Rule of Life
Religion & Spirituality
About
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...
Episodes
- Witness 04: Share the Good News (featuring Shaila Visser)
John Mark Comer and Shelbi Shutt discuss sharing the gospel in the modern world, featuring an interview with Alpha Canada's Shaila Visser. This episode is part of the Witness Practice, exploring a patient and courageous approach to living…
- Witness 03: Partner with the Holy Spirit (featuring Pete Hughes)
John Mark Comer and Shelbi Shutt discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in sharing faith, featuring an interview with Pastor Pete Hughes. They explore discerning God's work in the lives of others and practical approaches to witness in a secul…
- Witness 02: Practice Hospitality (featuring Drew Hyun)
John Mark Comer and Shelbi Shutt explore the role of hospitality in witnessing to the gospel. They are joined by Drew Hyun, founder of Hope Church NYC, to discuss the importance of becoming 'good news people' in everyday life.
- Witness 01: Begin With Love (featuring Ger Jones)
In this episode of Rule of Life, John Mark Comer and Shelbi Shutt discuss moving beyond duty to a witness motivated by love, featuring an interview with pastor Ger Jones on sharing the good news in today's Western cultural landscape.
- Service 04: Where Does Service Lead? (featuring a Luminary Roundtable)
This episode of Rule of Life explores how service, as practiced in the way of Jesus, can lead to reciprocal relationships and kinship. Hosts Tyler Staton and Shelbi Shutt, alongside guests Charlee Tchividjian, Gabrielle Clowdus, and Sara M…
- Service 03: How Do I Serve? - Part 02 (Edwin Colon)
This episode of Rule of Life explores cultivating an intentional life of service. Hosts Tyler Staton and Shelbi Shutt interview Pastor Edwin Colon about viewing schedules through "Jesus' time" to create space for encounters of love and ser…
- Service 02: How Do I Serve? - Part 01 (featuring Jonathan Tremaine Thomas)
This episode of Rule of Life, "Service 02: How Do I Serve? - Part 01," features Jonathan Tremaine Thomas discussing how service can be integrated into a lifestyle. Hosts Tyler Staton and Shelbi Shutt explore Jesus' invitation to serve in f…
- Service 01: Why Do I Serve? (featuring Gary Haugen)
This episode features Tyler Staton and Shelbi Shutt discussing the core motivation of service, inspired by love. They interview Gary Haugen, CEO of International Justice Mission, about his mission to protect people from violence and slaver…
- Community 04: What We Avoid in Community (featuring David Kim)
John Mark Comer and Shelbi Shutt, with guest David Kim, explore five practices for cultivating community and the actions people often avoid to form deep relationships. David Kim is the author of 'Made To Belong: Five Practices for Cultivat…
- Community 03: Overcoming Shame — The Ancient Enemy of Community (featuring Dr. Curt Thompson)
John Mark Comer and Shelbi Shutt discuss shame as an enemy of community, featuring insights from psychiatrist Dr. Curt Thompson. They explore how shame causes disconnection and damage in relationships and offer ways to address it.
- Community 02: Family Systems and Life in Community (featuring Jay and Danielle Pathak)
John Mark Comer and Shelbi Shutt discuss Family Systems Theory with Jay and Danielle Pathak, exploring how family dynamics influence relationships and the role of community in healing. They recommend the Genogram Workbook for self-awarenes…
- Community 01: Rediscovering Jesus’ Vision for Family (featuring Andy Crouch)
John Mark Comer and Shelbi Shutt discuss kinship groups and the evolution of familial relationships, featuring an interview with Andy Crouch on the devolution of community in the West.
- Scripture 04: Reading Scripture as a Spiritual Discipline
John Mark, Dr. Tim Mackie, Dr. Brittany Kim, and Hakeem Bradley discuss reading Scripture as a spiritual discipline. They explain how this practice, whether private or corporate, helps in following Jesus and becoming like him, drawing on t…
- Scripture 03: Unlocking the Wisdom of Scripture
This episode of Rule of Life features John Mark, Dr. Tim Mackie, Dr. Brittany Kim, and Hakeem Bradley discussing Scripture as wisdom and meditation literature. They explain how wisdom literature promotes internalizing values for flourishin…
- Scripture 02: Scripture as a Cross-Cultural Experience
This episode of Rule of Life features Dr. Tim Mackie, Dr. Brittany Kim, and Hakeem Bradley discussing the challenges of interpreting ancient scriptures, including reconciling historical laws with modern values. They also explore the messia…
- Scripture 01: Three Problematic Approaches to Scripture
This episode discusses problematic traditional approaches to scripture, such as the 'reference book' and 'domesticated grab-bag' methods. It introduces BibleProject's paradigm, starting with understanding the Bible as "human and divine lit…
- Generosity 06: Roundtable with John Cortines, Jimmy Mellado, Sara Miller, and Christian Huang
John Mark hosts a roundtable discussion on generosity with guests John Cortines, Jimmy Mellado, Sara Miller, and Christian Huang. They explore topics including tithing, serving the poor, and addressing inequality.
- Generosity 05: Roundtable with Patrick Johnson and April Chapman
John Mark hosts a roundtable with Patrick Johnson and April Chapman, discussing the challenges and importance of generosity, particularly our relationship with money and biblical perspectives on the topic.
- Generosity Testimonial 04: Josh & Abbi
Josh and Abbi discuss how living on a limited income fostered contentment and inspired practices of radical generosity, benefiting their family. This episode supports the Generosity Practice resource.
- Generosity 04: Be Generous to the Poor
This episode of the Rule of Life podcast discusses the early church's practice of extravagant generosity towards the poor, inspired by Jesus's teachings. Hosts John Mark Comer and Christian Dawson explore how followers can emulate this by…
- Generosity Testimonial 03: Lola
Lola recounts growing up with generous parents and experiencing similar generosity within a community of Jesus followers during a difficult time. This experience inspired her to help others in need and relates to the Generosity Practice re…
- Generosity 03: Everything Belongs to God
This episode of Rule of Life, featuring John Mark Comer and Christian Dawson, examines the biblical concept that all resources belong to God, discussing stewardship, theological views on money, and practical ways to cultivate generosity.
- Generosity Testimonial 02: Sunny
Sunny discusses how his values and belief in God's ownership of his possessions shape his family's generous lifestyle. They regularly review their giving, aiming to increase it yearly, finding joy in the practice.
- Generosity 02: Watch Out for Greed!
In Rule of Life's Generosity 02, John Mark and Christian Dawson examine Jesus' teachings on greed versus generosity. They explore how generosity can lead to contentment and freedom from the anxiety associated with accumulating possessions.
- Generosity Testimonial 01: Jim and Jan
Jim and Jan discuss how a Generous Giving conference expanded their vision for generosity. Inspired by teachings on money and testimonials, they embraced the belief that all resources are God's and radical generosity leads to joy.
- Generosity 01: There is More Joy in Giving Than Receiving
This episode of Rule of Life discusses generosity as a central aspect of following Jesus, highlighting its paradoxical link to joy and well-being. Hosts John Mark Comer and Christian Dawson explore biblical passages and offer practical ste…
- Solitude 06: Question + Response
John Mark Comer, Bethany Allen, and Bryan Rouanzoin address audience questions about practicing solitude, including frequency, challenges, and anxiety. This is the final Q+R episode of season 4 of the Rule of Life podcast.
- Solitude 05: Encountering Our God with Emily P. Freeman
In this episode of Rule of Life, Emily P. Freeman joins John Mark Comer and Bryan Rouanzoin to discuss how solitude facilitates an encounter with God. Freeman shares insights on experiencing God's presence, hearing His voice, and witnessin…
- Solitude 04: Encountering Our Enemies with Ken Shigematsu
In this episode of Rule of Life, John Mark Comer interviews Ken Shigematsu about the challenges of solitude, including encountering fear, regret, and external voices. They discuss how to differentiate between the voice of God and the voice…
- Solitude 03: Encountering Our Self with Bethany Allen
In this episode of Rule of Life, Bethany Allen discusses how solitude provides an encounter with one's true self, created and loved by God, free from curated identities and false selves. Allen, pastor of spiritual formation at Bridgetown C…
- Solitude 02: The Quiet Place with John Ortberg
This episode features John Ortberg discussing the biblical practice of solitude, emphasizing the need for intentional time alone with God, similar to Jesus' own habits. Ortberg, a pastor and author, shares insights on creating a "quiet pla…
- Solitude 01: An Introduction to the Solitude Practice
In this episode of Rule of Life, Bethany Allen and Bryan Rouanzoin interview John Mark Comer about the practice of solitude. They discuss how modern life's constant noise makes true solitude rare, despite Jesus' emphasis on it, and why it'…
- Luminary Interview: Dr. Alison Cook
This episode of Rule of Life features Dr. Alison Cook, a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorders, discussing the practice of fasting. The conversation addresses concerns for individuals with disordered eating or medical conditi…
- Fasting 04: To Stand with the Poor
This episode of Rule of Life explores whether fasting can combat injustice, featuring insights from John Mark Comer, Yinka Dawson, Jarin Oda, and Tyler Staton. They delve into biblical justice and the role of fasting in empathizing with an…
- Fasting 03: To Amplify Our Prayers
This episode discusses the effects of fasting on communities, generations, and systems, featuring South African church planter Chris Wienand. He shares insights on fasting and prayer during Apartheid and the opportunities for miracles with…
- Fasting 02: To Grow in Holiness
This episode discusses the theology of the body and introduces fasting as a spiritual discipline to integrate faith and physicality. It features a guest sharing her experience of healing from chronic illness through fasting and intercessio…
- Fasting 01: To Offer Ourselves to God
This episode features a roundtable discussion with John Mark Comer, Yinka Dawson, Jarin Oda, and Reward Sibanda on the spiritual practice of fasting. They explore its historical roots, practical application, and potential for personal tran…
- Luminary Interview: Strahan Coleman
This Rule of Life podcast episode features Strahan Coleman discussing experiencing God, the differences between spiritual fruits and gifts, the risks of depersonalizing God, and achieving silence. Coleman is an award-winning musician, poet…
- Luminary Interview: Jonathan Tremaine Thomas
This episode features Jonathan Tremaine Thomas discussing contemplative activism, praying in the spirit, and finding communion with God through fasting. Thomas shares his experiences in St. Louis focusing on evangelism, discipleship, and r…
- Prayer 04: Being With God
This episode discusses the fourth stage of prayer, "being with God," moving beyond talking and listening to existing in God's presence without words. It features insights from Rich Villodas and Strahan Coleman.
- Prayer 03: Listening to God
This episode of Rule of Life, titled "Prayer 03: Listening to God," addresses questions about whether God still speaks, how He communicates, and how to identify His voice. It builds upon previous episodes about talking to God, focusing on…
- Prayer 02: Talking With God
This episode of Rule of Life addresses common questions about prayer, such as why some prayers are unanswered and the connection between prayer and God's character. It includes personal stories and insights from Strahan Coleman and Pete Gr…
- Prayer 01: Talking to God
This episode of Rule of Life, featuring John Mark Comer, Gemma Ryan, Reward Sibanda, and Tyler Staton, explores the first movement of prayer, 'talking to God,' by examining the Lord's Prayer from Luke 11. The discussion is part of a series…
- Luminary Interview: Andy Crouch
This episode features an interview with Andy Crouch, discussing topics such as the spiritual effects of labor-saving technology, modern magic, Sabbath practices, and human desires. Crouch shares insights from his work on faith, culture, an…
- Luminary Interview: Tish Harrison Warren
This episode features an interview with Tish Harrison Warren, author of Liturgy of the Ordinary, discussing the sacredness of ordinary life, the ethics of Sabbath, and the importance of spiritual and bodily habituation. Warren is a priest…
- Sabbath 04: Worship / Whole Life Orientation Toward God
This episode discusses worship as a whole-life orientation toward God, expanding the definition beyond church services. It features a roundtable discussion with John Mark, Bethany, and Bryan, including clips from Tish Harrison Warren, Rich…
- Sabbath 03: Delight / The Joy of Sabbath in Community
This episode of the Rule of Life series explores the concept of delight, contrasting it with happiness and examining its connection to Sabbath practices. Hosts discuss delighting in God and the communal aspect of Sabbath.
- Sabbath 02: Rest / An Act of Resistance
This episode of the Sabbath series explores the meaning of rest and why it is difficult, discussing external and internal resistances to it with insights from various thinkers and followers of Jesus.
- Sabbath 01: Stop / The Rhythm of Creation
This episode of the Rule of Life podcast,
- Trailer
This trailer introduces the concept of a Rule of Life, explaining that everyone already lives by certain rhythms. It previews the Rule of Life podcast's upcoming season on Sabbath and mentions the supporting community, The Circle.