
Practicing the Way
Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did
John Mark Comer(Author)
form (Publisher)
Published on 16. January 2024
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-0-281-08667-2 (ISBN)
Description
John Mark Comer, the New York Times bestselling author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and Live No Lies, shows readers what is holding them back from authentically following Jesus - and reveals the countercultural practices to connect us with a vibrant lifelong faith.
"One of the most important books I have read in a decade... If we would all follow in this way, our lives would change and the world would change." Jennie Allen, author of Get Out of Your Head and Find Your People
We all have experienced unwanted parts of our spiritual journey: distance from God, gaps in our character, the fear that our lives will be trivial and empty... Jesus is calling us into more. Calling us to be shaped in his likeness. To experience his abundance of life.
But how, practically, can we do that? By becoming his apprentice. By practicing the Way.
Outlining the timeless process of being with Jesus, becoming like him, and living as he did, bestselling author and pastoral voice John Mark Comer delineates God's vision for the journey of our soul.
In this powerful and practical work, he defines his core philosophy of spiritual formation to help us form a "rule of life."
Along the way, readers benefit from his rich cultural insight, deep biblical teaching, and honest and hopeful view of the potential of each human soul.
You feel like there's more to life than this? You're right. Now come discover just how much life awaits you.
"One of the most important books I have read in a decade... If we would all follow in this way, our lives would change and the world would change." Jennie Allen, author of Get Out of Your Head and Find Your People
We all have experienced unwanted parts of our spiritual journey: distance from God, gaps in our character, the fear that our lives will be trivial and empty... Jesus is calling us into more. Calling us to be shaped in his likeness. To experience his abundance of life.
But how, practically, can we do that? By becoming his apprentice. By practicing the Way.
Outlining the timeless process of being with Jesus, becoming like him, and living as he did, bestselling author and pastoral voice John Mark Comer delineates God's vision for the journey of our soul.
In this powerful and practical work, he defines his core philosophy of spiritual formation to help us form a "rule of life."
Along the way, readers benefit from his rich cultural insight, deep biblical teaching, and honest and hopeful view of the potential of each human soul.
You feel like there's more to life than this? You're right. Now come discover just how much life awaits you.
Reviews / Votes
"One of the most important books I have read in a decade . . . If we would all follow in this way, our lives would change and the world would change." -- Jennie Allen, author of Get Out of Your Head and Find Your People "I love John Mark Comer's vision for life-to be with Jesus, become more like him, and aspire to do what Jesus would do. This book can help us all in our own walk with Jesus." -- Nicky Gumbel, Pioneer of Alpha "In this spacious, eminently readable volume, John Mark Comer meditates on how Christian discipleship is, at its root, the radical task of becoming an apprentice of Jesus-to be with him, to become like him, and to do as he did. The deceptively simple call is to take Jesus at his word, to open ourselves fully to him, to organize our schedules, our routines, our study, our daily practices around him, and, by doing so, to become people who can do as he would in our day and our culture. Comer's experiences as a pastor, teacher, thinker, and an apprentice himself are helpfully on display here. Sit with this book slowly and let it be your guide into a life of apprenticeship to Jesus." -- Tish Harrison Warren, Anglican priest and author of Liturgy of the Ordinary and Prayer in the Night "In Practicing the Way, John Mark Comer offers us a portrait of following Jesus that is as profound and compelling as it is simple. Be prepared to take an honest look at your own life habits and prayerfully ask, What kind of person am I becoming and Is it more like Jesus or less? Here you will find a beautiful picture of the kind of life Jesus envisioned for his followers and a practical pathway to experience it for yourself." -- Tim Mackie, co-founder of BibleProject "This is the book that I want everyone in my church to read. It is an invitation deeper for the lifelong follower of Jesus, and the perfect primer for the new believer. Somehow, in a way only John Mark can do, he has plunged the depths of the gospel invitation in a way that is relatable, accessible, and readable for the everyday seeker." -- Tyler Staton, lead pastor of Bridgetown Church "Herein is a window to the meaning and significance of life that only Jesus affords. John Mark has given us the antidote to failed religion and generational hypocrisy. Read it slowly. Be changed deeply." -- Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates, senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago and Progressive Baptist Church, ChicagoMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
SPCK Publishing
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 150 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
389 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-281-08667-2 (9780281086672)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
01/2024
Form
€16.49
Available for download
Person
John Mark Comer is the founding pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, a teacher and writer with Practicing the Way, and the bestselling author of multiple books, including The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry and Live No Lies.
Content
xi Dust
xviii Apprentice to Jesus
3 Jesus was a rabbi
7 Three goals of an apprentice
11 Disciple is a noun, not a verb
13 Are you a Christian or an apprentice?
18 But what are we saved to?
24 A way of life
27 Whoever means whoever
32 Goal #1: Be with Jesus
35 "Abide in me"
41 Turning God into a habit
46 "I look at Him, He looks at me, and we are happy"
53 The reward for following Jesus is Jesus
56 Find your secret place
60 "You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life"
64 Goal #2: Become like him
69 Spiritual formation isn't a Christian thing
72 Formation defined
80 No accidental saints
84 Three losing strategies
89 Problem #1: Sin
96 Problem #2: You've already been formed
101 A working theory of change
114 Terrible, wonderful news: You are not in control
118 Goal #3: Do as he did
124 Jesus the prototype
128 Rhythm #1: Making space for the gospel (i.e., hospitality)
134 Rhythm #2: Preaching the gospel
143 Rhythm #3: Demonstrating the gospel
150 "The joyous burdens of love"
156 How? A Rule of Life
160 The trellis and the vine
162 You already have a Rule of Life
165 Guarding and guiding
168 Four things a good Rule will do for you
174 The practices defined
181 The nine
190 A few tips
202 Find your inner monk
206 Take up your cross
210 Surrender
214 The cost of (non-)discipleship
217 Begin again
222 Extras
224 The Practicing the Way Course
225 A Rule of Life from Practicing the Way
226 The nine practices
229 The Rule of Life Builder
231 Gratitude
233 Notes
xviii Apprentice to Jesus
3 Jesus was a rabbi
7 Three goals of an apprentice
11 Disciple is a noun, not a verb
13 Are you a Christian or an apprentice?
18 But what are we saved to?
24 A way of life
27 Whoever means whoever
32 Goal #1: Be with Jesus
35 "Abide in me"
41 Turning God into a habit
46 "I look at Him, He looks at me, and we are happy"
53 The reward for following Jesus is Jesus
56 Find your secret place
60 "You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life"
64 Goal #2: Become like him
69 Spiritual formation isn't a Christian thing
72 Formation defined
80 No accidental saints
84 Three losing strategies
89 Problem #1: Sin
96 Problem #2: You've already been formed
101 A working theory of change
114 Terrible, wonderful news: You are not in control
118 Goal #3: Do as he did
124 Jesus the prototype
128 Rhythm #1: Making space for the gospel (i.e., hospitality)
134 Rhythm #2: Preaching the gospel
143 Rhythm #3: Demonstrating the gospel
150 "The joyous burdens of love"
156 How? A Rule of Life
160 The trellis and the vine
162 You already have a Rule of Life
165 Guarding and guiding
168 Four things a good Rule will do for you
174 The practices defined
181 The nine
190 A few tips
202 Find your inner monk
206 Take up your cross
210 Surrender
214 The cost of (non-)discipleship
217 Begin again
222 Extras
224 The Practicing the Way Course
225 A Rule of Life from Practicing the Way
226 The nine practices
229 The Rule of Life Builder
231 Gratitude
233 Notes