During Fall 2025, almost 200 CGLC members participated in The Practicing the Way Course, making time and space to be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did. We also preached through a series, The Way of Jesus, addressing many facets of what being an apprentice of Jesus looks like, and which areas of our lives that should affect. The stories have been coming in, and people have really responded to Jesus' invitation to be with him, letting him change their lives!

The Practicing the Way Course (8 Weeks): January 18–March 8, 2026

If you've already taken the course, we are offering two of the 4-week Practice courses beginning in February:

The Community Practice (4 Weeks): Sundays at 10:30am, February 8–March 1

The Service Practice (4 Weeks): Sundays at 10:30am, March 8–March 29

Your existing group can run these Practice courses at any time through practicingtheway.org.

What is practicing the Way?

The earliest followers of Jesus weren’t called Christians; rather, they were followers of “the Way” (see Acts 9:2), which was Jesus’s way of life. To be disciples of Jesus, we need to become his apprentices, following his way, including his spiritual practices; hence, Practicing the Way.

Practicing the Way (the organization) has created resources, including books, courses, and podcasts, to help our community be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did in accessible, faithful, historically rooted ways that align with CGLC's values.

How do we live into our values?

Be with Jesus—Become like him—Do as he did

What if we could See, Love, Serve, and Teach people the way Jesus did, because we’re becoming more like him? We believe that tools provided by Practicing the Way, in concert with the Holy Spirit, can move us in this direction.

The Practicing the Way Course (8 Weeks): January 18–March 8, 2026

How do I participate in Practicing the Way?

If you need a group:
Sign up now for the Practicing the Way Course in Church Center. Choose one of the available times and we'll get you into a group! All groups run weeks of Jan 18–March 8

Sunday @ 10:30am-12pm (church)
Monday @ 6:30pm-8pm (home)
Wednesday @ 6pm-8pm (church)

If you can’t make a group work:
Check out our YouTube preaching series from Fall 2025, The Way of Jesus.
We also recommend reading the book Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer.

FAQ (Answered by Dan Lugo)

Q: Are we a "Practicing the Way" congregation? It seems like we're pushing it a lot.

A: We are a Jesus congregation. Period. We are really into Jesus, and we are open to tools that help us become like him.
That said, each of our pastors have read the book, and our staff have taken the Course, and it's the best-fitting tool to help our congregation en mass know what we can do to be more like Jesus, rather than what we can know to be more like Jesus.
Is it perfect? No.
Do we still use our own theological filters? Yes.
Like everything else, we approach these resources with grace for the people who created them, and grace for each other.

Q: What is the course like? Is there homework?
A: The Course follows this pattern: Learn > Practice > Reflect > Process Together
Each week you will Learn via video teaching on a topic, discussing relevant questions to the teaching material in groups of 3-4 called triads. You will have a Practice for homework (like a Spiritual Health Assessment, a Formation Audit, Prayer, Sabbath, Scripture, etc.) to complete. The Course will be as helpful to you as the intention that you put into these practices. Enter expecting to put in effort; our survey suggests the people who have put more in have gotten more out.
Before returning you will Reflect on the practice from the previous week in your workbook or journal and then Process Together in your triads what you've experienced and how you are experiencing Jesus through it.

Q: If I'm taking The Practicing the Way Course, should I buy the book, the Companion Guide, or both? Do I need to buy either of them?
A: You will need a copy of the Companion Guide, because it is the workbook for the Course; it will help you follow along, as well as keep track of your thoughts and learnings, and serves as a handy reference guide for what you've experienced. You can purchase a book for $15 while supplies last when you register through Church Center.
The book, Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did. by John Mark Comer is optional. For people who love to read, it's really great.

Q: Do I need a companion guide for the Practices?
A: We are working on condensed versions. There are also free digital versions available.

Q: What do I do after the course?
A: First, keep up with your Rule of Life, a set of practices you commit to for further formation in your life with Jesus.
Second, live this Rule out within Community, ideally one you've developed through the 8 weeks.

Additionally, participate in a 4-week in-depth small group Practice that dives into on of the 9 spiritual practices covered in the Course. We currently have Practices scheduled for February and March.

Additionally, if you're super excited about spiritual formation, we're discussing the possibility of a Spiritual Formation Cohort, which would last 9-12 months, beginning in Fall 2026. Contact me ( ) if you're interested!

Any other questions?
Reach out to Director of Discipleship Dan Lugo at or visit practicingtheway.org.