Member Reviews
This is such a helpful book and I appreciate all of John Mark Comers' insights. This is one I will be thinking about for awhile
John Mark Comer's 'Practicing the Way' is a transformative guide to living a life of deeper spiritual meaning and purpose. With wisdom and warmth, Comer offers practical insights and timeless truths that resonate with readers on their journey of faith. Through engaging storytelling and thought-provoking reflections, he skillfully navigates topics ranging from prayer and meditation to community and discipleship, empowering readers to cultivate a vibrant spiritual practice in their everyday lives. Whether you're seeking to deepen your spiritual walk or explore new avenues of growth, 'Practicing the Way' is an invaluable resource that will inspire and uplift you on your path to wholeness and fulfillment.
In PRACTICING THE WAY: BE WITH JESUS. BECOME LIKE HIM. DO AS HE DID, John Mark Comer explores what it is to truly follow Jesus and model a life after Him. The subtitle captures Comer's areas of focus, and he uses the book sections to delve into what a genuine follower should undergo. This title bursts with lists and suggestions, offering thoughtful considerations for readers looking to deepen their spiritual journey.
I found particular value in a passing mention towards the end of the book, where an excerpt from G.K. Chesterton shares how "God is strong enough to exult in monotony," which forced me to pause and consider how I'm less content with routine in this season, seeing it as drudgery more often than a welcome respite.
John Mark Comer's earlier title THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY was more impactful for me, offering new insights and ideas for slowing down in a harried world, but PRACTICING THE WAY offers a solid primer on discipleship to those new to the idea.
(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)
Practicing the Way is fundamentally an essential read for those just starting or those long ways into their journey of following Jesus. John Mark Comer distills the best works of the Christian spiritual formation in relatable and clear form, One cannot help but fall more in love and awe of Jesus after reading Practicing the Way - and all who read will hear Jesus’ ready invitation to follow after him as apprentices under their rabbi,
John Mark Comer is one of those individuals that I pay attention to and follow, because he is really good at taking big concepts and simplifying them in a way that is not condescending, but informative. His latest book, Practicing the Way, is one of the best books I've read on discipleship in a while. Instead of rules or items you check off, he really hones in on what it is to be a disciple, and how that differs from modern Christianity at large. Simple, yet profoundly well done in addressing not only why we need to change, but the how of it. Highly, highly, highly recommend this!!!
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*
This was just an okay read. I do think there were some really good points in the book, but it felt redundant and a bit boring at times.
Wow. 5 stars. I have so many highlights in the ebook that I’m going to purchase a physical copy too.
Practicing the Way became an instant New York Times bestseller, and for good reason. One of Comer's previous titles, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, remains my #1 favorite — but this is a close runner-up.
It's practical, helpful, important and informative. There's substance and solid theology -- but it remains approachable without being watered down.
I'll re-read this for sure.
This is my 4th read from John Mark Comer and I am delighted each time. I have committed to spending the rest of 2024 reading Comer's entire backlist! The first few chapters of this book completely shifted my perspective of following Jesus in the most positive and helpful way. After reading the Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, I was excited to dive deeper into the world of Practicing the Way (Comer's nonprofit) and I was not disappointed. I am grateful for Christ followers who feel the conviction to teach the Western World of what Jesus was actually like and what it actually looks like to believe in him and follow him.
Very good! Practical and open ended for the reader to decide if apprenticeship to Jesus is for them and how it looks exactly. I have listened to and followed John Mark Comer for years now, and while this book doesn't reveal anything new, it does combine his teachings in a way that is compelling, witty, and relatable.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
There have been times in my journey that I have longed for a practical book like this, to not only apply to my life, but to teach and disciple others. This book is full of wisdom and full of great grounding techniques to further our faith. I highly recommend this book!
What a wonderful world we would live in if everyone read this book and tried to follow a Jesus-like lifestyle. This is not a quick read, as it is so full of Biblical truth and wisdom. I highly recommend it, as I think I highlighted the majority of the book. It demands to be reread and studied. I read Comer's "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" prior to this. This book is a deeper, heavier read, less anecdotal. I received an ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion
John Mark Comer is one of my favorite people to learn from. This book was no exception. It was less academic than some of his I have read but I left smarter nonetheless. Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did.
This is a book I need to own to have as a reference. John Mark lays out the foundations of life with Jesus in an approachable but challenging way. I will continue to read everything he writes and hopefully grow in my walk with the Lord!
John Mark Comer's perspective on becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ involves an apprenticeship relationship featuring three driving goals:
Be with Jesus.
Become like Jesus.
Do what Jesus did.
He argues that everyone is apprenticed to someone, everyone is living by faith in something, and everyone is abiding in some source they are convinced will give them the kind of life they long for. The book is an argument for the wisdom and effectiveness of placing our faith, apprenticing with, and making our home in Christ. This is the source of true life transformation, and this is what it means to be Practicing the Way.
Christians have been called to embrace more than a creed. We are called to embrace a way of life. Comer defines this spiritual formation as "the process of being formed into people of love in Christ."
Truly, there is nothing new in his argument for rigorous habits of holiness and hospitality and seeking the face of God. Therefore, earnest practitioners will need to guard against the same historical risk of lapsing into a DIY spirituality or (even worse) creating a hierarchical Christianity in which the varsity-level believers experience communion with Jesus, and the common folk get nothing but a ticket to heaven.
Comer challenges followers of Jesus to understand and obey what they have signed up for:
"Jesus assumes that his disciples will obey his teachings. Because that's the very nature of discipleship: learning "to obey everything [Jesus has] commanded you. ... An apprentice of Jesus has no other will than the will of God."
I found myself highlighting many passages from the book to use in a spiritual formation class. The author explains the meaning and goals of becoming an apprentice of Jesus. He warns of the costs of calling ourselves disciples without being willing to follow our master.
Well worth the time and cost of acquiring, whether you're exploring spiritual practices, a rule of life, or what it means to submit to the forgiven life you've asked God to gift to you.
My introduction to John Mark Comer came through my 23-year-old son, who shared his podcast with me. Initially, my interest in this book was merely an extension of my curiosity about my son's listening preferences. However, the profound truths conveyed in these pages have left a lasting impact on me. I have highlighted numerous passages as I delved into the author's exploration of what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus.
The first section, explaining the essence of discipleship, caused me to look at that word differently than I have in the past. Comer offers practical insights across the three segments of the book: Be with Jesus, become like Him, and do as He did. While the simplicity of these concepts is apparent, the author acknowledges the distractions that often divert us from following these three steps.
I encourage anyone who identifies as a Christian to read this book. It has the potential to illuminate misconceptions and provide a clearer understanding of fundamental truths.
Thank you to Waterbrook/Multnomah and NetGalley for this advanced copy.
In this profound work, John Mark Comer extends a compelling invitation to embark on a transformative journey as apprentices of Jesus. With clarity and depth, Comer dismantles the misconceptions prevalent in modern Western Christianity, illuminating a path to rediscover Jesus as our Rabbi. He beckons us to embrace the ancient Rabbinic tradition of not merely following, but intimately knowing and learning from our Rabbi, Jesus.
In navigating the complexities of our distracted age, Comer offers invaluable insights into spiritual formation, urging us to transition from passive consumption to active pursuit of spiritual growth. He challenges the narrow view of salvation solely as deliverance from sin's consequences, unveiling a richer, more dynamic understanding—one that encompasses our present healing and transformation.
Central to Comer's vision is the concept of a Rule of Life—a deliberate framework of practices designed to shield us from life's entropy and cultivate spiritual fruitfulness. Through nine foundational practices, he empowers us to craft rhythms that align us with the transformative power of the Trinity.
In closing, Comer graciously directs readers to accessible resources for crafting their own Rule of Life, inviting them to embrace a life of joy, peace, and freedom in the profound and liberating Way of Jesus.
This book puts together in a very readable volume the best of JMC teaching on following Jesus. He speaks to three goals: Be With Jesus, Become Like Him, and Do as he did. I’m motivated now to take time to design a Rule of Life. His encouragement to make progress slowly and when I fall (we all fall) to repent and get up again was very refreshing. The quote that keeps running through my mind, “progress is made through death to self, not by climbing some kind of ladder of spiritual success.” I highly recommend this book.
In his typical style, Comer expertly marries theory and practice. He not only explains concepts in easy to understand ways, he tells you how to put the concepts into practice. Encouraging, convicting, and compelling. It’s as if he were walking you through it in person. The church needs this book. Christians need this book. Discipleship needs this book. In our modern age, we need something different. Following Jesus is what we need. This book will help us along the way.
I received a digital copy from NetGalley. I was in no way required to write a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
If he writes it, I am going to read it. I absolutely adored everything that this book had to offer. As a clergy member, I definitely found value in all of the content within this book and it made me sit back and reflect on what I was reading more than once.
Overall, if you need to reset your life with a deep breath of fresh air -- give this book a try and see how it helps!