Rule of Life
Practicing the Way
How can I arrange my life to apprentice under Jesus? The Rule of Life podcast is designed to guide you in arranging your everyday life around being with and becoming like Jesus. Each season will cover one of nine ancient Practices from the Way of Jesus: Sabbath, Prayer, Fasting, Solitude, Scripture, Community, Simplicity, Generosity, and Hospitality. You’ll hear from pastors, thought leaders, and everyday apprentices of Jesus, all hosted by John Mark Comer and produced by Practicing the Way.Each season will be released alongside a Practice - a four week long experience created by Practicing the Way, designed to integrate these ancient practices into your everyday life.This work is made possible by the Circle—a growing community of givers from across the world, who care deeply about integrating spiritual formation into the church at large.To learn more about the Circle or to run a Practice with your church, community or small group, visit www.practicingtheway.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books
10 snips
Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 7min
Service 04: Where Does Service Lead? (featuring a Luminary Roundtable)
In a heartfelt roundtable discussion, Sara Miller, founder of A House on Beekman, sheds light on her mission to empower youth in the South Bronx. Alongside Charlee Tchividjian and Gabrielle Clowdus, they explore transitioning from traditional charity to kinship—instead of just serving, they emphasize building true, reciprocal relationships. They discuss the importance of listening to stories, the pitfalls of impact-driven service, and how genuine connections can redefine community support. Sara reflects on the organic growth of her ministry through open-door hospitality.
4 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 53min
Service 03: How Do I Serve? - Part 02 (Edwin Colon)
In this engaging discussion, Edwin Colon, senior pastor of Next Step Community Church, shares his journey from kitchen Bible study to serving Brooklyn's homeless and addicted. He emphasizes the importance of living an 'interruptible' life, viewing our schedules through 'Jesus' time' to create space for service. Edwin reveals the challenges of early radical hospitality, how burnout led to learning healthy boundaries, and the need for sustainable rhythms. The conversation inspires listeners to embrace opportunities for unplanned acts of service and the beauty of a grace-filled, abundance mindset.
30 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 2min
Service 02: How Do I Serve? - Part 01 (featuring Jonathan Tremaine Thomas)
Joining the conversation is Jonathan Tremaine Thomas, an activist and pastor known for founding Civil Righteousness to promote racial justice. He dives deep into how serving in hidden ways can shape our motivations and experiences. Jonathan discusses the significance of Jesus' model for service, emphasizing transformation through love rather than pride. He shares insights on the contrast between worldly power and kingdom service, offering practical advice for incorporating hidden service into family life and everyday interactions. This thought-provoking dialogue encourages a service-centered lifestyle.
60 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 9min
Service 01: Why Do I Serve? (featuring Gary Haugen)
Gary Haugen, Founder and CEO of International Justice Mission, shares his journey of faith and service against injustice. He discusses how college teachings on love reshaped his priorities, pushing him to the front lines of poverty and violence. Haugen emphasizes the importance of proximity to truly develop compassion. He also highlights the need for spiritual formation in justice work and how peace fuels courageous service. Listeners are encouraged to engage in practical acts of service, fostering genuine compassion in their communities.
53 snips
May 27, 2025 • 50min
Community 04: What We Avoid in Community (featuring David Kim)
David Kim, Executive Pastor at Westgate Church and author of 'Made to Belong', dives deep into the nuances of community building. He discusses the importance of intentional relationships and how they require vulnerability and commitment. The conversation highlights challenges in forming genuine connections, such as balancing freedom with belonging. Kim shares insights on prioritizing community in a busy world and the transformative power of accountability in healing. His perspective invites listeners to reflect on what may be holding them back from true belonging.
99 snips
May 20, 2025 • 1h 1min
Community 03: Overcoming Shame — The Ancient Enemy of Community (featuring Dr. Curt Thompson)
Join psychiatrist and author Dr. Curt Thompson as he dives deep into the pervasive issue of shame and its impact on community relationships. He explores how shame disconnects us, drawing parallels from biblical narratives. The discussion highlights the vital role of vulnerability and confession in healing and fostering intimacy among individuals. Dr. Thompson emphasizes the power of authentic community interactions to transform shame into connection, urging us to confront our struggles together for true personal growth.
65 snips
May 13, 2025 • 55min
Community 02: Family Systems and Life in Community (featuring Jay and Danielle Pathak)
Jay Pathak, a church planter and national leader in Vineyard USA, joins Danielle Pathak to discuss the influence of family dynamics on personal growth. They explore how our family backgrounds shape relationships and highlight the transformative power of community in healing. The conversation also delves into the Genogram as a tool for understanding family patterns, emphasizing the importance of confronting emotional pain. Their insights underscore the necessity of emotional vulnerability and the role of supportive relationships in fostering spiritual development.
90 snips
May 6, 2025 • 1h 6min
Community 01: Rediscovering Jesus’ Vision for Family (featuring Andy Crouch)
Andy Crouch, a partner for theology and culture at Praxis and author of The Life We're Looking For, joins the conversation to explore the transformative power of community in today's isolating world. He reflects on the evolution of familial relationships from the Early Church to modern times, emphasizing the need for intentional kinship groups. The discussion reveals how technology impacts personal connections and advocates for deeper, authentic bonds reminiscent of early Christian practices, all while highlighting practical strategies for cultivating genuine community.
63 snips
Feb 25, 2025 • 29min
Scripture 04: Reading Scripture as a Spiritual Discipline
Dr. Tim Mackie, a scholar with the Bible Project Scholar Team, sheds light on reading Scripture as a transformative spiritual discipline. He emphasizes the power of reading aloud in community, a practice harking back to early house churches, to foster deeper connections with the text. The conversation dives into the benefits of engaging with larger passages to capture their unity and flow. Personal anecdotes enrich the discussion, making a compelling case for integrating communal reading into daily life, enhancing both understanding and personal growth.
163 snips
Feb 18, 2025 • 56min
Scripture 03: Unlocking the Wisdom of Scripture
Dr. Tim Mackie, Dr. Brittany Kim, and Hakeem Bradley from BibleProject dive into the complexities of scripture as wisdom and meditation literature. They explore how wisdom literature guides moral formation and character transformation, allowing readers to flourish. The trio emphasizes the beauty intertwined with wise living and the importance of meditative reading for deeper engagement. They also discuss the multidimensional nature of biblical narratives, encouraging listeners to embrace the communal journey of understanding scripture and reflecting on its profound insights.
