

John Mark Comer Teachings
Practicing the Way
The teachings of Jesus lead us to a better, fuller life. This was true in the ancient world where Jesus first 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 by Practicing the Way, John Mark Comer responds to that important question through his teachings at Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon. Join us as John Mark provides practical insight on how you can be with Jesus, become like Him and do what He did wherever you are today.practicingtheway.org
Episodes
Mentioned books

19 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 42min
Waiting Hope-fully with Simeon (ft. Gemma Ryan) | Advent 2025 E1
Gemma Ryan, a spiritual director and former associate pastor, invites listeners to explore the profound themes of waiting and hope through the lens of Simeon's story in Luke 2. She poses transformative questions about what we are waiting for and who we are becoming in that waiting. Gemma emphasizes that waiting isn't passive; it can be a time of active transformation and spiritual growth. She shares personal experiences of how waiting refines the soul and connects listeners to the sustaining presence of the Holy Spirit as they navigate their own journeys.

27 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 1min
Stay Together to Grow | Community E4
John Mark Comer, a pastor and teacher, delves into the complexities of Christian community. He introduces a six-stage cycle that relationships often undergo, highlighting commitment as essential for growth. Comer shares personal stories of overcoming isolation and the transformative power of small, Jesus-centered groups. He candidly addresses the difficulties within community, emphasizing that genuine relationships require conflict resolution and forgiveness. Ultimately, he invites listeners to embrace stability and kinship over individualism for deeper connection.

38 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 4min
Confess Your Sins | Community E3
In this engaging discussion, John Mark Comer, a pastor and author focused on spiritual formation, delves into the challenges of authentic community. He highlights modern barriers like busyness and distraction, pinpointing shame as the root cause of disconnection. Comer advocates for the often-missed practice of confession as a healing tool, contrasting private and communal approaches. He emphasizes that confession not only liberates us from shame but also fosters deeper connections with God and each other, outlining practical steps to integrate this practice into our lives.

49 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 58min
Share Joys and Sorrows | Community E2
John Mark Comer, a pastor and author focused on spiritual formation, dives into the transformative power of sharing joys and sorrows within community. He emphasizes how communal meals can deepen connections and spiritual growth. By examining Jesus' vulnerability in Gethsemane, he highlights the importance of honesty in relationships. Comer also discusses joy as a spiritual discipline and offers practical tips for creating meaningful connections, such as sharing highs and lows over a meal, fostering resilience, and embracing both celebration and sorrow together.

104 snips
Nov 3, 2025 • 56min
Be Family Around a Table | Community E1
John Mark Comer, a pastor and author passionate about spiritual formation, delves into the essence of community and kinship. He argues that transformation occurs not in isolation but around shared meals, emulating Jesus’ vision of family among believers. Highlights include discussions on the cost of radical individualism, the prevalence of loneliness as a health crisis, and the importance of forming smaller kinship groups for spiritual growth. Comer invites listeners to embrace 'dining-room table Christianity' as a way to foster deeper relationships.

75 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 45min
Sabbath as Resistance | Garden City E6
In this engaging discussion, John Mark Comer, a pastor and author dedicated to spiritual formation, redefines Sabbath as an act of resistance against modern life's busyness and consumerism. He highlights the importance of rest as a command from God, advocating for it as a means of communal justice and personal flourishing. Comer links ancient practices of Sabbath to contemporary issues like digital addiction and workplace demands, urging listeners to embrace intentional rest as a way to reclaim joy and identity beyond productivity.

96 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 1h 1min
Jesus and the Paycheck | Garden City E5
John Mark Comer, a pastor and author focused on spiritual formation, dives into Jesus' radical teachings on money and possessions. He critiques the Western cycle of 'work more, buy more,' emphasizing simplicity and generosity. Comer explores the relationship between worry and worship, using birds and flowers as examples of God's provision. He promotes living a God-centered life, suggesting that true joy comes from giving rather than accumulating possessions. His insights invite listeners to adopt and adapt these teachings in today's context.

66 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 49min
Yes/No | Garden City E4
John Mark Comer, a pastor and author, dives into the transformative power of saying 'no' as a spiritual discipline. He explores how Jesus' ability to fulfill His mission was rooted not just in His 'yeses,' but in His intentional 'noes.' John emphasizes discerning our vocation, eliminating distractions, and the importance of solitude and prayer. He shares practical tips for making intentional choices and urges listeners to seek God's approval over societal expectations. Discover how embracing limits can lead to a more focused, meaningful life.

85 snips
Oct 13, 2025 • 48min
Kavod | Garden City E3
Explore how Paul’s teachings in 1 Corinthians inspire us to glorify God through our everyday work. Discover the challenge of honoring faith in non-religious jobs and how work can reveal God’s beauty. John Mark dives into the importance of hard work, joy, and integrity, emphasizing that even mundane tasks can become acts of worship. Learn why excellence matters and how discipleship intertwines with our vocation, leading to a commitment to lifelong mastery in our crafts.

88 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 51min
Identity and Calling | Garden City E2
John Mark Comer, a pastor and author dedicated to Christian formation, dives deep into the concept of vocation and identity. He discusses how the cultural mandate from Genesis calls everyone to be culture-makers. Listeners are guided through eight questions to uncover their God-given identities. John Mark contrasts dramatic biblical callings with the gradual discovery of vocation. He emphasizes the importance of community input and aligning work with one's true calling, ultimately encouraging a life lived in service and humility.


