John Mark Comer Teachings

What if the greatest threat to faith today is not hedonism, but distraction? John Mark discusses the importance of making time for silence and solitude in our rule of life, and the benefits of quiet in our spiritual walk: helping us accept reality, experiencing God’s love, yielding to God’s will, hearing God’s voice, and ultimately becoming people of love.Key Scripture Passage: Luke 5v15, Matthew 6v5-6Resources for this practice:https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/unhurry

“If your rule of life does not find a way to ruthlessly eliminate digital distraction, it will likely fail.”Is distraction undermining our spiritual life? John Mark makes a case for a rule of life that accounts for our society of digital distraction by highlighting how our technology can be unhealthy for us. He also offers some guidance on shaping your rule of life to avert digital distraction and help orient your life towards becoming a person of love.Key Scripture Passage: Psalm 16Resources for this practice:https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/unhurry

“A good rule of life can actually set us free to be our true and best selves.”In a world of distraction and speed, how do we arrange our lives so that we are experiencing deep joy, peace, and contentment in our life in God, as Willard said? John Mark talks about the ancient practice of creating a “rule of life” and offers seven tips for creating your own rule of life.Key Scripture Passage: John 15v1-8Resources for this practice:https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/unhurry

“Most people are just too busy to live an emotionally healthy and spiritually rich life.”We live in an age of chronic distraction and business. John Mark talks about hurry as the great enemy of our spiritual life. He proposes that the solution to “hurry sickness” is not more time, but rather become people of love through being intentional with our own “rule of life.”Key Scripture Passage: Luke 10v25-37Resources for this practice:https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/unhurry

“When we honor people, we get access to whatever people carry, if it's friendship, relationship, conversation, wisdom, prophetic ability, healing, discernment, wealth, resources, opportunities, whatever it is. When we dishonor people, we cut off ourselves from whatever it is they have to offer.”John Mark talks about the importance of honor in in a culture of dishonor and contempt, highlighting the difference that living with honor can have on our relationships and others’ lives.Key Scripture Passage: Romans 12v9-16; Mark 6v1-6Resources for this practice:https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/community

Jesus intended his followers to become a family-like community. John Mark talks about how this idea of family was radical not only for first-century Jews, but also why it’s just as radical for us today. Through it, he offers advice on how to build relational skills to bless and love our communities well.Key Scripture Passage: Mark 3v31-35Resources for this practice:https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/community

We are lonelier than ever. In the US, loneliness rates have doubled since 1980, with 35% of people saying that they are chronically lonely. Is there are practice from the life of Jesus to help us thrive in a culture that is more disconnected than ever? John Mark talks about Jesus’ practice and invitation into community, encouraging us to commit to community, despite the challenges, so we can embrace “life to the full.”Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 4v18-22; Matthew 8v18-22; Matthew 9v9-13; Matthew 10v1-4; Matthew 20v20-28Resources for this practice:https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/communityLife Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Can pain make us more loving? Continuing our discussion of stage theory, John Mark uses the story of Leah and Rachel in Genesis to show how our responses to the pain in our lives can either lead us closer to God and acceptance of our circumstances, or towards bitterness and pain.Key Scripture Passages: Gen 29v15-35; Gen 30v1-24; Gen 35v16-20Resources for this practice:https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/naming

“Have you ever cried out to God in a time of distress, but felt nothing in return?”John Mark continues his discussion on the dark night of the soul, focusing on the two types of “dark nights” that are written about by St. John and St. Teresa in the 16th century. In it, he encourages us to continue to press into community and into God if we find ourselves in a dark night.Key Scripture Passage: Psalm 77Resources for this practice:https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/namingThe Dark Night of the Soul, Dr. Gerald May

Have you ever felt like there is a wall between you and heaven? John Mark explores the Dark Night of the Soul, talking about what it is, what it isn’t, and some ideas for how to move through this season well.Key Scripture Passage: Psalm 42Resources for this practice:https://practicingthewayarchives.org/practices/naming