John Mark Comer Teachings

Does more money mean more happiness? John Mark walks through some of Jesus's surprising teachings on money, showing us how social science affirms the fact that generosity, not accumulation, leads to joy. He challenges us to reflect on whether we have an abundance or scarcity mindset, and invites us to deepen our trust in God's generosity.Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 6v19-24, Acts 20v35This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Stephanie from Castle Rock, Colorado; Amy from Salem, Oregon; Stephanie from Nashville, Tennessee; Grant from Polk City, Iowa; and Kalan from Crofton, British Columbia. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Why is there such a disconnect between who we want to be and what we actually do? In this second of two conversations with Ger Jones of Vintage Church LA, John Mark and Ger discuss the practice of contemplation. John Mark argues that we overestimate the ability of willpower and insight to change us. Instead, he offers us three doorways into the practice of contemplation and practical suggestions for integrating this practice in our lives.You can read more in the expanded hardcover edition of John Mark’s book God Has a Name, now available wherever books are sold.Key Scripture Passage: 2 Corinthians 3v18This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jana from Richardson, Texas; Janet from Liberty Lake, Washington; Allysa from Nipomo, California; Ryan from Dallas, Texas; and Anita from Anchorage, Alaska. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Do we project our own ideas onto God? In this first of two conversations with Ger Jones of Vintage Church LA, John Mark and Ger explore the significance of God having a name and how God's self-disclosure often contradicts our assumptions. They challenge us to re-examine and adjust our implicit knowledge of God by reckoning with God's character revealed in Scripture. You can read more in the expanded hardcover edition of John Mark’s book God Has a Name, now available wherever books are sold.Key Scripture Passage: Exodus 34v6-7This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Kathryn from Amarillo, Texas; Kristen from Brentwood, Tennessee; Cole from Brush Prairie, Washington; Sarah from Waco, Texas; and Ian from Whitestown, Indiana. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Do you represent God well? John Mark explores God's final characteristic: jealous, like a passionate husband protecting his bride. As he tracks this theme throughout the Scriptures, he leaves us with a prophetic invitation to carry the name of Yahweh into every sphere of our lives.Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-14, Deuteronomy 28v1-10, Exodus 19v1-6, Leviticus 19v1-18, Exodus 20v1-7, Ezekiel 36v16-23This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Gracey from Chicago, Illinois; Andrew from Madison, Wisconsin; Tracy from Cape Town, South Africa; Anders from Hood River, Oregon; and Chuck from Springfield, Illinois. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Does God punish children for their parent's sin? John Mark explores the final section of Exodus 34v6-7, highlighting the beauty of God's justice, the gravity of sin, and God's overwhelming proclivity towards forgiveness and mercy over wrath and judgment. Key Scripture Passage: Exodus 34v6-7, Numbers 14v11-23, Matthew 18v21-35This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Camie from Roswell, Georgia; Violet from Dayton, Ohio; Alayna from Inman, South Carolina; John from Raleigh, North Carolina; and John from Omaha, Nebraska. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

"We think of God's love and God's anger as at odds with one another. That's because we don't understand God's love or God's anger."John Mark challenges our perceptions of God, both the God who is always angry and the God who never gets angry, by showing in the Scriptures how God is both patient and wrathful, and why both are important for our understanding of who God is and what that means for us in our lives.Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-7, Matthew 21v12-14, James 1v19-20, 5v7-8This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Melody from Cerritos, California; Jason from Oshkosh, Wisconsin; Merideth from Carrollton, Georgia; Jordan from Falls Church, Virginia; and Kai from Costa Mesa, California. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

"We all love that God is compassionate and gracious, but what about when God is compassionate and gracious to people you hate?" John Mark walks us through the passages demonstrating the scandalous compassion and graciousness of God, inviting us to imitate God by extending compassion and grace to others in our lives. Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-7, Jonah 1-4, Luke 17v11-19, Luke 18v35-43, Luke 15v11-32, Luke 6v35-36This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Carma from Columbus, Ohio; Sam from Sioux Center, Iowa; Kathy from Coupeville, Washington; Joshua from Holt, Michigan; and Jeannette from Chichester, West Sussex. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Why does God need a name in the first place? John Mark argues that it's because there are many "gods". He surveys scripture passages relating to gods and demonic beings, not only warning us that they are real and should never be worshipped, but that Yahweh is the one true creator God and is higher than them all. Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 34v6-7, Exodus 12v12, Exodus 15v11, Exodus 20v2-4, Psalm 82, Mark 5v1-13, Ephesians 6v10-12This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Kayla from Nanaimo, British Columbia; Ross & Allison from Salem, Oregon; Josiah from Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Church on the Rock in Huntley, Illinois; and Jenna from Columbia Heights, Minnesota. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Who is God? John Mark dives deep into God's name, Yahweh, and the significance that holds for what he's like: a consistent God who wants to be in relationship with us.Key Scripture Passage: Exodus 34v6-7, Exodus 33v7-23, Genesis 17v1-5, Exodus 3v1-18This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Julie from Dallas, Texas; Luke from Springfield, Missouri; Phoebe from Hokowhitu, New Zealand; Leigh from Robinson, Texas; and Joe from Portland, Oregon. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What comes to mind when you hear the word church? John Mark challenges us to rethink our definition, exploring the deeper meaning of church as the "called out ones," a new humanity formed by Jesus to carry the kingdom of God to every corner of the world. He calls us to see church as a family that embodies the kingdom of God through everyday relationships, practices, and a shared mission to spread God's kingdom.Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 10v1-7, Matthew 16v13-18, Acts 1v6-9, Acts 2v1-4,41-47This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Isabella from Bridgeville, Pennsylvania; Austin from Marshall, Minnesota; Sierra from Palermo, Maine; Andrew from Colbert, Washington; and LifeHouse Church in Mississauga, Ontario. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Why is the world so messed up? John Mark reflects on the reality of the world's dysfunction and how the story of the Fall in Genesis explains humanity's descent into chaos. He challenges us to reconsider our understanding of sin, its origins, and its impact on our lives, ultimately pointing to Jesus as our only hope for overcoming sin and its consequences.Key Scripture Passage: Genesis 3v1-21This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Maggie from San Antonio, Texas; Doug from Signal Mountain, Tennessee; Heidi from Cincinnati, Ohio; Sarah from Voorheesville, New York; and Johnny from La Barge, Wyoming. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

The Generosity Practice is out now. Check it out at practicingtheway.org/generosity. "Generosity is more than giving; it's an act of trust." Ger Jones, lead pastor of Vintage Church, explores the deeper implications of generosity in the life of a disciple. He challenges the common views of generosity tied to wealth and obligation, urging us to see it as a practice that reshapes our hearts and lives. By reflecting on the biblical foundations and the transformative power of giving, he invites us to reimagine generosity as an opportunity to grow in trust, freedom, and love.Key Scripture Passages: 2 Corinthians 8v1-9, 2 Corinthians 9v6-11This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Kelsey from St. Petersburg, Florida; Russell from Snohomish, Washington; Abby from Yorba Linda, California; Michael from Elgin, Illinois; and Dan from Dover, Delaware. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

"What if fasting could break our hearts open to the suffering of the world and move us to action?"John Mark explores the connection between fasting and justice, urging us to consider how this ancient practice can realign our hearts with God's care for the poor. He challenges us to move beyond a self-focused spirituality and enter into a deeper solidarity with those in need.Key Scripture Passage: Isaiah 58v1-12This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Ashley from Nashville, Tennessee; Abigail from Calgary, Alberta; Cory from Battle Ground, Washington; David from Knoxville, Tennessee; and Danielle from Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Do you ever feel like your prayers aren't heard? In a world where we often feel disconnected from God's voice, fasting can be a powerful tool to hear and be heard by Heaven. John Mark explores the interplay between prayer and fasting, uncovering how these two ancient practices flow together and compliment the work of transformation in our lives.Key Scripture Passage: Acts 13v1-3, Jonah 3v5-10This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Brendan from Decatur, Alabama; Thalia from Powell Butte, Oregon; Luke from Missoula, Montana; Robert from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and James from Scotts Valley, California. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

How can we overcome sin when our willpower isn't enough? John Mark talks about how fasting is one way to help us grow in self-control, and the ripple effect that can have throughout our whole lives. Key Scripture Passage: Romans 7v15-8v1This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Melanie from Dothan, Alabama; Evan from Westminster, Colorado; Shaylana from Dallas, Texas; Peter from Howell, Michigan; and Bob from Salem, Oregon. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Why should we fast? John Mark outlines the history of fasting in the Christian tradition, and argues that we don't fast to bio-hack our way to holiness, but rather to expose our weakness where God meets us. Key Scripture Passage: Matthew 6v16-18This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Lena from Nashville, Tennessee; Robert from Marietta, Georgia; Adam from Norton Shores, Michigan; Miles from Waco, Texas; and Jared from High Ridge, Missouri. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

How do we sabbath well? John Mark highlights four common words associated with the word “shabbat”: stop, rest, delight, and worship, showing us how these four words give us clues on how to best open ourselves up to the life God offers us through this practice.Key Scripture Passages: Mark 2v23-28; Mark 3v1-6This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Beverly from Pearland, Texas; Pamela from Coppell, Texas; James from Oceanside, California; Kerri from Tallahassee, Florida; and Maria from Solvang, California. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Do you think of Sabbath as a weapon? In a culture that is addicted to the twin drugs of accomplishment and accumulation, Sabbath is how we “fight” back against Egypt, Pharaoh, and his empire. Join us as John Mark continues his biblical theology on Sabbath with an exploration of work and rest in the story of the Exodus.Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 20v8; Deuteronomy 5v12-15; Nehemiah 13v15-22This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Mical from Statesville, North Carolina; Taylor from Granger, Washington; Tim from Burbage, Leicestershire; Emily from Portland, Oregon; and Brendon from Doha, Qatar.Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

What makes the Sabbath different from the rest of the week? John Mark continues exploring a biblical theology of Sabbath, demonstrating how Sabbath is woven throughout creation as a rhythm for us to follow, and encouraging us to embrace the gift of this practice with delight.Key Scripture Passages: Genesis 1v31-2:3; Exodus 16v9-30; Exodus 20v1-8This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Philip from Coupeville, Washington; Paul from Richardson, Texas; Alyssa from Denver, Colorado; Tanya from Australia, Washington; and Pauline from Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Are you tired? In our world filled with fast-paced digital technology, what do we do to combat the restlessness that corrodes at our soul? John Mark teaches on how the practice of Sabbath can help us embody the peace of Jesus in our lives and and radically change our walk with God.Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 11v28-30; Hebrews 4v1-11This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Tom from Kremmling, Colorado; Daniel from Orange, New South Wales; John from Albuquerque, New Mexico; Crystal from Perth, Washington; and Rebekah from Nesbit, Mississippi. Thank you all so much!If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.