Podcasts · Religion & Spirituality

Practicing the Way with John Mark Comer

Practicing the Way

254 episodes

The way of Jesus leads us to a deeper, fuller life. This was true in the ancient world where Jesus first lived and taught, and it’s still true today. But what does it mean to actually practice the way of Jesus in today’s complex, secular world? In this podcast, join John Mark Comer and other guides as they explore this important question through practical teachings and conversations. At Practicing the Way, we are here to help you journey to a deeper life with God.

More about the show

Discover more of our resources and take your next step at practicingtheway.org

Episodes page 2 of 6

  1. Teaching | Jesus and the Paycheck | Garden City E05

    · 1 h 01 min

    What does Jesus really teach about money? John Mark unpacks Jesus' radical teaching from Matthew 6 on treasure, generosity, and trust. He challenges the "work more, buy more, repeat" cycle that dominates Western…

  2. Teaching | Yes/No | Garden City E04

    · 49 min

    How do we live focused, purposeful lives in a world of endless opportunities and demands? John Mark explores the power of saying "no" as a spiritual discipline—showing us that Jesus' ability to fulfill His calling…

  3. Teaching | Kavod | Garden City E03

    · 48 min

    How do we work for the glory of God? John Mark unpacks Paul's vision in 1 Corinthians 10 to "do everything for the glory of God" and applies it to our everyday work, showing how we glorify God not only in what we do,…

  4. Teaching | Identity and Calling | Garden City E02

    · 51 min

    What does it mean to be a culture-maker? John Mark explores the cultural mandate from Genesis and argues that God commands all human beings to make culture—both corporately by building civilization and individually by…

  5. Teaching | What Does It Mean To Be Human? | Garden City E01

    · 44 min

    What is our purpose? John Mark opens a new series exploring the ideas related to work, rest, and our human condition. He challenges the sacred-secular divide and calls us to see all of life as spiritual, encouraging…

  6. Conversation | Ronald Rolheiser on Giving Your Life Away

    · 1 h 16 min

    What does it look like to follow Jesus for your whole life? John Mark sits down with Father Ronald Rolheiser—author, priest, and spiritual writer—to talk about the stages of the spiritual journey. Drawing from decades…

  7. Teaching | Hurry: The Great Enemy of Spiritual Life | Practicing the Way Vision Series E12 (From the Archive)

    · 55 min

    "If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus." John Mark concludes the Vision series with a pastoral word on hurry, unpacking how hurry does violence to the soul, erodes our…

  8. Teaching | The Cross: Self-Denial in an Age of Self-Fulfillment | Practicing the Way Vision Series E11 (From the Archive)

    · 52 min

    What does it mean to follow Jesus in a culture obsessed with self-fulfillment? John Mark explores Jesus’ words in Luke 9, where He calls His disciples to “take up your cross and follow me.” Contrasting the way of…

  9. Teaching | How We Change: The Holy Spirit | Practicing the Way Vision Series E10 (From the Archive)

    · 54 min

    What role does the Holy Spirit play in our transformation? John Mark unpacks how true transformation always requires partnership with God’s Spirit, encouraging us to rely on his presence and power to form us into the…

  10. Teaching | Community as Confrontation | Practicing the Way Vision Series E09

    · 48 min

    When we live in community, conflict is inevitable. But how do we handle conflict well? Alex Rettman—former Bridgetown pastor and now Lead Pastor of Saints' Hill Church in Newberg, OR—explores how conflict—when done in…

  11. Teaching | Community as Family | Practicing the Way Vision Series E08

    · 54 min

    What does it really mean for a church to be a family? Bethany Allen unpacks a powerful vision of community not as an optional add-on to the Christian life, but as the very environment where transformation takes place.…

  12. Teaching | How We Change: Community | Practicing the Way Vision Series E07 (From the Archive)

    · 45 min

    Can we follow Jesus alone? John Mark explores the essential—but often overlooked—role of community in spiritual formation. Drawing from the life of Jesus and the early church, he shows how transformation doesn’t happen…

  13. Teaching | How We Change: Key Thoughts on Practice | Practicing the Way Vision Series E06 (From the Archive)

    · 1 h 03 min

    What do spiritual disciplines have to do with real transformation? John Mark double clicks on the concept of the practices of Jesus—also called the spiritual disciplines—and explains why they’re not optional for those…

  14. Teaching | How We Change: Teaching and Practice | Practicing the Way Vision Series E05 (From the Archive)

    · 49 min

    How do we actually change? John Mark dives deep into two core elements of our working theory of change: teaching and practice. He shows how true transformation doesn’t come from inspiration alone, but through a…

  15. Teaching | Do What Jesus Did | Practicing the Way Vision Series E04 (From the Archive)

    · 46 min

    What does it mean to actually live like Jesus? John Mark explores the third goal of apprenticeship: doing what Jesus did, showing us how Jesus invites us to participate in His Kingdom work through everyday acts of…

  16. Teaching | Become Like Jesus | Practicing the Way Vision Series E03 (From the Archive)

    · 49 min

    “Who are you becoming?” John Mark discusses the call of Jesus for His students to become like their master, as well as how teaching, practice, community, and the Holy Spirit combine to help us practice and live the way…

  17. Teaching | Be With Jesus | Practicing the Way Vision Series E02 (From the Archive)

    · 51 min

    How do we cultivate a deep relationship with God? Using key scriptures and church history examples to give a tangible vision of how to “practice the presence of God,” John Mark shows that through abiding, we have…

  18. Teaching | Practicing the Way | Practicing the Way Vision Series E01 (From the Archive)

    · 50 min

    Have you ever wanted to experience the abundant life of Jesus? John Mark outlines the what, how, and why behind Practicing the Way, diving into the cultural context behind Jesus's identity as a first-century rabbi, and…

  19. Teaching | Experiencing God's Love

    · 45 min

    Do you know about God's love but struggle to actually feel it? Brandon Shields, Director of Church Engagement at Practicing the Way, shares his personal journey of moving from knowing about God’s love intellectually to…

  20. Teaching | Memorize | Scripture E04

    · 55 min

    What comes out of you when life squeezes you? John Mark explores the transformative power of Scripture memorization—not as a childhood relic, but as a vital practice for spiritual formation, mental renewal, and…

  21. Teaching | Study | Scripture E03

    · 52 min

    Do you ever feel overwhelmed by how complex the Bible is—or worry you’re getting it wrong? John Mark explores the practice of study, showing how understanding the Bible’s context, language, and literary form opens us…

  22. Teaching | Meditate | Scripture E02

    · 55 min

    Why does the Bible feel disconnected from real life? John Mark unpacks the ancient practice of meditating on Scripture. He invites us to slow down, savor, and let it shape us from the inside out. Key Scripture…

  23. Teaching | Read | Scripture E01

    · 51 min

    Why does reading the Bible feel so difficult? John Mark invites us to rediscover Scripture as a place of encounter with Jesus, not just a source of information. He challenges us to engage with Scripture not just a book…

  24. Teaching | Becoming Holy

    · 20 min

    What does it actually mean to be holy—and is it even possible? John Mark explores the biblical meaning of holiness, and how we grow in it. He invites us to begin the journey toward holiness not with striving, but by…

  25. Teaching | Do You Understand What I’ve Done For You? | For the Sake of Others E09

    · 54 min

    What is our formation supposed to do in and through us? Tyler Staton concludes our series by talking about the humble love of Jesus and his invitation for us as his followers to do the same. He challenges us to lean…

  26. Teaching | How Many Times Should I Forgive? | For the Sake of Others E08

    · 53 min

    Should we always forgive? Tyler Staton explores the forgiveness of God through Jesus's teachings, focusing on the parable of the unmerciful servant. He shows us how forgiveness and justice run together in the Kingdom…

  27. Teaching | Why Does Your Teacher Eat with Tax Collectors and Sinners? | For the Sake of Others E07

    · 52 min

    Can we practice joy? Tyler Staton explores Jesus' parable of the wedding feast, showing how Jesus embodied the compassion and inclusivity of God through his teaching and practice, and challenging us to lean into God's…

  28. Teaching | Groaning In Hope

    · 40 min

    Is the world getting worse? Or better? John Mark explores how the world is progressing materially and technologically, but regressing psychologically, relationally, and spiritually. He shows how, even in the midst of…

  29. Teaching | How Did the Fig Tree Wither So Quickly? | For the Sake of Others E06

    · 38 min

    What does it mean to be fruitful, and how do we do live fruitful lives? Gavin Bennett, Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Bridgetown Church, talks about the theme of fruitfulness throughout the Gospels, challenging us to…

  30. Teaching | Who is My Neighbor? | For the Sake of Others E05

    · 48 min

    "Compassion isn't convenient or easy." Christian Dawson, Pastor of Worship at Bridgetown Church, explores the parable of the Good Samaritan, challenging us to embody love and lean into compassion for others, even when…

  31. Teaching | For the Sake of the City | For the Sake of Others E04

    · 50 min

    How can we live out Jesus' vision for our cities amidst the complexities of modern life? In this teaching, Tyler Staton offers us a compelling vision for loving our neighbors and communities, both acknowledging the…

  32. Teaching | For the Sake of the Poor | For the Sake of Others E03

    · 51 min

    "Wealth quickly becomes destructive for those who don't respect its power." Tyler Staton, Lead Pastor of Bridgetown Church, examines Jesus' teaching that "you cannot serve God and Mammon." He shows us how wealth…

  33. Teaching | Family | For the Sake of Others E02

    · 49 min

    What keeps us from meaningful connection? Bethany Allen, Elder and Associate Pastor at Bridgetown Church, talks about what obstacles we face when walking out Jesus' invitation to live like family, challenging us to…

  34. Teaching | You Know a Tree by Its Fruit | For the Sake of Others E01

    · 50 min

    How do you measure your spiritual growth? Tyler Staton, lead pastor of Bridgetown Church, tracks the theme of fruit and fruitfulness through the gospel of Matthew, showing us that for Jesus, love is the goal of…

  35. Teaching | Peace of Heart

    · 1 h 02 min

    "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" John Mark delves into the idea that true peace is more than the absence of conflict—it is a profound inner state offered as a gift from God. He encourages listeners to…

  36. Teaching | How to Read and Interpret the Old Testament | The Story of Israel E03

    · 45 min

    Where does our reading of the Old Testament go wrong? Dr. John H. Walton, professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College, exposes some of the common missteps that we take when interpreting Scripture, encouraging us to…

  37. Teaching | Failing, Not Failure | The Story of Israel E02

    · 44 min

    What should we do when we fail? Gerald Griffin, pastor of Bridgetown Church, looks at the story of King Saul. Through this story, Gerald encourages us to remain rooted in our God-given identities, and to turn toward…

  38. Teaching | This Happens All the Time | The Story of Israel E01

    · 52 min

    Are the odd stories in Scripture relevant to us at all? In this teaching, John Mark dives into the historical books, showing how these stories were written for our benefit, and encouraging us to embrace the hope of…

  39. Teaching | The Familiar Stranger

    · 31 min

    "What if the instant supernatural power of the Holy Spirit and the slow formative power of spiritual practices work in complement to one another, not competition?" In this teaching, Tyler Staton shows us the essential…

  40. Teaching | Man's Search for Meaning | The Sage E02

    · 52 min

    Can we be happy in the midst of our suffering? John Mark argues that meaning, more than being happy or healthy, is our core need as humans, and that suffering is one of the primary ways that we live into that meaning.…

  41. Teaching | The Problem of Evil | The Sage E01

    · 58 min

    Why do bad things happen to good people? John Mark tackles the question of theodicy and God's justice in this series covering the wisdom literature. This week, he explores the book of Job, and challenges us to embrace…

  42. Teaching | Joy | Advent E03

    · 31 min

    How can we live with more joy? Ken Shigematsu explores how the good news of Jesus' birth is cause for celebration and happiness. He challenges us to draw near to the source of joy, God himself, and savor his blessings…

  43. Teaching | Peace | Advent E02

    · 27 min

    Why are we so anxious? Ken Shigematsu invites us to reflect on what Advent teaches about peace of heart. Drawing on Scripture, personal stories, and research, he shows how recognizing and living into God's love can…

  44. Teaching | Hope | Advent E01

    · 31 min

    How do we remain hopeful in a world that's falling apart? Ken Shigematsu reflects on the paradox of Advent, where light meets darkness and hope confronts despair. He challenges us to look honestly at our realities,…

  45. Teaching | Be Generous to the Poor | Generosity E04

    · 50 min

    Changing our relationship with money is one of the first and most important steps of living as followers of Jesus. In this episode, John Mark explores Jesus' teachings on generosity to the poor. He challenges us to…

  46. Teaching | All We Have Belongs to God | Generosity E03

    · 1 h 00 min

    "What does it mean to steward God's resources?" John Mark explores Jesus’ countercultural teachings on generosity and stewardship, challenging us to view everything we own as a gift from God, meant to be managed with…

  47. Teaching | Watch Out for Greed! | Generosity E02

    · 57 min

    John Mark explores Jesus and the New Testament authors warning against the love of money and greed, showing us that money is often an obstacle, not a boon, to the good life. He argues us that true happiness is found…

  48. Teaching | There Is More Joy in Giving Than Receiving | Generosity E01

    · 55 min

    Does more money mean more happiness? John Mark walks through some of Jesus's surprising teachings on money, showing us how social science affirms the fact that generosity, not accumulation, leads to joy. He challenges…

  49. Conversation | Why Contemplation Matters: A Conversation With John Mark Comer and Ger Jones About God Has a Name (Part 02)

    · 40 min

    Why is there such a disconnect between who we want to be and what we actually do? In this second of two conversations with Ger Jones of Vintage Church LA, John Mark and Ger discuss the practice of contemplation. John…

  50. Conversation | What We Get Wrong About God: A Conversation With John Mark Comer and Ger Jones About God Has a Name (Part 01)

    · 51 min

    Do we project our own ideas onto God? In this first of two conversations with Ger Jones of Vintage Church LA, John Mark and Ger explore the significance of God having a name and how God's self-disclosure often…

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