Author John Mark Comer discusses the importance of spiritual formation and developing a Rule of Life to follow the Way of Jesus. The conversation explores the transformational power of ancient practices, rearranging our days to be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did.
To live by a Rule of Life, incorporating spiritual practices, can transform us into apprentices of Jesus.
Deepening spiritual practices like contemplative prayer and embracing suffering are crucial for spiritual growth.
Deep dives
Focused on Mind Discipleship and Spiritual Growth
Setting one's mind on good, beautiful, and true thoughts, as encouraged in Colossians 3, is emphasized in the podcast. The discussion centers on mind discipleship and the importance of uplifting and encouraging biblically-based thoughts to nurture spiritual growth.
Purposeful Writing of 'Practicing the Way'
The podcast touches on the author's purpose in writing 'Practicing the Way,' focusing on the need for a book that integrates various aspects of spiritual formation into a concise pastoral resource. The author aims to cater to a younger generation and different cultural contexts, seeking to address the complexity of the current spiritual landscape.
Challenges in Discipleship and Formation
The podcast delves into the challenges within modern Christianity, where being a Christian does not necessarily equate to being an apprentice of Jesus. The conversation addresses the issue of surface-level commitment versus deep discipleship, highlighting potential disconnects between identification as a Christian and active discipleship.
Embracing Transformation and Spiritual Practice
An emphasis on deepening spiritual practices and engaging in transformative disciplines emerges in the podcast discussion. The importance of contemplative prayer, community, and embracing suffering as pathways to spiritual growth are highlighted, advocating for a comprehensive approach to spiritual transformation.
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with author John Mark Comer about his book, “Practicing The Way.” We are constantly being formed by the world around us. To be formed by Jesus will require us to become his apprentice. To live by what the first Christian disciples called a Rule of Life—a set […]