Practicing the Way with John Mark Comer

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 rewiring of our minds and a reshaping of our habits, inviting us to a more holistic vision of apprenticeship to Jesus.  Key Scripture Passages: Mark 1v14-15; Matthew 7v24-27; Romans 12v1-3;...

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 love, hospitality, and Spirit-empowered presence—and challenges us to say yes, right where we are, in our real lives. Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 4v18-25; Matthew 8v18-22; Matthew 9v...

“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 of Jesus. Key Scripture Passages: Luke 6v39-40; 2 Corinthians 3v18, Romans 12v1-2; Matthew 5-7; Galatians 5v13-26. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our comm...

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 access to the peace and joy that Jesus promised as we adopt the spiritual disciplines that Jesus exemplified. Key Scripture Passages: John 1v35-49; John 14v16-15v8; Galatians 5v13-26 This...

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 what that means for us as His followers as we practice being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did. Key Scripture Passages: Mark 8v34-36; Mark 1v16-20; Mark...

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 experiencing it in a way that heals, transforms, and reshapes how we relate to others. He invites us to open ourselves to God’s loving presence and challenges us to not just rec...

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 resilience in suffering. He challenges us to build an inner library of God’s Word so that, like Jesus, we’re prepared to meet pain, temptation, and everyday moments with truth formed deep i...

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 up to deeper transformation. He encourages us to study not to prove a point, but to grow in love for God. Key Scripture Passage: Luke 4v1-13 This podcast and its episodes are paid for...

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 Passage: Psalm 1v1-3 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Anna from San Jose, California; Brand...

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 we read, but as a practice to form us. Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v17-19 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special tha...

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 recognizing our powerlessness, listening for the Spirit’s quiet invitations, and taking one small step at a time. Key Scripture Passage: Philippians 1v1 This podcast and its episodes...

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 into the practices of Jesus as a way to transform us from our false self into our true self, establish a new social order based on the Kingdom of God, and saturate our lives with God&#...

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 of God, challenging us to forgive and surrender to God's justice. Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 18v21-35 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our commun...

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 joy through this practice of celebrating and feasting with the lost and least. Key Scripture Passages: Luke 14v1-24, Matthew 9v9-13 This podcast and its episodes are paid fo...

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 the good and the bad of the human condition, the resurrection of Jesus opens the door for us to live the life we're longing for. Key Scripture Passage: Romans 8v18-25 This podcas...

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 steward our entire lives as gifts from God – even the areas that we feel aren't worth stewarding. Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 25v 14-30, Matthew 21v18-22 This podcast and i...

"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 it's inconvenient. Key Scripture Passage: Luke 10v25-37 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for...

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 obstacles we must overcome in living that vision and challenging us to reorient our values and priorities around the Kingdom of God rather than our broader culture. Key Scripture P...

"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 promises what it can't deliver, and encourages us to defy the deformative power of money by serving the poor, practicing generosity, and dying to our false selv...

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 face our limits and become truly vulnerable in our close relationships. Key Scripture Passage: Mark 3v31-35 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community o...

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 spiritual formation. Tyler shares common ways that we lose sight of this goal and challenges us to reorient our spiritual practices around becoming people of love. Key Scripture Passage: M...

"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 cultivate this peace of heart as a vital part of their discipleship and witness in a world filled with fear and anxiety. Key Scripture Passage: John 20v19-22 This podcast and i...

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 approach Scripture as it is, and not as we'd imagine it to be. Key Scripture Passage: Hebrews 12v1-2 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of mo...

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 God for transformation when we fall short. Key Scripture Passages: 1 Samuel 9-15 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special tha...

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 God's faithfulness in the midst of our failure. Key Scripture Passages: 2 Samuel 2v8-28, 1 Corinthians 10v1-13 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our communi...