What happens when you can’t be alone with your own mind? Welcome to a new series of conversations with John Mark and friends about following Jesus out of the overwhelming noise of modern life and into the silent, still presence of the God of peace. In this conversation, John Mark and John Ortberg—a pastor and seasoned guide on spiritual formation—explore how the practices of solitude and Scripture
12 Oct 2026 · 32 minDirectory Religion & Spirituality
The way of Jesus leads us to a deeper, fuller life. This was true in the ancient world where Jesus first lived and taught, and it’s still true today. But what does it mean to actually practice the way of Jesus in today’s complex, secular world? In this podcast, join John Mark Comer and other guides as they explore this important question through practical teachings and conversations. At Practicing the Way, we are here to help you journey to a deeper life with God. Discover more of our resources and take your next step at practicingtheway.org
Latest episodes
What transformation waits for you in the quiet place? In this final teaching in our series on the ancient practice of solitude, John Mark shares the ultimate purpose of solitude: an encounter with God that uncovers our identity and reveals our calling. If you’d like to continue exploring what it means to build a life with God in solitude, we have two invitations for you. First, John Mark’s newest
5 Oct 2026 · 54 minWhy does solitude sometimes feel less like rest and more like a battlefield? In this teaching on the ancient practice of solitude, John Mark reveals what Jesus and the desert fathers and mothers knew: we don't always go into the quiet place to flee the noise of our lives, but to fight the enemies of our souls. John Mark’s newest book Into The Quiet is now available for order at your book provider
28 Sep 2026 · 48 minWhat are we afraid will surface when we leave the noise behind? In this teaching on the ancient practice of solitude, John Mark invites us to follow Jesus’ path into solitude, where we can give our feelings, desires, and trust to God, and be shaped by His transforming love in return. John Mark’s newest book Into The Quiet is now available for order at your book provider of choice. You can join Joh
21 Sep 2026 · 52 minWhat are we missing by never sitting in the quiet? Welcome to a new series of teachings on the ancient practice of solitude. Together we’ll explore how to step away from the noise of modern life and into the still, peaceful presence of God. In this teaching, John Mark explains what true solitude with God is, what it isn’t , and what might be waiting for us if we follow Jesus into the quiet place.
14 Sep 2026 · 49 minWhat kind of faith can actually last a lifetime? In this final conversation on Water From A Deep Well, John Mark and Dr. Sittser uncover one quality that stands out in their journey through 2,000 years of Christian history — from the lives of saints and martyrs, to missionaries and laity: the virtue of resilience. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly g
7 Sep 2026 · 27 minWhen was the last time you made a risk for God? In this conversation, John Mark and Dr. Sittser explore the courageous, risk-taking faith of pioneer missionaries, and how our own spirituality can be deeply formed over time by small acts of faith. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Dee from Durham, Nort
31 Aug 2026 · 41 minWhat value lies beyond the church tradition you know best? In this conversation, John Mark and Dr. Sittser arrive at the spirituality many of us are most familiar with today: evangelicalism, and discuss how it came to be and how it can be harmonized with the rich, historical traditions of the Church. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special
24 Aug 2026 · 49 minWhen did you first get your hands on a Bible? In this conversation, John Mark and Dr. Sittser move into the Protestant Reformation to discuss how it profoundly shifted the role of the Bible, and how that connects to our experience in the life of the church today. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Jenn
17 Aug 2026 · 48 minCould your normal, everyday life be holy ground? In this conversation, John Mark and Dr. Sittser discuss how it came to be believed that even the most ordinary of people like you and me — not just saints, mystics or monastics — could create a deeply spiritual life with God in their everyday lives. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special th
10 Aug 2026 · 36 minWhat if faith is meant to be experienced, not just understood? In this conversation, John Mark and Dr. Sittser dive into the historical roots of Christian mysticism, a part of the Christian tradition that focuses on how we can know God through direct experience, not just intellectual understanding. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special t
3 Aug 2026 · 39 minWhat if God is found as much in the ordinary as in the extraordinary? In this conversation, John Mark and Dr. Sittser take us into the days of the medieval church, highlighting the emphasis in that period on bridging the seen and unseen realms through architecture and the sacraments, showing how our faith can be enriched by the ordinary. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, ou
29 Jun 2026 · 45 minHow different can the church be and still be one? In this conversation, John Mark and Dr. Sittser discuss the development of Christianity in the East, highlighting its cultural diversity, historical divisions and what we can learn today despite the differences that marked that time. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this e
22 Jun 2026 · 41 minHow do you spend your time? In this conversation, John Mark and Dr. Sittser continue exploring the desert movement as it became more organized in monastic communities, and specifically how these communities related to one of humanity’s most valuable commodities: time. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to:
15 Jun 2026 · 40 minHow far will we go to discover God more deeply? In this conversation, John Mark and Dr. Gerald Sittser take us into the desert movement of church history and explore how the desert fathers and mothers embraced hardship in pursuit of a deeper life with God. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Lori from C
8 Jun 2026 · 38 minWhat difference can being different make? In this conversation, John Mark and Dr. Gerald Sittser uncover how the early church functioned as a genuine, lived community against the backdrop of the dense and challenging environment of Roman cities, and explore why that counter-cultural life drew people in. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Spec
1 Jun 2026 · 36 minWhat happens when our faith comes under pressure? In this conversation, John Mark and Dr. Gerald Sittser discuss the marginalization and persecution of the early disciples of Jesus, and how their faithfulness—rather than their safety—defined the first years of the Christian movement. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this
25 May 2026 · 44 minHow has Christian spirituality evolved throughout history? Welcome to a brand-new series of conversations between John Mark and Dr. Gerald Sittser called “Water from a Deep Well.” This series explores the rich history of Christian spirituality and the wisdom of the early followers of Jesus across twelve different eras of the Church. This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our com
18 May 2026 · 35 minThe way of Jesus leads us to a deeper, fuller life. This was true in the ancient world where Jesus first lived and taught, and it’s still true today. But what does it mean to actually practice the way of Jesus in today’s complex, secular world? In this podcast, join John Mark Comer and other guides as they explore this important question through practical teachings and conversations. At Practicing
14 May 2026 · 2 minHow do we move forward after forgiveness? John Mark and Bethany Allen walk through the four essential steps of reconciliation—confession, repentance, restitution, and restoration—and show us why forgiveness isn't complete until we've done the hard work of making things right. They challenge us to move beyond our culture's victimization mindset and take personal responsibility for the relationships
11 May 2026 · 50 min