether I would honestly take part in them given the choice. If I've become too complacent in my faith and I'm fine with the status quo then what does that mean about my growth as a Christian? The experiments we have chosen to perform in our own church community have been rewarding and well-received. They're not always pretty but ultimately they have given way to living as a Christian in a more intentional manner.

[Rick Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Mark Scandrette is a dangerous read and I suspect that Scandrette is a dangerous man for this very reason: he dares to take the teachings of Jesus at their word. What follows is an invitation to "experiments in truth" where a community of individuals make a vow to discern together how to live out the teachings of Jesus in the midst of their lives. The book describes the process and narrates the story of how Scandrette and others have tried to enter into communal practice together in a spirit of mutual support and accountability. He is open in insisting that these are experiments and that there is as much to be learned from failure as there is from success. As an author, he also is vulnerable and honest about the difficulties entailed in a life of discipleship and thus avoids the "five steps to a transformed life" formula. This book can be read individually but is also structured to be entered into as a group journey experimenting together on the way of Jesus. This is a book about transformation. It is a dangerous threat to the watered down versions of Christianity that domesticate Jesus of Nazareth into a comforting supporter of the status quo. Pick up this book. You will be challenged...but you won't be sorry.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practicing the Way of Jesus has some creative and wonderful ideas in it about living the kingdom life together as community and creating new practices to change lives and the wider world. It is easy enough to read, though not always well organized. It's tone at the beginning was offputting to me - a kind of hipper-than-thou can-do attitude, that seemed to dismiss intellectual and internal spiritual pursuits and even the church for the author's "tribal" and physical activities. It dissipated as the book went on (and he explained himself better), but really made it difficult for me to appreciate the work at first (and made it easy to dismiss his ideas as well). As the book progressed Scandrette's humility (or work on humility) did come out, and I heard the deep challenge of his questions and the radical, communal, and Christ-centered nature of the practices he suggested. Hopefully the author's writing will continue to develop and he can corral his thoughts to better organize them. His questions are already greatly challenging. Now to find a community to put some of these ideas into practice.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those communities looking to really follow the person of Jesus, this is a magnificent place to start. Mark Scandrette is a huge proponent of intentional faith communities, and I had the pleasure of hearing him speak a couple years ago. This book details his faith community's journey chasing after the person of Jesus in doing "experiments" where they practice living in ways that they have agreed upon to further their growth as persons, their relationship with Jesus, and their relationships with their immediate community and extended community. This book has ample opportunities for reflection and discussion and challenges us to live out what we believe and chase this man called Jesus.

[David Wierzbicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will either be a complete waste of your time or a moment of complete life change. The pages found here invite you to actually practice what you are reading and it is in the reflection questions and suggested experiments that the true value of Practicing the Way of Jesus is found.

If you are willing to put something in beyond reading just for information Practicing the Way of Jesus could possibly change the course of your life from living for self to following in the way of Jesus and along the way finding Life.

[Ashley Pharis Nienaber · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enticing yet practical guide to engaging with the teachings of Jesus in a creative and community-based setting. The chapters are broken up by topics, with two chapters per topic- one being focused on the background and scriptural basis for the topic and the other corresponding chapter shares stories and practical prompts to experiment with applying teachings about said topics in your own life (i.e. hospitality, financial stewardship, etc.).

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good friend had been encouraging me to read this for some time. It's a good book with quite a few helpful ideas as to how one or a group might take action to find out more of what it means to actually follow Jesus and not simply believe. If it succeeds in doing that I reckon it's a very good book.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book. Great take on practical applications for living out the story of Jesus. I also appreciated the authors transparency on his failures along with successes. Worth a purchase.

[Brian King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus never called people to learn a bunch of good things in Sunday school. He called people to LIVE a life of transformed values and perspective in community together. This book contains some very practical examples of practicing the life Jesus called his disciples to live.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very challenging and thought provoking book. It explores the consequences of taking Jesus' teachings seriously. He provides many examples of his own experiences and those of other people who have chosen to live the way of Jesus. I highly recommend it.

[Tori Hook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Dynamics of Spiritual Growth class. Actual writing was not the best, but the practical experiments and invitation to really live out the way of Jesus was really exciting. This is a book I'll be returning to in later ministry and just life in general.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much goodness in here! Makes me burn to see 'church' reclaimed not as an event where we passively receive our weekly grace-infusion, but as a experiment in actually LIVING the way of Jesus - church as a people GROWING in grace.