JMC does it again. This book is full of deep theological content while still being written in JMC’s trademark approachable writing style. You really feel like you are at coffee with a friend when reading his books which makes the depth of his content so much more approachable. After reading this book twice and listening to the audiobook once, I’m still collecting impactful nuggets of information that I’m applying to my walk with Jesus.

John Mark Comer stands out in the best way in his genre. This book does not disappoint and readers who are fans of his previous works will not be disappointed in this one.

Another excellent deep dive into what it means to practice the Way of Jesus from John Mark Comer! I've been reading Comer's books for years, so when this book was announced, I knew it was going to be just as insightful and applicable. It's one of those books I'll read again and again, and each time I'll get something new out of it!

You just can't go wrong with a John Mark Comer book. And this on ticks all the boxes! This is a "read slowly and chew" book. So much info and so well delivered. Excellent book.

This new book by Comer has been a hit within our church community - it delves into the rhythms of living out your life as a Christian and has resonated with those interested in spiritual disciplines.

Really loved this book. I have come to realize that there is a lot of wisdom to glean from John Mark Comer, the books I’ve read by him have provided great insight to my life and this one was no different. I really enjoyed slowing down and reading this book as it helped my spiritual walk with Jesus.

John Mark Comer posits that Christianity should be more than praying a salvation prayer. It should also be a way of living. In Practicing the Way, Comer offers practical, Biblical suggestions as to how Christians can become true disciples—apprentices—of Jesus.

The book is structured in four parts. In the first, Comer takes readers through the rabbinical tradition of disciples, pointing out that “disciple” is a noun, not a verb i.e. we are (or aren’t) disciples of Jesus. He also suggests that “apprentice” might be a better translation, because an apprentice is responsible for learning.

Comer argues that the accountability is on us listening to Jesus and learning, rather than putting the accountability on the teacher to teach (which turns “discipling” into adverb, an action that is performed on us).

He then moves onto three goals for disciples: to be with Jesus, to become like Jesus, and to do as He did.

But how? Here Comer builds on some of his suggestions and insights from his previous book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, and suggests some oh-so-logical ideas that are oh-so-easy to resist: ideas like having a digital Sabbath once a week, and to have daily no-phone times.

Comer also emphasises that we can’t let our practices become our faith.
The point of spiritual practices is to bring us closer to God, not to turn our faith into a set of rules for the sake of rules (something I see as I grow older: one person has a personal rule they find helps them grow closer to God, such as not reading novels or not using their phones on Sunday, and others turn this into a Rule they say everyone must live by in order to be a “proper Christian”. This is a “Jesus plus” gospel, where outward appearance and action takes precedence over the heart attitudes … instead of outward actions reflecting our heart attitudes).

Discipline is a means to an end—to be with Jesus, become like him, and do what he did. But Comer is refreshingly realistic: he recognises that we all need limits.

Comer’s Christianity is the opposite of hustle culture and the more-more-more of modern life (and, often, of modern church). Instead, it’s less. We have to learn how to say “no” to people if we’re going to have the capacity to say “yes” to God.

I got a lot out of reading Practicing the Way. It’s easy to read, yet jam-packed with Christian wisdom and solid ideas on how to turn the ideas into actions. I will no doubt need to re-read it in a few months … perhaps right after I re-read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.

Recommended.

Thanks to Waterbrook and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Such a good book. I read and listened to this as an audiobook. There is much wisdom to be found within this text and certainly it resonates with my modern day busy ness

I feel like Jon Mark Comer was dialed in while writing this. It's so simple, yet so profound. I am deeply encouraged by his writings and the implications of this work.

Practicing the Way was a well put together holistic view on spiritual formation. It answer the question of what is a disciple, why does it matter, and how you can be a continual apprentice of Jesus. As much clarity as he gave on what being with Jesus, becoming lie him and doing as he did is like, he handled provided clarity of what these things are not in a extremely helpful ways for those who are starting there apprenticeship journey.
Comer balances taking biblically backed stances without getting to far into the weeds of theological debates. Some would have wished for clearer stances on issues but I found the balance he struck to work well within the books frame work.
My only wish with this books is that is would have provided more in the area of steps to implement this way of thinking. This is much less a book of practicalities and more a book of concepts and ideas needed to be grasp to open the door for the steps of change. It almost felt like the first half of a book leading towards something else. Maybe by nature of the topic there isn't a big payoff do this, or maybe this is where his practices on the website practicingtheway.org come in. Just left me wanting a little more.

Life changing! If you choose to embark on being a follower of Jesus, this book, on your journey, has the potential to be life-changing.

John Mark Comer's "Practicing the Way" is a transformative and essential read for anyone seeking to deepen their Christian faith and truly understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. This book stands out as one of the most important works on spiritual formation for the modern church.

Comer presents a compelling case for returning to the original concept of discipleship - being an apprentice of Jesus. He outlines three key goals: being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing as Jesus did. This framework provides a clear and actionable path for spiritual growth that goes beyond mere belief to active participation in the Christian life.

The author's writing style is engaging and accessible, breaking down complex theological concepts into practical, everyday applications. His personal anecdotes and relatable examples bring the teachings to life, making them relevant to contemporary readers.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its emphasis on practical spirituality. Comer revisits ancient Christian practices such as sabbath, solitude, scripture reading, and fasting, presenting them in a fresh, modern context. He offers concrete suggestions for implementing these practices, making spiritual disciplines feel attainable rather than overwhelming.

"Practicing the Way" also addresses a critical issue in modern Christianity - the tendency to separate belief from discipleship. Comer challenges readers to move beyond a surface-level faith to a transformative relationship with Jesus that impacts every aspect of life.

The book's structure is thoughtfully organized, guiding readers progressively through foundational principles to more advanced practices. This approach makes it valuable for both new believers and seasoned Christians looking to reinvigorate their faith.

While deeply rooted in Christian orthodoxy, Comer's work feels revolutionary in its call for intentional, holistic discipleship. It serves as a much-needed wake-up call for the church to return to the core of Jesus' teachings about following Him.

"Practicing the Way" is more than just a book; it's a roadmap for authentic Christian living. Its practical advice, coupled with theological depth and the author's infectious enthusiasm, makes it an invaluable resource for personal and communal spiritual development. For anyone serious about living out their faith in a tangible, impactful way, this book is a must-read

It’s difficult to put into words what this book means to me. It came at just the right time for me and, I believe, for the wider western church.
The premise is exactly what it sounds to be: a book around the life of Jesus and how that is to shape our lives.

It may come across as legalistic to some, but that is not the author’s intent. If we are to experience intimacy with God there things that we will likely be doing (life rhythms if you will) that will lead to spiritual maturity and depth of love for God.

If you’re yearning for a faith that goes beyond church in Sundays, go to scripture and use Practicing the Way as a guide to better understanding the Way of Jesus.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Practicing the Way dived deepering into the various ways someone could become more like Jesus. John Mark Comer does a fantastic job of making the book digestable but still scriptually releveant and impactful. It is hard to read without feeling challenged to examine your own walk with Jesus and evalaute the disicplines you need to lean into. This book make for a fantastic small group read and study.

I enjoyed this new book from John Mark Comer. It is a great introduction to spiritual disciplines for the Christian life. However, if you have read other works by John Mark Comer, it may seem redundant in it's references and content.

John Mark Comer is one of my all-time favorite authors. His writing and teaching is so deep and well-researched and thoughtful, but so approachable. I appreciate how he introduces such deep and thought-provoking topics, and yet in such an easy way that is applicable and relevant no matter where you are in your walk with the Lord. His heart for others to know God well and to walk closely with Him is so clear in his writing. I am so thankful for his books and his teachings and this is a new favorite for me that I will be highly recommending to others

Phenomenal. This is hands down one of the best books on Christianity that I've read. Comer does an excellent job distilling theology down to the essentials and translating that to our lives today. Would highly recommend this book.

Great read from John Mark Comer as always! He is so good, so wise, and so filled with practical and deep thoughts. Highly recommend.

This was the best thing I read this year. Comer sums up the Christian life beautifully and compellingly. I’ve already recommended this book to a number of people, several of whom have bought and read it as well. The simplicity of this book is its strong suit, and while there are so many areas that could be elaborated on (specifics of the practices, dealing with sin, how the Way of Jesus functions for a community rather than just an individual), the book is probably better for being as streamlined as it is.

Absolutely love JMC! His work is incredible and this book is essential for new followers of Jesus to strengthen their faith and build community!