Practicing the Way with John Mark Comer

What comes out of you when life squeezes you? John Mark explores the transformative power of Scripture memorization—not as a childhood relic, but as a vital practice for spiritual formation, mental renewal, and resilience in suffering. He challenges us to build an inner library of God’s Word so that, like Jesus, we’re prepared to meet pain, temptation, and everyday moments with truth formed deep in our hearts.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 27v45-54

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Debi from Barto, Pennsylvania; Thomas from Council Bluffs, Iowa; Skye from Goulburn, New South Wales; Jaclyn from San Antonio, Texas; and Breanna from Plymouth, Michigan. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by how complex the Bible is—or worry you’re getting it wrong? John Mark explores the practice of study, showing how understanding the Bible’s context, language, and literary form opens us up to deeper transformation. He encourages us to study not to prove a point, but to grow in love for God.

Key Scripture Passage: Luke 4v1-13

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: York Alliance Church from York, Pennsylvania; Kara from Middletown, Ohio; Jennifer from Honolulu, Hawaii; Brian from McAllen, Texas; and Suz from Rapid City, South Dakota. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Why does the Bible feel disconnected from real life? John Mark unpacks the ancient practice of meditating on Scripture. He invites us to slow down, savor, and let it shape us from the inside out.

Key Scripture Passage: Psalm 1v1-3

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Anna from San Jose, California; Brandon from Clive, Iowa; Sam from Ryde, New South Wales; Lauren from Smyrna, Georgia; and John from London, UK. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Why does reading the Bible feel so difficult? John Mark invites us to rediscover Scripture as a place of encounter with Jesus, not just a source of information. He challenges us to engage with Scripture not just a book we read, but as a practice to form us.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v17-19

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Tedra from Austin, Texas; Kent from Pleasanton, California; Hannah from Laramie, Wyoming; Mike and Cindy from Cottonwood, Arizona; and Sienna from Temecula, California. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What does it actually mean to be holy—and is it even possible? John Mark explores the biblical meaning of holiness, and how we grow in it. He invites us to begin the journey toward holiness not with striving, but by recognizing our powerlessness, listening for the Spirit’s quiet invitations, and taking one small step at a time.

Key Scripture Passage: Philippians 1v1

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Tonya from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; Annie from Dallas, Texas; Jonathan from Torrance, California; Cathleen from Kentwood, Michigan; and Brennan from Boise, Idaho. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What is our formation supposed to do in and through us? Tyler Staton concludes our series by talking about the humble love of Jesus and his invitation for us as his followers to do the same. He challenges us to lean into the practices of Jesus as a way to transform us from our false self into our true self, establish a new social order based on the Kingdom of God, and saturate our lives with God's presence.

Key Scripture Passage: John 13v1-17

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Chad from Pelham, Alabama; Taylor from Altadena, California; Hannah from Canton, Georgia; Taylor from Portland, Oregon; and Autumn from Omaha, Nebraska. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Should we always forgive? Tyler Staton explores the forgiveness of God through Jesus's teachings, focusing on the parable of the unmerciful servant. He shows us how forgiveness and justice run together in the Kingdom of God, challenging us to forgive and surrender to God's justice.

Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 18v21-35

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: John from Monmouth, Oregon; Lacie from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; Kenyon from Woodstock, Georgia; Maggie from Pacifica, California; and Jared from Mesa, Arizona. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Can we practice joy? Tyler Staton explores Jesus' parable of the wedding feast, showing how Jesus embodied the compassion and inclusivity of God through his teaching and practice, and challenging us to lean into God's joy through this practice of celebrating and feasting with the lost and least.

Key Scripture Passages: Luke 14v1-24, Matthew 9v9-13

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Sarah from Austin, Texas; Alisa from Pleasanton, California; Elijah from Newark, Ohio; Tina from Busselton, Western Australia; and Lori from Medford, Oregon. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Is the world getting worse? Or better? John Mark explores how the world is progressing materially and technologically, but regressing psychologically, relationally, and spiritually. He shows how, even in the midst of the good and the bad of the human condition, the resurrection of Jesus opens the door for us to live the life we're longing for.

Key Scripture Passage: Romans 8v18-25

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Alissa from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Terry from Dublin, Georgia; Jacob from Edmond, Oklahoma; John and Vicki from Bend, Oregon; and Vanassa from Los Angeles, California. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What does it mean to be fruitful, and how do we do live fruitful lives? Gavin Bennett, Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Bridgetown Church, talks about the theme of fruitfulness throughout the Gospels, challenging us to steward our entire lives as gifts from God – even the areas that we feel aren't worth stewarding.

Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 25v 14-30, Matthew 21v18-22

This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Scott from Reading, Massachusetts; Rachel from Richardson, Texas; Brandon from Peoria, Illinois; Joanne from Lebanon, Ohio; and Mallory from Peoria, Arizona. Thank you all so much!

If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.