John Mark Comer Teachings

Bethany Allen, an Associate Pastor at Bridgetown Church, dives deep into the theme of love for Advent, emphasizing the importance of receiving God's love. She discusses how surrender and vulnerability open us to transformative love, reshaping our identities and guiding us toward a life of peace. Bethany highlights the barriers of pride and self-reliance, urging listeners to trust and allow God to meet them in their messiness. Her personal reflections inspire a journey of embracing God's boundary-breaking affection this season.

Ken Shigematsu, a senior pastor and author, dives into the transformative power of joy during Advent. He explores Tolkien's 'sudden joyous turn' through captivating stories, including a POW narrative and Mary's encounter with Gabriel. Shigematsu discusses the universal joy of Jesus' birth, emphasizes savoring positive memories, and highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in joy. With insights on navigating joy amid sorrow, he encourages listeners to become channels of God's abundant joy and share it with others.

John Mark Comer, a Pastor and author dedicated to Christian spiritual formation, dives deep into cultivating inner peace. He shares his personal journey with anxiety, emphasizing that true peace is vital for embodying love. Exploring biblical themes, he highlights the distinction between generic calm and the peace of Christ, urging listeners to embrace surrender and prayer. John Mark reflects on the communal aspect of peace among believers and argues that only a heart at peace can genuinely love. His insights blend psychology with spirituality, offering practical paths toward tranquility.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.