Practicing the Way with John Mark Comer

"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 role that the Holy Spirit plays in our formation. He argues that formative practice and supernatural power are not conflicting ministries, inviting us to return the the roots...

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. He challenges us to embrace suffering as the forge of our transformation into Christ-like love, where true joy can be found. Key Scripture Passage: Job 23v1-10 This podcast and its...

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 the mystery of God, continuing to put our faith and hope in him in the midst of suffering. Key Scripture Passages: Job 1-42 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Cir...

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 to allow his joy to saturate our hearts and minds. Key Scripture Passages: Luke 1v46-49, Luke 2v10-11, Luke 2v19, 1 Corinthians 2v9 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by...

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 help us move beyond fear and into resilient peace amidst a chaotic world. Key Scripture Passage: Luke 1v30-21, Luke 2v19 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, o...

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, confront the brutal facts, and find unshakable hope in Christ's first coming and promised return. Key Scripture Passages: Luke 21v25-28; Isaiah 9v1-2, 6; Mark 13v7-8, 24-26 Thi...

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 reexamine our preference for accumulation and offers practical ways to share our resources with those in need. Key Scripture Passage: Luke 12v13-34 This podcast and its episodes ar...

"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 wisdom and love. Key Scripture Passages: Luke 12v13-48, 2 Corinthians 9v7-11 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Sp...

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 not in more money, but in being content with what we have. Key Scripture Passage: 1 Timothy 6v6-19 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly g...

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 us to reflect on whether we have an abundance or scarcity mindset, and invites us to deepen our trust in God's generosity. Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 6v19-24, Acts 20v35...

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 Mark argues that we overestimate the ability of willpower and insight to change us. Instead, he offers us three doorways into the practice of contemplation and practical suggestions f...

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 contradicts our assumptions. They challenge us to re-examine and adjust our implicit knowledge of God by reckoning with God's character revealed in Scripture. You can read more in th...

Do you represent God well? John Mark explores God's final characteristic: jealous, like a passionate husband protecting his bride. As he tracks this theme throughout the Scriptures, he leaves us with a prophetic invitation to carry the name of Yahweh into every sphere of our lives. Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-14, Deuteronomy 28v1-10, Exodus 19v1-6, Leviticus 19v1-18, Exodus 20v1-7, Ez...

Does God punish children for their parent's sin? John Mark explores the final section of Exodus 34v6-7, highlighting the beauty of God's justice, the gravity of sin, and God's overwhelming proclivity towards forgiveness and mercy over wrath and judgment. Key Scripture Passage: Exodus 34v6-7, Numbers 14v11-23, Matthew 18v21-35 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, o...

"We think of God's love and God's anger as at odds with one another. That's because we don't understand God's love or God's anger." John Mark challenges our perceptions of God, both the God who is always angry and the God who never gets angry, by showing in the Scriptures how God is both patient and wrathful, and why both are important for our understanding of who...

"We all love that God is compassionate and gracious, but what about when God is compassionate and gracious to people you hate?" John Mark walks us through the passages demonstrating the scandalous compassion and graciousness of God, inviting us to imitate God by extending compassion and grace to others in our lives. Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-7, Jonah 1-4, Luke 17v11-19, Luke 18v...

Why does God need a name in the first place? John Mark argues that it's because there are many "gods". He surveys scripture passages relating to gods and demonic beings, not only warning us that they are real and should never be worshipped, but that Yahweh is the one true creator God and is higher than them all. Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-7, Exodus 12v12, Exodus 15v11, Exodus...

Who is God? John Mark dives deep into God's name, Yahweh, and the significance that holds for what he's like: a consistent God who wants to be in relationship with us. Key Scripture Passage: Exodus 34v6-7, Exodus 33v7-23, Genesis 17v1-5, Exodus 3v1-18 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Julie f...

What comes to mind when you hear the word church? John Mark challenges us to rethink our definition, exploring the deeper meaning of church as the "called out ones," a new humanity formed by Jesus to carry the kingdom of God to every corner of the world. He calls us to see church as a family that embodies the kingdom of God through everyday relationships, practices, and a shared mission to...

Why is the world so messed up? John Mark reflects on the reality of the world's dysfunction and how the story of the Fall in Genesis explains humanity's descent into chaos. He challenges us to reconsider our understanding of sin, its origins, and its impact on our lives, ultimately pointing to Jesus as our only hope for overcoming sin and its consequences. Key Scripture Passage: Genesis 3v...

The Generosity Practice is out now. Check it out at practicingtheway.org/generosity . "Generosity is more than giving; it's an act of trust." Ger Jones, lead pastor of Vintage Church, explores the deeper implications of generosity in the life of a disciple. He challenges the common views of generosity tied to wealth and obligation, urging us to see it as a practice that reshapes our he...

"What if fasting could break our hearts open to the suffering of the world and move us to action?" John Mark explores the connection between fasting and justice, urging us to consider how this ancient practice can realign our hearts with God's care for the poor. He challenges us to move beyond a self-focused spirituality and enter into a deeper solidarity with those in need. Key Script...

Do you ever feel like your prayers aren't heard? In a world where we often feel disconnected from God's voice, fasting can be a powerful tool to hear and be heard by Heaven. John Mark explores the interplay between prayer and fasting, uncovering how these two ancient practices flow together and compliment the work of transformation in our lives. Key Scripture Passage: Acts 13v1-3, Jonah 3v...

How can we overcome sin when our willpower isn't enough? John Mark talks about how fasting is one way to help us grow in self-control, and the ripple effect that can have throughout our whole lives. Key Scripture Passage: Romans 7v15-8v1 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Melanie from Dothan, Alaba...

Why should we fast? John Mark outlines the history of fasting in the Christian tradition, and argues that we don't fast to bio-hack our way to holiness, but rather to expose our weakness where God meets us. Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 6v16-18 This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Lena from Nashvil...