
82 episodes

John Mark Comer Teachings Practicing the Way
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- Religion & Spirituality
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4.9 • 715 Ratings
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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 ( practicingtheway.org )
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The Tyranny of Living for the Approval of Others | Gospel of Matthew
Are you tired of trying to earn other's approval? John Mark looks at the first of Jesus's teachings of practicing righteousness before others to be noticed by them in Matthew chapter six. He encourages us to break free from the bondage of seeking the approval (or disapproval) of others by doing good works in secret in order to be rewarded not by others, but by our Father in Heaven.
Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 6v1-4
This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to Andrew from Salt Lake City, Utah; Andrew from Portland, Oregon; Jody from Kiefer, Oklahoma; Koen from Groningen, Netherlands; and Dan from Norcross, Georgia. 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. -
Jesus on His Most Radical Idea: Enemy Love | Gospel of Matthew
Is it practical to love our enemy? John Mark exegetes from Jesus's final teaching in Matthew chapter five on enemy love. He challenges us to take this teaching seriously by showing historical and personal examples of Jesus's way bearing fruit, and encourages us to lean into our questions about this teaching with honestly before God and our communities.
Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v43-48
This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Gideon from Virginia Beach, Virginia; Dee from Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Kayleigh from Colorado Springs, Colorado; Zachary from Bettendorf, Iowa; and Lauren from Coeur D'Alene, 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. -
Jesus on Breaking the Chain of Violence | Gospel of Matthew
Is following Jesus really incompatible with violence? John Mark looks into Jesus's teaching about returning evil not with more evil but with good. He wraps up by acknowledging how many of us are resistant to Jesus's ideas on nonviolence, but encourages us to continue to follow and learn from Jesus and not let our conclusions become a source of disunity in the Body of Christ.
Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v38-42
Resource from this teaching (affiliate link):
Fight, Preston Sprinkle
This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to Kendall from Nashville, Tennessee; Jonathan from Nanterre, France; Victor from Sanford, Florida; Aaron from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Hannah from Warren, 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. -
Jesus on Objectification and Oppression | Gospel of Matthew
When Jesus recounts the Laws from the Torah, he doesn’t simply address the behavior, he gets to the heart of sin. John Mark explores Jesus's commandments surrounding lust and divorce and highlights how God's heart is for us to honor one another as brothers and sisters in our we see and interact with one another. He concluded by challenging us to repent for the ways that we have dishonored one another and to step forward into Jesus's plan for human flourishing.
Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v27-32
Resources from this teaching:
Divorce and Remarriage in the Church, David Instone-Brewer
This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to Tashona from Carrollton, Texas; Logan from Hinsdale, Illinois; Karen from East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; Amanda from Menomonie, Wisconsin, and Seth from Spokane, Washington. 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. -
Jesus on Anger | Gospel of Matthew
Is anger wrong? John Mark looks at Jesus's teaching on anger in the Sermon on the Mount, and argues that Jesus is teaching us to guard against nursing a grudge, harboring resentment, and partnering with contempt. Instead, Jesus offers a way forward: reaching out in love and a spirit of reconciliation.
Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v21-26
This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to Anh from Dublin, California; Evan from Troutdale, Oregon; Parker from Dallas, Texas; Terry from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Alexander from Fresno, 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 Jesus Think About the Bible? | Gospel of Matthew
"The Bible is how the authority of Jesus is mediated to His apprentices."
John Mark examines Jesus's teachings on the Scriptures in Matthew chapter five. He argues that Jesus not only views the Bible as trustworthy, authoritative, and good, but also sees Himself as the climax of the biblical narrative.
Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 5v17-20
Resources from this teaching:
This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for today’s episode goes to Brett from Waco, Texas; Sonya from Stilwell, Kansas; Samuel from Clinton, Illinois; Luke from Leland Grove, Illinois; and Joshua from El Cerrito, 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.
Customer Reviews
Exquisite
There’s no quick fix in addressing the river and undercurrent of anxiety in ourselves and out society, and John Mark’s writings and teachings are a pathway to resolving your own. I know, because I’ve begun to practice them avidly, and these things take practice, some of these incredibly important findings are changing my life (along with more deeply and intentionally leaning into the Master).
Look, people of have celebrated and honored the sabbath for thousands of years. It is a commandment after all and a foundation for creating “margin” in your life for others and yourself. Lean into this. You’ll see what I mean. It’s not the sole premise of his teaching, but a cornerstone one.
Not just chaff
I appreciate the honesty that these teachings have. His teaching on “the critical journey” and dark night of the soul help in times of darkness. The Bible is filled with lament and wrestling with God, but most people think admitting this is a sign of weakness or lack of faith. Just so you know not all of his teachings are of lament, but he does not shy away.
Rich, Deep, Vulnerable, Timely
Thank you for such a beautiful prompt to discover a rich, deep, and purposeful life with our Lord and Savior for ourselves, and to better serve others as He did.