We Make the Road by Walking: A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation, and Activation

by Brian D. McLaren

From critically acclaimed author Brian McLaren comes a brilliant retelling of the biblical story and a thrilling reintroduction to Christian faith.

This book offers everything you need to explore what a difference an honest, living, growing faith can make in our world today. It also puts tools in your hands to create a life-changing learning community in any home, restaurant, or other welcoming space.

The fifty-two (plus a few) weekly readings can each be read aloud in 10 to 12 minutes and offer a simple curriculum of insightful reflections and transformative practices. Organized around the traditional church year, these readings give an overview of the whole Bible and guide an individual or a group of friends through a year of rich study, interactive learning, and personal growth.

Perfect for home churches, congregations, classes, or individual study, each reading invites you to



If you're seeking a fresh way to experience and practice your faith, if you're a long-term Christian seeking new vitality, or if you feel out of place in traditional church circles, this book will inspire and activate you in your spiritual journey.

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

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Brian D. McLaren is an internationally known speaker and the author of over ten highly acclaimed books on contemporary Christianity, including A New Kind of Christian, A Generous Orthodoxy, and The Secret Message of Jesus.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian McLaren has been one of the most influential people in my spiritual life over the last decade. He’s the founding pastor of the church I attend whenever I’m back in the States (Cedar Ridge Community Church) and, starting with his A New Kind of Christian trilogy, his books have had a huge impact on my life. He and Marcus Borg are probably the only reason I still consider myself ‘Christian’. A New Kind of Christianity is still McLaren’s magnum opus, but in terms of his most practical books, this one is right up there with Finding Our Way Again and Naked Spirituality. And, as with all of his books, this one is well-organized and erudite but also poetic and impassioned.

One title McLaren originally considered for his new book was “Catechesis,” which reveals what he’s hoping for it to be – a thorough, methodical introduction to Christian faith in daily practice. It’s set up in 52 sections and thus can be read as a weekly devotional. The goal is ‘aliveness,’ an interesting word that I think captures the universal longing for spiritual thriving. This book would certainly be an excellent resource for new Christians, but I agree with McLaren that for disillusioned religious folk, it should also provide a perfect “reorientation from a fresh and healthy perspective.”

The chapters roughly follow the Church calendar and the biblical chronology, and each opens with one to four recommended Bible passages. The balance of references shifts as the book progresses: in the first section, dwelling on Creation (plus crisis, calling, captivity and conquest), there is usually one from the Old Testament and two from Psalms or the New Testament. The second part of the book, coinciding with Advent, incorporates passages from the Prophets, Gospels and Epistles. A third section, leading through Lent and Easter to the Ascension, relies primarily on close reading (or lectio divina) of the Gospel story, and encourages readers (“we”) to imagine themselves into the Passion story. The fourth and last part, inspired by the post-Pentecost spiritual life of the Church, mostly draws on Wisdom Literature and the Epistles.

In two of my favorite passages, McLaren discusses the Tree of Life as a symbol of the quest for aliveness and emphasizes the importance of keeping Herod in Christmas – remembering the ways in which institutional violence keeps the poor oppressed and reminding us that the kingdom of God has not yet come. I also loved this anti-prosperity Gospel declaration: “The Spirit leads us downward” into humble service, rather than raising us up.

I had access to an ARC through NetGalley, but made no attempt to sit down and read this book the whole way through. That is because I firmly believe that would not be how it is meant to be read. I would need a paper copy of my own to read deliberately and meditatively. For one thing, it needs to be read in community, even if that’s just a book club with one other person. The Bible readings and discussion questions should not be thought of as optional. For another thing, I think the book does indeed lend itself to being read over one Church year – not as some alternative program to reading the whole Bible through in a year (thankfully, by carefully selecting its passages, it skips the long slog of books like Leviticus), but as a reintroduction to the basics of the Christian story.

“We make the road by walking” is a phrase McLaren encountered from Paulo Freire, a Brazilian philosopher. I think it’s a beautiful way of thinking about faith. We rarely see the road clearly ahead of us, but as we take small steps forward, using the skills we already have and inhabiting the story we are already a part of, our way emerges. “You are not finished yet. You are ‘in the making.’ You have the capacity to learn, mature, think, change, and grow. You also have the freedom to stagnate, regress, constrict, and lose your way. Which road will you take?”

[Jennifer Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was meant to be used for weekly gatherings over the course of a year, but I chose to read each “week” as a daily devotional (I guess you can’t take the Baptist out of the girl!) The thing I loved about this book was that it connected progressive theology back to the Bible, and the truth is I’ve always loved digging into the Bible! I DON’T want to throw the baby out with the bath water, and this book showed me that I don’t have to. The Bible can be just as rich (actually more so) when you can look at it from a more honest place of acknowledging the parts that don’t line up with a loving God and learning to read it literarily verses literally.

[Lee Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

With 52 chapters–one for each week of the year–McLaren takes us on a year-long quest toward “aliveness,” as taught by Jesus through words and example. Each chapter lists a few suggested Bible readings, gives a few pages of inspiration, and lists suggested discussion topics. His idea is that we would use this book for Bible study, with family or close friends in Christ.

“Aliveness” is a wonderful description for the type of existence Jesus wishes to share. Where the Synoptic gospels speak of the Kingdom of Heaven, the Gospel of John prefers terminology like life, life of the ages, life to the full (all much more precise translations than “eternal life”). How are we to understand the Kingdom, then? Some possibilities that resonate with our current-day language: how about The global commonwealth of God. Maybe God’s regenerative economy. Perhaps God’s beloved community or God’s holy ecosystem. You get the idea. We’re talking about a transformation of this world, not a distant kingdom in the sky.

McLaren is a liberal Christian. He is not going to preach doctrine, and in fact, even an atheist could be inspired to a more wholesome, meaningful life by Jesus. Nor does McLaren delve in church theology. You won’t be taught you’re a horrible sinner in need of repentance and covering by the salvific blood of a sacrificed god. You won’t be taught that life’s purpose is to guess which religion to believe in, so that after you die you can float away to heaven. Instead, you’ll be reminded that God’s creation is good, we are good, life is good, and aliveness is an attainable dream. Jesus taught us how.

I’m a fan of McLaren’s straight-forward, inspirational writing. Definitely worth reading.

Jericho Books, © 2014, 281 pages

ISBN: 978-1-4555-1400-7

[Carol Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are lovely reflections. McLaren retells the stories of scripture with a compassionate lens. I talked with Brian about the book here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/gcr/Brian_M...

[Marty Solomon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is brilliant, not so much for it's content (I dont believe anybody will find any new ideas from Brian in this read), but in it's design. The book is created to provide a decentralized liturgy for those that are looking for an active and alive faith and struggling to find it in a church pulled in so many competing directions.

Now McLaren argues very directly for NOT leaving the church in his preface and introduction. He also very clearly warns against taking the liturgy and calling yourself (or small group) a "church." I think this warning is very well spoken and important.

But what follows is fantastic. The truth of the matter is that there are so many "nones" that are looking for an expression of faith and a Christ-centered walk. While we often think we are left with two options — going to churches bent on their own survival/existence or leaving the church and going it on our own — this 'book' offers a great opportunity to decentralize the movement of the Church. Some churches may even find a use in using the material themselves. But at the very least, we finally have something to give substance, structure and direction to all those who are ready to move on, maybe even without leaving.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent year long study guide that I read and worked through with my sisters. Very thought provoking and enlightening.

We used a study guide available on the internet to give us more guidance as we read through.
Definitely so glad we did study journey together.❤️

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very challenging 52 chapters of interesting theology with suggested discussion questions. Intended for small groups to study over 52 weeks.

[Beth Peninger · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book club I am part of picked this book and I don't know that any of us realized it was, as stated on the front cover, "A Year-Long Quest...." Oops. :) But in the introduction McLaren says that readers can go through it however they choose and hopefully still glean from it. So we stuck with reading it straight through rather than taking a year.
McLaren takes the 52 weeks of a year and devotes it to topics that pertain on how to truly, in his opinion, be alive in Christ. I feel iffy about McLaren but I wasn't unwillingly to read his book, I'm open to hearing different thoughts, etc about a life in Christ. And if they differ in the things I consider the "minors" then I really don't care. It's the "majors" that matter to me. That being said McLaren and I didn't disagree until I got to chapter 5. :) And even though we disagreed there we went on in following chapters to agree with each other. It is possible to agree to disagree after all. Even when it is a "major" you disagree on. And where McLaren and I seem to part ways in beliefs is on a "major" point but I won't let that keep me from gleaning other valid and good insights that he does have. The insights I appreciated from the book and have me thinking more on are things like; "one anothering", what the purpose of judgement actually is, how to live in aliveness, living downward, and other chapters really stood out to me as well.
I have zero regrets reading the book or McLaren's differing opinions. :) I like to think I'm grown up enough, mature enough to be okay with differing opinions and even beliefs. I think I had been interested in another couple of his titles and I will probably still, eventually, read them. I feel it is good to be challenged and stretched, to be made to put into words why we believe what we believe and how we came to that conclusion. The chapters, 52 of them, are short and easy. He includes reflection questions at the end of each chapter and then at the end of each quarter he includes some queries to prompt reflection on the past weeks thoughts. You can read it straight through and glean from it and you could take a year to go through it. Either way it was a worthy read, it gave me some things to think through that I appreciate.

[Geoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

People who like McLaren's thinking will also like this book. I do, and I did. However, people who have read any of McLaren's other books will also find themselves retreading a lot of familiar territory. I have, and I did. I was often bored by this book. But then, for every two or three "ho-hum" chapters, there would be one truly inspiring, insightful, revelatory, and enlightening chapter, making the whole book worthwhile. I read roughly 2/3 of the book with a weekly discussion group, following McLaren's directions; after that the group petered-out and lost interest. I finished the rest on my own as a daily devotional. I probably got more out of the book when discussing it with my group, but I would advise future readers to choose their groups carefully. Overall the book is good, but I still say McLaren's best is "A New Kind of Christian".

[Linda Gaines · Rating 5 out of 5]

All year long I have found photos and wrote about the ideas on scripture passages McLaren has presented. It's been a good year for some new ideas and ways of looking at the words of Jesus.

[Sally]

Small groups from our church are meeting weekly to discuss this book, chapter by chapter.

[Joyce]

As this is a religious study book, I have chosen not to rate it as each of us will come to the concepts presented from a different place in our beliefs. But from my own experience I would definitely give it 4 or 5 ⭐️s.

This book is to be read and reviewed in 52 sessions, or 1 chapter per week with some additional chapter inserts left over. You may acknowledge that the Bible Study group I belong took much longer. We also had a change of ministers so new ideas were presented for the final chapters. Please note we did take a few days off from our study group for holidays, when several people were unable to attend, when bad weather deterred our travel, etc. This also prolonged our reading. I should also mention, we skipped to the chapter sections for Lent and Advent during those seasins so it is also a book that doesn’t need to be read in order although I do recommend reading units together.

Completion was extended due to taking multiple weeks in a particular chapter that had several Bible Scriptures with each needing additional discussion by itself. Our group may be small but we each speak and question without hesitation!

Enjoy and don’t feel obligated to complete a chapter in one sitting but as I said before read units together. I also recommend the reader take time to review and choose a few if not all the question from the end of each chapter. They are somewhat repetitive but this will also give you additional ideas to think about and to share.

[Kathy England · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book hit me the wrong way from the very beginning. The author treats the "tree of conscience" in the Garden of Eden as a "tree of judgment". I disagree. I see this story as a parable of humans acquiring conscience, that is the difference between right and wrong, and we all need to recognize that difference in our own living and in making our own decisions.

Next, he starts on the story of Cain and Able with, "let's just say that Cain owns a large, established farm and Able is just a nomadic, poor shepherd. It goes on from there to become a story of the elite versus the masses. I have problems with people who add facts to the stories in the Bible that aren't there. Isn't that one of the things that got Eve in trouble? She re-interpreted the words of God to the serpent? I also have problems with people who confuse their political beliefs with their religious beliefs - in both parties.

In light of the political slant to the beginning of the book, I was on guard for the entire rest of the book. I agree with many of the things the author said, I was challenged to really think about some of the other ideas he brought up, but I was constantly aware of his political views, and I, for one, don't think God ever asks us to put our trust in the government.

I wouldn't read this book again, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else.

[Dylan Patterson-Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Presents a way of looking at the story of God, creation, history, and the Bible that is about the true mystery: God's amazing love for humankind.
In this day and age of prosperity teaching and political theology, it's refreshing to read a book that ignores all that to focus on the gospel message (the "Good News").
Brian McLaren is an excellent writer, able to make the complex simple and help the reader wrestle with the questions of faith. He challenges unbiblical teachings that have become commonly accepted in a direct and honest way. The message always points back to the loving, just nature of God.
His writing has refreshed and renewed my faith while challenging me to broaden my image of the uncontainable God.
As Brian so eloquently writes at the end of the book: "This mystery dares us to believe that the big love of God is big enough to swallow all death and overflow with aliveness for us all....That is why we walk this road, from the known into the unknown, deeper into the mystery, deeper into light, deeper into love, deeper into joy."
This book is ultimately about walking out our faith, with fellow believers and people we meet along the way, discovering more and more of the mystery and love of God.

[Eric Schweinhagen · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a lapsed Christian who would very much like to believe, but has trouble doing so - particularly due to the way in which so many Christians appear to have forgotten (or purposefully rejected) the CHRIST part of their religion - this book was a relaxing but not terribly valuable read. The author is at his best when he’s nibbling the edges of Christless Christians, although he’s careful not to take too big a bite. But it’s clear to me he holds some socially liberal views. That’s the scholar I’d like to hear more from.

The chapters near the end are the best. The alternate reading of Revelations (based on historical context) was indeed a delight. And a fresh breath of air contrasted with the end-of-the-world madness folks often embrace with Revelations. My dudes, the world ain’t ending. At least not in the next couple thousand years.

Lastly, my brother LOVES exclamation marks! Perhaps it’s to illustrate his point, but it feels like someone trying really really super hard to manufacture excitement!!!

[Roger Smitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was written for believers of Jesus and His Bible to understand more fully what the New Testament has to say to those of us in the 21st century. The 52 chapters are arranged to engage readers about what Jesus and his disciplines did. It's the syllabus for a year-long Bible class that challenges what they have already heard about Jesus.

Each chapter begins with a 2-3 page, easily read, written sermon that asks questions. Each chapter provides a few questions designed too spring conversation among the participants. It would be important to have a leader of the group who knows how to make a group discussion useful for all attendees.

The questions challenge us to think of how we serve others. It's not a study that gets you an A.

[Jennifer Barten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading this book for a year with two girlfriends. After a year of reading a chapter every week you would think I would be ready to be done with it, ready to start something else but there is a hole right now with me wondering what is next. A sadness from finishing this amazing book.
During this study I learned so much, I questioned a lot and I disagreed with a little but more than all of that I grew in Christ.
This book is designed to start in September, when the new lectionary starts and follow it all the way through. I loved hearing my preacher's point of view on Sunday and then reading Brian's point of view. They often went in completely different directions but still spoke of God's love just the same.

[John Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of We Make the Road by Walking the way I listen to most audiobooks—from start to finish over a few days. That’s not exactly how this book is structured—it’s written as 52 short reflections meant to be read weekly across a full year, in step with the liturgical calendar. But it worked for my purpose, which was to understand a different way of approaching scripture.

McLaren illustrates a metaphorical, story-shaped reading—one that invites curiosity, movement, and honest wrestling, rather than certainty and control. For others raised with a certain view of scripture—fixed, literal, inerrant—this approach may feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable. I found it resonant with the kind of faith I’ve tended to respect: the kind that leads with grace, lives in service, and tries to leave the dogma behind.

Mission accomplished.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for personal (or group) Bible study. I used it as a daily rather than weekly study, so I finished it in about four months (I missed a few days here and there). My one complaint is that the Advent and Christmas section has a weird format for the reflections, in that they essentially just retell the passages assigned for that day, except melodramatically. Otherwise, the reflections were very thoughtful and thought-provoking, and I appreciate how it moves through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation--it's not a book-by-book study, but I definitely got a feel for the flow of events.

[Maria Weir · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan because McClaren seems to present scriptures through a modern "community-centric" reinterpretation. Perhaps he's trying to bring a "prophetic voice" but these meditations fail by perpetuating the understanding of scripture through the myopic lens of this moment. Scripture was born of tradition. Each book was written to a primary audience and we the secondary audience need to take care how we interpret what is for us. Literary style, authorial intent, cultural, and history cannot just be reinterpreted to update to make scripture for us. Obviously I felt like many passages did that.

[Jamie Seed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life! It came to me at a pivotal moment and opened my heart and my mind to a new understanding of Jesus and his mission while walking the roads of this earth. McLaren's imaginative and expressive prose takes the reader into the world of the living Jesus and puts one in the tribe of followers of the man who changed the world with his humble and radical teachings.
I cannot recommend this book more highly. I read it alone and it worked wonders on my spirit, but I am excited about sharing it in a group setting for discussion as the author advises.

[Pearl Loewen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like anything McLaren writes. I did not read this book as it is intended to be reach - over time, along with the corresponding Scriptures, best done in community. Instead I read it cover to cover, and appreciated how it reinforced a way of reading the Bible that is life- and love-giving. I use the phrase often - “We Make the Road by Walking” - it so describes the mystery of our journeys here on earth, as we go deeper and deeper into the Mystery of life and love.

[Lafiev36 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great intro / reintroduction / refresher to the Christian faith. McLaren works the whole way through the Bible in a way that isn’t hostile or shame focused. If you grew up in the evangelical or any other shame focused tradition and are looking for a less burdensome lens through which to view your faith, this book is for you. I fell in love with Jesus again and threw off chains I didn’t realize I was bound by.

[Missyjohnson1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great small group study for a seeker, skeptic or new believer. It also allows for a number of ideas or things to think about for someone who has done other studies. Probably best to have a group with diverse vantage points to allow for the best discussions. Seems that a smaller group of three or four would fit the discussion aspect as opposed to a larger group.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this book as a Facebook "book study group". I stumbled upon the group while researching the names of local clergy. It's a good book--not one of McLaren's best--but would make a good book for a church group to read together....or you can just read it on your own. Will be keeping as a possible guide to future labyrinth walks I might facilitate.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a gleaner, especially when I read. I don't have to like every aspect of a book to truly value it. That was the case here. Not sure that McLaren and I are totally on the same page theologically, but we are in more agreement, than disagreement, and there was much that I gleaned from his pages making it well-worth reading.

[Denise Cormaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is meant to be read weekly, a chapter at a time. I started doing that at the beginning of the year but I've let it slide past the point of catching up. It is a beautiful book and I'm sure I'll pick it up again.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual read. A group from your church started read, one chapter a week, with a teaching on the chapter following Sunday service.

Each chapter is short (2-3 pages). So not a lot of fluff, just a good message.

[Steve Lee Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly troubling....

Following Jesus is not the equivalent of going to church every Sunday. But we don't have to do it alone. It is an adventure we undertake with other disciples and we make a road in the wilderness of this world. This book is both challenging and comforting.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with Monday night study group. I think I could have got more from it, so I might read it again, and spread each chapter out over a week, rather than rushing two chapters every Monday before meeting!