Rule of Life

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How can I arrange my life to apprentice under Jesus?

The Rule of Life podcast is designed to guide you in arranging your everyday life around being with and becoming like Jesus. Each season will cover one of nine ancient Practices from the Way of Jesus: Sabbath, Prayer, Fasting, Solitude, Scripture, Community, Simplicity, Generosity, and Hospitality. You’ll hear from pastors, thought leaders, and everyday apprentices of Jesus, all hosted by John Mark Comer and produced by Practicing the Way.

Each season will be released alongside a Practice - a four week long experience created by Practicing the Way, designed to integrate these ancient practices into your everyday life.

This work is made possible by the Circle—a growing community of givers from across the world, who care deeply about integrating spiritual formation into the church at large.

To learn more about the Circle or to run a Practice with your church, community or small group, visit www.practicingtheway.org.

Recent Episodes
  • Scripture 04: Reading Scripture as a Spiritual Discipline
    Feb 25, 2025 – 28:42
  • Scripture 03: Unlocking the Wisdom of Scripture
    Feb 18, 2025 – 55:58
  • Scripture 02: Scripture as a Cross-Cultural Experience
    Feb 11, 2025 – 42:33
  • Scripture 01: Three Problematic Approaches to Scripture
    Feb 4, 2025 – 47:06
  • Generosity 06: Roundtable with John Cortines, Jimmy Mellado, Sara Miller, and Christian Huang
    Oct 29, 2024 – 01:06:22
  • Generosity 05: Roundtable with Reward Sibanda, Patrick Johnson, and April Chapman
    Oct 22, 2024 – 57:23
  • Generosity Testimonial 04: Josh & Abbi
    Sep 19, 2024 – 16:06
  • Generosity 04: Be Generous to the Poor
    Sep 17, 2024 – 46:45
  • Generosity Testimonial 03: Lola
    Sep 12, 2024 – 08:41
  • Generosity 03: Everything Belongs to God
    Sep 10, 2024 – 49:23
  • Generosity Testimonial 02: Sunny
    Sep 5, 2024 – 12:16
  • Generosity 02: Watch Out for Greed!
    Sep 3, 2024 – 42:01
  • Generosity Testimonial 01: Jim and Jan
    Aug 29, 2024 – 08:59
  • Generosity 01: There is More Joy in Giving Than Receiving
    Aug 27, 2024 – 42:17
  • Solitude 06: Question + Response
    Oct 19, 2023 – 48:32
  • Solitude 05: Encountering Our God with Emily P. Freeman
    Oct 12, 2023 – 48:42
  • Solitude 04: Encountering Our Enemies with Ken Shigematsu
    Oct 5, 2023 – 47:45
  • Solitude 03: Encountering Our Self with Bethany Allen
    Sep 28, 2023 – 51:57
  • Solitude 02: The Quiet Place with John Ortberg
    Sep 21, 2023 – 58:14
  • Solitude 01: An Introduction to the Solitude Practice
    Sep 13, 2023 – 50:50
  • Luminary Interview: Dr. Alison Cook
    May 22, 2023 – 01:04:10
  • Fasting 04: To Stand with the Poor
    May 15, 2023 – 01:05:43
  • Fasting 03: To Amplify Our Prayers
    May 8, 2023 – 01:02:48
  • Fasting 02: To Grow in Holiness
    May 1, 2023 – 01:29:49
  • Fasting 01: To Offer Ourselves to God
    Apr 24, 2023 – 01:37:34
  • Luminary Interview: Strahan Coleman
    Feb 20, 2023 – 01:33:22
  • Luminary Interview: Jonathan Tremaine Thomas
    Feb 13, 2023 – 01:19:26
  • Prayer 04: Being With God
    Feb 6, 2023 – 01:03:19
  • Prayer 03: Listening to God
    Jan 30, 2023 – 01:17:13
  • Prayer 02: Talking With God
    Jan 23, 2023 – 01:11:56
  • Prayer 01: Talking to God
    Jan 16, 2023 – 01:04:38
  • Luminary Interview: Andy Crouch
    Oct 31, 2022 – 01:20:57
  • Luminary Interview: Tish Harrison Warren
    Oct 24, 2022 – 01:06:33
  • Sabbath 04: Worship / Whole Life Orientation Toward God
    Oct 17, 2022 – 54:29
  • Sabbath 03: Delight / The Joy of Sabbath in Community
    Oct 10, 2022 – 01:01:59
  • Sabbath 02: Rest / An Act of Resistance
    Oct 3, 2022 – 01:13:32
  • Sabbath 01: Stop / The Rhythm of Creation
    Sep 26, 2022 – 54:45
  • Trailer
    Sep 21, 2022 – 10:43
Recent Reviews
  • Jed Merrit
    John Mark’s wisdom and insight 10/10
    Tried to listen to several episodes but there are too many voices/guests interrupting and talking over each other. Because of that It felt chaotic which hindered accessibility. That is a shame as JM’s content is stellar. The cluttered delivery/ excessive voices spoils it. I Would prefer to only hear John Mark. Perhaps he’s trying to share the spotlight but it doesn’t work.
  • DaisiesMakeMeSmile
    Very helpful
    I love listening in to the conversations. I find the diversity of voices never fails to articulate questions I have and wisdom I need to hear. I really appreciate the variety of practical suggestions shared. Someone in the generosity conversation mentioned carrying gift cards for restaurants to give away to people on the streets. I’ve always wanted to do something but was kind of stuck. This idea has helped me get ‘unstuck’. Thanks!
  • ShanaRen
    Appreciate This Podcast but One Note
    I love the word of Practicing the Way so much, and I keep telling friends about it! I love the videos, the book, the podcast. Thank you all for the work you’re doing! This is much needed. One note…The female host in the episodes about fasting…she is so warm and kind, but her constant “yeah”s and “mmm”s are extremely distracting and I almost can’t listen to it. So maybe just let her know that while in a conversation, that can make a person feel supported and listened to, on a recording it’s hard for the listener. :)
  • Jules xoxo
    Loved it!
    Very wise guide to becoming wise!
  • damon vic
    Absolutely amazing!
    Just listening to the show on solitude! Excellent!!
  • Mr.klyons
    An amazing podcast
    This podcast has melted my heart before God. I feel and sense the love of God through the teaching and it brings the teaching of Jesus front and center in my heart in a beautiful, tender way. The Way of Jesus taught here is compelling, loving, and insightful. I am drawn to want to follow Jesus and to allow my life to unfold in surrender to His will and way. May God continue to richly bless each episode, interviewee and John Mark for this beautiful labor of love.
  • vickiesh
    I like it but a bit confused
    This is a good show but I am confused about the infertility story shared by the female host (Gemma)? She never shared her full journey from wanting children and not having them no matter how hard she prayed, to then having 4 kids? Are we talking about the same person here? While she shared her disappointment about God not answering her prayer, she never closed the loop on when God finally did.
  • Cobalt6haze
    So good for new Believers…
    As well as those of us who were raised in traditions that are much more focused on what “not” to do. The disciplines are a gift that “fills the house” and enables us to have so much more to pour out. Are they going to complete the series? None have come out during 2024:/
  • Lisaos7
    Such a good podcast!
    I have been listening to the episodes on fasting and learning so much. They are challenging me and encouraging me! (Just a bit of feedback, though, the female podcaster that talks at the same time as the host and does a lot of agreeing sounds, is pretty distracting for me.)
  • GermanInSB
    Great resource.
    Content is great! Anyhow…..I just wish John Mark would stop interrupting those who are speaking/sharing. He does it like all the time. Even to his own wife.
  • Jodie 2021
    Excellent and insightful
    Always a good conversation that helps me think about these practices deeper. Also excellent production. Love the interviews and clips. Thanks for all your work in producing this excellent resource.
  • sconrad 1216
    Insightful and challenging.
    I have listened to the fasting series so far and I love how they bring in so many knowledgeable people to have a broad understanding of the topic and it has been so helpful to help me think through different aspects of my spiritual walk.
  • Sue Joyner
    Great show
    I have loved practicing the way’s ministry and this podcast is great!!! I have been implementing the practices slowly, and it has been very formative. In regards to the show, I do have some feedback, and I only mean it as feedback, please do not take offense. I have noticed through the seasons, that there is a lot of interrupting and talking over one another between hosts and guests. I think in conversation or a video, I wouldn’t notice as much, but as a podcast it is very noticeable. It can be hard to track conversations at times, and it just feels distracting. That is all. Peace.
  • lmichael92
    5 stars for content, 3 stars for delivery
    I love this podcast and find it so fruitful. It has been so beneficial to me. The main thing I want to suggest for John Mark and the other hosts is that they SLOW DOWN! when both talking and listening so they are more mindful of not talking over one another. It makes for a much more stressful listening experience when there are 3 people talking over one another repeatedly, each so eager to share that we can’t hear what they are saying and it ends up being jibber jabber. I’ve had this experience in many of these podcasts. Everyone has good things to say, but everyone involved needs to be more mindful of not talking over one another - John Mark included - so we can actually understand what they are saying and reap the fruit. We can’t reap what we can’t understand!
  • The Dusty Butler
    Incredibly formative and helpful in my discipleship to Jesus
    I came across JMC’s teachings recently which have been category-shifting in regards to how we practice our apprenticeship to Jesus with practices like Sabbath, Fasting, and Solitude and Silence. It’s incredible how something right in front of me in the Bible for years was not illuminated as an invitation for life in Jesus. These podcasts in particular have been SO helpful in expanding these ideas beyond JMC to other pastors and spiritual luminaries. I can feel their excitement about these life-giving practices, and it’s convicted me to jump right in and join Jesus in these practices as I seek to be like Him and abide with Him. Keep up the good work, and know that I’m praying for you all in this walk. Keep your eyes stubbornly on Jesus, His word and will, and those He’s called you to love and guide in His way. Thank you for your efforts and your faithfulness in bringing these conversations to us!
  • nate338
    Inspiring conversations
    This is a great podcast. It is a source of encouragement and inspiration, calling people to a greater intimacy with God through practices that have been used throughout history.
  • mike beans
    A must listen
    For any Christian wanting to grow in their relationship with Jesus and becoming a person of love, this is a must listen.
  • Misty | Lead-Her Ministries
    Loving the journey
    I’ve always considered myself to be somewhat of a “mystic”. My heart has always longed for the deeper things of God but I have gone thru seasons of Sabbath, silence, and distractions and chaos. Thanks for sharing such gentle insight, for inviting us to consider these beautiful practices. I love the inspiration and teaching.
  • Keith T C
    Insightful and inspiring
    So grateful for this podcast! Growing up in the church, the only thing I’ve heard over and over was that if you want to be closer to God, then read your Bible and pray more. Every episode opens up more ways to grow in my apprenticeship to Jesus and better understand my relationship with him. I can’t count how many times my eyes fill with tears because I long to experience what they talk about while simultaneously being scared of what I’ll feel in the moment or how it will wreck my comfortable life in the best way possible. It’s a must listen for me and I can’t wait for more practices to come out!
  • Phil from VABCH
    Where is the accountability?
    I’ve followed JMC for years and enjoy so much of his teaching, but why is JMC supporting John Ortberg without any explanation? Bethany introduced Ortberg as the former pastor of Menlo Church, but didn’t disclose that he resigned because of some absolutely horrible pastoral decisions that put people’s children at risk of sexual abuse. Why does JMC trust him and why weren’t we told why we should trust Ortberg? The lack of transparency before Ortberg was introduced is the exact opposite of practicing the way.
  • Non-Tech
    Awkward new dimension to Christian life
    This topic and others in the podcast series are so far out of my experience and understanding, I felt like an alien. However, the examples provided, particularly those from Jesus’ life resonated with me (shockingly, to say the least). I have a lot to lean, study, and evaluate. Thank you!
  • angel382663
    Hungry for God
    I am grateful for this podcast and resources for helping to grow my life closer to God. In a season of incredible loneliness and sadness and tragedy in my life, these practices have helped make my inner life with God flourish. Thank you.
  • filiaDei
    Fantastic Even as a Busy Mom
    I am a mother to a young child with special needs and caregiver. My schedule is unpredictable and hectic but the Lord has just over flowingly fed me through this podcast and it has been worth every minute I can squeeze in to listen. As a believer since I was 14, I’ve been raised with two families of believers, one for conservative theology and one for pentecostal charismatic teaching. This podcast balances both and answers the questions I’ve had on both sides and brought me deeper in my faith in the Lord, more rich and more vibrant than I could’ve imagined. I praise God for this podcast.
  • Campbellcat
    Amazing content
    5 stars except what so many have said and everyone is thinking….the “hmmm, wow, let’s go, yes” comments have to go. They are so distracting. Wish I could be in the room though….so much wisdom!
  • StephenDurkota
    Great content but horrible host etiquette
    Y’all, Great stuff here but please , please , please curb the talking over each other and “mmmm”s. It is so distracting and renders the show nearly unbearable. Seriously , the content you have is great but you have got to get out of one another’s way. Consider it a spiritual discipline … holy listening without the need to interject anything whatsoever.
  • cowgirl4063
    Dr. Cook
    Thank you for validation. I've never been one for following the crowd. I'm a Christian and have been on ww (lifetime) since 1984. But the season 3 opener on fasting just valIdated me! My body is not cooperating due to medical (Lupus~RA) but my journey with my weight loss now is Why bother~ meds keep weight on me~ So with that ~ I will dig deeper! Thank you!
  • Ernie4Conway
    Love the content
    Great podcast with amazing content! Like many others have mentioned the constant talking over one another and the constant mmm and yes is very distracting.
  • Nicky Blackmon
    Please stop interrupting each other
    I really love the content but the amount of speaking over the each other and interrupting one another mid thought to flex your own knowledge makes it really hard to enjoy the podcast and leaves me feeling anxious.
  • caralois
    Very relevant
    I really appreciate all that John Mark Comer and his guests have to say, it’s inspiring and at the same time practical advice as to how to incorporate rhythms of practicing tools into our lives to enhance our relationship with God and our ability to server our neighbors. Love it!!!!
  • JDTKJ
    Too many voices
    I love JMC and have listened to him for almost seven years now, so when he started this podcast I immediately followed. There are so many intelligent thinkers within the podcast series, but I haven’t been able to listen to any of the newer seasons. There are too many people in the room that results in a fluid, deep conversation that you would get with two people. While it’s amazing to hear different perspectives from teachers and their unique background, it’s hard to get deeper into it because sometimes you go 15 minutes without hearing from them again. Another thing I’ve noticed is each person talks over the other one a lot. As someone else mentioned below, from an audio perspective, it makes it hard to focus on what the speaker is saying. The most recent episode I had to turn off because of the constant “mmms” and “yes” from the girl. I’m sure she was genuine, but they should be filtered for something that is only audio. It becomes the only thing you can focus on. I’ll certainly take a look next season to see if the group has been trimmed down a bit.
  • lexieharr
    Love this show
    My love and devotion for Jesus feels refreshed and renewed after every episode. Thanks for providing this content to the church at large. It’s a true gift:)
  • Daphneguiness
    Love but some feedback
    I am so loving this podcast and love all that John Mark is saying. If there is ANY feedback on this, I would suggest that when John Mark invites guests to talk, I wish he gives them so “space” to finish their flow of thought instead of talking over them or try to bulldoze and finish his own point. It sometimes sounds like a clash of people fighting to talk and if I was there, and I would referee to please hold and not dominate and let the other person finish. Other than that, John Mark, keep doing what you’re doing!!!! Love what God is doing through this platform.
  • Jess Gingrich
    Love this show
    It’s got so much great information but I agree with other reviewers that the lady’s constant affirmations are very distracting at times. I’m sure she is super sweet and an amazing human being but I’m bummed as it does make the fasting episodes feel overwhelming at times. The few people that I’ve shared the episodes with cannot get past her constantly affirming and are missing out on such good information on the topic unfortunately. I’d love if there was a way to clean up the audio someway!
  • b6chastain
    Transformative!!
    Have always understood that we are called to walk in the ways of Jesus, but the big categories of those practices, such as prayer, fasting, and solitude, felt both daunting, and, if I’m honest, boring. I knew I was missing understanding, and Practicing the Way has been a large piece of transforming my sitting, walking, and standing in Jesus. I am alive in Jesus by His Spirit alive and active in my heart and thru the hearts of this team at Practicing the Way! For ever grateful!!! Thank u!!
  • @jpd123
    Great podcast
    Really have benefitted from this podcast. Loved seasons 1-2. Would echo some of the critiques about season 3. The constant, overly-active listening is pretty distracting and makes some of the episodes very hard to listen to (esp episode 1). Excited to continue listening otherwise.
  • Son of Harry S
    Practical theology
    This podcast and organization is extremely life giving and shaping. Not only do they shape my mind but also my soul and my body. They shape my whole being before the Lord so that I can seek a deeper union with God and become a person of love in Christ. I know my community and my life have been profoundly shaped by JMC and the SFM tradition. I do appreciate and love the contemplative stream of the church and believe this is what we need in our western, evangelical churches today. We need these practices, not as the means themselves, but toward the end of becoming people of agape. In order to live like Jesus we need to adopt his lifestyle as JMC has said many times. This podcast encourages and challenges me to do so in my life and in the lives of others. Couldn’t recommend it enough.
  • Nulubez
    Refreshing and Revitalizing
    The tangible, relatable, and obtainable teachings on foundational formation practices provided in these episodes have transformed my personal life and my communal life profoundly. I don’t say any of the lightly nor am I elaborating for the sake of a review. My family and I have been deeply impacted by this series. I thank God for this team.
  • Zanderbeard
    So grateful!
    God has used this podcast and Practicing the Way to deepen my relationship with him in beautiful ways. I’m so grateful! This podcast communicates theological and practical insights in an enjoyable way. I recommend it for anyone who is somewhere between wildly committed to Jesus and moderately curious.
  • KellyLP11
    Fantastic content but too many people talking
    I was thrilled when this podcast came out to help put more meat on the bones of the practices of Jesus. However, the recordings for season two, in particular, are almost impossible to listen to. There are too many people in the room talking over one another, cutting off the person trying to share. Inka, is I’m sure so lovely but bc she is an active listener there is constant “uh huh, wow, yes, oh, yes, wow” running over the person speaking. Why her audio can’t be removed until she actually adds sentences to the conversation is beyond me. I, like many people, tend to listen to podcasts at 1.5 speed and honestly it’s just chaotic sounding that the real good stuff is totally missed. I wish they would simplify everything with clean audio and just have JMC interviewing one person so the listener can lock in. I’m bummed bc fasting was the one series I was most looking forward to and it’s been painful to listen to.
  • waterfallchaser
    Great opportunity to grow spiritually
    I love how this podcast is both contemplative and practical. I walk away from each episode with a better grasp of who God is and a practical step I can take to know him more.
  • A Jesus Guy
    Excellent
    Insightful, engaging, and consistently encouraging.
  • FLHomeschoolMomof4
    3rd Season - not so much
    The first two seasons of this podcast were great, but the third season is driving me crazy! The hosts spend so much time talking over each other that it's almost impossible to hear, let alone process, what they are saying.
  • Uriah82
    A wonderful show
    Please let your co-hosts know how awful it is to listen to constant verbal affirmations while another person is talking already. This new season is almost unlistenable with Yinka’s constant ‘yeah, mmmmm, wowwww’ oh my gosh, mmmm hmmm’ . That being said I love this show previous to this new season on fasting.
  • tayday.vca
    Helping me grow as a follower of Jesus
    I’m so grateful for John Mark Comer and everything he creates! I am a better follower of Jesus, a better pastor, preacher, husband and friend because of his influence.
  • jennibunnifer
    Spiritual formation
    I get so much out of these conversations to help me grow in my spiritual formation. These are wise voices with different experiences and perspectives that guide with love and grace. So grateful for these episodes.
  • Jenninthedesert
    Excellent and needed but the fasting season three has audio issues
    First of all, I wanted to give this podcast five stars because these practices are greatly needed in the western church. Personally, I have benefited by the teachings so that I can incorporate them into my life. However, episode one of season three is difficult from an auditory perspective. The woman, while she seems genuinely nice and delightful, constantly says things like yes or “mmmm” or makes comments while others are taking to the degree that it is extremely distracting. I turned off the first episode after 14 minutes because I just could not focus. I tried again the next day, but was unable to really hear and concentrate on what the others were teaching, so that is why I gave it four stars. Maybe the audio can be cleaned up so that her frequent noises and comments are minimized? And maybe it’s just my issue but I’m very disappointed as I was really looking forward to this particular practice and don’t know if I’ll be able to listen to it now.
  • Hooviemoto87
    Not For Me
    I bet you didn’t expect this, but I listened to like 2 1/2 episodes of the rule of life and it’s pretty terrible in my honest opinion. If you like it for entertainment that’s great, but I am steering myself away from that because their complicated way of talking about their Christianity is what I strive to get away from actually. It’s watered down and borderline not biblical since I never heard any scripture explained in the episodes I heard. It’s topical at best.
  • Brian Bentler
    RED FLAG - Avoiding the topic of abortion
    Hi Folks, I was enjoying this podcast and I thought the teachings were grounded in Biblical truth until I came across the luminary interview with Andy Crouch. John Mark Comer is interviewing Andy and Andy is clearing connecting the dots between human sacrifice to pagan gods in the Old Testament and how America, and the modern world, is sacrificing children to their careers, personal freedom, and pleasures via abortions, and right when he’s getting into the details, he’s cut off and it goes to an ad. This is VERY concerning. If a Pastor can’t stand for life on the air, then he’s not proclaiming the full truth of God. God creates every life, that means that life is precious and sacred. Even though Truth can be hard to hear, the FULL truth needs to be proclaimed to the world. Abortion is NOT acceptable. The killing of children is NOT acceptable. If this episode is modified and Andy is able to articulate his thought on abortion, then I would love to update this review to a 5-star review since the rest of the teachings have been great!
  • @HowMuchGreater
    Insightful and Inspiring
    There is so much in each episode to reflect on. I appreciate the great insights and revelation to help us along our spiritual journey.
  • Joy Chudacoff
    Blessings abound!
    I truly love everything about this podcast. From the rich discussions on Sabbath & prayer to the deep perspectives. Highly recommend if you are on a path of discovery to a closer relationship with God.
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