Practicing the Way

By John Mark Comer

The founder of Practicing the Way, John Mark Comer, brings his skills as a pastor, writer, podcaster, and teacher to this nonprofit that “develops spiritual formation resources for churches and small groups learning how to become apprentices in the Way of Jesus.” These are free resources. I was not surprised to learn that this book is a teaching resource. Comer is a highly organized thinker who develops his materials around lists, lists, and more lists.

Learning about the teaching methods of the many rabbis during the time of Christ was eye opening to me. Disciples of a rabbi answered a call by the rabbi to follow him and learn by observation and doing. The emphasis of this book for followers of Jesus today is on being apprenticed to Jesus, learning to be like him, not following a bunch of rules.

In a section on finding peace in this digital age, I identified with the author’s response to the stress and frustration most people feel in our society. I think he nailed it with: “The most powerful companies in the history of the world are working around the clock with the most sophisticated algorithms ever devised to stoke your fear and feed your anger, by any means necessary.”

This book is not going to miraculously turn you into “Super Christian,” but will help you think through what being a follower of Jesus means. It is full of quotes by a variety of authors. The purpose of the quotes seems to be to show that others think the way Comer thinks or to expand on what he is saying. 

The thesis of the book encourages the reader to:

Be with Jesus

Become like him

Do as he did

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Christianity, Religion and Spirituality

Notes: This book is appropriate for all—from individuals who are just beginning to think about possibly wanting to learn more about Jesus to those who have been following Him for years but realize that they need to continue a fellowship with God that will lead them to be more like Him.

Publication:   January 16, 2024—Waterbrook

Memorable Lines:

Apprenticeship to Jesus—that is, following Jesus—is a whole-life process of being with Jesus for the purpose of becoming like him and carrying on his work in the world. It’s a lifelong journey in which we gradually learn to say and do the kinds of things Jesus said and did as we apprentice under him in every facet of our lives.

…the reward for following Jesus is, well, Jesus. It’s the sheer joy of friendship with him.

God has a part, and we have a part. Our part is to slow down, make space, and surrender to God; his part is to transform us—we simply do not have that power.