"Transformation is possible if we are willing to arrange our lives around the practices, rhythms, and truths that Jesus himself did, which will open our lives to God’s power to change."
Hey, book lovers! Today, I’m diving into Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer, a profound exploration of what it truly means to apprentice under Jesus. This isn’t just a book—it’s a roadmap to spiritual formation, a call to reframe our lives around the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus of Nazareth. Comer challenges the modern narrative of individualism and distraction, urging us to follow a path of intentional transformation. With a blend of historical insight, personal anecdotes, and actionable practices, this book is a must-read for anyone yearning for a deeper, more meaningful connection with God. Let’s unpack this transformative journey together, exploring how Comer redefines discipleship as a lifelong apprenticeship.
Be with Jesus
The foundational goal of apprenticeship—spending every moment aware of Jesus’ presence and attentive to His voice.
“Abide in me, and I in you.”
This practice is about cultivating a constant with-ness to Jesus as the baseline of your life.
Become Like Him
The process of spiritual formation, aiming to embody Christlike character through love and surrender.
“The apprentice is not above the rabbi, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their rabbi.”
Focus on becoming a person of love through union with Jesus.
Do as He Did
Carrying on Jesus’ work by living as He would if He were in our shoes, empowered by the Spirit.
“Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing.”
Engage in rhythms like hospitality, preaching, and demonstrating the gospel.
A Rule of Life
A structured set of practices and rhythms to create space for transformation and life with God.
“You must arrange your days so that you are experiencing deep contentment, joy, and confidence in your everyday life with God.”
Intentionally organize life around what matters most: God.
The first goal of apprenticing under Jesus, as Comer beautifully illustrates, is to simply be with Him. This isn’t about a checklist of religious duties but a deep, moment-by-moment awareness of Jesus’ presence. Comer draws from Jesus’ own words in John 15:4, “Abide in me, and I in you,” emphasizing the Greek term menō—to remain, stay, or make your home in. This concept is visualized through the metaphor of a vine and branches, where our spiritual vitality depends on staying connected to the source.
“Make your home in my presence by the Spirit, and never leave.”
Comer reminds us that we all abide in something—whether it’s stress, digital noise, or God. The choice of where we root ourselves determines the fruit of our lives, be it love and joy or anxiety and emptiness.
Drawing from historical figures like Brother Lawrence, who found God amidst the chaos of a 17th-century kitchen, Comer shows that being with Jesus is possible even in our distracted, modern world. He stresses the importance of habits like prayer and solitude, echoing Dallas Willard’s advice to “ruthlessly eliminate hurry.” Finding a secret place for prayer, as Jesus did, becomes a radical act of subtraction, not addition—clearing space for God amid life’s noise. This section is a powerful reminder that the reward for following Jesus isn’t a distant heaven, but Jesus Himself, the source of joy and friendship.
Goal number two is to become like Jesus, a process Comer defines as spiritual formation—the gradual shaping of our souls into Christlikeness. He underscores that formation isn’t optional; it’s happening to everyone, whether we’re aware of it or not. Using the stark imagery of a skull on his desk, inspired by St. Benedict’s reminder of mortality, Comer urges us to live for eternity, not triviality. This isn’t about quick fixes but a lifelong journey of becoming a person of love.
Awareness of Formation
Recognizing that every thought, habit, and relationship is shaping who we are becoming.
Day 1
Choosing Christlikeness
Intentionally arranging life to be formed into Jesus’ image through surrender and love.
Day 2
Lifelong Growth
Embracing the slow, incremental process of transformation by God’s grace.
Day 3
“There are no accidental saints.”
Comer drives home that becoming like Jesus requires intentionality. The gravity of life pulls us away from love unless we actively choose to apprentice under Him.
This module dives deep into the reality that spiritual growth is slow, often imperceptible, akin to bodily growth. Comer quotes Jesus’ words, “The apprentice is not above the rabbi, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their rabbi,” emphasizing that the goal is to embody Christ’s love through surrender to God. He challenges readers to assess who they are becoming, highlighting love as the acid test of formation. This isn’t about religious performance but about yielding to God’s transforming grace, a process that shapes us uniquely through our personality and life context.
The third goal of apprenticeship is to do as Jesus did, carrying on His work in the world. Comer presents Jesus as the prototype of true humanity, showing us what we can become through reliance on the Spirit. He categorizes Jesus’ ministry into three rhythms—making space for the gospel through hospitality, preaching the gospel, and demonstrating it through acts of love and power.
Making Space for the Gospel Hospitality as love for the stranger, turning outsiders into family through shared meals.
Preaching the Gospel Announcing the good news of Jesus and the availability of life in His kingdom.
Demonstrating the Gospel Embodying the kingdom through healing, serving, and loving as Jesus did.
“Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing…They will do even greater things than these.”
This powerful promise from Jesus underscores that we’re not limited by our natural abilities but empowered by His Spirit to continue His mission.
Comer challenges the modern church’s hesitation around evangelism and miracles, urging us to live as Jesus would if He were us. Drawing from Henri Nouwen’s continuum of solitude to community to ministry, he emphasizes a balanced life of contemplative action. Each of us carries a piece of Jesus’ universal heart, drawn to specific causes or people to love and serve. This outward focus doesn’t contradict inward formation but complements it, creating a life of integrated mission where every moment holds the potential for God-opportunities.
Finally, Comer introduces A Rule of Life—a time-tested framework from the ancient church to organize our lives around being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and doing as He did. Likening it to a trellis in a vineyard, he explains how this structure supports spiritual fruitfulness by guarding against distractions and guiding growth. A Rule isn’t about legalism but about intentional habits that align with our deepest desires for God.
“You already have a Rule of Life. The question is, is it giving you the life you want?”
Comer prompts introspection, asking whether our current rhythms move us toward God or sabotage our spiritual goals.
This section unpacks the practicalities of a Rule of Life, balancing daily, weekly, and seasonal practices like prayer, Sabbath, and generosity. Comer stresses that we all live by some rule—conscious or not—and challenges us to craft one that fosters deep contentment and joy with God. He introduces nine core practices from Jesus’ life, forming a trellis for transformation. This isn’t about adding more to our busy lives but rearranging them to slow down, making space for God’s work in us. It’s a defiant stand against digital empires and hurry, a commitment to center Jesus as the main point of life.
