John Mark Comer Teachings
Religion & Spirituality
About
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 ( http://prac...
Episodes
- The How-To of Forgiveness (ft. Gerald Griffin) | Forgiving As We Have Been Forgiven E3
Pastor and coach Gerald Griffin joins the John Mark Comer Teachings podcast to discuss a practical, step-by-step process for achieving emotional healing through the act of forgiveness, based on Matthew 6:9-15.
- Transform or Transmit | Forgiving As We Have Been Forgiven E2 (From the Archive)
John Mark Comer explores the concept of forgiveness based on biblical teachings, focusing on unlimited forgiveness and absorbing evil with God's help. This episode examines passages from Matthew 18, Luke 23, and Ephesians 4.
- Forgiving & Being Forgiven (ft. Bethany Allen) | Forgiving As We Have Been Forgiven E1
Bethany Allen, Associate Pastor at Bridgetown Church, discusses forgiveness, clearing away misconceptions and returning to Jesus' teachings. She explores what forgiveness is not and invites listeners to release revenge and surrender to God…
- Into the Quiet
John Mark Comer discusses how the noise of modern life affects spiritual well-being. He emphasizes the importance of quiet, solitude, and stillness for spiritual growth, drawing on passages such as Luke 5v15-16 and Mark 1v35.
- Easter: The Turning Point
This episode of John Mark Comer Teachings discusses the historical impact of the Resurrection, highlighting its role in bringing about positive changes in the world through Jesus's life, ministry, and the ongoing presence of the Church. Ke…
- The Kingdom | The Prophet E2
John Mark Comer examines the Kingdom of God through Isaiah's prophecy and its fulfillment in Jesus's teachings and parables. He challenges listeners to prioritize seeking the Kingdom.
- The Prophet | The Prophet E1
John Mark Comer discusses the role of prophets in the Old Testament, drawing from prophetic books to address sin and offer comfort. He challenges listeners to embrace spiritual refinement.
- Fixed-Hour Prayer | Prayer E8 (From the Archive)
John Mark Comer discusses the practice of fixed-hour prayer and its significance in maintaining a continuous relationship with God. He examines relevant scripture passages to explain how this ancient practice helps reorient one's heart and…
- Prayer Training (ft. Alex Rettman) | Prayer E7
Alex Rettman offers a practical training on prayer ministry, discussing theology and a three-step method for praying for others. He covers key scripture passages like John 5v19 and Matthew 7v11.
- Imaginative Prayer (ft. Josh Porter) | Prayer E6
In this episode, Josh Porter explores the practice of imaginative prayer and its potential role in developing intimacy with God. He highlights how imagination can be a tool for encountering the Trinity, referencing several Scripture passag…
- Singing Prayer (ft. Alex Rettman) | Prayer E5
In this episode, Alex Rettman discusses singing as prayer, focusing on how worship changes individuals, moves God, and shifts circumstances. He references several scripture passages, including Exodus 33v18-23, John 1v18, and 2 Corinthians…
- Unanswered Prayer | Prayer E4 (From the Archive)
In this episode, John Mark Comer addresses the difficult topic of unanswered prayer, exploring potential reasons and introducing the practice of lament. He examines the tension between Jesus's promises about prayer and the lived experience…
- Intercessory Prayer | Prayer E3 (From the Archive)
This episode of John Mark Comer Teachings focuses on intercessory prayer, drawing from Jesus' teachings in Luke 11. The discussion highlights prayer as a means of collaborating with God and emphasizes the importance of persistent petition.
- Contemplative Prayer (ft. Father Rick Ganz) | Prayer E2
In this episode, Father Rick Ganz explores contemplative prayer, referencing John 15 and introducing the Jesuit practice of the Examen. He presents prayer as a way of enjoying God's presence in everyday life.
- Teach Us to Pray | Prayer E1 (From the Archive)
In this episode, John Mark Comer examines the Lord's Prayer, highlighting Jesus's posture toward prayer. He challenges listeners to view prayer as a delightful engagement rather than a rote discipline.
- Three Shifts of Discipleship | Spiritual Cartography E3
John Mark Comer teaches on three shifts of discipleship, moving from fear to trust, despair to hope, and self-focus to love. He discusses the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love as settled conditions of the heart that develop over…
- Two Halves of Life | Spiritual Cartography E2
This episode of John Mark Comer Teachings discusses spiritual maturity using the "first and second halves of life" framework. It explores the unique challenges and opportunities for spiritual growth in different seasons of life, emphasizin…
- Four Layers of Sin | Spiritual Cartography E1
This episode from the Practicing the Way podcast features John Mark Comer exploring the four layers of sin. He discusses navigating these layers on the spiritual journey, moving from behavior modification to surrendering attachments for tr…
- Gentle and Humble
This episode of John Mark Comer Teachings explores Matthew 11v25-30, focusing on Jesus being "gentle and humble of heart." John Mark Comer discusses the importance of this truth for finding rest.
- Love (ft. Bethany Allen) | Advent 2025 E4
Bethany Allen explores the theme of love within Advent, discussing how receiving love involves surrender, vulnerability, and trust. She challenges listeners to actively receive God's love as an invitation.
- Joy (ft. Ken Shigematsu) | Advent 2025 E3
In this episode of John Mark Comer Teachings, Ken Shigematsu explores how the arrival of Jesus brings joy, even in sorrow, drawing from Luke 1-2 and 1 Corinthians 2. He discusses the concept of a "sudden, joyous turn" in connection with Ch…
- Ocean of Peace | Advent 2025 E2
In this Advent teaching, John Mark Comer discusses anxiety and explores the theme of peace throughout the Scriptures. He shares insights on how inner peace is essential for becoming people of love.
- Waiting Hope-fully with Simeon (ft. Gemma Ryan) | Advent 2025 E1
In this episode, Gemma Ryan discusses the story of Simeon and the concept of waiting with hope. She examines three questions: What are you waiting for? Who are you becoming as you wait? What is sustaining you in the waiting?
- Stay Together to Grow | Community E4
In this episode, John Mark Comer discusses the challenges of community and introduces a six-stage cycle for healthy relationships. He emphasizes the commitment required to foster growth and love, citing 1 Corinthians 3v1-4 and Matthew 6v15.
- Confess Your Sins | Community E3
John Mark Comer discusses the challenges to authentic community, identifying shame as a core issue. He explains how shame disconnects individuals and proposes that confession can foster healing and reconnection.
- Share Joys and Sorrows | Community E2
This episode of John Mark Comer Teachings explores the practice of sharing joys and sorrows within a community. It examines biblical examples and practices for fostering deeper community bonds.
- Be Family Around a Table | Community E1
In this episode, John Mark Comer discusses the concept of living as the family of God. He explores why spiritual formation requires relationship and community, rather than happening in isolation.
- Sabbath as Resistance | Garden City E6
In this episode, John Mark Comer explores Sabbath as a practice of resistance against the relentless pace of modern life. He discusses how God established a rhythm of work and rest in creation and how Sabbath helps resist cultural pressure…
- Jesus and the Paycheck | Garden City E5
John Mark Comer discusses Jesus\
- Yes/No | Garden City E4
This episode of John Mark Comer Teachings, titled "Yes/No," discusses the spiritual discipline of saying "no" to distractions to focus on one's God-given vocation. John Mark Comer examines how Jesus' ability to fulfill His calling involved…
- Kavod | Garden City E3
John Mark Comer discusses working for the glory of God, referencing 1 Corinthians 10. He explains how individuals can glorify God through their daily work and the manner in which they complete tasks.
- Identity and Calling | Garden City E2
This episode of John Mark Comer Teachings, "Identity and Calling," explores the cultural mandate from Genesis. John Mark Comer discusses how all humans are commanded to make culture, both corporately and individually, and offers practical…
- What Does It Mean To Be Human? | Garden City E1
In this episode of Garden City, John Mark Comer discusses the human condition, work, and rest. He challenges the sacred-secular divide and encourages listeners to consider their identity and calling.
- Ronald Rolheiser on Giving Your Life Away
In this episode, Father Ronald Rolheiser joins John Mark Comer to discuss the stages of the spiritual journey and how to follow Jesus throughout life. He reflects on practical ways to live out one's faith, drawing from his extensive experi…
- Hurry: The Great Enemy of Spiritual Life | Practicing the Way Vision Series E12 (From the Archive)
In this episode, John Mark Comer explores hurry as an obstacle to spiritual life and emphasizes slowing down to follow Jesus' lifestyle. He discusses how hurry damages the soul and hinders transformation, citing Matthew 11v28–30 and Luke 1…
- The Cross: Self-Denial in an Age of Self-Fulfillment | Practicing the Way Vision Series E11 (From the Archive)
John Mark Comer discusses self-denial in the context of following Jesus, examining Jesus’ words in Luke 9. He contrasts the cruciform life with the modern pursuit of personal satisfaction.
- How We Change: The Holy Spirit | Practicing the Way Vision Series E10 (From the Archive)
John Mark Comer discusses the Holy Spirit's role in transformation, highlighting the need for partnership with God's Spirit. He encourages reliance on the Spirit's presence and power for formation into the image of Jesus.
- Community as Confrontation (ft. Alex Rettman) | Practicing the Way Vision Series E9
In this episode, Alex Rettman explores how conflict within a community, when handled with love, can help individuals move from disillusionment to acceptance in their relationships. He discusses using conflict to guide each other back to Je…
- Community as Family (ft. Bethany Allen) | Practicing the Way Vision Series E8
In this episode, Bethany Allen discusses the concept of community as family within the Christian life. She explores its significance as an environment for transformation, addressing both its beautiful and broken aspects, and how faith can…
- How We Change: Community | Practicing the Way Vision Series E7 (From the Archive)
This episode, "How We Change: Community," from John Mark Comer Teachings, discusses the role of community in spiritual formation. It explores how transformation happens within community, referencing the life of Jesus and the early church.
- How We Change: Key Thoughts on Practice | Practicing the Way Vision Series E6 (From the Archive)
In this episode of John Mark Comer Teachings, John Mark Comer explores the concept of spiritual disciplines and their connection to personal transformation. He explains that these practices are essential for those seeking to become more li…
- How We Change: Teaching and Practice | Practicing the Way Vision Series E5 (From the Archive)
John Mark Comer discusses the process of change, focusing on the roles of teaching and practice. He explains that transformation involves rewiring minds and reshaping habits, leading to a more holistic journey of apprenticeship to Jesus.
- Do What Jesus Did | Practicing the Way Vision Series E4 (From the Archive)
John Mark Comer discusses living like Jesus, emphasizing everyday acts of love, hospitality, and Spirit-empowered presence. He explores how Jesus invites participation in Kingdom work and challenges listeners to engage in their real lives.
- Become Like Jesus | Practicing the Way Vision Series E3 (From the Archive)
In this episode, John Mark Comer discusses the call to become like Jesus. He explains how teaching, practice, community, and the Holy Spirit help individuals live the way of Jesus, referencing passages from Luke, Corinthians, Romans, Matth…
- Be With Jesus | Practicing the Way Vision Series E2 (From the Archive)
In this archival episode, John Mark Comer explores how to cultivate a deep relationship with God. He references key scriptures and examples from church history to illustrate how to "practice the presence of God" through abiding and adoptin…
- Practicing the Way | Practicing the Way Vision Series E1 (From the Archive)
In this episode, John Mark Comer outlines the vision behind Practicing the Way, focusing on Jesus's role as a first-century rabbi and its implications for followers. He discusses practicing being with, becoming like, and doing what Jesus d…
- Experiencing God's Love (ft. Brandon Shields)
In this episode, Brandon Shields shares his journey of experiencing God's love and how it transforms our relationships. He discusses moving from knowing about God's love intellectually to truly feeling its transformative power.
- Memorize | Scripture E4
John Mark Comer discusses the power of Scripture memorization for spiritual formation, mental renewal, and resilience. He emphasizes building an inner library of God's Word to face challenges with truth, referencing Matthew 27v45-54.
- Study | Scripture E3
John Mark Comer discusses the practice of studying the Bible, emphasizing understanding its context, language, and literary form for deeper transformation. He encourages studying not to prove a point, but to grow in love for God, referenci…
- Meditate | Scripture E2
John Mark Comer explores the practice of meditating on Scripture. He explains why this ancient discipline is relevant to modern life, using Psalm 1v1-3 as a key reference.