The Way, Expanded Paperback Edition: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus

by Adam Hamilton, Rob Simbeck (Editor)

Travel with Adam Hamilton as he retraces the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Once again, Hamilton approaches his subject matter with thoughtfulness and wisdom, just as he did with Jesus’ crucifixion in 24 Hours That Changed the World and with Jesus’ birth in The Journey. Read The Way on your own or, for a more in-depth study, enjoy it with a small group or part of a 40-day church-wide emphasis during Lent and Easter or anytime of the year.Using historical information, archaeological data, and stories of the faith, Hamilton follows in the footsteps of Jesus from his baptism to the temptations to the heart of his ministry, including the people he loved, the parables he taught, the enemies he made, and the healing he brought. This 40-day focus will help you and your group grow deeper in their faith, learn more about the life of Christ, spend time daily reading and reflecting upon the Scriptures, and invite families, through the children’s and youth studies, to grow together in their faith. Additional resources include a DVD, devotional, youth and children editions, and a worship download to help with sermon planning.Lent, Lenten, Lenten Resource, Lenten Resources, Lent Study, Lent Studies, Easter, Easter Study, Easter Studies

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

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2012

About the author

Rev. Adam Hamilton is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. He grew up in the Kansas City area. He earned a B.A. degree in Pastoral Ministry from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection has grown from four people in 1990 to more than 16,000 adult members with an average weekly worship attendance of more than 8,600 in 2011. The church was listed as the most influential mainline church in America in a 2005 survey of American pastors.

Adam has been married 30 years to LaVon. They have two grown daughters.

Reviews

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Methodist minister and prolific author Adam Hamilton traveled to the Holy Land—Israel and Palestine—and walked in the footsteps of Jesus from the Jordan River to Jerusalem, recounting what happened in the life of Christ at each point. The result is this book, which is ideal for Lenten reading.

While this is not meant to take the place of reading the four Gospels, it does succinctly summarize the teachings, major themes, movements, and places in Jesus's three-year ministry. This gives a better understanding of who Jesus was so we, as modern-day disciples, may also follow in his footsteps—either figuratively or literally. Hamilton deftly uses history, archaeology, and the geography of the Holy Land to better explain Jesus's activities. One example: The geography of the mountains played a key part in Jesus's ministry—from climbing a mountain to pray alone to climbing a mountain to deliver the Sermon on the Mount.

The book is organized into six chapters, ostensibly one chapter for each week of Lent, although I read it from cover to cover in just a few days. The chapters include Jesus's baptism in the Jordan River and 40-day temptation in the wilderness; his healing ministry; proclaiming the Kingdom of God and what that meant to his first century followers; calming the storm and the revelation this provided to the disciples; Jesus's ministries with sinners, outcasts, and the poor; and his final week in Jerusalem—from riding into the town on the back of a donkey to being crucified on the cross and rising to life again. Easter is, after all, the climax of the defining story of the Christian faith, Hamilton so eloquently says.

In addition, the epilogue will help you define your own story, especially if you harbor doubts about the veracity of the Resurrection. (Hint: If so, you're in good company. Remember Thomas, who acquired the moniker Doubting Thomas?)

The book also serves as a kind of travelogue with lengthy sidebars on key Holy Land sites, including the Judean wilderness, what it was like to travel from Nazareth to Capernaum, the Sea of Galilee, Samaria, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, among others. Each chapter is enhanced with excellent black and white photos.

This is an inspiring and enlightening book that offers excellent explanations of what Jesus did and the effects his actions had on his followers and enemies.

Author Adam Hamilton is the senior pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, Missouri.

[Mary Ellin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all of Hamilton’s books, this one is eminently readable, a simply written telling of Jesus’s 3-year ministry, told as a companion to the Gospels. Part of a series, along with Journey to Bethlehem and Twenty-Four Hours that Changed the World, The Way completes a set that recounts the entirety of Jesus’s life on Earth. Highly recommended, as I do with all of Hamilton’s books. Reading a Hamilton book - this one or any other, will deepen your faith and increase your appreciation and understanding of the Gospels.

[Philip Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful walk through the life of Jesus with Pastor Adam Hamilton. A travel log through Israel and many of its holiest shrines (The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Sea of Galilee, a synagogue in Capernaum and so much more! There is an accompanying DVD that I have yet to see but look forward to viewing.). Moreover, the book is a scholarly, yet easy to read pastoral look at Jesus' ministry as he traveled the land. It's almost as if the reader becomes part of the entourage. All of Pastor Hamilton's books are worth reading and this one is a gem -- especially if you "walking" along with Jesus during Lent.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, big Adam Hamilton fan

For my entire life i thought of Israel and Bethlehem, Jerusalem and the travels and stories of Jesus as happening in some spirited non physical realm, here on Earth, just in my mind it was not connected to real rock and dirt places you could touch. This book changed all that - real life places , images in my mind now of the actual geographic, tangible sites and sights. Brought even more life into the passages of the new testament and stories of and by Jesus.
I need a pilgrimage to complete the experience.

* Total coincidence that I started this book on 3/16, haha 3:16 (john)

[Jen Unsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second book by Adam Hamilton. I find his writing to be very engaging and easy to read. I appreciated his descriptive tour of the holy land and how it immersed me into the life of my savior and the interactions he had during his ministry here on earth. I learned some new things about the culture in which my savior lived that brought a fresh perspective to the scriptures. I did not always agree with the authors commentary but this did not keep me from enjoying and learning from, The Way.

[Gareld Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has a clear, persuasive writing style and paints an excellent picture of Israel and Palestine during the time of Jesus. Although I consider myself fairly bible literate, I still learned some new things about the life of Jesus from this book.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Lenten read for 2024. Even though I read 24 hours that Changed the World and The Journey, both also by Hamilton which include information about his travels to the Holy Land, this one felt more like a travel guide than I remember the others being.

Format: Print (Paperback)

[Kristi Starmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice lent read

Hamilton's books are always easy to read and very educational. This book follows the last days of Jesus. It also has photos and stories from Hamiltons trip to the holy land.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written -- deals with the Holy Lands and the life of Jesus in specific places ...

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the cultural details from Jesus time

[Jim Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read. !

Adam takes us for a tour of the holy land with the help of the scriptures. I enjoyed the book and insights of Adam.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Studied with small group at church

[Gretchen Lord · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but not enough depth without the accompanying videos. Those made the book for me. Read it as part of a Lenten study group.

[Nancy Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a perfect book for our Lenten study - really took us into the final years of Jesus's ministry, death, and resurrection. I always love watching the DVD too, to really be able to visualize some of the geography.

[John Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Hamilton has written a book about his travels to the places described in the four gospels in an attempt to put the life of Jesus Christ in a fresh perspective. He is successful. This book has six chapters that are based on the geography of Israel: (1) the Jordan River and the wilderness, where Jesus was baptized and tempted, (2) Capernaum, where Jesus healed, (3) the mountains, from which Jesus proclaimed the kingdom, (4) the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus calmed the storm, (5) Samaria, where Jesus associated with sinners and outcasts, and (6) Jerusalem, where Jesus experienced his final week culminating with his crucifixion and resurrection.

Each chapter summarizes a part of Jesus’ ministry in a thought-provoking way, and the author inserts many photographs, facts, anecdotes and insightful analyses that help link the modern Israel to the Israel of Jesus’ time. If I had to pick the most meaningful chapter, I would pick the last chapter. The author emphasizes the importance of Holy Week by pointing out that the four Gospels devote between 20% (Luke) and 47% (John) to this week.

Like many, if not all, Christians, I experience some doubt, and this chapter deals with our questions in a helpful way. Particularly intriguing is the author’s discussion with a Jewish tour guide. This tour guide loved the teachings of Jesus and everything else about Him, but was not a Christian because he could not believe in the Resurrection. The author writes that he encouraged the tour guide to continue to ponder the Resurrection’s meaning. This is a good response, but incomplete. Mr. Hamilton probably should have told his guide that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God who would be killed and resurrected (John 2:19, Matthew 16:21 and other scriptures), so embracing the teachings of Jesus inexorably leads to accepting the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It is useful to experience the video that is associated with this book. Watching the video and seeing the author show where much of the Gospel takes place, from baptism in the Jordan River to burial at the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, makes the events more vivid and stimulates a desire to see these sites myself. It is also helpful to encounter this material and wrestle with questions with a group, and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to do that with my church this past Lenten Season.
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[Steven Bullmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel badly about giving the book only 3 stars (liked it) instead of 4 stars (really liked it). It's only because I have admired Adam Hamilton for over a decade, have read many of his books, listened to many of his sermons, and attended many of his Leadership Institutes; and this book, while excellent, didn't add much to what I already know and appreciate about Adam Hamilton.
The biggest new take-away from this book for me was his "tour-guide" approach to retelling the Gospel story. The way he described the landscape and the architecture of the places Jesus walked brought them to life for me.
Additionally, Hamilton has a winsome, almost child-like, way of retelling the Gospel stories. And so he imagines John the Baptist and Jesus playing together as children; he imagines what Jesus thought as he walked along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee; he tries to get into the heart of Jesus as he healed people, loved outcasts, and wept over Jerusalem. And while all of that is speculation, what his speculating did was help me feel a little less jaded by years of laboring in institutionalized churches and fall in love again with the Jesus in whose footsteps I am trying to follow.
Of all the things he wrote in this devotional, this is the one that stood out for me: "The only time we find Jesus angry toward sin is when religious people act in self-righteous ways or when they fail to respond to those in need." Hamilton has a heart for "sinners, outcasts, and the poor." He build his church on the foundation of serving "non-religious and nominally religious" people. I for one admire his walk.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent Lenten study from Hamilton

I read this as part of a study group, so I was fortunate to be able to see the video as well. I also read the devotional during the same time. I had previously read 24 Hours That Changed the World and loved it, so I was excited to read this. Both books are excellent reading for the Lent season, making you really consider the story of Jesus's ministry and final week. Hamilton has a very easy writing style,and never claims to know it all. He certainly can get you thinking. Isn't that the point of Lent? I appreciated the history of the time, the geology lesson so to speak that Hamilton used to clarify Jesus's ministry. It was interesting to read about the topography, customs, etc. The only reason I give this 4 instead of 5 stars is because it did not strike me as powerfully as 24 Hours did. Happy to have it though to alternate each year as my Lenten study.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to be read again and again. It tells about Jesus life in a way to which I could relate, and told about the actual areas of Isreal where he lived and how those areas are today. I was most impressed with Hamilton's ideas for getting rid of demons on pages 59 and 60. People had demons in the time of Jesus and probably may still have them. He also reminded again and again that Jesus hung out with the low life people. Do we? How do we treat them? Are all our friends Christians? How is that? Makes you change your ways, doesn't it?

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite parts--Being ready for Christ's return means: taking care of other servants as the master commanded, trusting him and doing his work,faithfully using the resources He has given you for his purposes. Those who will be blessed with eternal life are those who fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and visited the prisoner.
I liked that this was an easy to understand account of the gospels as they pertain to Jesus' teaching, preaching and crucifixion.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a little book (167 pages) that is worth reading. Dr.Hamilton, a Methodist minister of a mega church in Kansas, does an excellent job of historically referencing the events and places written about in the New Testament. I learned a lot, about the times, the region, the people. It brought a new richness to familiar texts. He also adds vivid descriptions of what the region looks like now, the reader gets a sense of what going on a Holy Land Tour would be like. Well done!

[Danaya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps it was because I was a Bible College student that this book does not stand out that much to me. It takes the reader on the journey of Jesus, paying particular attention to the landscape and background influences of Jesus' time. While I enjoy the descriptions of the topography to some extent I also find it a bit bland, although there are times that the author has good insight that gets me thinking.

[Jan Mcleod · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, very moving account of the life and ministry of Jesus. It is a combination of pastoral skill and insight, as well as scholarly research, as he documents places and events in Palestine and Jesus' travels and works. Mr. Hamilton does a thoroughly excellent job of explaining how and why we should be walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
This is a life-changing book for me, presented so forthright and clear with honest answers and real explanations.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our church is using this book for a Lenten class lasting five weeks. It's only in its second week, but it was hard to put it down until finished. It is enhanced by the videos that accompany the book; Rev. Hamilton visits the locations in Israel where Jesus carried out his ministry. I really like Rev. Hamilton's writing style and how he adds interesting facts to Jesus' story that have not been part of what I've known previously about his life, death, and resurrection.

[Brian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I plan on leading a study group with this book during Lent 2016. As always, I find Adam Hamilton insightful. The videos that accompany the book helped to bring the material to life and I would definitely see them as a vital and integral part of the book as a whole. Informational and inspirational.

[Kristen Stieffel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that combines cogent information about the Holy Land with keen insight into the scriptures. I lead a Bible study for a group of lifelong Christians -- a group of mature believers -- and it's a real challenge to find material that doesn't repeat stuff they've all heard before. This book and the companion DVD rose to the challenge.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book ay Adam Hamilton takes you through the Holy Land. It discusses and the CD shows you the places where Jesus walked. It is a very powerful book, especially with the CD. I enjoyed it very much because it gave me a new perspective.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"

[Thom Kohl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Hamilton. Takes the reader through the three years of ministry by Jesus. Answers the question of what kind of savior Jesus is and guides us in how we can follow His ways. Anxious to lead a study using this book and the accompanying video filmed on location in the Holy Land.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this book as a book study for the entire congregation and small group at our church. I thought it was very good the video that accompanies it is even better because you can visualize the places the author is talking about as you walk through Jesus' life it was good, wasn't great but good.

[Brenda Klaassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a small group study. I found the author did a good job holding the attention of the reader. I gained some good insight into the world that Jesus was dealing with. I am glad I took the time to read this book.

[Paul · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not a fan of Hamilton's but I have read several of his books, mostly in small group. This was the least of the lot. And the whole nonsense of the land being considered the fifth gospel. Sure some seminaries teach that, but its crap.